Oct
08
Why aren’t Zoo and Aquarium professionals more diverse?
Association of Minority Zoo and Aquarium Professionals Continue reading Why aren’t Zoo and Aquarium professionals more diverse?
Oct
07
Make Way for Elephants
The endangered Asian elephant may be a conservation success story as its rapid decline appears to be stabilizing. But this has created a new set of problems. With little remaining habitat, these elephants have nowhere left to go but into roads, farms, and cities. The seventh season of the Smithsonian’s flagship podcast Sidedoor opens with a look at what happens when wild elephants go urban. Continue reading Make Way for Elephants
Sep
27
A Cheetah Cub Check-in
Get an inside look at the one-week-old cheetah cub animal care staff at Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute are currently hand-raising in this #Cubdate Q&A with biologist Adrienne Crosier. Continue reading A Cheetah Cub Check-in
Sep
20
Jake’s Take
Torch writer Amy Rogers Nazarov and her 14-year-old son, Jake, recently paid their first post-COVID visit to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. In a series of photos, Amy captured Jake’s reaction to what they saw. This “Jake’s-eye view” demonstrates that art is not always easy, but the complete story of who we are cannot be told without it. Continue reading Jake’s Take
Sep
09
SERC’s Greg Ruiz is a finalist for Service to America Medal
Dubbed “the Oscars of government service,” the Service to America Medals recognize unsung heroes in federal government every year. SERC biologist Greg Ruiz’s three decades fighting marine invasions earned him a spot in the 2021 finals. Continue reading SERC’s Greg Ruiz is a finalist for Service to America Medal
Sep
09
The Regents begin work
At its very first meeting, the Smithsonian Board of Regents appointed the first SI employee, William McPeake, to the position of doorkeeper and messenger for the Board, at a salary of $1 per day. They did some other stuff, too. Continue reading The Regents begin work
Sep
08
September 11: Stories of a Changed World
This week marks the 20th anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001. Two decades later, this day in American history and the days that followed live on in our collective memory, impacting our national conversation and the lives of people across the glob Continue reading September 11: Stories of a Changed World
Sep
02
The curtain opens on a dramatic new installation at the Hirshhorn
Draw the Curtain, a larger-than-life installation by Swiss-born artist Nicolas Party will unveil the unexpected by turning the the building exterior of the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden into a massive, 360-degree artwork. Installation of the piece has already begun! Stop by the National Mall in Washington D.C. to watch the transformation, or you can view in the completed piece online and in person soon. Continue reading The curtain opens on a dramatic new installation at the Hirshhorn
Sep
01
Meet Dr. Tey Marianna Nunn
Dr. Tey Marianna Nunn became the new director of our American Women’s History Initiative on Monday, August 16. Sara Cohen spent some time with Dr. Nunn to find out what inspires her about leading work focused on women’s history at the Smithsonian. Continue reading Meet Dr. Tey Marianna Nunn
Aug
30
The Secret Lives of Mosquitoes, the World’s Most Hated Insects
Mosquitoes are intricately intertwined with countless plants, animals, microorganisms and pathogens, yet our perception of them remains narrowly focused on the itchy welts they leave and diseases they carry. Indeed, the lesser-known mosquitoes out there reflect a rich diversity that’s hard to ignore once you take a closer look. Chances are there are more than a few that could save lives, if only we could appreciate theirs. Continue reading The Secret Lives of Mosquitoes, the World’s Most Hated Insects
