The Natural History Museum of Utah & Zions Bank Unveil Traveling Treasures 2024: Defense

SALT LAKE CITY, JANUARY 16, 2023 – The Natural History Museum of Utah, in partnership with Zions Bank, brings the science and stories of nature’s most fascinating defense mechanisms statewide through its annual outreach initiative Traveling Treasures. Kicking off in Spanish Fork in January, throughout 2024, 11 cities across Utah have the opportunity to take a peek into NHMU’s collections within their own communities at Zions Bank branches, free of charge.  

“As the state’s natural history museum, it is important to share specimens from our collections with communities in every corner of Utah,” said Dr. Jason Cryan, The Sarah B. George Executive Director of the Natural History Museum of Utah. “Evolution has equipped creatures of all sizes with some pretty innovative defense mechanisms, I am excited for Utahns to witness how animals and humans alike have adapted to survive.”  

From the spike shields of prickly pear cactuses to mesmerizing mimicry of morph butterflies, organisms have developed unique ways of defending themselves. At Traveling Treasures: Defense Experts visitors have the opportunity to learn about the scary stares of moths, toxic traps of plants, and the sharp spikes of Stegosaurus’. Developed by educators, exhibit designers, bank personnel, and Museum volunteers, Traveling Treasures features objects and specimens from nearly every collection at the Museum. 

In addition to discovering defense in flora and fauna, visitors are also able to observe the important role defense plays in Native American communities across the west both spiritually and through military service. Native Americans have the highest record of service in the U.S. Armed forces per capita of any ethnic group. For many Indigenous people, military service represents a continuation of the respected traditional role of the warrior dedicated to ensuring their people’s survival.  

“We’re proud to support the Natural History Museum in bringing science to communities across Utah, ” said Zions Bank President and CEO Scott Anderson. “They always do a great job making science and history accessible.” 

Four cities: Moab, Richfield, Coalville and Brigham City are hosting community science nights at their local Zions Bank branches to celebrate the arrival of Traveling Treasures with science learning stations, hands-on activities, and experts from NHMU and their partners.  

For more than 20 years, the Natural History Museum of Utah and Zions Bank have partnered to bring natural history collections and research to Utah’s diverse communities.  

For additional details and a full list of Traveling Treasures locations, and Community Science Nights in your area, please visit nhmu.utah.edu/TravelingTreasures.  

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About the Natural History Museum of Utah   

The Natural History Museum of Utah is one of the leading scientific research and cultural institutions in the country. Established in 1963, the museum’s 10 permanent exhibitions are anchored by its state-of-the-art collections and research facilities containing almost 2 million objects. These collections are used in studies on geological, biological, and cultural diversity, and the history of living systems and human cultures within the Utah region. The museum hosts approximately 300,000 general visitors a year and provides one of the most spectacular private event settings in the Salt Lake City area. NHMU also broadens the reach of its mission through a variety of science-based outreach programs to communities and schools throughout Utah, reaching every school district in the state every other year. 

About Zions Bank 

Zions Bank is Utah’s oldest financial institution and is the only local bank with a statewide distribution of branches operating 95 full-service branches. Zions Bank also operates 26 branches in Idaho and Wyoming. In addition to offering a wide range of traditional banking services, Zions Bank is also a market leader in small business lending. Founded in 1873, Zions Bank has been serving the communities of Utah for 150 years. Additional information is available at www.zionsbank.com. A division of Zions Bancorporation N.A., Member FDIC.