Mall Offers Walk on the Wild Side

In the midst of its shops and restaurants, the Westminster Mall has added a tide pool, a 50-ton sand sculpture, massive snakes, iguanas, monkeys and other attractions this month in celebration of Earth Day on April 22.

Titled “Project Earth,” the exhibit is divided into four sections in different wings of the mall: desert, ocean, forest and wildlife. Each area is staffed by an educator or animal handler to answer questions.

Some rare and interesting species--such as ring-tailed lemurs, spider monkeys and monitor lizards--are also on display.

“We wanted to give people examples of the different aspects of the Earth’s environment,” said mall spokeswoman Stephanie Greene.

Since April 1, Greene said, more than 400 children have attended the exhibit on school field trips, and many more have passed through the displays while shopping.

“It’s great. I really like it a lot,” 9-year-old Matt Tracy said of the exhibit after holding a 12-foot Burmese python. “I wasn’t scared. I like snakes.”

One section of the exhibit, sponsored by the California Forest Products Commission, uses maps and interactive displays to educate visitors about sustained forestry, harvesting trees and their uses.

The traveling exhibit is used to help people become aware “of forestry practices and issues to make educated decisions about the future of our forests,” said Jon Norby, a former president of the commission.

The Westminster Mall’s exhibit will run through May 2 and will feature special events and stage shows on Saturdays and Sundays. Information: (714) 898-2558.