The National Park Service and the National Center for Preservation Training and Technology have awarded the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections $9950 through the NCPTT grant support program. This award will be used to support the creation of a professional report on priorities for research in the conservation of natural history collections. Principal investigator on this project is Dr. Paisley S. Cato, Director of Collections Care and Conservation at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Dr. Cato will coordinate the project with input from SPNHC members and committees. 

This project will provide a useful and timely reference for people dealing with the needs of preserving natural history collections for research, education and exhibition.

SPNHC is a multidisciplinary international organization composed of  individuals and institutions who are interested in the development and  preservation of natural history collections.  Natural history collections include specimens and supporting documentation, such as audio-visual materials, labels, library materials, field data and similar archives.  Preservation refers to any direct or indirect activity providing continued and improved care of these collections and supporting documents.  The Society actively encourages the participation of individuals involved with all aspects of natural history collections.

The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training is an interdisciplinary effort by the National Park Service to advance the art, craft and science of historic preservation in the fields of archeology, historic architecture, historic landscapes, materials conservation and history. NCPTT serves public and private practitioners through research, education and information management.

Sally Shelton
President, SPNHC

Office of Collections Programs
National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC   20560-0107