In 2015, the NSC Alliance engaged in a number of notable activities to raise the profile of natural history collections with policymakers, researchers, and the general public. A few highlights are presented below:
- Successfully re-nominated LindaLee (Cissy) Farm to serve on the Native
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Review Committee. She
previously chaired the committee from 2013-2015. NSC Alliance initially
nominated her based on the recommendation of the Bishop Museum. - Provided testimony to House and Senate Appropriations Committees in support
of increased funding for research, curation, and digitization of natural history
collections from the National Science Foundation and the Department of the
Interior. - Held a science briefing for policymakers in Washington, DC, in December 2015
on progress toward the goal of digitizing the nation’s biodiversity collections.
The event also showcased ways to use crowdsourcing and citizen science in
natural history collections. - NSC Alliance identified and nominated members to participate in the
Biodiversity Collections Network “Collections Communication Workshop†that
was held at The Field Museum in September. - Provided comments to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation
Committee about what should be included in legislation to reauthorize the
National Science Foundation.
2015 Year in Review