Traveling Through Nebraska: Exploring the Great Plains Herbarium
Located within the University of Nebraska State Museum at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Great Plains Herbarium is a scientific institution dedicated to the collection, preservation, and study of plant specimens from the Great Plains region. As one of the largest and most comprehensive herbaria in the United States, the Great Plains Herbarium is an invaluable resource for botanists, researchers, and scientifically-inclined travelers alike.
Founded in 1871 by Charles Edwin Bessey, the Great Plains Herbarium has grown to comprise over 300,000 plant specimens, each carefully collected, identified, and preserved for future generations of researchers. The herbarium's collections encompass a wide range of plant species, including flowering plants, conifers, ferns, and mosses, which provide a valuable window into the botanical diversity of the Great Plains region. The herbarium's specimen collection includes examples of plants from throughout the region, including the tallgrass prairies of Illinois, the shortgrass prairies of Colorado, and the Badlands of South Dakota.
As part of its mission to promote scientific research and education, the Great Plains Herbarium offers a range of services to visitors, including plant identification, specimen loans, and access to the herbarium's extensive library of botanical literature. Visitors can also explore the herbarium's Museum of Natural History exhibitions, which feature a variety of interactive displays and interpretive exhibits showcasing the botanical and cultural heritage of the Great Plains region. One notable exhibit is the Pawnee Earthlodge, a reconstructed earthlodge that showcases the traditional ways of life of the Pawnee people, indigenous to the region.
In addition to its collections and exhibitions, the Great Plains Herbarium is also actively engaged in research and conservation efforts. Herbarium scientists are working to document and conserve the region's plant diversity, with a particular focus on species that are threatened or endangered. For example, researchers at the herbarium have been working to study and conserve the Western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara), a rare and endangered orchid found only in the tallgrass prairies of the Great Plains. By combining historical and contemporary data with cutting-edge technologies like DNA sequencing and geographic information systems (GIS), herbarium scientists are working to better understand the ecology and evolution of this and other plant species.
As part of its conservation efforts, the Great Plains Herbarium is also involved in the development of regional and national conservation plans. For example, herbarium scientists have played a key role in the development of the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project, a collaborative effort among state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and private landowners to conserve and protect the state's natural heritage. By working together to protect and preserve the region's plant diversity, herbarium scientists and conservationists are helping to ensure the long-term health and resilience of the Great Plains ecosystem.
Visitors to the Great Plains Herbarium can explore the museum and exhibitions during regular hours, with guided tours available by appointment. The herbarium is located on the UNL campus, located at 645 North 14th Street in Lincoln, Nebraska. While on campus, visitors can also explore other attractions, including the University of Nebraska State Museum's Morrison Planetarium and the historic Morrill Hall.
Founded in 1871 by Charles Edwin Bessey, the Great Plains Herbarium has grown to comprise over 300,000 plant specimens, each carefully collected, identified, and preserved for future generations of researchers. The herbarium's collections encompass a wide range of plant species, including flowering plants, conifers, ferns, and mosses, which provide a valuable window into the botanical diversity of the Great Plains region. The herbarium's specimen collection includes examples of plants from throughout the region, including the tallgrass prairies of Illinois, the shortgrass prairies of Colorado, and the Badlands of South Dakota.
As part of its mission to promote scientific research and education, the Great Plains Herbarium offers a range of services to visitors, including plant identification, specimen loans, and access to the herbarium's extensive library of botanical literature. Visitors can also explore the herbarium's Museum of Natural History exhibitions, which feature a variety of interactive displays and interpretive exhibits showcasing the botanical and cultural heritage of the Great Plains region. One notable exhibit is the Pawnee Earthlodge, a reconstructed earthlodge that showcases the traditional ways of life of the Pawnee people, indigenous to the region.
In addition to its collections and exhibitions, the Great Plains Herbarium is also actively engaged in research and conservation efforts. Herbarium scientists are working to document and conserve the region's plant diversity, with a particular focus on species that are threatened or endangered. For example, researchers at the herbarium have been working to study and conserve the Western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara), a rare and endangered orchid found only in the tallgrass prairies of the Great Plains. By combining historical and contemporary data with cutting-edge technologies like DNA sequencing and geographic information systems (GIS), herbarium scientists are working to better understand the ecology and evolution of this and other plant species.
As part of its conservation efforts, the Great Plains Herbarium is also involved in the development of regional and national conservation plans. For example, herbarium scientists have played a key role in the development of the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project, a collaborative effort among state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and private landowners to conserve and protect the state's natural heritage. By working together to protect and preserve the region's plant diversity, herbarium scientists and conservationists are helping to ensure the long-term health and resilience of the Great Plains ecosystem.
Visitors to the Great Plains Herbarium can explore the museum and exhibitions during regular hours, with guided tours available by appointment. The herbarium is located on the UNL campus, located at 645 North 14th Street in Lincoln, Nebraska. While on campus, visitors can also explore other attractions, including the University of Nebraska State Museum's Morrison Planetarium and the historic Morrill Hall.
