collecting stamps and coins - UBC Beaty Museum of Biodiversity, part 2

5630 Dunbar St. at 41st Ave.
604-684-4613

Newsletter #209, May 7, 2011
Things to do in the neighbourhood: UBC Beaty Museum of Biodiversity, part 2 Back to Newsletter index		The Beaty Biodiversity Museum works to illuminate how biodiversity evolved, how it is maintained, why it matters to humans, and how we can conserve it. The museum seeks to nurture the sense of wonder that many--especially youth--feel in experiencing biodiversity in hopes that they choose to preserve it as citizens, and perhaps even study it as scientists. Science studies life's diversity in order to understand common principles underlying the biology of all species, to understand how our ecosystems came to be and how they function, and to learn how to act sustainably. Since the early 20th century, biologists at UBC have archived specimens of the many species they have studied in our natural history collections.

		The museum puts UBC's natural history collections, with more than two million specimens, on public view for the first time, filling the 20,000 square foot display area. Among the treasures are a 26 metre long blue whale skeleton suspended in the Atrium, the second-largest fish collection in the nation, and myriad fossils, shells, insects, fungi, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and plants from around British Columbia and the world.

		On May 13, 2010, the University of British Columbia officially opened the Beaty Biodiversity Centre, which houses the Beaty Biodiversity Museum and the Biodiversity Research Centre – a team of more than 50 scientists dedicated to understanding and conserving the diversity of life on earth. Over the past year, the exhibits have been assembled and put in place and are now open to the public.

		Hundreds of preserved specimens are on display in upwards of 20 rows of display cases.

		Most of the material is kept in locked cabinets and are only available for research, but a good deal of displays are open and drawers beneath them make for interesting interactive information.

		Given the high "ick" factor, it's a perfect place to take the kids.

		Displays go back to the very beginning, evidence here of the Cretaceous Extinction.

		There is a playroom-workstation with tables and chairs for children to draw and build things under supervision.

		And for kids of all ages, there is a lab with over a dozen microscopes and plenty of samples to explore. The Beaty Museum is located at 2212 Main Mall, just to the South West of the UBC Bookstore. Information about getting there and parking is on their web site. The Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm and there is a small admission charge. There are guided tours at 2-hour intervals. Other things to do in the neighbourhood:
		Newsletter #147 UBC Botanical Garden Newsletter #148 UBC Farm in danger Newsletter #149 Camosun Bog Newsletter #150 Southlands Nursery Newsletter #151 Museum of Anthropology Grounds Newsletter #152 Kerrisdale Village Newsletter #153 UBC Walking Tour Newsletter #166 Thunderbird Olympic Arena Newsletter #169 Museum of Anthropology reopens Newsletter #173 UBC Nitobe Garden Newsletter #174 Arthur Erickson House and Garden Newsletter # 180 The Pacific Museum of the Earth Newsletter #182 Southlands Country Fair Newsletter #196 UBC Beaty Museum of Biodiversity Newsletter #209 UBC Beaty Museum of Biodiversity, part 2
		Back to index Newsletter #210 Postal worker shutout eclipsed by Canucks shutout and riot

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All Nations Stamp & Coin

5630 Dunbar St. at 41st Ave.
Vancouver, BC, V6N 1W7

Phone: 604-684-4613

e-mail: collect@direct.ca