Save Utrecht's Herbarium!

As long time readers know, I have a passion for museums. Please take a few moments of your time to click on the link below, read the short couple paragraphs and enter your name in the box to sign the petition to the College Board of Utrecht University. With ever increasing knowledge of biodiversity and a steady rate of discovering new species, museums and herbaria play a significant role in organizing and managing all that data, as well training more specialists.

"Dear Friends,

Sorry for cross-posting, but I'd like to bring the following to your attention.

On 26th March 2008 the University Board of Utrecht University, The Netherlands, informed the employees of the Utrecht Herbarium that as of 1 June 2008 the Herbarium is to be closed and, with immediate effect, access to the collections, from national as well as international workers, is to cease. This must not be allowed!

*Closure of the Herbarium is a disaster for current national and international research!

*Closure of the Herbarium is a disaster for any future research!

*Closure of the Herbarium contradicts the Biodiversity Covenant signed by the Netherlands which ensures the accessibility of data relating to biodiversity (either under Dutch ownership or under Dutch guardianship)!

*Closure of the Herbarium is a disaster for all the botanical andecological research taking place in South America, especially Suriname, Guyana, French Guyana and the Amazonian basin.

*Closure of the Herbarium is in effect a denial of the cultural-historical value of this Herbarium to The Netherlands and Suriname!

*Closure of the Herbarium is the start of scientific deterioration and wrecks the near-finalized plans for the creation of one Dutch Centre for Biodiversity [NCB].

What can you do?

Please sign the petition at www.SaveHerbariumU.nl and forward this email to others."

Please spread the word.