Project overview: Address the backlog of collected research specimens that have not been processed or cataloged. This work is essential to preserve scientific value, ensure compliance, and support future researchers and resource management.

How your support helps: Every year, park biologists collect natural history specimens — preserved objects from the natural world, including bones, plants, shells, insect exoskeletons, and more — to understand, interpret, and protect Yosemite National Park.  

With enough collected specimens, a baseline record of species and habitat conditions in an area can be determined. This allows park scientists to recognize if population numbers or landscapes shift from year to year. 

Due to staffing limitations, however, a large number of recently collected specimens from Yosemite have not been cataloged. Delays in completing this work not only risk the long-standing knowledge of the park but also compromise the scientific integrity and institutional accountability of Yosemite’s natural history collections. 

To uphold and preserve the park’s collection of specimens, Yosemite Conservancy, the National Park Service, and the Great Basin Institute will collaborate to catalog backlogged collections of research specimens. 

This year: In 2026, a Great Basin Institute intern will be enlisted to catalog backlogged specimens. This will include contacting and discussing cataloging needs with the 300+ researchers who have collections from Yosemite, working with researchers to obtain collections data, and importing all missing data into Yosemite’s catalog database.

Project partner: Yosemite National Park; Great Basin Institute


Photo credit: Yosemite Museum