From jessica.bazeley at yale.edu Mon Jun 3 09:21:48 2019 From: jessica.bazeley at yale.edu (Utrup, Jessica) Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2019 13:21:48 +0000 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] NHCOLL-L quarterly reminder Message-ID: NHCOLL-L is provided as a service to the collections community by the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC). We depend on list members to provide only those postings that are appropriate to the subject matter, which includes topics such as collections administration, collections care, computerization, conservation, and management. Both policy and practical discussions are appropriate. Information of all kinds is welcome, however, advertising is inappropriate. Membership in SPNHC gives you access to a lively, active, and interdisciplinary global community of professionals dedicated to the care of natural history collections. SPNHC's membership is drawn from more than 20 countries and includes museum specialists such as curators, collections managers, conservators, preparators, and database administrators. The Society hosts annual meetings and sponsors symposia and workshops to foster the exchange of ideas and information. Member benefits also include the society's peer-reviewed journal, Collection Forum, a biannual newsletter and a wealth of content on our website at www.spnhc.org. Membership information can be found by visiting our website and clicking "Join SPNHC." Jessica Utrup Museum Assistant II Division of Invertebrate Paleontology YALE PEABODY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY PO Box 208118, New Haven, CT 06520-8118 COURIER-DELIVERIES 170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511 P +1 (203) 432-1722 peabody.yale.edu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From EWheeler at royalbcmuseum.bc.ca Mon Jun 3 15:56:42 2019 From: EWheeler at royalbcmuseum.bc.ca (Wheeler, Erica J RBCM:EX) Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2019 19:56:42 +0000 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Call for Nominations -- Bruce Naylor Award / Appel de candidatures - Prix Bruce Naylor Message-ID: <683a33f63c344d84b531b324e70a2f43@E3PMBX17.idir.BCGOV> Call for Nominations -- Bruce Naylor Award Please see attached nomination form for the Bruce Naylor Award for 2019. The Bruce Naylor Award is named in honour of Dr. Bruce Naylor, founding President of the Alliance of Natural History Museums of Canada (ANHMC), to recognize significant contributions to the study of natural history in Canada. The award will be presented to the winner at the Annual General Meeting of the Alliance of Natural History Museums of Canada in the fall of 2019 at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Regina, Saskatchewan. We ask that you share this with those within your institution who may want to nominate a colleague. For a list of past recipients refer follow this link: http://www.naturalhistorymuseums.ca/naylor_e.htm Deadline for submissions is July 31st, 2019 and entries can be emailed to me, Elizabeth McCrea ? mccrealiz at gmail.com Appel de candidatures - Prix Bruce Naylor S'il vous plait, notez le formulaire de candidature ci-jointe pour le Prix Bruce Naylor pour 2019. Le prix Bruce Naylor sera pr?sent? ? l? assembl?e g?n?rale annuelle de l?Alliance des mus?es d?histoire naturelle du Canada ? l'automne 2019 au Mus?e royal de la Saskatchewan ? Regina. Nous demandons que vous partagez aussi cette formulaire avec ceux au sein de votre institution qui peut vouloir nommer un coll?gue. Pour une liste des anciens gagnants consulter le lien suivant: http://www.naturalhistorymuseums.ca/naylor_f.htm Date limite pour les soumissions est le 31 juillet, 2018 et entr?es peut ?tre envoy? par courriel ? moi, Elizabeth McCrea ? mccrealiz at gmail.com. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 3296_NatHis_Naylor Form_2019_E.docx Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document Size: 486237 bytes Desc: 3296_NatHis_Naylor Form_2019_E.docx URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 3296_NatHis_Naylor Form_2019_FR.docx Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document Size: 510707 bytes Desc: 3296_NatHis_Naylor Form_2019_FR.docx URL: From dpaul at fsu.edu Wed Jun 5 12:59:34 2019 From: dpaul at fsu.edu (Deborah Paul) Date: Wed, 5 Jun 2019 16:59:34 +0000 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Job Opportunity at iDigBio with the Digitization/Workforce Training Team at FSU Message-ID: Hello Everyone, We're seeking a new team member at iDigBio for the Digitization and Workforce Development branch of the project. Our group is located at Florida State University in Tallahassee. If you would like to work with the natural science collections community to collaboratively develop, deliver, and support digitization, capacity, and community-building activities, please apply. Perhaps you have a unique discipline-specific background (e.g. ecology), but also experience with collections and training. Some facility with R or Python and wiki experience would also be useful as we do a lot of workshops and other outreach to increase data management/use skills in the collections, research, and related communities. Help us continue and enhance the work we do within the Advancing the Digitization of Biodiversity Collections (ADBC), an NSF-funded biocollections data mobilization program supporting biodiversity data use in scientific research, education, outreach, policy, agriculture, and industry. Read more and to apply: Go to https://jobs.fsu.edu then Browse Job Openings search: 45273 (or try this link) Contact for more information: Deborah Paul (dpaul at fsu.edu) -- -- Upcoming iDigBio Events https://www.idigbio.org/calendar -- Deborah Paul, iDigBio Digitization and Workforce Training Specialist iDigBio -- Steering Committee Member SPNHC Liaison, Member-At-Large and Member International Relations Committee SYNTHESYS3 Representative, ICEDIG External Advisory Board Member Vice Chair, Biodiversity Information Standards Organisation (TDWG)(2019-2020) Institute for Digital Information, 234 LSB Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida 32306 850-644-6366 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From abentley at ku.edu Mon Jun 10 12:30:22 2019 From: abentley at ku.edu (Bentley, Andrew Charles) Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2019 16:30:22 +0000 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] FW: Science Policy News from AIBS In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <9babe83ba76a43ee8ba3bc5607e13d1c@ex13-csf-cr-13.home.ku.edu> Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. AIBS Public Policy Report AIBS Public Policy Report, Volume 20, Issue 12, June 10, 2019 * Action Alert: Ask Your Senators to Support Investment in NSF * AIBS Honored for Science Policy Advocacy * Trump Administration Restricts Funding for Fetal Tissue Research * USGS to Only Use Climate Projections Through 2040 * European Open-Access Initiative Delayed Until 2021 * Register Now: 2019 AIBS Writing for Impact and Influence Course * Meet Your Lawmakers This Summer and Help Inform Science Policy * Short Takes * Bipartisan Legislation to Tackle Academic Espionage * NSF Seeks Input on 2026 Idea Machine Competition * NAS Votes to Allow Expulsion of Sexual Harassers * From the Federal Register * Become an Advocate for Science: Join the AIBS Legislative Action Center ________________________________ The AIBS Public Policy Report is distributed broadly by email every two weeks to the AIBS membership. Any interested party may self-subscribe to receive these free reports by email or RSS news feed, by going to www.aibs.org/public-policy-reports. With proper attribution to AIBS, all material from these reports may be reproduced or forwarded. AIBS staff appreciates receiving copies of materials used. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact the AIBS Director of Public Policy, Robert Gropp, at 202-628-1500 x 250. ________________________________ Action Alert: Ask Your Senators to Support Investment in NSF Congress is working to determine funding levels for federal programs for fiscal year (FY) 2020. On May 22, 2019, the House Appropriations Committee approved $8.6 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF), an increase of 6.9 percent. Please show your support for the NSF by asking your Senators to provide the NSF with at least $9 billion in FY 2020. NSF is the primary federal funding source for discovery-driven biological research at U.S. universities and colleges. The agency provides approximately 69% of extramural federal support for non-medical biological and environmental research at academic institutions. The President?s budget request for FY 2020 proposes a 12.5 percent cut to NSF, including a 13 percent reduction to its research activities. This budget hurts research and undermines the nation?s ability to address national challenges. If funded at $9 billion, NSF could accelerate progress on its10 Big Ideas, expand support for early career researchers, and create new interdisciplinary research programs. Moreover, this investment will sustain core research and education programs that are vital to U.S. competitiveness. Please take a moment to ask your Senators to support $9 billion in funding for NSF. Interested individuals can send a letter to their Senators from the AIBS Legislative Action Center. AIBS Honored for Science Policy Advocacy The Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) has recognized the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) with a Special Service Award for AIBS? advocacy on behalf of natural history museums and other scientific collections. The Award was presented on May 31, 2019, in conjunction with the SPNHC annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois. Sharing the recognition with AIBS is the Natural Science Collections Alliance (NSC Alliance). ?On behalf of everyone affiliated with AIBS, I thank SPNHC for this recognition. Many current and former staff members and members of the Board of Directors have worked hard to advance strong public policy that promotes new investments in science and ensures the scientific process remains as free from political interference as possible. This award is a wonderful and appreciated recognition of their dedication and diligence,? said AIBS Executive Director Dr. Robert Gropp. Biological diversity is critical to human health and well-being. The plants, animals, and microbes with which we share the Earth offer aesthetic benefits, such as the enjoyment that comes from listening to a bird?s song or smelling a flower, and contain information, such as genes, that cannot be replaced when a species is lost to extinction. ?Natural science collections, such as natural history museums and botanic gardens, enable innovative research that helps us understand the rules that govern life on Earth as well as provide the insights necessary to protect biological diversity, improve agricultural production and food security, and protect us from diseases and pests,? said Gropp. These institutions, located in communities across the country, also provide kids with exciting and unique educational opportunities. Trump Administration Restricts Funding for Fetal Tissue Research The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on June 5, 2019 that it will restrict federal funding for medical research that uses human fetal tissue from elective abortions. According to the department?s statement, ?Promoting the dignity of human life from conception to natural death is one of the very top priorities of President Trump?s administration.? The decision is the result of a review launched by HHS in September 2018 to examine all human fetal tissue research after the department terminated a contract with Advanced Bioscience Resources, Inc., which supplied fetal tissue to the Food and Drug Administration for drug-testing research. HHS cancelled the contract because it was ?not sufficiently assured that the contract included the appropriate protections applicable to fetal tissue research or met all other procurement requirements.? Under the new policy, all intramural research, or research conducted within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), involving the use of human fetal tissue from elective abortion, will be discontinued. There are currently three such active research projects at NIH. An annual $2 million contract with the University of California, San Francisco for research involving aborted fetal tissue to study HIV/AIDS will also be cancelled. Extramural research projects, including research funded by NIH grants at universities, involving aborted fetal tissue will be required to go through an additional review process convened by an ethics advisory board after it has cleared the regular scientific review process. According to a 2006 law, for the review of each grant proposal, HHS will need to announce plans to assemble an ethics advisory board in the Federal Register and invite public nominations. The board, comprised of 14-20 members, will be appointed by the HHS Secretary at least 30 days after the notice is published and will then have up to 150 days to recommend whether the proposed research should be funded. Even after a proposal is recommended for approval, the Secretary can decide to withhold funds if he or she finds that the ?recommendation is arbitrary and capricious.? HHS will make changes to its regulations and grants policy ?to adopt or strengthen safeguards and program integrity requirements applicable to extramural research involving human fetal tissue? and explore ?adequate alternatives? to the use of fetal tissue in federally funded research. The new policy has received strong pushback from the scientific community. ?With these new arbitrary restrictions on research, the United States is ceding its role as the global leader in the development of cellular therapies and regenerative medicine,? said Doug Melton, Co-Director of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and President of the International Society for Stem Cell Research, according to the Washington Post. ?The regulatory and legal framework in the U.S. for overseeing fetal tissue research was carefully developed with input from the public, ethicists, policymakers and scientists and ensures rigorous oversight, including that the tissue is obtained legally and with donor consent.? USGS to Only Use Climate Projections Through 2040 Director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Dr. James Reilly, has instructed scientists at the agency to only use computer-generated climate models that project climate change impacts through 2040 in their assessments, according to a report by the New York Times. The standard practice in climate science has been to project impacts through the end of the century. The effort to focus on short-term climate projections follows a February 2019 White House memo revealing the Administration?s plan to create an ad hoc panel to reassess the government?s analysis of climate science and examine whether climate change impacts national security. The committee will be examining two recent government reports: The National Climate Assessment, which is a congressionally mandated interagency report that is produced every 4 years, and a report by the Pentagon, which assessed the impact of sea-level rise on low-lying military installations. The Union of Concerned Scientists has criticized the move saying that it would provide a misleading picture of the consequences of climate change because most of the impacts of the current emissions will be felt after 2040. Administration officials have indicated that ?worst-case scenario? projections, in which no efforts are made to curb emissions, will not automatically be included in the next National Climate Assessment report, which is expected to be released in 2021 or 2022. ?The previous use of inaccurate modeling that focuses on worst-case emissions scenarios, that does not reflect real-world conditions, needs to be thoroughly re-examined and tested if such information is going to serve as the scientific foundation of nationwide decision-making now and in the future,? said James Hewitt, a spokesman for the Environmental Protection Agency. Excluding worst-case scenarios from assessments provides a falsely optimistic picture, according to some scientists. ?It would be like designing cars without seatbelts or airbags,? stated Michael Oppenheimer, professor of geosciences and international affairs at Princeton. European Open-Access Initiative Delayed Until 2021 European research agencies have announced that Plan S, an effort to make research funded by them openly accessible on publication, will not be implemented until 2021 to allow researchers and publishers more time to adapt to the new publishing model. Coalition S, a coalition of European research funding organizations, had released guidance on implementing Plan S in November 2018. Earlier this year, high profile journals, such as Nature and Science, had indicated that it was not possible for them to comply with the open access model in the timeframe allowed for the transition. Prestige journals also argued that their internal costs of publishing were very high and complying with the fully open-access model would compromise the quality of their publications. In response to these concerns, the coalition decided to delay the implementation of Plan S by a year and has announced key revisions to the initial policy to allow for more flexibility. Plan S initially proposed to commission an independent study to determine a ?fair? processing fee that publishers can charge and establish a potential cap on the costs involved in quality assurance, editing, and publishing. Under the revised policy, funding organizations? will not immediate cap the cost of publishing a paper in an open-access journal. However, journals would need to be transparent about publishing costs. Funders have also altered the rules for hybrid journals, which publish some papers behind a paywall but charge a fee to make others openly accessible. Under the initial plan, researchers could publish in hybrid journals only if they were covered by a ?transformative agreement? that clearly defines a timeframe to transition to open-access. Now, funders will still cover the cost of publishing open-access papers in such journals until 2024 but the coalition will also consider individual hybrid journals that are not covered by a transformative agreement as long as they have a defined plan to publish more open-access articles over a set time. A new amendment to the policy will also allow researchers, in certain cases, to publish their work under more restrictive open licenses that would prevent the reuse of text from these publications. This would require the approval of the funder. Additionally, funders have indicated that they will not consider the prestige of journals in which researchers publish when making funding decisions. This addresses the concern that it would be difficult for researchers to change publishing attitudes if publishing in prestige journals was still rewarded. According to Nature News, publishers, such as Wiley and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, have welcomed these revisions but warn that implementation remains challenging. Other groups have cautioned against any unintended consequences, such as cost implications for unfunded researchers. Register Now: 2019 AIBS Writing for Impact and Influence Course The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is offering a professional development program to help scientists and students hone their written communication skills to increase the power of their message. Writing for Impact and Influence combines practical instruction and hands-on exercises to improve participants? general writing proficiency and their ability to reach large audiences. The program will provide participants with the skills and tools needed to compose scientific press releases, blog posts, emails, and memoranda. Learn to write for stakeholders, decision-makers, and the general public, with a focus on perfecting the reader experience. The course consists of six 90-minute online modules conducted live and will begin on Thursday, July 11, 2019, with subsequent course sessions held weekly on Thursdays. Individuals who actively participate in and complete the full course will receive a certificate recognizing that they have completed a nine-hour professional development course on business writing for scientists. Register now: http://io.aibs.org/writing Meet Your Lawmakers This Summer and Help Inform Science Policy Registration is now open for the 2019 Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits event. This national initiative, organized by the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is an opportunity for scientists from across the country to meet with their federal or state elected officials to showcase the people, facilities, and equipment that are required to support and conduct scientific research and education. Now in its eleventh year, the event enables scientists, graduate students, representatives of research facilities, and people affiliated with scientific collections to meet with their federal or state elected officials without traveling to Washington, DC. Participants may either invite their elected officials to visit their research facility or can meet at the policymaker?s local office. AIBS works with participants to schedule the meetings with lawmakers and prepare participants through online training and one-on-one support. ?When I found out about the AIBS Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits, I thought that this would be a perfect way to share not only my passion about my work but also my concerns and interests with a local government representative that might be able to influence policy and share advice about how to become even more involved,? said 2018 participant Khailee Marischuk. ?I had not had any previous experience with this type of meeting, but AIBS did a fantastic job connecting me with my State Representative and preparing me for the lab tour and conversation. My meeting with Representative Terese Berceau was incredibly rewarding as she shared our enthusiasm for scientific research and our passion for promoting science policy for elected officials and the general public alike, along with giving our group insight in how best to make our voices and opinions known and heard. It was a thought-provoking discussion for me and hopefully everyone else involved.? The event is made possible by AIBS, with the support of event sponsors American Society of Plant Taxonomists, Botanical Society of America, Helminthological Society of Washington, Natural Science Collections Alliance, Paleontological Society, Society for Freshwater Science, Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections, and Society for the Study of Evolution and event supporter Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology. Participation is free, but registration is required. Registration will close on July 10, 2019. For more information and to register, visit https://www.aibs.org/public-policy/congressional_district_visits.html Short Takes * A bipartisan bill to establish a roundtable at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and an interagency working group within the White House, to serve as platforms for discussions among stakeholders on how to address issues of foreign influence on science and academic espionage has been introduced in the House of Representatives. Supporters of the bill hope that the forums will help to identify practical steps that universities and research funders can take to protect intellectual property without suppressing scientific collaboration. The legislation is sponsored by Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), Chairwoman of the House Science Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, and co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of lawmakers. * The National Science Foundation (NSF) is soliciting public input for its NSF 2026 Idea Machine competition. After receiving more than 800 idea submissions, 33 ideas have been shortlisted for the grand prize. NSF is inviting the public to help determine which entries advance by commenting on the importance and potential impact of their Big Ideas and providing suggestions on how their ideas can be improved. Watch the entrants? video pitches and submit comments by June 26, 2019 at http://nsf2026imgallery.skild.com/ * Members of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) have adopted a policy that allows its leadership to expel members for ?the most egregious? violations of its code of conduct, including sexual harassment. The new framework establishes a disciplinary process in which allegations of misconduct will first be evaluated by an ad hoc committee, then a standing committee, and finally the NAS leadership council and could result in various disciplinary actions, including rescinding membership. From the Federal Register The following items appeared in the Federal Register from May 27 to June 7, 2019. For more information on these or other recent items, please visit the AIBS Federal Register Resource at www.aibs.org/federal-register-resource/index.html. Week Ending 7 June 2019 Agriculture * Solicitation of Commodity Board Topics and Contribution of Funding Under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Energy * Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee Environmental Protection Agency: * Good Neighbor Environmental Board; Notification of Federal Advisory Committee Meeting Interior * Announcement of Public Meeting: North American Wetlands Conservation Council * Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of Recovery Permit Applications * Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board Meeting Week Ending 31 May 2019 Commerce * Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings * Solicitation for Applications for Advisory Councils Established Pursuant to the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and Executive Orders Health and Human Services * National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; Amended Notice of Meeting National Science Foundation * Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; National Science Foundation Proposal/Award Information--NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide * Membership of National Science Foundation's Senior Executive Service Performance Review Board * Sunshine Act Meeting; National Science Board Become an Advocate for Science: Join the AIBS Legislative Action Center Quick, free, easy, effective, impactful! Join the AIBS Legislative Action Center. The Legislative Action Center is a one-stop shop for learning about and influencing science policy. Through the website, users can contact elected officials and sign-up to interact with lawmakers. The website offers tools and resources to inform researchers about recent policy developments. The site also announces opportunities to serve on federal advisory boards and to comment on federal regulations. This tool is made possible through contributions from the Society for the Study of Evolution, Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, and the Botanical Society of America. AIBS and our partner organizations invite scientists and science educators to become policy advocates today. Simply go to policy.aibs.org to get started. ________________________________ * Give your society or organization a voice in public policy. See http://www.aibs.org/public-policy/funding_contributors.html. * Become an AIBS Individual Member and lend your voice to a national effort to advance the biological sciences through public policy, education, and science programs. Visit https://www.aibs.org/about-aibs/join.html to join AIBS. * Become an advocate for science, visit the AIBS Legislative Action Center at http://policy.aibs.org. * Know the news as it happens, sign-up to receive AIBS press releases and policy statements (http://www.aibs.org/mailing-lists/mediaisu.html). The American Institute of Biological Sciences is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) scientific association dedicated to advancing biological research and education for the welfare of society. AIBS works to ensure that the public, legislators, funders, and the community of biologists have access to and use information that will guide them in making informed decisions about matters that require biological knowledge. The organization does this through informing decisions by providing peer-reviewed or vetted information about the biology field and profession and by catalyzing action through building the capacity and the leadership of the community to address matters of common concern. Founded in 1947 as a part of the National Academy of Sciences, AIBS became an independent, member-governed organization in the 1950s. Today, Today, AIBS has over 140 member organizations and has a Public Policy Office in Washington, DC. Its staff members work to achieve its mission by publishing the peer-reviewed journal BioScience and the education Web site ActionBioscience.org, by providing scientific peer-review and advisory services to government agencies and other clients, and by collaborating with scientific organizations to advance public policy, education, and the public understanding of science. Website: www.aibs.org. You received this message because you or your organization have interacted with one of our programs or initiatives. Our mailing address is: American Institute of Biological Science 1201 New York Ave., NW, Ste. 420 Washington, DC 20005 Copyright (C) 2019 American Institute of Biological Sciences All rights reserved. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jpandey at aibs.org Mon Jun 10 14:01:40 2019 From: jpandey at aibs.org (Jyotsna Pandey) Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2019 14:01:40 -0400 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Meet Your Lawmakers and Help Inform Science Policy This Summer Message-ID: Register now for the 11th annual *Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits* event. This national initiative, organized by the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), is an opportunity for biologists across the country to meet with their federal or state elected officials to showcase the people, facilities, and equipment that are required to support and conduct scientific research. This initiative helps to put a face on science and to remind lawmakers that science is happening in their district and state. The Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits event enables scientists, graduate students, representatives of research facilities, and people affiliated with scientific collections to meet with their federal or state elected officials without traveling to Washington, DC. *Participants may either invite their elected officials to visit their research facility or can meet at the policymaker's local office.* AIBS will schedule meetings for participants with lawmakers and will prepare participants through online training and one-on-one support. Meetings will take place mid-July through October, depending on the participant?s schedule. The event is made possible by AIBS, with the support of event sponsors American Society of Plant Taxonomists, Botanical Society of America, Helminthological Society of Washington, Natural Science Collections Alliance, Paleontological Society, Society for Freshwater Science, Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections, and Society for the Study of Evolution and event supporter Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology. Individual registration for participation is free, but required. Registration closes on July 10, 2019. To register, visit https://www.aibs.org/public-policy/congressional_district_visits.html. Please share this announcement with interested colleagues and graduate students. Best, Jyotsna Pandey, Ph.D. Public Policy Manager American Institute of Biological Sciences Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202-628-1500 x 225 www.aibs.org Follow us on Twitter! @AIBS_Policy -- This message is confidential and should only be read by its intended recipients.? If you have received it in error, please notify the sender and delete all copies. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jpandey at aibs.org Wed Jun 12 09:38:00 2019 From: jpandey at aibs.org (Jyotsna Pandey) Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2019 09:38:00 -0400 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Writing for Impact and Influence: An AIBS Professional Development Program In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Dear Colleague, There is a growing recognition of the importance of providing graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with professional development training that will expand their career opportunities and potential for professional success. The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is pleased to announce a professional development program that we have developed to help scientists strengthen their written communication skills. This is an important professional development training opportunity. I hope you will consider sharing this opportunity with your students, staff, and colleagues. Below are more specific details about this online course, including registration information. *Writing for Impact and Influence: An AIBS Professional Development Program* *It is perfectly okay to write garbage?as long as you edit brilliantly. * -C. J. Cherryh The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) has heard a common refrain from faculty, scientists, government and private sector executives, and everyone in between: Scientists are losing the ability to communicate effectively in writing. The concern is not just about how well a scientific manuscript is drafted, but also about how routine business and public engagement information are communicated. AIBS is responding by re-offering our professional development program designed to help scientists, including graduate students, hone their written communication skills to increase the impact and influence of their message. This course complements AIBS's highly successful Communications Boot Camp for Scientists, which focuses on oral communication. Writing for Impact and Influence provides practical instruction and hands-on exercises that will improve the participant's general writing proficiency. The program will provide participants with the skills and tools needed to compose scientific press releases, blog posts, emails, and memoranda, with a focus on the reader experience. Each product-oriented session will have an assignment to be completed independently, with feedback from the instructor. The course is interactive, and participants are encouraged to ask questions and exchange ideas with the instructor and other participants. *Who Should Take the Course?* - Individuals interested in furthering their professional development by augmenting their writing skills. - Graduate students and early-career professionals interested in increasing their marketability to employers. - Individuals interested in more effectively informing and influencing segments of the public, supervisors, policymakers, reporters, organizational leaders, and others. *Topics* - Press releases and writing for the media - Blogging and social media campaigns - E-Correspondence and writing for professional audiences - One-pagers and writing for stakeholders - Action/decision memoranda and writing for diverse professional audiences - Synthesis - Participant Requirements - Internet access, email account, and computer audio and video capabilities. *Course Structure* The course consists of six 90-minute online modules conducted live and subsequently archived online for participant review. Modules are spaced at weekly intervals to allow time for assignment completion. Live attendance is recommended but not required, and the instructor can be contacted by email at any time during the course. *Assignments* A writing assignment will be given in each of the first five courses. Students will receive timely feedback on their assignments. *Certificate of Completion* Individuals who actively participate in and complete the full course will receive a certificate recognizing that they have completed a nine-hour professional development course on business writing for scientists. *Schedule* The course will begin on Thursday, 11 July 2019. The subsequent course sessions will be held weekly on Thursdays, through 15 August. All live courses will begin at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time. Recorded programs will be available to participants after the live session. *Registration* Space is limited and the course will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is required. To register for the course, go to http://io.aibs.org/writing For questions regarding the course please contact James Verdier at jverdier at aibs.org. Sincerely, Jyotsna Pandey, Ph.D. Public Policy Manager American Institute of Biological Sciences 1201 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 420 Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202-628-1500 x 225 Email: jpandey at aibs.org www.aibs.org Follow us on Twitter! @AIBS_Policy -- This message is confidential and should only be read by its intended recipients.? If you have received it in error, please notify the sender and delete all copies. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mahoneymer at gmail.com Wed Jun 12 11:02:48 2019 From: mahoneymer at gmail.com (Meredith Mahoney) Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2019 10:02:48 -0500 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Job posting: Curator of Geology, Illinois State Museum Message-ID: See the job posting below. Please note the application requirements (under "where to apply") and the short window to apply (until June 25). The CMS-100 application is available at http://work.illinois.gov Meredith Mahoney Curator of Zoology Illinois State Museum --- * ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES #5816* *AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER* *CAREER OPPORTUNITY BID NOTICE* *The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is inviting applications for the following position: * *Position Title: **Curator 1, Geology** Monthly Salary Range: ** $3792-5601 * *Position Location:** IL State Museum Research & Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash St., Springfield ? Sangamon County* *Work Schedule: **Monday ? Friday 8:30 a.m. ? 5:00 p.m (1 hour unpaid lunch), Saturday, Sunday Off * *Due to scheduled public programs or special events, some evenings or weekends may be required.* *Description of Duties* Manages Geology/Paleontology collections of the Illinois State Museum, with strengths in Quaternary mammals and Paleozoic flora; works with Illinois State Museum staff and others to develop and improve access to collection information through digital technology. Conducts and promotes collections and/or field research on Illinois and Midwestern or Central U.S. geology, paleontology, paleobiology, and topics related to the Museum?s mission. Participates in exhibit development and educational programming. Generates external funds for collection management, research and education. Works generally at his/her own direction in consultation with Museum Director and/or other senior staff. Conducts and publishes original scholarly research contributing to new knowledge and interpretations on topics associated with Midwestern geology, paleontology, and related themes. Writes reports and articles for publication in professional peer-reviewed journals, museum publications, and popular outlets that bring state, national, and international recognition to the Illinois State Museum. Presents research and programs for public and scholarly professional audiences. Oversees the completion of loan forms, donor forms, and accession & catalog records for objects in the geology/paleontology collection. Performs at a level that reflects national standards and best practices of an accredited museum. Must be familiar with all relevant state and federal laws. Abides by professional, museum, and State Employees ethics. Participates in state and national professional organizations. Works with senior and subordinate staff to establish objectives, implement programs, and conduct evaluations. Performs other duties as assigned by the Museum Director and/or other senior staff. All curators are ambassadors for the Illinois State Museum and its programs. *Desirable Education, Training and Experience* Minimum of a Ph.D. is preferred in geology, paleontology, or related discipline, with 3 years of curatorial experience and research experience in a museum, university, or similar institution. Educational background and experience in Midwestern or Central U.S. geology paleontology, paleobiology, and other disciplines relevant to the Museum?s geology/paleontology collections and programs preferred. Experience with field and laboratory research and procedures required; Experience in the development and management of geology/paleontology collections and related databases required; Demonstrable accomplishments in geological/paleontological research, with experience in interdisciplinary research projects preferred; Experience with public education and exhibition programming desired; and record of grant and contract awards preferred. *Where to Apply*:* Send a compelling cover letter, curriculum vitae, CMS100 Employment Application, and contact information for three professional references by e-mail to *tammy.wheeler at illinois.gov*. Please contact Tammy Wheeler, HR Coordinator/IL State Museum, by e-mail or phone (217-785-4919), with any questions concerning the position.* *Applicants should note that this position is exempt from the State Personnel Code and is under the Board of the Illinois State Museum. This is a Bargaining Unit position. * *Bargaining unit employees interested in bidding for this position should complete a Bid Form, attach it to an application, and submit it directly to the name and address listed above. Bid Forms may be obtained at any Department of Natural Resources facility.* *The Department of Natural Resources does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, handicap, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, physical stature and/or any non-merit factor in admission, treatment or employment in programs or activities in compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Illinois Constitution, Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Acts, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the U.S. Constitution. The Equal Employment Opportunity Office is responsible for compliance and may be reached at 217/785-0067.* *DATE POSTED: June 12, 2019 LAST DAY TO APPLY: June 25, 2019 * -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From cindy-opitz at uiowa.edu Wed Jun 12 17:51:17 2019 From: cindy-opitz at uiowa.edu (Opitz, Cindy E) Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2019 21:51:17 +0000 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] looking for a publication Message-ID: Hello, Does anyone have a copy of "Fresh Water Mussels of the Iowa River," by Frank A. Stromsten and Otto F. Kampmeier, 1908, or know where a copy might be found? Cindy Opitz Director of Research Collections Museum of Natural History and Old Capitol Museum Instructor, UI Museum Studies Certificate Program 11 Macbride Hall The University of Iowa Iowa City IA 52242 319-335-0481 mnh.uiowa.edu, oldcap.uiowa.edu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From monfi1ak at cmich.edu Thu Jun 13 23:21:46 2019 From: monfi1ak at cmich.edu (Monfils, Anna Kirsten) Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2019 03:21:46 +0000 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Apply Now - 2019 BLUE FMN In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Do you want to learn more about the data coming from natural history collections? Are you interested in adopting modules that use natural history collections and biodiversity data? Are you looking for data driven exercises and modules that can help deliver ecology and evolutionary biology content? Do you have a data driven exercise based on collections data that you would like to tweak and assess? Apply now to join us for the Fall 2019 Biodiversity Literacy in Undergraduate Education (BLUE)/QUBES Faculty Mentoring Network (FMN). Participants in this FMN will learn about the potential data and tools coming from the biodiversity community, and then use the tools and resources to implement data-driven modules in undergraduate biology courses. Accepted applicants will customize and implement existing or newly designed educational modules from a range of ecology and evolution topics. Bi-weekly meetings will be a combination of informational webinars, hands on exercises, community discussions, and one-on-one mentoring. Applications are due July 22, 2019. Please visit https://qubeshub.org/community/groups/blue2019 for additional information and instructions on how to apply. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dpaul at fsu.edu Sat Jun 15 22:56:16 2019 From: dpaul at fsu.edu (Deborah Paul) Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2019 02:56:16 +0000 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Collection Metrics Matter - Your input needed - thanks! Message-ID: Hi Everyone, Survey. Is it annual reporting time at your institution yet? Wondering what other collections and museums measure? If #collectionMetrics interest you, please take our survey http://bit.ly/museummetrics. Help us develop an understanding of measurements in use. We'll synthesize what's being measured (or not) in a white paper. From these data, we will also make recommendations, for example, for potential metrics to include in future grant proposals, and a vision for the future of collection metrics (for objects and staff). The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete. Metrics Resources. Find out more about this effort from our recent symposium at Chicago SPNHC 2019. See the wiki for Collecting Measures of Success for the talks (as PDFs). Add your metrics resources to this wiki page, and see what others have shared so far. In anticipation, Debbie Paul (iDigBio), David Shorthouse (Ag-Canada), Shelley James (RBGSyd) -- -- Upcoming iDigBio Events https://www.idigbio.org/calendar -- Deborah Paul, iDigBio Digitization and Workforce Training Specialist iDigBio -- Steering Committee Member SPNHC Liaison, Member-At-Large and Member International Relations Committee SYNTHESYS3 Representative, ICEDIG External Advisory Board Member Vice Chair, Biodiversity Information Standards Organisation (TDWG)(2019-2020) Institute for Digital Information, 234 LSB Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida 32306 850-644-6366 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From corymredman at gmail.com Mon Jun 17 11:17:39 2019 From: corymredman at gmail.com (Cory Redman) Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2019 11:17:39 -0400 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Recommended method(s) for cleaning taxidermy mounts..... Message-ID: Our museum will be tackling the task of cleaning our three largest dioramas. Each diorama has 30-40 birds and small mammals taxidermy mounts that have not been cleaned in a decade. The dioramas were created in the mid 90's, but the taxidermy mounts are much older than that (assume the presence of arsenic). Any recommendations about method and tips or tricks you can pass along about cleaning would be greatly appreciated. I am aware of the safety protection/precautions that need to be employed. No one on the team, including myself has tackled such a large job as this. Cheers, Cory -- Cory M. Redman (BSc; MSc; PhD) Science Curator Grand Rapids Public Museum 272 Pearl Street NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 www.grpm.org office: 616:929:1766 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From gali.beiner at mail.huji.ac.il Tue Jun 18 02:28:43 2019 From: gali.beiner at mail.huji.ac.il (Gali Beiner) Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2019 09:28:43 +0300 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Recommended method(s) for cleaning taxidermy mounts..... In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi Cory, If you are aware of the safety requirements, then I won't go into this subject (and just mention the words ventilation - PPE). As for cleaning the taxidermy mounts, we have our own ongoing project of cleaning and surveying a bird taxidermy collection. The basic procedures in use are: 1. Dust removal from feathers - using a vacuum cleaner (the sort with a switch to control suction level, turned down to minimum) and a fine textile mesh. The mesh is first carefuly laid on the bird, one hand is used to keep the mesh in place and the other hand holds the rubber tube we had attached to the vacuum cleaner to create a smaller suction arm. This way, dust can be vacuumed without pulling out feathers. The net has to be lifted off very carefuly at the end of the process, but once one gets used to how it's done, it is easy. 2. Glass eyes, and keratin beaks and claws - We mostly cleaned these with deionized water in very small quantity - simply using cotton wool swabs dipped in the water, pushed on the edge of the water container to squeeze out extra water and then appled to the surfaces to be cleaned. Usually works well, and because so little solvent is used, the risks to the substrate matter are small. It turned out to be more effective in dust removal compared with other solvents, and of course safer to let our student workers work with. 3. Mounts - usually the same as in article 2 above, because upon testing, water turned out to be safer that other solvents for the type of paints most often used in our mounts, but that needed to be determined for each mount individually. You may need to do your own solubility testing for yours, just as any paintings conservator would do with a painted surface. In our case, the mounts were most often painted wooden rectangles, with the occassional fake rock and many with attached natural wooden branches (with bark, etc.). A diorama may differ considerably in this respect. I don't know whether you need to do feather repairs, but there is information on how to do that. At the time, a few years back, I had participated in a workshop on this subject and the recommended adhesive for repairing broken feather shafts was mowilith, 50%-50% in acetone. Since then, I had used that successfully in our own bird collection. The workshop had demonstrated techniques as well, taught by instructor Allyson Rae. As for the arsenic and other stuff quite possibly present on your taxidermy specimens, if you have any possibility of calling someone with a portable XRF to do some random non-invasive sampling of surfaces for you, this could give you a clearer picture of what exactly is present. We did a little of that ourselves and plan to do so more extensively in the future. It really helps, both in terms of getting some real information and in terms of making the hazards clear to everybody involved in working with the specimens. Hope this helps, Gali On Mon, Jun 17, 2019 at 6:17 PM Cory Redman wrote: > Our museum will be tackling the task of cleaning our three largest > dioramas. Each diorama has 30-40 birds and small mammals taxidermy mounts > that have not been cleaned in a decade. The dioramas were created in the > mid 90's, but the taxidermy mounts are much older than that (assume the > presence of arsenic). > > Any recommendations about method and tips or tricks you can pass along > about cleaning would be greatly appreciated. I am aware of the safety > protection/precautions that need to be employed. No one on the team, > including myself has tackled such a large job as this. > > Cheers, > Cory > > > > -- > Cory M. Redman (BSc; MSc; PhD) > Science Curator > Grand Rapids Public Museum > > 272 Pearl Street NW > Grand Rapids, MI 49504 > www.grpm.org > > office: 616:929:1766 > _______________________________________________ > Nhcoll-l mailing list > Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu > https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l > > _______________________________________________ > NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of > Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose > mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of > natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to > society. See http://www.spnhc.org for membership information. > Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate. > -- Gali Beiner (ACR) Conservator, Palaeontology Lab National Natural History Collections The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Berman Building, Edmond J. Safra campus, Givat Ram Jerusalem 91904, Israel Fax. 972-2-6585785 *gali.beiner at mail.huji.ac.il * *https://nnhc.huji.ac.il/?lang=en * -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From couteaufin at btinternet.com Tue Jun 18 05:44:22 2019 From: couteaufin at btinternet.com (Simon Moore) Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2019 10:44:22 +0100 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Recommended method(s) for cleaning taxidermy mounts..... In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <60CDA9DA-68F3-4DDE-B789-E3F8B540958F@btinternet.com> Thanks Gali and thanks Cory for bringing this subject to general attention. Interesting to see your careful approach to this problem. Ally Rae also mentioned the use of alcohol (IM Spirit) to clean feathers and which is very effective, using re-usable cotton buds. This works well but be aware of the solvent removing traces of natural oils from feathers with the dirt; generally this is OK but don?t immerse the feathers or prolong the treatment more than necessary. For cleaning really hairy mammals (longer-haired bears for example) I use Vanish foam. I know this is a commercial product with a cocktail of chemicals in it and many may throw up hands in horror BUT it really does work and gets masses of deeply ingrained dirt out within minutes! I then remove the deposits left by the foam by alcohol rubbing (gently) with paper towelling and give the specimen a gentle blow dry to set the fur. Some may regard this technique as somewhat maverick but until some conservation-friendly and easily-available product appears?? So far, none of the specimens I have treated this way have shown any signs of hair deterioration and I have been using this for over 12 years. The foam slightly rehydrates over-dry surface skin (noses, eyelids &c) and makes them more receptive to skin dressing agents such as Bollmann?s Ultra Soft (sadly no longer available in the UK). The foam technique does not do well on birds as the feathers become clogged with the foam and it's really difficult to remove. Perhaps Tom Strang might be able to shed more light here? For arsenic, since I cannot afford an XRF for only occasional use, I have an arsenic testing kit of a more chemical nature; it takes about 10 minutes to get a result and results are analysed using a colour spot card graded in parts per billion, so really sensitive. With all good wishes, Simon. Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian, www.natural-history-conservation.com > On 18 Jun 2019, at 07:28, Gali Beiner wrote: > > Hi Cory, > > If you are aware of the safety requirements, then I won't go into this subject (and just mention the words ventilation - PPE). As for cleaning the taxidermy mounts, we have our own ongoing project of cleaning and surveying a bird taxidermy collection. The basic procedures in use are: > > 1. Dust removal from feathers - using a vacuum cleaner (the sort with a switch to control suction level, turned down to minimum) and a fine textile mesh. The mesh is first carefuly laid on the bird, one hand is used to keep the mesh in place and the other hand holds the rubber tube we had attached to the vacuum cleaner to create a smaller suction arm. This way, dust can be vacuumed without pulling out feathers. The net has to be lifted off very carefuly at the end of the process, but once one gets used to how it's done, it is easy. > > 2. Glass eyes, and keratin beaks and claws - We mostly cleaned these with deionized water in very small quantity - simply using cotton wool swabs dipped in the water, pushed on the edge of the water container to squeeze out extra water and then appled to the surfaces to be cleaned. Usually works well, and because so little solvent is used, the risks to the substrate matter are small. It turned out to be more effective in dust removal compared with other solvents, and of course safer to let our student workers work with. > > 3. Mounts - usually the same as in article 2 above, because upon testing, water turned out to be safer that other solvents for the type of paints most often used in our mounts, but that needed to be determined for each mount individually. You may need to do your own solubility testing for yours, just as any paintings conservator would do with a painted surface. In our case, the mounts were most often painted wooden rectangles, with the occassional fake rock and many with attached natural wooden branches (with bark, etc.). A diorama may differ considerably in this respect. > > I don't know whether you need to do feather repairs, but there is information on how to do that. At the time, a few years back, I had participated in a workshop on this subject and the recommended adhesive for repairing broken feather shafts was mowilith, 50%-50% in acetone. Since then, I had used that successfully in our own bird collection. The workshop had demonstrated techniques as well, taught by instructor Allyson Rae. > > As for the arsenic and other stuff quite possibly present on your taxidermy specimens, if you have any possibility of calling someone with a portable XRF to do some random non-invasive sampling of surfaces for you, this could give you a clearer picture of what exactly is present. We did a little of that ourselves and plan to do so more extensively in the future. It really helps, both in terms of getting some real information and in terms of making the hazards clear to everybody involved in working with the specimens. > > Hope this helps, > > Gali > > On Mon, Jun 17, 2019 at 6:17 PM Cory Redman > wrote: > Our museum will be tackling the task of cleaning our three largest dioramas. Each diorama has 30-40 birds and small mammals taxidermy mounts that have not been cleaned in a decade. The dioramas were created in the mid 90's, but the taxidermy mounts are much older than that (assume the presence of arsenic). > > Any recommendations about method and tips or tricks you can pass along about cleaning would be greatly appreciated. I am aware of the safety protection/precautions that need to be employed. No one on the team, including myself has tackled such a large job as this. > > Cheers, > Cory > > > > -- > Cory M. Redman (BSc; MSc; PhD) > Science Curator > Grand Rapids Public Museum > > 272 Pearl Street NW > Grand Rapids, MI 49504 > www.grpm.org > > office: 616:929:1766 > _______________________________________________ > Nhcoll-l mailing list > Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu > https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l > > _______________________________________________ > NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of > Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose > mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of > natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to > society. See http://www.spnhc.org for membership information. > Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate. > > > -- > Gali Beiner (ACR) > Conservator, Palaeontology Lab > National Natural History Collections > The Hebrew University of Jerusalem > Berman Building, Edmond J. Safra campus, Givat Ram > Jerusalem 91904, Israel > Fax. 972-2-6585785 > gali.beiner at mail.huji.ac.il > https://nnhc.huji.ac.il/?lang=en > _______________________________________________ > Nhcoll-l mailing list > Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu > https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l > > _______________________________________________ > NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of > Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose > mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of > natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to > society. See http://www.spnhc.org for membership information. > Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jgillette at musnaz.org Wed Jun 19 14:24:00 2019 From: jgillette at musnaz.org (Janet Gillette) Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2019 18:24:00 +0000 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Safe handling and storage procedures for radioactive/radon gas bearing specimens Message-ID: Hi All, The Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) was recently awarded a collection improvement grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). In addition to funds to purchase new cabinetry for our paleontology collection, we also have support to work with an industrial hygienist to test for, and resolve potential health and safety issues. We have a large collection of fossil vertebrates and petrified wood from the Triassic Chinle Fm. and Jurassic Kayenta Fm., both of which can be associated with elevated radioactivity and radon gas. As part of the project we'll develop safe handling and storage procedures for radioactive/radon gas bearing fossils. Does anyone have written protocols that you would be willing to share? What precautions do you take? Do you have any advice re: personal protective equipment (PPE)? Note: we are in the process of purchasing dosimeters and have both radiation and radon detectors available. Thanks in advance for any ideas or thoughts you could share. I'm happy to reciprocate and share what we learn as a result of our project. Cheers, Janet Janet Whitmore Gillette Natural Science Collections Manager Museum of Northern Arizona 3101 N. Fort Valley Road Flagstaff, AZ 86001 (928) 774-5211 ext. 265 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From sagebiel at austin.utexas.edu Wed Jun 19 15:19:51 2019 From: sagebiel at austin.utexas.edu (Sagebiel, J. Chris) Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2019 19:19:51 +0000 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Safe handling and storage procedures for radioactive/radon gas bearing specimens In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I would be very interested to see the recommendations from an industrial hygienist. I went through this once, but it was somewhat cursory. At the San Bernardino County Museum, we did a quick survey for radioactivity in the collections and found some alarming levels among the Barstow Fossil beds material - higher readings than the uranium ore in the mineral collections! I consulted a hygienist, but having moved on, I do not have the written results any longer. My recollection being that because storage solutions were dependent upon the types of radioactive decay exhibited by the materials, (and our materials being greatly varied) it was doubtful that we could have a one-size-fits-all storage solution. I do recall that lead-lined cabinets was not the answer, and would/could actually promote radon gas buildup. It was thought that because ingestion of dust (air, dirty hands) was the biggest threat to staff, most of the radiation hazards could be mitigated through lab practices. So the results were: It became standard practice to wear PPE by all prep staff, namely dust masks and nitrile gloves. Ventilation and a dust-collection system were recommended as well. In the collections, hand-washing before and after handling specimens was recommended. It was recommended that each cabinet be opened about once a week to allow the air to exchange. Because radon is relatively heavy, it will tend to dump out of the bottom of the cabinet. We also would open cabinets before researchers came to visit to allow the radon to circulate out. Our HVAC circulated enough air through the collections to keep the radon levels low. Of course one can't know that unless there is monitoring for it. I'd be interested to see what you all come up with. Sincerely, Chris J. Chris Sagebiel, Collections Manager Texas Vertebrate Paleontology Collections The University of Texas, J.J. Pickle Campus 10100 Burnet Road, Bldg. 6 (VPL) Austin, TX 78758 Office: (512) 232-5514 Fax: (512) 232-5518 sagebiel at austin.utexas.edu From: Nhcoll-l On Behalf Of Janet Gillette Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2019 1:24 PM To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Safe handling and storage procedures for radioactive/radon gas bearing specimens Hi All, The Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) was recently awarded a collection improvement grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). In addition to funds to purchase new cabinetry for our paleontology collection, we also have support to work with an industrial hygienist to test for, and resolve potential health and safety issues. We have a large collection of fossil vertebrates and petrified wood from the Triassic Chinle Fm. and Jurassic Kayenta Fm., both of which can be associated with elevated radioactivity and radon gas. As part of the project we'll develop safe handling and storage procedures for radioactive/radon gas bearing fossils. Does anyone have written protocols that you would be willing to share? What precautions do you take? Do you have any advice re: personal protective equipment (PPE)? Note: we are in the process of purchasing dosimeters and have both radiation and radon detectors available. Thanks in advance for any ideas or thoughts you could share. I'm happy to reciprocate and share what we learn as a result of our project. Cheers, Janet Janet Whitmore Gillette Natural Science Collections Manager Museum of Northern Arizona 3101 N. Fort Valley Road Flagstaff, AZ 86001 (928) 774-5211 ext. 265 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bthiers at nybg.org Thu Jun 20 09:47:24 2019 From: bthiers at nybg.org (Thiers, Barbara) Date: Thu, 20 Jun 2019 13:47:24 +0000 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Calls for Expression of Interest to Participate in DISSCO Advisory Boards Message-ID: If you are interested in this opportunity, please read the message below from Ana Casino, of CETAF: Dear all, In the frame of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between CETAF and the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) that you chair, I am very excited to announce that DiSSCo has now issued an open call for expressions of interest for the selection of individuals to two crucial advisory boards for the future of the Research Infrastructure DiSSCo (Distributed System of Scientific Collections) built on top of our collections research-based community. Those Boards are the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and the Technical Advisory Board (TAB). Their mission is to provide expert consultation services in all areas related to the scientific objectives and the technical sphere of DiSSCo, thus shaping DiSSCo and its portfolio of services based on geological and biological diversity data as well as its implementation to the benefit of the scientific community and the society at large. We look for motivated, creative people that believe in the value of DiSSCo and share our aims. Therefore, we open the Calls for Expression of Interest to all levels of seniority, domains, and geographical areas, including non-Europeans and representatives from non-scientific societal domains (such as science-policy bodies or the industry. Please find below the links to the two Calls Expression of Interest - Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) Expression of Interest - Technical Advisory Board (TAB) Deadline for applications is 16 September 2019. We would much appreciate that you distribute widely the above announcement throughout the SPNHC community, your networks and your colleagues, and we look forward to collaborate closely with you in the near future. Kind regards, ANA CASINO CETAF, AISBL Executive Director DiSSCo Coordination Team Member ABS Consultation Forum Representative MOBILISE Cost Action Vice-Chair P. +32 (0) 2 627 42 51 M. +32 (0) 496 79 19 57 Email: ana.casino at cetaf.org Skype: ana.casino [Logo for Signature_v2] CONSORTIUM OF EUROPEAN TAXONOMIC FACILITIES c/o Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences rue Vautier, 29 1000, Brussels. Belgium www.cetaf.org Exploring and documenting diversity in nature Disclaimer: The information contained in this e-mail message it is privileged, confidential, and protected from disclosure. Any unauthorized use, printing, copying, disclosure or dissemination of this communication may be subject to legal restriction or sanction. If you think that you have received this e-mail message in error, please reply to the sender and delete this message from your computer. Be green, read on screen! Dr. Barbara M. Thiers Vice President Patricia K. Holmgren Director of the William and Lynda Steere Herbarium Curator of Bryophytes Editor, Index Herbariorum President, Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections New York Botanical Garden Bronx, NY 10458-5126 bthiers at nybg.org 718-817-8626 Download: The World's Herbaria 2017 (second Index Herbariorum annual report) Index Herbariorum Registration Form Index Herbariorum Registration Form Example -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 5909 bytes Desc: image001.jpg URL: From lschlenk at ku.edu Thu Jun 20 10:45:49 2019 From: lschlenk at ku.edu (Schlenker, Lori Bryn) Date: Thu, 20 Jun 2019 14:45:49 +0000 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Position Announcement - Collection Manager Invertebrate Paleontology Message-ID: <9DC8A3EE-D0DB-46FB-83CE-94483990C2DD@ku.edu> POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT COLLECTION MANAGER The University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute seeks a collection manager to oversee its world-class research collections in invertebrate paleontology. The collections consist of extensive invertebrate fossil and micro-fossil specimens, along with archives and library holdings. The collections have strengths in Cambrian, Carboniferous and Cretaceous fossils, microfossils, echinoderms, brachiopods, and arthropods, and fossils from Antarctica. University curators and students, and national and international scholars, use the collections extensively for research and education. The collection manager is responsible for day-to-day activities in the collection and reports to the curator-in-charge. This is a full-time (12-month appointment), non-tenure track position. Duties include: * Collection management and conservation of the various collections. * Acquisition and collection development in conjunction with curators and students. * Museum operational service including day-to-day care and use of the collections. * Continue development and enhancement of collection database. * Supervision and training of graduate and undergraduate research assistants and students, and volunteers. * Professional development to maintain currency in and advance the field. * Other duties as appropriate. Required qualifications include: * Master's degree or Ph.D. in museum studies, geology, systematics, or paleontology from an accredited university, or a bachelor?s degree plus 5 years experience working with museum collections in a position with similar responsibilities. * Working knowledge of the taxonomy and identification of invertebrate fossils. * Demonstrable knowledge of care and management of natural history collections. * Familiarity with biodiversity informatics. And preference will be given to applicants with: * Expertise in one or more taxa that constitute divisional strengths and programmatic priorities. * Field experience collecting invertebrate fossil specimens. * Experience preparing invertebrate fossil specimens. A complete application will include (1) a letter of application addressing qualifications, (2) CV, (3) statement of collection management philosophy, (4) names and email address of three individuals who can write a letter of recommendation, and (5) representative publications (the latter is optional). More information and a complete position description may be obtained by contacting: ? Bruce S. Lieberman, Biodiversity Institute, Division of Invertebrate Paleontology, Senior Curator, blieber at ku.edu ? Jaime Keeler, Biodiversity Institute Business Coordinator, jrkeeler at ku.edu The workplace is located in Lindley Hall and PSB on the university campus. The Biodiversity Institute is a healthy, dynamic, nourishing intellectual environment that values creativity, professional growth and collaborative interaction. The University of Kansas offers a fine benefits package for this permanent full-time position. Application review begins 3 September 2019. EO/AA. We celebrate diversity in all life forms andminorities, women, veterans and those with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The University of Kansas values candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically under-represented minorities. ? To apply go to: http://employment.ku.edu/staff/14823BR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dpaul at fsu.edu Thu Jun 20 18:24:37 2019 From: dpaul at fsu.edu (Deborah Paul) Date: Thu, 20 Jun 2019 22:24:37 +0000 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Apply Now! Job Opp at iDigBio with the Digitization/Workforce Training Team at FSU - Spread the Word! Message-ID: Hello Everyone, One Week left to apply! We're seeking a new team member at iDigBio for the Digitization and Workforce Development branch of the project. Our group is located at Florida State University in Tallahassee. If you would like to work with the US and international natural science collections community to collaboratively develop, deliver, and support digitization, capacity, and community-building activities, please apply. Perhaps you have a unique discipline-specific background (e.g. ecology), but also experience with collections and professional development. Some facility with R or Python, github, and wiki experience would also be useful as we do a lot of workshops and other outreach and events to increase data management/use skills in the collections, research, and related communities. Bring your vision to our team. Help us continue, further develop, and enhance the work we do within the Advancing the Digitization of Biodiversity Collections (ADBC) Program, an NSF-funded biocollections data mobilization initiative supporting biodiversity data use in scientific research, education, outreach, policy, agriculture, and industry. Read more and to apply: Go to https://jobs.fsu.edu then Browse Job Openings search: 45273 (or try this link) Contact for more information: Deborah Paul (dpaul at fsu.edu) -- -- Upcoming iDigBio Events https://www.idigbio.org/calendar -- Deborah Paul, iDigBio Digitization and Workforce Development Manager iDigBio -- Steering Committee Member SPNHC Liaison, Member-At-Large and Member International Relations Committee SYNTHESYS3 Representative, ICEDIG External Advisory Board Member Vice Chair, Biodiversity Information Standards Organisation (TDWG)(2019-2020) Institute for Digital Information, 234 LSB Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida 32306 850-644-6366 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bethanypalumbo at gmail.com Sat Jun 22 09:22:12 2019 From: bethanypalumbo at gmail.com (Bethany Palumbo) Date: Sat, 22 Jun 2019 14:22:12 +0100 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] 'Tahemaa Transformed' Crowd-funding project Message-ID: Dear all, Apologies for cross-posting. This summer the Bournemouth Natural Science Society (BNSS) is crowd-funding for the conservation and redisplay of their mummy Tahemma and all of the Egyptology collections. The project is called ?Tahemaa Transformed? and the funding aims to provide the collections with specialist conservation treatment, new high-quality displays and revised interpretation, making these amazing collections more accessible and appealing to visitors. For this funding effort, we are using the Gofundme platform and have already received many kind donations from the general public. While this is very much appreciated, we really want to find some bigger UK funding bodies that we can apply to, funders who might have any interest in this type of project and/or collection. Can anyone offer advice or suggestions on who we could approach? Societies or individuals, in or outside of the museum field. We are looking for between 1k-25k. Perhaps societies with an interest in archaeology or Egyptology or both! Any assistance and guidance would be very much appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you, With many thanks, Bethany Palumbo, ACR bethanypalumbo at gmail.com For anyone interested in learning more about this project please go to www.tahemaa.com for the gofundme page or www.bnss.org.uk for the Bournemouth Natural Science Society homepage. We were also joined by the Objectivity Youtube channel a few weeks ago who made a movie all about Tahemaa, please like and share if you do! ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhbFLt7tGWc) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From belmakera at tauex.tau.ac.il Sun Jun 23 04:46:08 2019 From: belmakera at tauex.tau.ac.il (Amos Belmaker) Date: Sun, 23 Jun 2019 08:46:08 +0000 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] European Bird Curator meeting 2019 Message-ID: Dear all, Registration for the European Bird Curator meeting 2019 in Tel-Aviv is open and we are welcoming registrants. EarlyBird registration ends on July 31st so make sure to sign up before. To register go to: https://ebc2019telaviv.weebly.com/ With any question don't hesitate to contact us at belmakera at tauex.tau.ac.il We are in the midst of planning the program and would like those who intend on submitting an abstract for a talk to send Amos (belmakera at tauex.tau.ac.il) a tentative title. We are hoping to see all of you at Tel Aviv in September. The organizing committee, Amos Belmaker Roi Dor Daniel Berowic Avigail Ben-Dov Segal -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jpandey at aibs.org Thu Jun 27 11:58:57 2019 From: jpandey at aibs.org (Jyotsna Pandey) Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2019 11:58:57 -0400 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Last Chance to Register for the AIBS Writing for Impact and Influence Course In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Dear Colleague, There is a growing recognition of the importance of providing graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with professional development training that will expand their career opportunities and potential for professional success. The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is pleased to announce a professional development program that we have developed to help scientists strengthen their written communication skills. This is an important professional development training opportunity. I hope you will consider sharing this opportunity with your students, staff, and colleagues. Below are more specific details about this online course, including registration information. *Writing for Impact and Influence: An AIBS Professional Development Program* *It is perfectly okay to write garbage?as long as you edit brilliantly. * -C. J. Cherryh The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) has heard a common refrain from faculty, scientists, government and private sector executives, and everyone in between: Scientists are losing the ability to communicate effectively in writing. The concern is not just about how well a scientific manuscript is drafted, but also about how routine business and public engagement information are communicated. AIBS is responding by re-offering our professional development program designed to help scientists, including graduate students, hone their written communication skills to increase the impact and influence of their message. This course complements AIBS's highly successful Communications Boot Camp for Scientists, which focuses on oral communication. Writing for Impact and Influence provides practical instruction and hands-on exercises that will improve the participant's general writing proficiency. The program will provide participants with the skills and tools needed to compose scientific press releases, blog posts, emails, and memoranda, with a focus on the reader experience. Each product-oriented session will have an assignment to be completed independently, with feedback from the instructor. The course is interactive, and participants are encouraged to ask questions and exchange ideas with the instructor and other participants. *Who Should Take the Course?* - Individuals interested in furthering their professional development by augmenting their writing skills. - Graduate students and early-career professionals interested in increasing their marketability to employers. - Individuals interested in more effectively informing and influencing segments of the public, supervisors, policymakers, reporters, organizational leaders, and others. *Topics* - Press releases and writing for the media - Blogging and social media campaigns - E-Correspondence and writing for professional audiences - One-pagers and writing for stakeholders - Action/decision memoranda and writing for diverse professional audiences - Synthesis - Participant Requirements - Internet access, email account, and computer audio and video capabilities. *Course Structure* The course consists of six 90-minute online modules conducted live and subsequently archived online for participant review. Modules are spaced at weekly intervals to allow time for assignment completion. Live attendance is recommended but not required, and the instructor can be contacted by email at any time during the course. *Assignments* A writing assignment will be given in each of the first five courses. Students will receive timely feedback on their assignments. *Certificate of Completion* Individuals who actively participate in and complete the full course will receive a certificate recognizing that they have completed a nine-hour professional development course on business writing for scientists. *Schedule* The course will begin on Thursday, 11 July 2019. The subsequent course sessions will be held weekly on Thursdays, through 15 August. All live courses will begin at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time. Recorded programs will be available to participants after the live session. *Registration* Space is limited and the course will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is required. To register for the course, go to http://io.aibs.org/writing For questions regarding the course please contact James Verdier at jverdier at aibs.org. Sincerely, Jyotsna Pandey, Ph.D. Public Policy Manager American Institute of Biological Sciences 1201 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 420 Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202-628-1500 x 225 Email: jpandey at aibs.org www.aibs.org Follow us on Twitter! @AIBS_Policy -- This message is confidential and should only be read by its intended recipients.? If you have received it in error, please notify the sender and delete all copies. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From abentley at ku.edu Thu Jun 27 16:10:44 2019 From: abentley at ku.edu (Bentley, Andrew Charles) Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2019 20:10:44 +0000 Subject: [Nhcoll-l] FW: Science Policy News from AIBS In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. AIBS Public Policy Report AIBS Public Policy Report, Volume 20, Issue 13, June 24, 2019 * Trump Directs Agencies to Cut Federal Advisory Committees, Action Could Limit Science Informed Decision-making * House Passes First FY 2020 Spending Package * NIH Survey Sheds Light on Prevalence of Sexual Harassment * NIFA, ERS To Be Relocated to Kansas City Region * 2019 National Fossil Day * Register Soon: 2019 AIBS Writing for Impact and Influence Course * Help Inform Science Policy, Meet Your Lawmakers this Summer * Short Takes * NSF Principal Investigator Survey * Job Opening: NSF Deputy Division Director * World Biodiversity Forum Accepting Proposals * New Global Effort to Speed Species Discovery * From the Federal Register * Become an Advocate for Science: Join the AIBS Legislative Action Center ________________________________ The AIBS Public Policy Report is distributed broadly by email every two weeks to the AIBS membership. Any interested party may self-subscribe to receive these free reports by email or RSS news feed, by going to www.aibs.org/public-policy-reports. With proper attribution to AIBS, all material from these reports may be reproduced or forwarded. AIBS staff appreciates receiving copies of materials used. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact the AIBS Director of Public Policy, Robert Gropp, at 202-628-1500 x 250. ________________________________ Trump Directs Agencies to Cut Federal Advisory Committees, Action Could Limit Science Informed Decision-making President Trump signed an Executive Order on June 14, 2019, directing federal agencies to terminate a large number of current federal advisory committees that advise agencies on everything ranging from research priorities to public health, environmental, security, and economic policy. The Executive Order on Evaluating and Improving the Utility of Federal Advisory Committees instructs agencies and departments to ?evaluate the need? for each of their current advisory committees, whether established by a congressional statute, by the President, or by the head of the agency under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Based on this evaluation, the Order requires agencies to terminate by September 30, 2019 ?at least one-third? of their federal advisory panels established not by law but by agency heads, including panels for which the objectives have been accomplished, the assigned work has become obsolete, and the primary functions have been absorbed by another body. The Order also targets committees where ?the cost of operation is excessive in relation to the benefits to the Federal Government.? Agencies can, however, obtain a waiver from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for committees deemed ?necessary for the delivery of essential services? or ?warranted by the public interest.? Agencies with fewer than three advisory panels are exempt from the target of eliminating one-third of these panels. The Administration is also seeking recommendations from agencies on terminating advisory panels established by the President or required by law. Agencies have until August 1, 2019 to submit their recommendations for such panels on whether they should be continued or terminated along with a detailed legislative plan for terminating statutory committees that the OMB Director could include in the President?s FY 2021 budget request to Congress. Merit review panels that provide scientific expertise for policy decisions related to product safety are exempt from the provisions of the Order, as well as advisory committees of independent regulatory agencies. Additionally, the Order caps the government-wide combined total number of federal advisory committees, not including the panels of independent regulatory agencies, at 350. An agency will not be able to create a new advisory committee if the combined total number of committees exceeds this cap, unless the agency obtains a waiver from the OMB Director. The new policy has been criticized as another attack on science by the Trump Administration. ?For the past two years they have been shrinking and restricting the role of federal science advisory committees. Now they?re removing the possibility of even making decisions based on robust science advice,? said Gretchen Goldman, Research Director at the Union of Concerned Scientists? Center for Science and Democracy. In an opinion piece in Nature, Goldman warned that ?cuts to science advisory panels for federal agencies will haunt the United States long after the current administration finishes.? She urged scientists to ?use the power of constituency, urge Congress for oversight, and even go to court if necessary.? House Passes First FY 2020 Spending Package On June 19, 2019, the United States House of Representative voted 226-203 to pass a spending package for fiscal year (FY) 2020. The ?minibus? combines four appropriations bills, including Defense, Energy and Water, Labor-Health and Human Services-Education, and State-Foreign Operations. The National Institutes of Health, the largest funder of medical research, would receive $41.1 billion in FY 2020, an increase of $2 billion over the FY 2019 enacted level. The Department of Energy?s Office of Science would receive $ 6.87 billion, an increase of $285 million or 4.3 percent above the FY 2019 level and $1.3 billion above the President's request for FY 2020. The Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E), slated for elimination under the President's budget, would receive an increase of $59 million to $425 million. The State and Foreign Operations spending bill includes a provision to keep the U.S. committed to the Paris Climate Agreement by barring allocation of any funding towards withdrawal from the agreement. The House will consider a second five-bill package including appropriations bills for Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS), Agriculture-Food and Drug Administration, Interior-Environment, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, Transportation-Housing and Development this week. The House CJS bill would provide funding increases for most federal science agencies, including the National Science Foundation (+$561 million), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (+$815 million), and National Institute of Standards and Technology (+$54.7 million). The Interior-Environment spending bill would provide increases to the U.S. Geological Survey (+$75 million), the Environmental Protection Agency (+$672 million), and other agencies. The White House has issued an official veto threat against the second spending package in a statement of Administration policy. ?The Administration is strongly opposed to the budgetary framework that underlies this and other appropriations bills being considered by the House of Representatives,? reads the statement. Progress has not been made on negotiations between the White House and congressional leadership to raise federal budget caps, but Secretary Mnuchin announced that a tentative deal has been reached to raise the debt ceiling. The Senate is expected to begin considering appropriations legislation after a budget agreement is finalized. NIH Survey Sheds Light on Prevalence of Sexual Harassment According to an interim report on a survey done by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one in five employees at the agency said that they have experienced sexual harassment in the work place in the 12 month-period before the survey was administered. More than 15,700 employees responded to the NIH Workplace and Harassment Survey, which found that 21.6 percent of respondents have experienced some form of sexual harassment, with 18 percent experiencing gender harassment, 10.3 percent experiencing unwanted sexual attention, and 0.3 percent experiencing sexual coercion. Women experienced higher rates of sexual harassment compared to men and transgender employees and other gender identities reported a 44.8 percent rate of harassment. The survey data will be further analyzed with the final report anticipated later this year. A report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on sexual harassment in STEM research, released on the same day as the NIH report, found that major federal science agencies received very few reports of sexual harassment from grantee institutions between fiscal years 2015 and 2019. The Department of Health and Human Services received one complaint, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration received 3 complaints, the Department of Energy received 2 complaints, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture?s National Institute of Food and Agriculture received none. The National Science Foundation (NSF), which announced a new policy in 2018 requiring awardee institutions to report any sexual harassment findings on NSF-funded principal investigators or co-principal investigators, received 14 complaints. In contrast to the low reporting of sexual harassment at federal agencies, a 2018 report published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine suggests that sexual harassment is far more widespread in scientific research, with up to 50 percent of women in STEM fields at universities experiencing sexual harassment. Earlier this month, members of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) adopted a policy that would allow its leadership to expel members for proven allegations of sexual harassment. The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology is set to vote on bipartisan legislation (H.R.36) aimed at combating sexual harassment in science by funding research into sexual harassment in the STEM workforce and developing uniform policy guidelines for federal science agencies to prevent and respond to reports of sexual harassment. At a recent hearing held by the panel, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said that the overall rate of reporting sexual harassment was ?shockingly low.? Democratic lawmakers in the Senate also introduced a companion measure (S.1067) in April 2019. NIFA, ERS To Be Relocated to Kansas City Region Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced on June 13, 2019, that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will relocate its research agencies ? the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Economic Research Service (ERS) ? from Washington, DC, to the Kansas City Region, six weeks after announcing its top three choices for the move. The specific location of the offices is yet to be identified. ?Following a rigorous site selection process, the Kansas City Region provides a win-win ? maximizing our mission function by putting taxpayer savings into programmatic outputs and providing affordability, easy commutes, and extraordinary living for our employees,? said Secretary Perdue. He said that the relocation to the new site will allow ERS and NIFA to increase efficiencies and bring resources closer to stakeholders. ?The Kansas City Region has proven itself to be hub for all things agriculture and is a booming city in America?s heartland,? he added. USDA has estimated that the move will result in savings of $300 million on employment costs and rent over 15 years. More than 500 positions at the two agencies are expected to be relocated by September 30, 2019, while 97 positions will remain in Washington, DC. Employees are required to decide whether they will move by July 15, 2019. Employee salaries are also expected to go down after they move. Democratic lawmakers, employees, as well as a coalition of stakeholders have objected to the plan. Employees at the two agencies have unionized as a result of the move. During Secretary Perdue?s speech regarding the move, a group of unionized employees stood with their backs to him in demonstration. Gale Buchanan, former Chief Scientist at USDA under President George W. Bush, and Catherine E. Woteki, former Chief Scientist at USDA under President Obama, wrote in a recent Washington Post op-ed, ?Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue appears to be taking a multipronged approach toward dismantling the science that for years has undergirded policy decisions.? On the plan to relocate the research agencies, they stated that USDA ?sidestepped the usual processes for relocation, such as conducting a search through the government?s General Services Administration.? Jack Payne, University of Florida?s Senior Vice President for Agriculture, stated, ?This is not just a change of address?It cuts NIFA off from the collaboration with other federal funding agencies in D.C. that are its major partners.? The House Appropriations Committee approved a fiscal year 2020 spending bill containing language that prohibits the use of funds for the relocation. Democratic lawmakers in the Senate introduced a bill earlier this year to keep NIFA and ERS within the National Capital Region. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has indicated that Senate Democrats will also endeavor to block the move through an amendment in an appropriations bill. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) asked USDA?s Office of Inspector General in September 2018 to conduct a review of the relocation proposal to determine whether the secretary has the authority to relocate the agencies without congressional approval. The report is still pending. The plan has support from Republican lawmakers representing Missouri and Kansas. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) said, ?We?re home to some of the hardest working farmers in the country, so this is a fantastic decision by the USDA.? Senate Agriculture Appropriations Chairman John Hoeven (R-ND) also applauded moving the agencies closer to farm areas. 2019 National Fossil Day The National Park Service (NPS) is planning for the 10th annual celebration of National Fossil Day, which will take place on October 16, 2019. National Fossil Day is a nationwide celebration that will include paleontology activities planned by partner organizations across the United States. AIBS has partnered with the National Park Service to promote the event. NPS and National Fossil Day partners are sponsoring an art contest as a part of the celebration. The contest theme is ?Extinct Giants and Survivors of the Last Ice Age.? For details about participating, go to: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossilday/art-contest-2019.htm If your institution or organization is planning to host a National Fossil Day event or is interested in joining NPS as a partner, visit https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossilday/index.htm. Register Soon: 2019 AIBS Writing for Impact and Influence Course The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is offering a professional development program to help scientists and students hone their written communication skills to increase the power of their message. Writing for Impact and Influence combines practical instruction and hands-on exercises to improve participants? general writing proficiency and their ability to reach large audiences. The program will provide participants with the skills and tools needed to compose scientific press releases, blog posts, emails, and memoranda. Learn to write for stakeholders, decision-makers, and the general public, with a focus on perfecting the reader experience. The course consists of six 90-minute online modules conducted live and will begin on Thursday, July 11, 2019, with subsequent course sessions held weekly on Thursdays. Individuals who actively participate in and complete the full course will receive a certificate recognizing that they have completed a nine-hour professional development course on business writing for scientists. Register now: http://io.aibs.org/writing Help Inform Science Policy, Meet Your Lawmakers This Summer Registration is now open for the 2019 Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits event. This national initiative, organized by the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is an opportunity for scientists from across the country to meet with their federal or state elected officials to showcase the people, facilities, and equipment that are required to support and conduct scientific research and education. Now in its eleventh year, the event enables scientists, graduate students, representatives of research facilities, and people affiliated with scientific collections to meet with their federal or state elected officials without traveling to Washington, DC. Participants may either invite their elected officials to visit their research facility or can meet at the policymaker?s local office. AIBS works with participants to schedule the meetings with lawmakers and prepare participants through online training and one-on-one support. ?When I found out about the AIBS Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits, I thought that this would be a perfect way to share not only my passion about my work but also my concerns and interests with a local government representative that might be able to influence policy and share advice about how to become even more involved,? said 2018 participant Khailee Marischuk. ?I had not had any previous experience with this type of meeting, but AIBS did a fantastic job connecting me with my State Representative and preparing me for the lab tour and conversation. My meeting with Representative Terese Berceau was incredibly rewarding as she shared our enthusiasm for scientific research and our passion for promoting science policy for elected officials and the general public alike, along with giving our group insight in how best to make our voices and opinions known and heard. It was a thought-provoking discussion for me and hopefully everyone else involved.? The event is made possible by AIBS, with the support of event sponsors American Society of Plant Taxonomists, Botanical Society of America, Helminthological Society of Washington, Natural Science Collections Alliance, Paleontological Society, Society for Freshwater Science, Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections, and Society for the Study of Evolution and event supporter Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology. Participation is free, but registration is required. Registration will close on July 10, 2019. For more information and to register, visit https://www.aibs.org/public-policy/congressional_district_visits.html Short Takes * The National Science Foundation (NSF) is inviting Principal Investigators, Co-Principal Investigators, or Sponsored Project Offices (SPO), who recently submitted a proposal to NSF, to provide feedback on existing FastLane and Research.gov business functionalities. This survey is a part of the NSF?s multi-year initiative to help PIs/co-PIs and SPOs more efficiently and effectively prepare and submit NSF proposals, manage NSF awards, and conduct business with NSF. The anonymous survey should take about 10 minutes to complete and will close on July 1, 2019. Complete the survey by visiting: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019_PI_SPO * The Biological Sciences Directorate at the National Science Foundation (NSF) is inviting applications for the position of Deputy Division Director for Environmental Biology. The division supports research and training on evolutionary and ecological processes acting at the level of populations, species, communities, and ecosystems. The closing date for applications is July 17, 2019. Learn more at https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/536933400. * The World Biodiversity Forum is now accepting proposals for thematic sessions and interactive workshops, which cut across disciplines, cover a diversity of perspectives, and address current issues. The Forum aims to redefine and set the agenda for biodiversity as a focal point over the next 10 years and supports the ?New Deal for Nature? to be established by the Convention on Biological Diversity by the end of 2020. The deadline for submissions is July 21, 2019. More information at: https://www.worldbiodiversityforum.org/en/participate * The International Barcode of Life (iBOL) consortium is launching a 7-year, $180 million, global effort called BIOSCAN to accelerate species discovery, study species interactions, and track species dynamics at 2500 sites around the world with support from 30 international partners. This initiative follows a 2010 iBOL effort that built a reference library with 7.3 million ?barcodes? or distinguishing DNA sequences of known species. The new effort aims to expand the reference library by 15 million barcode records, with 90 percent of them coming from undescribed species. The new data will enable efforts for monitoring the effects of pollution, land-use changes, and global warming on biodiversity, said Paul Hebert at the University of Guelph in Canada, who is leading the effort, according to Science. From the Federal Register The following items appeared in the Federal Register from June 10 to 21, 2019. For more information on these or other recent items, please visit the AIBS Federal Register Resource at www.aibs.org/federal-register-resource/index.html. Week Ending 21 June 2019 Commerce * Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing * Meeting of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee * Pacific Whiting; Advisory Panel; Joint Management Committee Executive Office of the President * Evaluating and Improving the Utility of Federal Advisory Committees Health and Human Services * Meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS National Science Foundation * STEM Education Advisory Panel; Notice of Meeting * Sunshine Act Meetings; National Science Board * Sunshine Act Meetings; National Science Board Week Ending 14 June 2019 Defense * National Wetland Plant List Environmental Protection Agency * Notification of Request for Nominations to the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council Executive Office of the President * Executive Order 13874--Modernizing the Regulatory Framework for Agricultural Biotechnology Products Health and Human Services * National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality: Request for Nominations for Members Interior * Agency Information Collection Activities; Economic Contribution of Federal Investments in Restoration of Degraded, Damaged, or Destroyed Ecosystems Become an Advocate for Science: Join the AIBS Legislative Action Center Quick, free, easy, effective, impactful! Join the AIBS Legislative Action Center. The Legislative Action Center is a one-stop shop for learning about and influencing science policy. Through the website, users can contact elected officials and sign-up to interact with lawmakers. The website offers tools and resources to inform researchers about recent policy developments. The site also announces opportunities to serve on federal advisory boards and to comment on federal regulations. This tool is made possible through contributions from the Society for the Study of Evolution, Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, and the Botanical Society of America. AIBS and our partner organizations invite scientists and science educators to become policy advocates today. Simply go to policy.aibs.org to get started. ________________________________ * Give your society or organization a voice in public policy. See http://www.aibs.org/public-policy/funding_contributors.html. * Become an AIBS Individual Member and lend your voice to a national effort to advance the biological sciences through public policy, education, and science programs. Visit https://www.aibs.org/about-aibs/join.html to join AIBS. * Become an advocate for science, visit the AIBS Legislative Action Center at http://policy.aibs.org. * Know the news as it happens, sign-up to receive AIBS press releases and policy statements (http://www.aibs.org/mailing-lists/mediaisu.html). The American Institute of Biological Sciences is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) scientific association dedicated to advancing biological research and education for the welfare of society. AIBS works to ensure that the public, legislators, funders, and the community of biologists have access to and use information that will guide them in making informed decisions about matters that require biological knowledge. The organization does this through informing decisions by providing peer-reviewed or vetted information about the biology field and profession and by catalyzing action through building the capacity and the leadership of the community to address matters of common concern. Founded in 1947 as a part of the National Academy of Sciences, AIBS became an independent, member-governed organization in the 1950s. Today, Today, AIBS has over 140 member organizations and has a Public Policy Office in Washington, DC. Its staff members work to achieve its mission by publishing the peer-reviewed journal BioScience and the education Web site ActionBioscience.org, by providing scientific peer-review and advisory services to government agencies and other clients, and by collaborating with scientific organizations to advance public policy, education, and the public understanding of science. Website: www.aibs.org. You received this message because you or your organization have interacted with one of our programs or initiatives. Our mailing address is: American Institute of Biological Science 1201 New York Ave., NW, Ste. 420 Washington, DC 20005 Copyright (C) 2019 American Institute of Biological Sciences All rights reserved. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: