Joy in nature
Nature provides an ample space in which to reflect and to appreciate the marvels of life around us, big and small.
While the Museum remains closed, we continue to share our many online resources so you can engage with nature right from your home. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for regular posts.
Media interview
Citizen science Arctic plant project
Our Curator of Botany, Jennifer Doubt, was on CBC Ottawa Morning to talk about the Museum's Expedition Arctic Botany project on the citizen science platform, Zooniverse. The Museum's botany collection has over one million specimens, with some dating back to the 1700s, and there's a lot more work to do in entering information into the online database. All budding citizen scientists are encouraged to get involved.
June 8 deadline approaching!
Nature Inspiration Award call for nominations
There's still time to nominate a worthy candidate for a Nature Inspiration Award in one of the following categories: Youth, Adult, Not-for-profit (small/medium), Not-for-profit (large), Business (small/medium) and Business (large). Stella Bowles (pictured on the left) was the 2017 youth winner for her coordinated campaign to clean up Nova Scotia's LaHave River and eliminate sewage into the waterway by illegal straight pipes.
Get to know our experts
Insights from "Ask Me Anything"
Curious about plants, fish, small mammals and the people who study or work with them? Ever wonder about live-animal care in a museum? Four of our experts have participated so far in "Ask Me Anything" on Instagram, providing some glimpses into the interesting and specialized type of work they do.
Enjoy our activities
Explore nature, right from home
With colouring pages, origami, word games, blogs and videos, we've got something to interest nature enthusiasts of all ages. Start exploring right now!
From fin to limb
Tiktaalik, a transitional species
These 375-million-year-old fossils of an ancient fish with limbs were discovered in the Canadian High Arctic in 2004. Named Tiktaalik roseae, it was considered to be an "evolutionary holy grail", as it provides evidence of a common ancestor of all limbed animals on Earth. The fossils are currently safeguarded at our Natural Heritage Campus in Gatineau, Quebec, on behalf of the Government of Nunavut.
