RENO — “The Power of Plants: A Forest Journey” exhibit, opening Saturday at the Wilbur D. May Museum, uses interactive displays and a walk through the Wilbur May Arboretum to give families a fun experience that teaches the value of forests and trees in everyday life.

The journey begins inside the May Museum with the Franklin Institute’s “A Forest Journey” exhibit. “A Forest Journey” uses a number of interactive displays to help visitors understand life in the forest and how valuable trees and forests are to people, animals and other trees. Visitors will also learn how they can help preserve forests and trees for future generations.

Then it’s off to visit some real trees and plants with in the county’s beautiful Wilbur D. May Arboretum. Guided tours of the gardens will be led by arboretum docents, Rancho San Rafael Botanical Society volunteers and Washoe County horticulturist Bill Carlos. Following the arboretum tour, the journey returns to the May Museum’s permanent exhibit so visitors can seehow trees and forest benefit animals around the world.

“The Power of Plants: A Forest Journey” is on display from Saturday through Aug. 21. Guided tours will be offered starting at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, or take the self-guided journey between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.

The Wilbur D. May Museum and Arboretum at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park is located at 1595 N. Sierra St. Admission is $5 per person. A teacher’s guide is available through the Current Events page of the May Museum’s website, www.maycenter.com. Parents, homeschoolers, teachers and other group leaders may want to refer to this guide prepare for their visit.

For more information, call 823-6500 or visit www.washoecountyparks.com.