A Century's Worth of Natural History Specimens Enter the Digital Age

Rhea-AI Summary

Enbridge supports a significant project at the Canadian Museum of Nature by providing a $36,000 grant for two Indigenous youth internships in 2023. The museum aims to digitize its vast collection of over 14.5 million specimens documenting biodiversity and geodiversity. Currently, 25% of the collection is digitized, with a focus on sophisticated imaging techniques for recording specimens. This initiative not only aids in documenting biodiversity but also provides students with essential technical skills and career development opportunities.

Positive

• Enbridge's $36,000 grant for Indigenous youth internships promotes environmental education.
• Digitization of 14.5 million specimens enhances accessibility for research and public use.
• Internship program supports skill development and career pathways for biology and biodiversity majors.

Negative

• Only 25% of the collection has been digitized, indicating a long-term commitment needed.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / December 19, 2022 / Out from the depths of the collections at the Canadian Museum of Nature, natural history specimens are ready for their close-up.

The nation's natural history museum, based in Ottawa, is undertaking a major project to digitize over 14.5 million of its collections that document biodiversity and geodiversity, mostly within Canada. Once completed, the online records will live on indefinitely for researchers, scientists and the general public to access.

"These records are critical components of the permanent scientific record and help us document biodiversity's distribution over time and space," says Jeff Saarela, vice president of research and collections at the Canadian Museum of Nature. "Much of what we know about biodiversity today is based on collections like this one."

In 2023, two Indigenous youth will embark on 16-week internships to capture images and upload records from the museum's biodiversity collections. About 25% of the collection has been digitized to-date.

"There's a lot of work left to do," says Saarela.

The museum's specimens, some collected more than a century ago, represent many types of organisms: amphibians, fish, birds, insects, plants, mammals, lichens, mosses, reptiles, fossils of animals and plants, and more.

The two Indigenous youth internships are set to be based out of the museum's Natural Heritage Campus located in Gatineau, QC. The science facility has about 50 permanent staff and several associate researchers, all of whom provide key contributions to the museum's research and collections work.

Enbridge's Fueling Futures program supports sustainability projects that help improve, grow and nurture our environment. By providing a $36,000 grant to the Canadian Museum of Nature, we're funding these Indigenous youth internships in 2023.

Students will focus first on recording specimens from areas in the Prairies. The work is far more sophisticated than simple data entry, as students receive training to generate high-quality images for three-dimensional objects like bird and mammal skins.

"There's a lot of technical skills that go into getting a really good image of specimens that aren't flat," says Saarela. "We use a technique called stacking, which involves taking many different slices of images at different focal lengths and using software to make one picture that's fully in focus."

Students involved in the museum's internship program are generally biology and biodiversity majors. Saarela says student opportunities don't begin and end with their projects-the internships help these students open up career pathways and develop professional networks within the museum's community.

"It's really a win-win for everybody."

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Enbridge on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:
Spokesperson: Enbridge
Website: https://www.enbridge.com/
Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Enbridge

View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/732388/A-Centurys-Worth-of-Natural-History-Specimens-Enter-the-Digital-Age

FAQ

What is the purpose of Enbridge's grant to the Canadian Museum of Nature?

Enbridge's $36,000 grant supports two Indigenous youth internships that focus on digitizing natural history specimens.

How many specimens is the Canadian Museum of Nature digitizing?

The museum is digitizing over 14.5 million specimens documenting biodiversity and geodiversity.

What percentage of the collection has been digitized at the Canadian Museum of Nature?

Currently, about 25% of the collection has been digitized.

What skills will students gain during their internships at the Canadian Museum of Nature?

Students will learn sophisticated imaging techniques for documenting specimens and gain professional networking opportunities.

When will the Indigenous youth internships funded by Enbridge take place?

The internships are set to take place in 2023.