Dear Supporter,
This fall has brought some exciting and much-needed updates to the KU Natural History Museum. In October, we wrapped up construction on the third floor after replacing old condensate pipes beneath our exhibit cases. Renovations are also underway to transform the former Bug Town exhibit into a brand-new Discovery Room. In addition, the Panorama Gallery remains closed until the new year while it receives a new climate control system, upgraded lighting, and new glass panes. These updates are all part of our ongoing effort to preserve this beloved historic building and continue evolving to better serve our community.
We know these closures have been an inconvenience to our visitors, and we truly appreciate your patience as we make these improvements. While some exhibits remain closed, there’s still so much to explore in our galleries on the third, fifth, and sixth floors. When construction is complete, we can’t wait to welcome you back to experience our refreshed spaces!
Sincerely,Â
Natalie Vondrak
Communications CoordinatorÂ
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Pop Up Science:
National Bison Day
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November 1 | 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.Â
KU Natural History Museum
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Use our gallery guide to find all the bison specimens on display! Along the way, you'll learn why bison are a keystone species for the Great Plains. Bring the whole family to this fun, hands-on learning event! Learn More »
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| Science on Tap
with Emily Beck
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November 12 | 7:30-8:30 p.m
Free State Brewing Company
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Grab a pint and learn about weird fishes like the Antarctic icefish and the African turquoise killifish that are helping Emily Beck, KU Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences, understand human diseases.Â
Learn More »
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Complicated Legacies & the Current Moment
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November 17 | 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Spooner Hall, The Commons
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Join Brandon Kilbourne, evolutionary biologist and poet, and Carlton Shield Chief Gover, Assistant Archaeology Curator, for a discussion on how historic global collecting and exhibiting practices in museums have caused harm to communities.
Learn More »
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Curating Collections: Mammalogy
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The Biodiversity Institute houses over 11 million biological specimens and 2 million archaeological artifacts from around the world—each with a story just waiting to be shared!
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How research specimens inform black-footed ferret conservation
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The KU Mammalogy collection holds hundreds of historical North American black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) specimens dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. These specimens have been vital for studying the species’ genetics and morphology and continue to support modern conservation research.
By the late 20th century, black-footed ferrets were believed to be extinct. Then, in 1981, a small surviving population was discovered in Wyoming. Scientists quickly launched a captive breeding program to save the species, which has proven highly successful.
Today, in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, KU Mammalogy serves as the repository for deceased ferrets from the federal breeding program. These research specimens have greatly expanded our understanding of the species and enhanced the scientific value of the Biodiversity Institute’s research collections.
Want to learn more about black-footed ferrets? Visit the 5th floor of the KU Natural History Museum to view the Collections & Conservation exhibit.
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See a full list of recent publications at the end of this newsletter.
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| BIO3 Seminar series explores island biogeography during deep time
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In late September, Vertebrate Paleontology Curator Chris Beard shared his latest discoveries from Turkey during the BIO3 Seminar. Learn more about his research on biogeography and Eocene mammals from the lost island continent of Balkanatolia in the museum’s exhibit, Fossil Mammals from Turkey. Learn More »
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| Explore BIOFAIR, a roadmap for connecting biodiversity collections and data
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The Biodiversity Collections Network (BCoN) has launched a new network connecting biodiversity collections with other data repositories to tackle urgent challenges like biodiversity loss, climate change, invasive species, and public health threats. Andrew Bentley, ichthyology collection manager, helped guide this project and shared his insights on a new BioScience Talks podcast. Listen Here »
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| Volume two of Catfishes: A Highly Diversified Group released
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In October, Gloria Arratia, KU Ichthyology’s research affiliate, published the second volume of Catfishes: A Highly Diversified Group. This new volume focuses on the evolution and phylogeny of Siluriformes, featuring 18 chapters that examine the group’s fossil record and present new family-level phylogenies based on both morphological and molecular evidence. Read More »
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Members enjoyed a plant-packed afternoon at the McGregor Herbarium
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October's museum members event was a wonderful success! Attendees enjoyed a collections tour of the McGregor Herbarium, home to the largest collection of Great Plains plant specimens in the world. Botany Senior Curator Craig Freeman and Collection Manager Caleb Morse were the perfect guides, demonstrating how specimens are prepared and preserved, and even showing guests how to create their own mini plant press, herbarium sheet, and sun print. The afternoon concluded with refreshments beneath the former National Champion rock elm.
Not a museum member yet? Learn how to join here.
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KU student job opportunities
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Lawrence review of the Silvisaurus condrayiÂ
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In celebration of National Fossil Day, we hosted an all-day gallery activity and partnered with the University of Kansas Libraries for a Lawrence Reviewed pop-up event. Participants rated the Silvisaurus condrayi in the style of John Green’s The Anthropocene Reviewed. Watch the video »
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Staff & Student Spotlights
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Stay up-to-date with current activities and events by following us
on your favorite social media channels.
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The Beard Lab visited Mizzou in early October for the 2025 Paleo Connected Conference. All four Vertebrate Paleontology graduate students gave presentations on their research, and undergraduate Lauren Thompson shared her work through a poster presentation. It was also a special milestone for undergraduate Abby Clark, who attended her very first academic conference. Here’s a snapshot of the team enjoying their time on campus!
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Our Education and Outreach team got into the Halloween spirit by tabling at the Douglas County Girl Scout Service Unit’s Trunk-or-Treat event. Claire and Jenna hosted a fun tombstone matching game inspired by natural history specimens. The team engaged with around 300 attendees throughout the evening.
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Last month, BIOL 105 students visited the Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum for a collections tour with Ornithology Curator Robert Moyle. During their visit, students learned how we care for our collections and conduct specimen-based research.
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| Another division hit the road for a conference last month. Twelve members of the KU Mammalogy Division traveled to Manhattan, Kansas, for the Central Plains Society of Mammalogists meeting.
Six students gave presentations, and three were recognized with awards: Alex Hey, Best PhD Student Talk; Mira Rausch, Best Undergraduate Poster; and Danny Ibanez, Best PhD Student Poster.
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Parker Rhinehart was one of five graduate students selected to present at the Red Hot Graduate Research event hosted by The Commons. Parker is a Ph.D. student in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and part of Curator Chris Beard’s lab. His six-minute presentation highlighted his latest paleontology research on Eocene primates from Wyoming. Great job, Parker!
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Volunteer spotlight! Jonathan Ramos has been volunteering with the KU Natural History Museum since August 2024. Over the past year, he has contributed his time to several member events and played a key role at last month’s event by leading the activity area, where he taught members how to create their own plant presses. We’re so grateful for Jonathan’s enthusiasm and dedication!
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Discover something new this winter with our Discovery Guides!
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While we’re taking a break from events in December, there are still plenty of ways to explore the KU Natural History Museum. Pick up a Discovery Guide at the Visitor Services Desk on the 4th floor and complete it to earn a sticker featuring one of the official state fossils of Kansas — Tylosaurus, Pteranodon, or Silvisaurus. Discovery Guides are a fun way to explore the galleries on your own or with friends and family. Learn More »
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The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university’s programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or online and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or online.
©2024 The University of Kansas
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