The Biodiversity Heritage Library received the 2010 Outstanding Collaboration Citation from the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS). The award recognizes and encourages collaborative problem-solving efforts and innovation in providing and managing library collections. This award was made possible by the dedicated staff of the participating libraries, including the MCZ’s Ernst Mayr Library, and comes just as the International Year of Biodiversity was launched in Paris and Brussels.

The MCZ celebrated its 150th anniversary with a series of lectures commemorating the MCZ’s proud past and promising future, as well as the role of natural history collections in the scientific community. The lectures by Jim Hanken, Director of the MCZ, and Cristián Samper, Director of the National Museum of Natural History, are available to view online.

Prof. Edward O. Wilson received an award from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in October for his work and contributions protecting the world’s biodiversity, including his efforts to develop the Encyclopedia of Life. The award honors a commitment to conserve and preserve the world’s natural environment and resources by supporting sustainable and ethical projects. Press release, 10/2/2009

The MCZ is the featured cover story in the December 2009 issue of the Harvard Gazette. The article profiles the MCZ’s digitization efforts and the use of historic collections for DNA analysis following the museum’s 150th anniversary.

The infamous Jackalopus karelliemi, a.k.a. ”Liem’s Jackalope,” made an unexpected appearance at the opening of the newly renovated Great Mammal Hall in the Harvard Museum of Natural History on October 16th. The perpetrator remains unidentified and at large. The prank honors the memory of Bigelow Professor of Ichthyology Karel Liem, who was a master practical joker.