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.

News

NSC Alliance Releases New Resource on Importance of Collections to Wildlife Management

By NSCAPosted on Posted in Activities & Events

The Natural Science Collections Alliance has prepared a short report on how natural history collections contribute to wildlife management.  “Informing Wildlife Management: Genetics Research Uses Natural History Collections” shows how researchers use genetic information preserved in scientific collections in cutting-edge wildlife research.  Natural history collections are being used to prevent bird strikes with aircraft, better […]

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Enter the Faces of Biology Photo Contest

By NSCAPosted on Posted in Activities & Events, News & Updates

Biological research is transforming our society and the world.  Help the public and policymakers better understand the breadth of biology by entering the Faces of Biology Photo Contest.  The competition is sponsored by the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS). The theme of the contest is “Faces of Biology.”  Photographs entered into the contest must […]

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OSTP Issues Directives on Scientific Collections

By NSCAPosted on Posted in News & Updates

In March 2014, President Obama’s science advisor directed federal agencies to develop policies to improve the management of and access to scientific collections that are owned, directly managed, or financially supported by the federal government. Notably, agencies are required to improve public access to collections.  Agencies are directed to work with the Smithsonian Institution to […]

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Report Analyzes Science Funding in President Obama’s Budget Request

By NSCAPosted on Posted in News & Updates

A report from the American Institute of Biological Sciences analyzes funding for biological research in President Obama’s budget request for fiscal year 2015.  Most federal agencies would receive a small budget increase, but less than the rate of inflation, if the spending plan were enacted by Congress. The report provides detailed breakdowns of funding for […]

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USGS Develops New DNA Tool to Identify Invasive Plants

By NSCAPosted on Posted in Activities & Events

Researchers at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) have developed a new DNA protocol to distinguish between native and invasive aquatic plant species that have almost identical appearances.  The tool was created using voucher plant specimens. “When invasive plants appear in a body of water, local people naturally are alarmed” said Nancy Rybicki, a USGS […]

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iDigBio User Survey

By NSCAPosted on Posted in News & Updates

iDigBio is seeking input from the digitization community, broader collections community, other scientists, stakeholders, and any others interested in iDigBio’s activities.  iDigBio is funded by the National Science Foundation as a national hub to advance digitization of biological collections.  The survey addresses ways users have interacted with iDigBio; views regarding iDigBio’s website, portal, and social […]

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NSC Alliance Policy Director Testifies Before House Appropriations Panel

By NSCAPosted on Posted in Activities & Events, Correspondence, News & Updates

On 10 April 2014, the NSC Alliance director of public policy Dr. Robert Gropp was a witness on a panel testifying before the House Subcommittee on Interior and Environment Appropriations.  He testified in his capacity as Chairman of the USGS Coalition, an alliance of organizations united by a commitment to the continued vitality of the […]

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NSC Alliance Testimony Supports Increased Funding for NSF

By NSCAPosted on Posted in Activities & Events, Correspondence, News & Updates, Position Statements

The Natural Science Collections Alliance submitted testimony to Congress in favor of increased funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF).  The requested $7.5 billion would restore proposed cuts to research funding and enable continued investments in natural history collections. NSF requested $7.255 billion in fiscal year 2015.  At this level, biological research funding would be […]

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NSC Alliance and iDigBio Cosponsor Symposium on 21st Century Collections

By NSCAPosted on Posted in Activities & Events, Correspondence, News & Updates

The Natural Science Collections Alliance and iDigBio will hold an important symposium on the future of collections this May.  NSC Alliance members are encouraged to participate in “Collections for the 21st Century” at the University of Florida on May 5-6. The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Advancing Digitization of Biodiversity Collections Program (ADBC) is in its […]

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