BLOOMINGTON, IN.- Roughly one-fourth of all plant species in Indiana are not native to the state – this includes plants found in your own backyard. What to do? WonderLab has a solution. Come to Science of Art: Paper Making with Invasives on Saturday, March 30 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. WonderLab’s staff is joining forces with artist and educator Laura Post to walk you through identifying, and then making paper from, invasive species.

“Making paper with sources available locally gives you the chance to see what you can make with what’s on hand and unwanted in the area,” said Post. “Each of these plants has a different color and texture that can be used to create a unique piece of art, painting with texture rather than ink.”

Explore various invasive plant species and discover how to tell them apart from plants native to Indiana. Feel your way through these invasives with a Touch and Texture Wall. Make your own paper from invasive plants.Take home your art!

“Every organism has a native habitat where it fits into the ecosystem,” said Emmy Brockman, education director at WonderLab. “Invasive species are in a habitat they’re not supposed to be and can drive out native species, which can destroy an ecosystem. The great thing is, though, that no matter how old you are, once you learn about them you can help keep your habitat in shape.”

Learn about invasive species at WonderLab’s Science of Art: Paper Making with Invasives on Saturday, March 30 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. This all-ages event is free with museum admission.

WonderLab is an award-winning science museum located at 308 W. Fourth St. on the B-Line Trail in Bloomington, Indiana. The museum is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. General admission is $9, and children younger than one are free. For more information call (812) 337-1337, or go online to wonderlab.org or WonderLab’s Facebook page.