In the last couple of years, we've seen multiple critical collections (museums, herbaria) close. The IUCN--the global authority on the status of biodiversity--recently published on how important these kinds of facilities are in conservation. Every day, the dead are working to protect the living.

From collections to conservation: the indispensable role of natural history museums

The IUCN Species Survival Commission has published a Position Statement on the vital role of biological collections in biodiversity conservation: a formal acknowledgement that natural history museums,...

iucn.org

My inbox is being flooded with fully AI-generated emails from prospective students. I tried to work out why I can't bring myself to read them, and ended up with some thoughts and advice for writing cold emails in the age of AI. My new post: blekhman.substack.com/p/why-i-am-n...

Why I am not reading your AI-generated email

I hope this email finds you well-aligned

blekhman.substack.com

Similar to the opinions on "incidental take" under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act www.npr.org/2026/07/14/n...

Environmental groups sue government to stop a big change to the Endangered Species Act

By altering the definition of the word "harm" as used by the Endangered Species Act, the Trump administration may limit how wildlife is protected in the United States. Environmental groups are suing.

npr.org

Brought some #ornithology students to the north shore for sea duck viewing. What fun, although the harbor seals stole the show!

The data is in: the NIH goalposts have shifted. What were once almost certain fundable scores have become coin flips and what used to be likely grants have become aspirational, leading to fewer awards. Another manifestation of how HHS policies have led to fewer awards and less science.

The NGC is dedicated to promoting grassland conservation in the Neotropics by empowering local people and launching careers in conservation. The application deadline for our annual memorial grants is Sunday, March 1st! More details here: conservegrassland.org/our-programs/

Teaching ornithology this semester to mostly pre-health students, and it's probably my favorite class to teach. It's nice to review some of the recent literature, and here I'll post the papers that we discuss in class.

Took my ornithology class on a bird walk for the first time yesterday. It's so great to see reactions of awe and joy when somebody looks at a bird through binoculars for the first time. Thanks to the trio of black-capped chickadees who hung out by us for a bit! ebird.org/species/bkcchi

Black-capped Chickadee - eBird

This tiny, plump-bodied, big-headed bird is a familiar woodland resident and backyard visitor in the northern U.S. and Canada. Gray overall with light buffy flanks and a contrasting head pattern: black cap, white cheek, and black throat. Short, stubby bill is used for hammering open seeds. Often the core of mixed flocks of songbirds. Visits feeders. Nearly identical to Carolina Chickadee, but range barely overlaps. Especially note voice, brighter white on wings, and buffier flanks on Black-capped. Beware that hybrids occur frequently in the overlap zone and some are best left unidentified.

ebird.org

MAJOR NEWS! We just launched an awesome new tool! The illustrated Birds of the World Phylogeny Explorer lets users trace any bird’s lineage, compare species relationships, and explore major evolutionary milestones with a click of a button. SHARE and EXPLORE! birdsoftheworld.org/bow/news/phy...

Congrats to Remzi Foresto Zárate and Enrique Ricardo Flores for their publication on vicuña ecology in the Pampa Galeras National Reserve of Peru. This work was supported by NGC's Peter Rittenhouse Kellogg, Jr. Memorial Fund Grant. oiccpress.com/jrs/article/...

Doing research related to the conservation of neotropical grasslands? The application deadline for our annual memorial grants ($2000-10000) is coming soon on March 1st. More details here: conservegrassland.org/our-programs/

It was a pleasure to play a small role in this project! Some of the population re-sequencing of whole genomes was done through my undergraduate advanced experience genomics lab at Boston College @bostoncollege.bsky.social

Nature Ecology & Evolution@natecoevo.nature.com · 11mo ago

Population genetics analysis in a phylogenetic framework shows convergent evolution in the genomes of five brood-parasitic species, including selection on genes involved in spermatogenesis, sperm function and nervous system development 🧪 www.nature.com/articles/s41...

For people teaching biodiversity in intro biology, which topology do you use for animals? 1️⃣ Sponges-sister 2️⃣ Ctenophores-sister 3️⃣ Polytomy 📊 Show results

For people teaching biodiversity in intro biology, which topology do you use for animals? 1️⃣ Sponges-sister 2️⃣ Ctenophores-sister 3️⃣ Polytomy 📊 Show results

For people teaching biodiversity in intro biology, which topology do you use for animals? 1️⃣ Sponges-sister 2️⃣ Ctenophores-sister 3️⃣ Polytomy 📊 Show results

Scientists point to a long list of findings that emerged out of fundamental research, the type of studies the US government is cutting, and went on to change the world. Nature lists a few of their examples. 🧪

7 basic science discoveries that changed the world

Ozempic, MRI machines and flat screen televisions all emerged out of fundamental research decades earlier — the very types of study being slashed by the US government.

go.nature.com

In the Boston area and interested in teaching Biostatistics? We are looking for a part-time person to teach the course this spring. This is a great opportunity to gain university-level teaching experience! apply.interfolio.com/172818

An impressive study that was partially funded by the Neotropical Grassland Conservancy. Learn more about the organization at conservegrassland.org

Neotropical Grassland Conservancy@conservegrassland.bsky.social · last yr.

Congrats to Maria Alisa Alvarez, Valeria Aschero, and Agustina Barros for their publication on non-native plants in montane ecosystems! This sprawling study spanned six continents, including alpine grasslands in the Andes, and was supported by the NGC! onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

On Sunday, Messina College welcomed its second class to the Brookline Campus as new Eagles moved in and had Orientation. Welcome to the Heights! 🦅 Photos 📸 on.bc.edu/4lzt9iO

NEW: Under Trump, the National Science Foundation is awarding grants at the slowest pace in decades. We took a detailed look at every area of science affected by the funding lag. Here's a gift link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

My department at Boston College is seeking a full time visiting professor to teach anatomy and physiology next year, mainly geared toward first-year nursing students. www.higheredjobs.com/details.cfm?...

Full Time Visiting Professor in Anatomy and Physiology - HigherEdJobs

Jobs in higher education. Faculty and administrative positions at colleges and universities. Updated daily. Free to job seekers.

higheredjobs.com

A reminder that applications for our Memorial Grants program are due tomorrow!. These $2000-10000 USD grants provide unrestricted funds (direct or indirect costs, including salary) to promote conservation research in Neotropical grasslands. conservegrassland.org/our-programs/

A reminder that applications for our Memorial Grants program are due soon on March 1st. These $2000-10000 USD grants provide unrestricted funds (direct or indirect costs, including salary) to promote conservation research in Neotropical grasslands. conservegrassland.org/our-programs/

Welcome to the newest Eagles! Messina College has begun accepting its second class to the Heights 🦅

www.npr.org/2024/12/18/n...

These were the top animal stories on NPR in 2024, including a boy's pregnant octopus

This year, the animal kingdom was filled with triumph, loss and new discoveries. Here is a look at NPR's top animal stories of 2024.

npr.org

In the Boston area and interested in adjunct work teaching microbiology or A&P labs? My department at Boston College has two openings for the spring. apply.interfolio.com/157621 apply.interfolio.com/157617

Conducting conservation research in Neotropical grasslands? Our Student Grant Program provides grants ($1500) towards transportation and consumables, and our Research Equipment Program provides basic research equipment ($100-2000). The next application deadline is December 1st! conservegrassland.org

Rise and shine! ☀️ 🐦 As a treat for making it through the week, BOW is OPEN ACCESS TODAY through Monday, 18 November! There's been a lot of updates over the last 3 weeks, so come catch up with us. Maybe you'll see some new faces... 👀 Tell your friends! buff.ly/48L0thD

My department at Boston College is hiring a full time, non-tenure track Assistant Professor of the Practice. The primary responsibilities are teaching 1st/2nd year labs in anatomy, physiology, and microbiology. Job listing: apply.interfolio.com/153618&source

I appreciate it when students have the levity to draw a picture or write a note on an exam question when they don’t know the answer