Session 15: UNDERSTANDING PARTNERSHIPS: NATURAL HISTORY
Moderator: Suzanne Cowan, Chief of Collections, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science

Establishing Cooperative Agreements with Federal Agencies
Suzanne Cowan

Described an agreement between the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science and the Bureau of Land Management. The majority of the museum's 120,000 specimens are from federal lands. Biological specimens from federal lands are regulated by federal laws. Paleontological collections require permits. Paleontology is the focus but some biology information is included. Primer to Endangered Species Law is a book published by the Smithsonian Institution which is helpful source of information.

Some federal laws and a treaty that impact natural history collections:

1. Lacey Act
2. Endangered Species Act
3. International Treaty that regulates the import and export of wildlife

A special permit is needed to hold some of these specimens. When lending objects, museums must be aware of customs, etc. For instance, genetic tissues held up in customs can spoil the tissue. A permit must accompany eagle feathers when shipping. Museum policy is to collect narrowly within research guidelines. Plague and hanta virus limit salvage collecting.

The BLM initiated the formal agreement. It was adapted from an agreement for archeological collections but changed for paleontological collections. It took one and one half years to complete the agreement. Mike O'Neal is the BLM paleontologist.

Purpose of the agreement: To ensure the care and protection of specimens on BLM land. Establishes the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science as the official state repository for vertebrate fossils from BLM land.

BLM provides some funding annually averaging $2,000 dollars per year. BLM also permits molding and casting of materials for sale and trade by the Museum.

Benefits:

• Used the agreement to resolve a dispute with a museum out- of-state by forming a three way partnership
• A 30,000-specimen collection transferred to the museum

Problem:
The museum has to keep a balance with its role as a user friendly educational repository without law enforcement with the role as a repository for BLM which has a law enforcement mission.

The museum received negative publicity with an ARPA conviction on a mammal fossil site. When the museum identifies fossils illegally obtained off of federal land they explain the law to whoever brought in the fossil; then they notify the BLM. Most people turn over the specimen to the museum. This is a source of volunteer help as it sparks interest in the individual to help the museum. The BLM state office is very supportive.

The Valuation and Management of Nonrenewable Federal Resources in Non-Federal Institutions
Sally Y. Shelton, Director, Collections Care and Conservation, San Diego Natural History Museum

Natural history represents the diversity and complexity of life on earth. There is a broad range of specimens; no generalization works. Natural history specimens are often modified for use in exhibits and research.

The scientific value and market value are in conflict causing a serious impact on science. Legislation is lacking or inadequate. Fossil trade is international in scope; thefts of fossils have increased.

Museums cannot afford to purchase specimens at market price. Provenance information is usually uncertain for specimens sold commercially. Dealers offer a certificate of authenticity but no other valuable information.

A 1991 survey of 33 institutions reported 50% of fossils in the collections were from federal lands. 94% were collected by scientists.

UNESCO treaty requires each country to enact its own laws Values of natural history items include environmental, educational, recreational, etc.

Legislation should:

1. Recognize the value of natural history items
2. Develop facilities to prepare and care for them
3. Provide accessibility and curation
4. Provide training programs

Clarifying the Role of Non-Federal Natural History Collections in the Stewardship of Specimens Collected on Federal Lands
Lynn Kimsey, Association of Systematic Collections

The nature of federal ownership and the role of federal agencies need to be clarified.

Association of Systematic Collections member institutions want to preserve and provide access to collections.

A letter from Rocky Mountain National Park requested a complete detailed inventory of specimens from federal lands. This would have required one full-time employee to examine each specimen in the Davis collection that has 6 million specimens. The museum does not hold legal title to federal material.

Issues:

1. Lack of financial support for museums holding federal materials
2. Who owns title to these materials?
   • This requires the institution to strengthen policies on what they will accept.
   • Specimens are "raw material" until prepared; requires processing which is value added intellectual property rights; federal government owns the body.

Solution to the title problem:

1. If federal title is necessary, then provide ongoing financial support.
2. If funding is impossible then relinquish the title.
3. Permanent repository should co-sign the collecting permit

Repositories cannot deaccession specimens without title.

Can ASC work with federal agencies for standardized data fields?

Discussion:
Museum of the Rockies suggested a tracking number, accession number, loan number and volume of the collection.