Why research and higher education need natural history

Background/Question/Methods

Widespread lack of financial and curricular support for natural history has reached critical levels, as funding sources focus ever more tightly on hypothesis testing and academic requirements emphasize reductionistic science. Moreover, we are profoundly ignorant of the biology of most organisms and thus lack the very information that underpins science, management, and nature appreciation.

Results/Conclusions

Our panel will report a wide ranging search for solutions to these problems, including seeking increased government and private funding, publicizing the importance of natural history in science and society, and encouraging citizen “natural historian” initiatives at local, national, and local levels.