Press Release
Fla. Museum's new online 'Science Stories' page explores ongoing research
Dec. 20, 2007
Contact:
Paul Ramey, APR
Assistant Director, Marketing and Public Relations
Florida Museum of Natural History
(352) 273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu
Writer: Marcel Raphael
GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- The Florida Museum of Natural History will launch a new online science stories page Friday, dedicated to exciting and often unsung research accomplishments that may not normally be displayed to museum visitors. The page address is www.flmnh.ufl.edu/sciencestories/.
Because only a small amount of the Florida Museum's research and discoveries can be displayed in the public exhibit space, the online page will allow visitors to explore this ongoing work by its scientists.
"So much takes place behind the scenes here at the Museum, there's no way we could set it all on the display floor or cover it in our magazine," said Doug Jones, director of the Florida Museum. "This new web page will allow us to expand our communication to reach wider audiences, so that everyone will know about the progress we're making in the field of natural science."
From collecting expeditions to new discoveries by Florida Museum researchers, the page will cover a range of topics for aspiring scientists and curious spectators. When ichthyologists explore rivers and collect fish or herpetologists discover a new species of lizard, the news will be available to the public on the science stories page. Online patrons also will know when Florida Museum researchers publish in top tier academic journals.
The page currently contains more than 25 stories, including information about conservation, the discovery of new species and ongoing fossil digs open to the public. Other features explore the biodiversity of Hawaiian coral reefs, a plantation nestled in a dry tropical forest which has become the Bahamas' first national park and the butterflies of South America's tropical Andean mountains.
The new online feature was developed by Florida Museum science writer DeLene Beeland, webmaster Sarah Fazenbaker and assistant director for marketing and public relations Paul Ramey.
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The Florida Museum of Natural History is Florida's state natural history museum, dedicated to understanding, preserving and interpreting biological diversity and cultural heritage. It is located near the intersection of Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza in Gainesville. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Butterfly Rainforest admission is $8.50 for adults ($7.50 Fla. residents) and $4.50 for children ages 3-12. Prices subject to change. For more information, including directions and parking, call (352) 846-2000, or visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu.