Natural Science Collections Alliance
Our members are part of an international community of museums, botanical gardens, herbariums, universities and other institutions that house natural science collections and utilize them in research, exhibitions, academic and informal science education, and outreach activities.
The White House released a memorandum on July 18, 2014 detailing budget priorities for science and technology in the fiscal year (FY) 2016 federal budget, which agencies are now developing. The annual memo from the Office of Management and Budget and Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) directs departments and agencies to prioritize certain […]
Several recent incidents involving collections of dangerous pathogens have put safety protocols at government labs at the center of the public’s attention. Recently, 300 vials containing materials infected with infectious diseases were discovered in a storage room at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The vials, which had been there for decades, included six vials […]
The House Appropriations Committee has approved legislation to fund the Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, Forest Service, and Smithsonian Institution in fiscal year 2015. The new fiscal year begins on 1 October 2014. A major collections care initiative proposed by the Department of the Interior (DOI) does not appear to be included in […]
A new iBooks Textbook and ITune U course based on Encyclopedia of Life content are available for high school biology students. E. O. Wilson’s “Life on Earth” was created by the E. O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. The electronic book is available for free on the iBooks Store and is accompanied by an iTunes U course […]
The importance of natural history collections was the focus of a recent BBC Radio Wales story. The radio story reported on the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections conference held in Cardiff, Wales. The theme of the conference was “Historic Collections: A Resource for the Future.” To listen to the story, visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0486gjl.
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) has launched a new website to help researchers participate in the development of the nation’s science policy. This free online resource is available at policy.aibs.org. “AIBS has been a leader in its efforts to engage scientists in public policy,†said AIBS President Dr. Joseph Travis. “This new website […]
Grants for repatriation of Native American human remains are available from the Department of the Interior. Recently a report was posted to the National Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act website (http://www.nps.gov/nagpra/INDEX.HTM) indicating Native American human remains listed on culturally affiliated inventories and not in notices. Those individuals are immediately available to be in […]
The NSC Alliance is pleased to announce that it is joining with the American Institute of Biological Sciences to sponsor the 6th Annual Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits event. This national initiative is an opportunity for biologists across the country to meet with their federal or state elected officials to showcase the people, facilities, and […]
The National Science Foundation has announced that the Collections in Support of Biological Research program is back to an annual funding cycle. A new call for proposals (NSF 14-564) was recently released with a deadline of 11 August 2014. The Collections in Support of Biological Research Program provides funds: 1) for improvements to secure, improve, […]
Many publications have extolled the value of natural history collections, however few have calculated the cost of caring for scientific specimens. A recent paper estimates the cost of incorporating specimens into a natural history collection and making them accessible to researchers and the public. On average, it cost $17.51 per specimen for curation, installation, documentation, […]