News

Wildlife in the Red

October 6, 2020

The Wessex Museums partnership is pitching in against biodiversity loss.

‘Wildlife in the Red’ is the title of their virtual exhibition. The strapline is ‘Once collectors’ curiosities, now endangered species’ which sums up the story.

Our museums hold natural history objects that were once just seen as curiosities, but now many of these species are under severe threat, mainly due to human activity. They will include information about the conservation organisations that are fighting the loss or extinction of these species and crucially, how we can all help.

The exhibition launches in digital format on 17 October 2020, and although there will be no ‘tour’ as such, some of the museums are mounting a display of their object or related items. We are also putting together an exciting programme of lectures throughout the year – one from each museum will be presented by a relevant conservation organisation. The Dorset Museum theme will be “Bees – Perilous times for the pollinators of our planet”  and will highlight our bee collection owned by naturalist and entomologist Dr Cyril Day.

The exhibition launches 17 October 2020 via www.wessexmuseums.org.uk