Get closer to the Natural History Museum Become a Patron

Transcription

1 For more information on becoming a Patron of the Natural History Museum, please contact: Fundraising Manager The Natural History Museum Development Department Cromwell Road London SW7 5BD Tel: To join the Patron s programme please fill in the giving form and return it using the freepost envelope. Or visit The Natural History Museum is a recognised charity (exempt charity number X23490/3). Get closer to the Natural History Museum Become a Patron Photographed in Dalarna, Sweden, by Janos Jurka. 1 2

2 This page: Wood cranesbill in Dalarna, Sweden. Photograph by Janos Jurka. Opposite: Phymateus morbillosus, common milkweed locust. The Natural History Museum is an inspirational treasuretrove, a vital international scientific resource that houses collections of major historical importance. This is a time of extraordinary opportunity for the Museum, with advances in technology revolutionising our science, access to our collections and the ways we engage with the public. Our role is to look after the collections and use them to promote the discovery and enjoyment of the natural world. The 80 million specimens in the collections will help scientists find solutions to some of the big issues facing the world, now and in the future. Your support is vital to helping us achieve this goal. The Patron programme provides essential resources to create innovative learning programmes, pioneer scientific research and care for our invaluable collections. By becoming a Patron, you will develop a closer relationship with the Museum and help support our important scientific work, preserving the world-renowned collections for future generations. Through its collections the Natural History Museum is helping to conserve and understand the extraordinary richness and diversity of the natural world. By becoming a Patron you will help ensure we are able to maintain and develop the collections, and use them to safeguard the future of our planet. Sir Michael Dixon Director The Natural History Museum 3 4

3 The Museum s collections, gathered over three centuries and containing more than 80 million specimens, document 4.5 billion years of the history of our solar system, Earth and life. The collections are fundamental to the naming and classifying of species. For instance, although two million of the world s living species have been described, there are an estimated 15 million still awaiting discovery. Many may face extinction before we even know they exist which is why the Museum s scientific research is more urgently needed than ever before. However, the collections and the cutting-edge science they support are only one aspect of the Museum s work. Our exhibitions, events, education programmes, lectures, publications and online activities all aim to engage the public in the issues surrounding natural history and science. By becoming a Patron you will ensure that the Museum is able to continue its vital work. Our Patrons fund a diverse range of essential projects, from studying life at the bottom of the ocean and research into debilitating human and animal diseases to funding our extensive education and public programmes. Why we need your help Our planet faces grave threats. Habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, overpopulation and other human impacts are upturning nature s delicate balance. For some species, time is fast running out. Yet there is hope: through our collections and scientific expertise, the Museum is working to conserve the extraordinary richness and diversity of the natural world. Top left: Scanning electron microscope image showing a frontal view of a black bean aphid on a leaf (x100). Bottom left: Animal Vision event in the Attenborough Studio. Above: The Grévy s zebra, Equus grevyi, is the largest species of zebra and the most endangered, inhabiting semi-arid regions of east Africa. Photograph by Juan-Carlos Munoz. Right: Miranda Lowe, collections manager, higher invertebrates, showing crab specimens to a young visitor. 5 6

4 Become a Patron and discover more As a Patron, you will get closer to our work and the natural world, while helping secure the future of the Museum for tomorrow s scientists and nature lovers. Our Patrons will delve into behind-thescenes science and gain access to the vital work that sits at the heart of the Museum. Whatever your interest, our Patrons programme gives an outstanding level of access to our history, science, most valued treasures and the curators who care for them. Below: Digitisation of insect specimens in the Life Sciences Department, Entomology. Bottom left: Blanca Huertas, curator Lepidoptera, showing a visitor around Sensational Butterflies. Below right: Mandrill. Watercolour and bodycolour by John Keulemans, Above: Specimen of marine alga or seaweed collected in Enoura, Japan. World science Our science is truly global. From cataloguing plant species in Central America to studying meteorites in Antarctica, our scientists are pioneers in the discovery, conservation and monitoring of the natural world. With species across the globe disappearing at an alarming rate, the race is on to provide an enduring catalogue before many are lost forever. Our scientists are at the forefront of much of this research and your patronage will support them. With regular updates from the Museum, our Patrons will be at the cutting-edge of this vital work. The collections Our ground-breaking science is underpinned by one of the greatest natural history collections in the world. From dodos to diamonds, our collections showcase the best of the natural world, spanning centuries and mapping evolutionary progress. With bespoke Museum tours, exhibition previews and regular updates our Patrons get to see more. From extinct species of yesterday to gems that will revolutionise the technology of tomorrow, there are endless reasons to get closer to the Museum. Our history The Museum s famous Waterhouse building has been a London landmark and home to natural history science and art since Our sister institution, the Natural History Museum at Tring, opened in 1937 when Walter Rothschild left his entire collection to the Museum including 2,000 mounted mammals, over 140 giant tortoises and 2 million butterflies and moths. In addition to Walter Rothschild s collections, the Natural History Museum at Tring is home to our priceless bird specimens including Darwin s finches, which played a role in the development of his theory of evolution by natural selection. 7 8

5 What some of our current Patrons say The Natural History Museum is the finest building in London and provides an invaluable resource to every generation. Jenny Halpern Prince The Natural History Museum is not only at the cutting edge of current science, it also has a rich history of discovery and collections. There is an enormous amount of historic material in the collections. That is what interests me at the Museum. George Loudon Take a closer look at the future Earth is entering a period of unprecedented environmental change that threatens the existence of the global systems upon which life depends. One of the great scientific missions is, therefore, to understand the consequences of this change for natural and human ecosystems. Your support will enable the Museum to continue its unique role in understanding and protecting life on our planet. Right: A colony of chinstrap penguins on a drifting iceberg in the Southern Ocean, Antarctica. Photograph by David Tipling. 9 10

6 As a Patron you will: Help us record life on Earth. We look after a collection that has 80 million specimens, from huge dinosaur skulls to delicate corals, eye-catching butterflies and microscopic algae. Your donation is vital in helping us house and care for these irreplaceable specimens, as well as acquire new additions. Support vital science research. Diseases such as river blindness and malaria affect millions throughout the world. By supporting the Museum you can help save lives. As our scientists learn more about disease-carrying insects, their research opens up new opportunities to stem the spread of debilitating and fatal conditions. Inspire future generations. By becoming a Patron you can help bring our vital work into the public domain through our learning programme and events. Patrons will help to engage us all in key environmental issues. Why become a Patron Patrons enjoy private exhibition viewings, Museum tours, behindthe-scenes updates and special Young Patron and Family events. 1,000 (or 83 per month) one bespoke breakfast event (from a selection) quarterly updates on behind-the-scenes activities and projects that your donation funds Young Patron (18 40) access to reserved VIP area, such as a top floor balcony during one Lates at the Museum 2,000 (or 167 per month) all the enjoyments of the 1,000 level an additional exclusive Patron event Christmas mailing Family Patrons 2,500 (or 208 per month) bypass all holiday queues (both into and within the Museum) priority booking for Dino Snores survival pack for parents access to our innovative learning programme, including curriculum literature two annual family activities 5,000 (or 417 per month) two bespoke breakfast events (from a selection) one bespoke evening event quarterly updates on behind-the-scenes activities and projects that your donation funds 10,000 (or 834 per month) invitations to all special events private behind-the-scenes tour quarterly updates on behind-the-scenes activities and projects that your donation funds New Mexico, USA. Photograph by David Tipling