Natural Sciences Subject Specialist Network
Please click here for important information about the NS-SSN, links to important documents and websites.
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The Geological Curator Archive
Scanned copies of the front cover and contents of all of the remaining back issues of The Geological Curator are now available in pdf format from the Archives page. If you require access to an article / issue that is not yet available online, please contact the webmaster to request a copy. |
New documents available on the Archives page:
The Geological Curator: all of Volume 2 and most of Volume 7 (numbers 3-10) and Volume 8 (numbers 1-6) are now online
GCG's Information Series on Collector and Dealer Labels is now available in pdf format
New documents available on the Publications page:
Guidelines for the Curation of Geological Materials document
Problems in the Care and Conservation of Geological Collections leaflets on: Mineral collections / Rock Collection
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Darwin Today Exhibition
The BBRSC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council)
and RCUK (Research Councils UK) have developed an exhibition for Darwin Year
(2009), which describes the continuing influence of Darwin's theory of
evolution by natural selection. The exhibition does not cover the
history of Darwin himself or major on the fossil record/natural history.
It does however, cover conservation, biodiversity and evolution of birds
from dinosaurs.
This exhibition is available for between 2 and 6 weeks from March until December 2009. The costs of producing and transporting the exhibition will be covered
by the Research Councils. Help is also available for venues wishing to develop associated activities
that use the exhibition as a backdrop eg. schools visits, debates etc. A leaflet describing the style and content of the exhibition is available HERE
For more details, please contact Dr Ray Mathias: Phone:
01760 440413 (home office) or 07770 981655 (mobile). |
Dr Howard Brunton:
Members will be saddened to hear of the death of Dr Howard Brunton who passed away at home on Sunday 20 July 2008. Howard was GCG's third Chairman, serving from 1980 until 1983, and was presented with Honorary Membership of the Group in 1999. A brachiopod researcher at the Natural History Museum, Howard also co-edited GCG's Guidelines for the curation of geological materials, published by the Geological Society in 1985. |
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Announcing the introduction of the Scottish Fossil Code:
The Scottish Government Conservation Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), has developed a code of best practice in the collection, care and storage of Scottish fossils. Aimed primarily at conserving the fossil heritage of Scotland, the Scottish Fossil Code encourages responsible use of this resource for scientific, educational and recreational purposes. The Scottish Fossil Code applies to everyone that collects fossils in Scotland. The Code may be viewed and downloaded from: http://www.scottishgeology.com/outandabout/collecting/fossilCode.html. Alternatively to receive a paper copy contact:
Scottish Natural Heritage,
Publications Department,
Battleby,
Redgorton,
Perth,
PH1 3EW
Telephone: 01738 444177 / Email: pubs@snh.gov.uk
The essentials of the Scottish Fossil Code:
Seek permission - You are acting within the law if you obtain permission to extract, collect and retain fossils.
Access responsibly - Consult the Scottish Outdoor Access Code prior to accessing land. Be aware that there are restrictions on access and collecting at some locations protected by statute.
Collect responsibly - Exercise restraint in the amount collected and the equipment used. Be careful not to damage fossils and the fossil resource. Record details of both the location and the rocks from which fossils are collected.
Seek advice - If you find an exceptional or unusual fossil do not try to extract it; but seek advice from an expert. Also seek help to identify fossils or dispose of an old collection.
Label and look after - Collected specimens should be labelled and taken good care of.
Donate - If you are considering donating a fossil or collection choose an Accredited museum, or one local to the collection area.
A specimen of Diplacanthus crassisimus found at Hugh Miller’s collecting locality in Cromarty, one of the specimens used in a workshop for pupils from Cromarty Primary School on the subject of fossils held on the occasion on the launch of the Scottish Fossil Code |
New pages on the website:
The GCG website has two new pages containing information about jobs and non-GCG events:
Jobs contains information about current vacancies in the sector: access this from the News page or the home page
Other Meetings lists non-GCG meetings which may be of interest: access this via the Meetings page
Both of the new pages will build on the success of our JISC mailing list, which continues to provide its users with up-to-date information and support. These new pages will rely heavily on your input!
To submit information about jobs or events, simply post the details to the JISC mailing list. If you do not use the JISC mailing list, please send details to the webmaster. |
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The Geological Curator goes online..
The
Geological Curators' Group are pleased to announce that
back copies of the Geological Curator are starting to go
on-line.
Issues from the first volume, which began in in 1977 are
now available on our archives page.
Have a
look and see which copies you are missing, what issues
were affecting museums in the 1970s or just reminisce! |
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