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 Albuquerque Journal published an in depth article about the impacts of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) funding hiatus for collections. The article focuses on the Museum of Southwestern Biology, which is part of the University of New Mexico and is the recipient of several grants from the Collections in Support of Biological Research (CSBR) […]
This position is located in the National NAGPRA Program, National Park Service, Washington, D.C. The National NAGPRA Program fulfills some of the Secretary of the Interior’s responsibilities regarding implementation of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), NAGPRA potentially impacts the activities of all Federal agencies, States, and institutions that receive Federal funds […]
Biological diversity makes human life on Earth possible. Unfortunately, we are at a time in Earth’s history when an increasing number of species are at risk of extinction. Despite the significance of this issue, the scientists and institutions at the forefront of efforts to understand biodiversity are ringing alarm bells about inadequate investments in this […]
An op-ed published in the New York Times on April 1 extolls the unsung virtues of natural history collections. “Natural history museums are so focused on the future that they have for centuries routinely preserved such specimens to answer questions they didn’t yet know how to ask, requiring methodologies that had not yet been invented, […]
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) has launched the 6th Annual Faces of Biology Photo Contest. The competition recognizes scientists who use imagery to communicate aspects of biological research to the public and policymakers. “Over the past five years, this contest has been effective at showing the public and decision-makers what the scientific process […]
The National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) is organizing a six-week botanical expedition to the two largest islands in the Independent State of Samoa, Savaii and Upolu. The field work will focus on the goal of botanical exploration of poorly known and botanically diverse habitats on these islands and to document and provide data critical to […]
The concerns of the collections community, including living and stock collections, about the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) decision to suspend funding for the Collections in Support of Biological Research program has captured the interest of the science media. Barbara Thiers, Vice President of the NSC Alliance was interviewed by Nature about the funding hiatus. “There’s […]
The NSC Alliance has provided testimony to the House Appropriations Committee requesting that Congress provide the National Science Foundation (NSF) with at least $8.0 billion in fiscal year 2017. This would represent an increase of $536.5 million for the agency over the current funding level, and could enable the agency to increase its funding rate […]
The Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois is seeking a collections manager for the mammal collection. This large, actively growing collection is home to many research and education initiatives by both resident and extramural scientists. Duties include overseeing all aspects of specimen preparation, identification, care, and organization of specimens; training, supervision and coordination of staff, students, […]
Three leading organizations that advocate for the preservation of natural history collections have voiced concerns about the National Science Foundation’s decision to halt the Collections in Support of Biological Research (CSBR) program. In a letter dated March 24, 2016, the organizations called for the agency to “reconsider this action, which can jeopardize the long-term care, […]