Building a natural history collection using the art of taxidermy and the science of study skin preparation
Location
SU-216
Department
Biology
Abstract
Natural history collections are useful tools for data collection and for educational use in classrooms. The Biology Department of Northeastern Illinois University does not currently have a cohesive natural history collection, though we offer classes in the identification of local fauna. Since most universities have legacy collections that are decades or centuries old, we have a unique opportunity to create our own natural history collection, the preparation of which is beneficial to students interested in the subject, and revives rarely practiced techniques to display and preserve species of interest. We worked on two species, the European Starling and the American Robin, to perform and perfect protocols in the art of taxidermy and study skin preparation. We also spoke with curators at the Field Museum to incorporate their knowledge of specimen accession, preparation, and display. We are working to use specimens collected from window strikes at NEIU to develop a comprehensive display of local bird species and a deep collection of study skins for scientific and educational purposes. The use of ethically obtained specimens (in contrast to historical collections that would sacrifice animals for display) helps bring awareness to the problem of window strikes, which is threatening migratory bird species worldwide and especially in Chicago. The collection will help faculty and students interested in the topic to have a more visual and hands-on experience for learning species identification and will provide myriad opportunities for designing and answering scientific research questions based on actual specimens.
Faculty Sponsor
Beth Reinke
Building a natural history collection using the art of taxidermy and the science of study skin preparation
SU-216
Natural history collections are useful tools for data collection and for educational use in classrooms. The Biology Department of Northeastern Illinois University does not currently have a cohesive natural history collection, though we offer classes in the identification of local fauna. Since most universities have legacy collections that are decades or centuries old, we have a unique opportunity to create our own natural history collection, the preparation of which is beneficial to students interested in the subject, and revives rarely practiced techniques to display and preserve species of interest. We worked on two species, the European Starling and the American Robin, to perform and perfect protocols in the art of taxidermy and study skin preparation. We also spoke with curators at the Field Museum to incorporate their knowledge of specimen accession, preparation, and display. We are working to use specimens collected from window strikes at NEIU to develop a comprehensive display of local bird species and a deep collection of study skins for scientific and educational purposes. The use of ethically obtained specimens (in contrast to historical collections that would sacrifice animals for display) helps bring awareness to the problem of window strikes, which is threatening migratory bird species worldwide and especially in Chicago. The collection will help faculty and students interested in the topic to have a more visual and hands-on experience for learning species identification and will provide myriad opportunities for designing and answering scientific research questions based on actual specimens.