Beaty Biodiversity Museum Opens

Over the last six month, I've been working at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at the University of British Columbia in my hometown of Vancouver, Canada, a museum which is best known for its massive hanging blue whale skeleton.

Getting the museum ready for opening has been a massive undertaking.  Not only have all two million specimens (from fossil to beetles, from seaweeds to fungus to wombats and salmon) moved from their various ancestral homes scattered around UBC campus into the new cabinets, but over 600 displays have been developed, written, designed, and fabricated -- and all in only 6 months.  I've been in charge of the vertebrate displays, including the birds, beasts, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. Here's me cleaning some bones.

All the displays are not all completely finished, but the place is really starting to look like a museum!  Here are a few quick look at the few of my larger displays - most of the displays have a smaller, jewel box feel.  But you'll have to visit the museum to check them all out!  As I say, the museum is open while we continue to work. Check out visitor hours, directions, etc. here +

Images above and below are taken from Global News' wesbite.  Read the article about the October 16th opening day here +