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.
A team of scientists is trying to capture 3D images of every species of ant in the world. They are using a new technique that allows the tiny anatomy of ants to be photographed. The images will be posted online for use by other researchers, students, and the public. So far, about more than 8,300 […]
Informal and K-12 educators can participate in free professional development courses this summer. One course will focus on plant phenology and climate change. The course will provide information on how to participate in Project BudBurst (www.budburst.org), including suggestions for structuring your classroom involvement. It will be offered in two sessions: 11 June to 9 July […]
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has revised the guidelines for two of its grant programs. IMLS is seeking public comments on the draft guidelines for the Museums for America and National Leadership Grants for Museums programs. The guidelines for these programs have been revised to align with the IMLS Strategic Plan. IMLS […]
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is funding a new initiative to build a comprehensive evolutionary tree for all life on Earth. The program, “Assembling, Visualizing, and Analyzing the Tree of Life” (AVAToL) has made three awards to scientists who will work to create a central place where researchers can go to see and analyze the […]
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced the availability of funding to enhance and expand digitization of and access to existing biological and paleontological collections in the United States. The Advancing Digitization of Biodiversity Collections is seeking full proposals for its third round of funding. Proposals will be accepted for new research themes (Thematic Collections […]
Today, scientists briefed Congress, federal agency personnel, and nongovernmental organization representatives about the importance of the nation’s natural science collections. The briefing explored how scientists and natural science collections managers are using new technology to digitize the nation’s natural science collections in an effort to increase access to these irreplaceable resources for research, education, and […]
Each year, scientists discover thousands of new species, but only a few enjoy the distinction of being named one of the top ten new species of the year. That honor is bestowed by the Informational Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University. The winners include organisms as diverse as a monkey, a jellyfish, and […]
An important biological collection and associated data may be gone soon, unless action is taken to preserve it. Fifteen specimen jars containing the stomach contents of birds and 230,000 notecards containing information about the specimens are all that remain of the federal government’s first major study of birds. For more than 50 years, starting in […]
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is seeking a new president to oversee the museum’s research, exhibits, and educational programs. A visionary leader is sought to implement the museum’s recently adopted Master Plan. For information about the museum, please visit www.SBNATURE.org. For detailed information about the position, and in strict confidence, contact Robert M. […]
An archived video of the National Institutes for Health/National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity December 2011 workshop is now available online. The workshop, “The Intersection of Science and Security: a Case Study Approach,” examined dual use research, life science research that has the potential to be misused to threaten public health or national security. The […]