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.
Delegates from dozens of countries met in late January to create the administrative structure for a new international initiative to provide the science necessary to inform policies on conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services. During the first plenary of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel was selected. This […]
In 2012, 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: Conducted a Congressional briefing on digitization of natural science collections. The event was well attended by policymakers from Capitol Hill, federal agencies, […]
The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Illinois will cut $3 million from its budget for science. An additional $2 million in reductions will be sought from other programs. The spending reductions were prompted by the recession and institution’s debt. Richard Lariviere, the museum’s president, announced the cost cutting plans this week. Staff layoffs […]
Graduate students with an interest in science policy are encouraged to apply for the 2013 AIBS Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award. This award recognizes graduate students in the biological sciences who have demonstrated initiative and leadership in science policy. Recipients receive first-hand experience at the interface of science and public policy. Winners receive a trip […]
Catalog records for thousands of field books from the Smithsonian Institution are now available online. The Field Book Project makes available details about the collection of biological specimens from 542 collections housed at the Smithsonian Institution. More than 6,600 field books are included in the project. In addition to the detailed catalog records, researchers now […]
The Natural Science Collections Alliance has prepared a short report on digitization of natural history collections. The document outlines the potential uses of digitized data and its value to researchers, students, decision makers, and the public. Examples are presented of how digitized specimens and their associated data are being put to use. The following is […]
A recent publication by the Texas Tech University Natural Science Research Laboratory presents methods for determining the costs of collecting and preparing mammal voucher specimens. Such information is useful in justifying budget requests from administrators and in formulating policies on specimen usage and replacement, according to the paper’s authors. At Texas Tech University, the average […]
House Republicans were busy last week determining who will lead the chamber’s twenty-five committees in the next Congress. Although some chairmen will retain their positions, changes are in store for at least one committee with jurisdiction over science. Notably, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee will have a new leader next year. Representative Lamar […]
After a protracted and contentious election, our nation’s political leaders now face the daunting task of addressing the fiscal cliff. Unless lawmakers take action, the policies encompassed in the fiscal cliff will automatically go into effect this January. Included are tax increases and federal budget cuts. Federal science programs would be subject to at least […]
Comments are now being accepted on a draft Implementation Plan for a Network Integrated Biocollections Alliance. The Implementation Plan builds upon the work of an earlier report: A Strategic Plan for Establishing a Network Integrated Biocollections Alliance. The Strategic Plan issues a strong and urgent call for an aggressive, sustained, coordinated, and large-scale effort to […]