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 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced that it has awarded a Research Coordination Network (RCN) grant to contribute to the development of the natural history collections community in the United States. “A stronger community will facilitate research by providing better lines of communication between collections managers and researchers, and establishing improved mechanisms for […]
The French Museum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris, France, recently brought together leaders from natural history institutions, scientists, conservationists, and representatives from non-governmental organizations, policymakers, and many others for a symposium celebrating the 300th anniversary of the birth of French naturalist Georges Louis Marie Leclerc, comte de Buffon. The Buffon Symposium focused on natural history […]
On 6 November 2007, House of Representatives delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced HR 4098, The Smithsonian Modernization Act of 2007. The legislation, if passed, would completely restructure the Smithsonian Institution’s governing board. Currently, the Board of Regents consists of 17 members, including three Senators, three Representatives, the Vice President, and the Chief Justice of […]
On 8 November 2007, the Natural Science Collections Alliance sent a letter to the leadership of the House and Senate Subcommittees on Interior, Environment and Related Agency Appropriations. The letter acknowledged both subcommittee’s prior support for the US Geological Survey and the National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), and encouraged the subcommittees to do all they […]
Dear Mr. Nussle and Dr. Marburger: Thank you for including language in the fiscal year (FY) 2009 Administration Research and Development Priorities memorandum that recognizes the importance of scientific collections. The natural science collections community is pleased by your identification of scientific collections as critical components of our nation’s research infrastructure. We strongly encourage you […]
On 16 October 2007, the United States Department of the Interior published a notice in the Federal Register requesting public comment on the proposed final rule for the disposition of culturally unidentifiable human remains in the possession or control of museums or federal agencies. Promulgation of this rule is required under the Native American Graves […]
On September 18, 2007, the Sacramento Bee newspaper ran a story reporting that senior university officials at California State University – Sacramento had signed letters supporting a potential donors desire to hunt assorted animals, some of which are endangered, in Tanzania. The letters reportedly followed a suggestion by the potential donor that he could donate […]
On 16 August 2007, the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released the annual memorandum identifying research and development (R&D) priorities for the federal government. The memo, which is sent to the heads of executive branch agencies and departments, details what programs the Administration intends […]
On 26 June 2007 the NSC Alliance participated in the 13th Annual Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) Capitol Hill Science Exhibition and Reception. Representing the NSC Alliance and the broader collections community were Dr. Joseph Cook and Ms. Natalie Dawson. Cook is curator of mammals at the Museum of Southwestern Biology at the University […]
On 13 June 2007, NSC Alliance president Dr. Michael A. Mares sent a letter to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Obey (D-WI) and Ranking Member Lewis (R-CA), encouraging increased fiscal year (FY) 2008 funding for the Institute for Museum and Library Service. The letter was in response to a Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education […]