WeDigBio 2021

Explore ways that scientists study plants during a behind-the-scenes visit to the Steere Herbarium, one of the largest collections of preserved plant specimens documenting plant life around the globe over the past 300 years. Learn how these collections can be used in conservation work and to study climate change. See wild relatives of crops, invasive species that have taken hold in different regions of the world, and herbarium specimens of extinct plants that no longer grow on Earth.

Learn how to participate in Virtual Herbarium Expeditions and support the work of scientists to describe and conserve plant biodiversity! This introductory workshop will train beginner citizen scientists how to interpret plant specimen labels, research botanical archives, and record critical details about the history and geographic origin of scientific collections at NYBG.

Citizen Scientists have contributed to rapid acceleration in the digitization of botanical specimens in the past decade resulting in unprecedented access to information about the plants of our world. This expansion has enabled new research applications, boosted the efficiency of species discovery, and encouraged collaboration across continents. During this hour, listen to perspectives from three botanists who study epiphytic plant families included in NYBG’s Virtual Herbarium Expeditions, and learn how they use digitized specimens and data for biodiversity research and conservation.

ORCHIDS
Matthew Pace, Assistant Curator, The New York Botanical Garden, USA

FERNS
Alejandra Vasco, Research Botanist, Botanical Research Institute of Texas, USA

BROMELIADS
Julián Aguirre-Santoro, Assistant Professor, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Colombia

Gather virtually with citizen scientists of all experience levels to participate in NYBG’s Virtual Herbarium Expeditions! Experts will be in attendance to answer questions, troubleshoot challenges, facilitate discussion, and provide context for your specimen discoveries.