| Why do we want to make specimens last forever?
Because of their value!
Because they are unique--and a limited resource!
Because of the costs involved with acquiring a specimen!
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Caring for Collections
Because of the costs involved with acquiring a specimen!
What are the costs and problems of acquiring a specimen? |
| 1. |
Problems of finding a specimen: |
| |
Some kinds or species are not available at all.
Examples:
- Marine species
- Extinct species
- Endangered species
- Threatened species
Most require some type of permit to obtain and to hold.
- Most mammal and bird specimens can be obtained only with federal and state permits.
Locations for collecting may be difficult to visit, or inaccessible.
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| 2. |
Costs of time: |
| |
- Time for staff person to find the right kind or species;
- Time for staff at other institutions to locate one for us and send it;
- Time for a staff member to prepare the specimen for research;
- Time required to find someone else, such as a taxidermist, to mount the specimen in a life like pose;M
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| 3. |
Costs of materials: |
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- Materials to collect the specimens;
- Materials to prepare or mount the specimen;
- Time for a staff member to prepare the specimen for research;
- Materials to protect the mounted specimen.
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And the costs of taking care of specimens and making information available
| |
- Good quality cabinets
- Effective heating and air conditioning systems
- Information systems (the computers, printers, software)
- Staff to manage and care for the collections
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How do we make them last?
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![[San Diego Natural History Museum: Collections Care & Conservation]](../images/bnr_coll.jpg)
