Jack Ashby's "Nature's Memory" delves into the significant role of natural history museums in conservation efforts and public education. He emphasizes the behind-the-scenes activities of curators, who manage vast collections full of specimens from the natural world. The article addresses the complexities and biases in specimen collection, including gender representation among species. Ashby shares his admiration for iconic museums like the Biological Museum in Stockholm and the National Natural History Museum in Paris, underscoring both their beauty and history, while urging for a deeper understanding of their roles in science.
Natural history museums are amazing, but of course they are built by people, and people have interests and biases. One study looked at more than 2 million specimens at 5 museums, and found that only 40% of the birds were female.
In his office, plastered with posters of some of the world's best nature dioramas, Ashby told Nature about his quest to communicate the importance of natural history museums.
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