Dear Supporter,
Happy 2026! Thank you for being part of our community and subscribing to our monthly e-newsletter, and a warm welcome to those joining us for the first time. This digital space serves as a platform to celebrate the achievements of our staff and students, highlight our incredible exhibits, public programs, and research, and, most importantly, foster a deeper understanding of the natural world.
There is so much to look forward to in 2026, with many changes and exciting developments ahead. The first small but meaningful change is a refresh of the newsletter itself. Instead of opening each issue with a familiar view of historic Dyche Hall, weâll be shifting our focus to the Panorama. We know many of you are missing this iconic 360-degree exhibitâwe are too! Since its closure in late fall, the gallery has received a fresh coat of paint, a new climate control system, upgraded lighting, and new glass panes. By stabilizing the exhibitâs environment, weâre preparing for the next phase of conservation, which will focus on repairing the mounts, landforms, and painted murals. Construction is nearing completion, so stay tuned for major announcements in the next few months.
I look forward to bringing you along as the BI/NHM team shares new stories, milestones, and discoveries throughout the year ahead.
Sincerely,Â
Natalie Vondrak
Communications CoordinatorÂ
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January 21 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Â
KU Natural History Museum
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Celebrate national #MuseumSelfieDay at the Natural History Museum! Weâll have special selfie-stations set up throughout the galleries so you can take a photo with a cutout of Charles Darwin or see if you can smile as wide as a T. rex! Learn More »
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January 23-24 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
January 25 | 12-4 p.m. Â
KU Natural History Museum
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Hey, KU students! Weekend plans? Grab your friends and explore four floors of exhibits during KU's Winter Welcome Weekend. Complete the challenge and earn an adorable enamel dinosaur pin as a prize! Learn More »
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Curating Collections: Botany
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The Biodiversity Institute houses over 11 million biological specimens and 2 million archaeological artifacts from around the worldâeach with a story just waiting to be shared!
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The Sunflower (Helianthus annuus), Kansas State Flower
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The sunflower became the state flower of Kansas in 1903. Described as "full of the life and glory of the past, the pride of the present, and richly emblematic of the majesty of a golden future," the sunflower represents both the state's vibrant history and bright future. Curiously, the legislation didnât specify which of the 11 species in the Helianthus genus was intended. Most people believe it is the annual sunflower (Helianthus annuus), the only species that has been documented from every county in Kansas.
Here is a photo of the oldest known specimen of the annual sunflower at KU, collected in Douglas County between the 1870s-1880s by Francis H. Snow, the fifth Chancellor of the University of Kansas.
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See a full list of recent publications at the end of this newsletter.
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| Victor Gonzalez Betancourt named curator in bee biodiversity and evolution
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We are pleased to share, with great enthusiasm, that Victor Gonzalez Betancourt has been named the inaugural Charles D. Michener Assistant Professor and Assistant Curator in Bee Biodiversity and Evolution. He began his role with the Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum this January with a joint faculty appointment in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. Read More »
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| Specify workshop in Spain brings together representatives from 15 countries
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Several KU Informatics staff traveled to Madrid, Spain, in December to lead a four-day international workshop for The Specify Collections Consortium. Fifty-four participants from 15 countries gathered to collaborate and share their expertise on Specify, a multi-platform database system that supports the digitization, management, and curation of museum specimen data. The Biodiversity Institute is a founding partner and headquarters of Specify Software, which continues to expand and shape the global biodiversity informatics landscape.
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| A clerical error caused the misidentification of a holotype frog specimen
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Detective work by Herpetology Collection Manager Ana Motta revealed that a poison frog specimen from Peru was mistakenly designated as the holotype for Dendrobates duellmani based on a misidentified photograph. By reviewing field notes and photo records, the KU Herpetology team determined that the frog was actually a color variant of the Amazon poison frog, Ranitomeya ventrimaculata. Read More »
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Museum memberships hit a new record in the New Year
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After a month-long campaign of promoting our museum membership program weâre thrilled to announce that the Natural History Museum has reached an all-time high of over 360 members, and that number continues to grow this January!
A heartfelt thank you to our new and returning members for supporting the museum. Your support helps fund our exhibits, community programs, and participation in the ASTC Passport Program, which lets you visit over 350 museums and science centers nationwide for free or at a discounted rate. Not a museum member yet? Learn how to join here.
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New adult tours & experiences at the Natural History Museum
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Looking for a fun new way to explore the museum? We now offer engaging paid group experiences: a themed educational tour and a team-bonding challenge designed for adults. Programs are available TuesdayâFriday, year-round, and can be booked for groups of up to 20 participants. Advance registration and program fees apply. Learn More »
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Sneak a peak into our new Discovery RoomÂ
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As construction continues on our new Discovery Room, our exhibits team has added a creative flair to the room's windows. Visitors can now peer inside through the enclosures of our beloved Madagascar hissing cockroaches and giant cave cockroaches, complete with interpretive content highlighting rainforest biodiversity. This theme will carry into the room's final design and connect directly to active research being conducted by scientists at the Biodiversity Institute.Â
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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 KU menâs basketball game was not only memorable for its nail-biting win against TCU, but also unforgettable thanks to a sign made by Herpetology Curator Rich Glor informing TCU that horned frogs are, in fact, lizards. Both Glor and Chris Beard, vertebrate paleontology curator and longtime KU basketball fan, were ecstatic about the win. Watch the video »
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Congratulations to Andrew Paget on graduating from the University of Kansas this past December with a double degree in Biology and Geology! Andrew has been a valued member of the Visitor Experience team since 2021 and a volunteer in the Vertebrate Paleontology preparation lab since 2022. Weâre incredibly grateful for the passion and commitment he has brought to the Natural History Museum!
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Have you ever wanted to go on an olfactory tour of the McGregor Herbarium? Now's your virtual chance! A big thank you to Mammalogy Collection Manager Dianna Krejsa for the fun reactions. Watch the video »Â
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A job well done to all three divisions who participated in Prepapalooza 2025: Mammalogy, Ornithology, and Entomology. The goal of this friendly preparation competition was to prepare as many specimens as possible over the course of three days. Why? Because the value of these specimens and their data is immeasurable! By preserving natural history collections today, we ensure that future generationsâwhether in 50, 100, or even 500 yearsâcan continue to learn from the changing natural world. See more photos »
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Last month, Invertebrate Paleontology Collection Manager Natalia LĂłpez Carranza gave a special tour to high school students attending the Kansas Geological Societyâs first-ever Paleocamp. Itâs inspiring to see so many young people excited about paleontology!
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The Informatics Division is excited to welcome Jason Melton as a full-time staff member! Jason started at the BI/NHM as a Research Engineer while pursuing his undergraduate degree at KU, and since graduating, heâs stepped into a full-time role. Weâre thrilled to have you on board, Jason!
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Darwin Day: Valentine's Edition
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Saturday, February 14 | 1:30-4:30 p.m.Â
KU Natural History Museum
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Join us for a unique museum mashup: celebrate Valentineâs Day at the same time as Charles Darwinâs birthday! Learn about Darwinâs life, colleagues and contemporaries, and their scientific discoveries. And explore the wild world of animal courtship, mating, and reproduction. This is a family-friendly, drop-in event, complete with birthday cake! Note: Animal reproduction, including specimens such as sex organs, will be discussed during this program.Â
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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 universityâs 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.
©2026 The University of Kansas
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