This was the presentation to fundraise for the establishment of a Biodiversity Center at Arkansas State University

1. The Biodiversity CenterThe Biodiversity Center

2. Hernan de SotoHernan de Soto

3. ASU Best Kept Secret
NumberofSpecimens
(inthousands)
Mammals,32.5
Plants,45
Mussels,2.2
Herps,28
Fishes,141
Insects,23
Aq.Microinvert.,212

4. Importance
• Dozens of specimens represent
holotypes, paratypes, and threatened
species
• 500+ biologists have used them
• For historical biogeography, systematics,
functional morphology, ecology,
physiology, behavior, ethnozoology, and
the introduction of exotics
• More than 400 papers and presentations

6. Many Problems
• No sufficient space for them
• Taking up 5,000 sq ft and 13 rooms in Lab
Sciences East building
• Lack of appropriate curation for some
• Glass and Byne’s Diseases
• Violation of OSHA regulations

8. The Way it Should Be

9. ASU’s Biodiversity
Center: What is It?
• The repository of Arkansas Natural
Heritage
• A center for community interactions
through showing documentaries, pubic
fora, scientific meetings, and other special
events
• A spark for off-campus public events (e.g.,
BioBlitz, itinerant exhibitions)
• A Web-accessed source of information

10. The Building

11. Fourth Floor
Third Floor
Second Floor
First Floor
Fifth Floor

17. Networking

18. National Museum of Natural History

19. Outreach

20. • National/International Media Blitz
• To increase the public's awareness regarding the value of
research collections:
 Understanding biodiversity
 Identifying invasive species that affect habitats and the food
supply
 Finding solutions to improve human health and wellness
 Protecting the food supply
 Identifying diseases and infectious agents
 Restoring ecosystems that have been damaged
 Training the next generation of scientists

21. BioBlitz
• Designed as part contest, part festival,
part educational event, part scientific
endeavor, the BioBlitz will bring together
scientists from Arkansas State University
and other organizations from across the
region in a race against time to see how
many species they can count in a 24-hour
biological survey of an Arkansas park

22. • The public is invited to
observe the scientists'
work, to interact with
them, and to participate
in other activities with a
host of invited nature-
oriented organizations

23. • Designed to increase the
public's awareness on
biodiversity and the services
these species provide to
improve the quality of their lives
• We will invite people to share in
our 24 hours of discovery and
to experience the vast array of
species that we can find in their
neighborhood park in just one
cycle of the day

24. • It is an excellent tool for
exciting children about
science. This event generates
energy and enthusiasm
among scientists and lay
people alike
• Biologists from many
disciplines get together, share
their passions with each other
and the public, and work
toward a single common goal

25. • The "base camp" is the hub
of the BioBlitz. It is a
centralized tent equipped
with microscopes,
computers, and other tools of
the trade. This is where
identifications take place,
species are recorded,
discoveries are made, and
the tally of species is
recorded

26. • The BioBlitz also generates a list
of species as a first step in
successful park management
• It is a chance to highlight the
positive impact that city parks
and open spaces, with all their
diversity, have on our everyday
lives

27. • It may identify unique aspects of the park
that might otherwise not have been
known. This information along with
recommendations from the scientists is
supplied to the park and the city
• Imagine the cost of hiring more than 100
experts to conduct a survey and make
recommendations for park management

28. Itinerant Exhibition

29. Internet

30. Specific Objectives in the Web
1. To database all ASU specimens
2. To develop web-based access to their
information
3. To georeference all specimens
4. To bar code all specimens

31. http://www.clt.astate.edu/aromero/new_page_37.htm
http://www.fishbase.org/search.cfm
How is it going to look like?

32. 1. Guide activities of the
Arkansas Biological
Survey
2. Help track the status of
rare, threatened, and
endangered species
3. Allow the incorporation
of collection data into
GIS databases
4. Facilitate rapid
accumulation and
dissemination of
biodiversity information
Increased access to specimen data by
government, educational, and non-
government organizations will:

33. • Work experiences for students andWork experiences for students and
researchersresearchers
• Collaboration among state scientistsCollaboration among state scientists
• Training workshops for state researchersTraining workshops for state researchers
The project also will enhance Arkansas’sThe project also will enhance Arkansas’s
science and education infrastructure byscience and education infrastructure by
providing training in biologicalproviding training in biological
databasing and data sharing via:databasing and data sharing via:

34. Price Tag

35. Cost
• 5-year budget: $14,000,000
• Physical Plant: $10,000,000
• Equipment, furniture: $4,000,000
• No additional personnel
• Maintenance costs through indirect costs
from research grants generated by the
Center

36. Private Foundations
• Robert G. Hemingway Foundation
• W. M. Keck Foundation
• The G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation
• The Kresge Foundation
• The Kerr Foundation, Inc.
• Sunderland Foundation
• 3M Foundation
• Ford Motor Company Contributions Program
• The William J. Clinton Foundation

37. Why Looking for a Single,
Major Donor?
• Project of great visibility, tangible,
concrete
• Buzzwords: Biodiversity
• Arkansas Natural Heritage

38. The Power of Individuals…
• AlumniAlumni
• Emeritus FacultyEmeritus Faculty
• To develop a “Road Show”To develop a “Road Show”

39. The Biodiversity Center will…
• The use of the collections and facilities at
the Biodiversity Center will help ASU to
fulfill its three major mandates:
 Teaching
 Research
 Outreach