Workshop Explores How Edna Research Can Inform Pollinator Conservation

The effort was spearheaded by Chicago Region Interim Director, Abigail Derby Lewis, and collaboratively developed with scientists from the Keller Science Action Center and the Negaunee Integrative Research Center, including Aster Hasle (Lead Conservation Ecologist), Karen Klinger (GIS Analyst), Bruno de Medeiros (Negaunee Assistant Curator of Pollinating Insects), and Alissa Doucet (PhD student, Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago). The event brought together over 90 experts from 18 states and 3 countries, including researchers, conservationists, and museum experts, to explore how the rapidly evolving technology of environmental DNA (eDNA) can inform pollinator conservation. The workshop marked the first in a series of collaborative events to exchange knowledge, broaden collaboration, and address challenges related to pollinator diversity and conservation on a national scale. A key focus was on leveraging museums’ curated collections and expertise to advance pollinator eDNA conservation initiatives. As challenges to pollinator health and habitat persist, these collaborative endeavors stand as a testament to the power of leveraging the Museum's expansive collections and cutting-edge research to advance nationwide conservation strategies.
June 7. 2024