Botanist Max van Balgooy deceased
Dr. M.M.J. (Max) van Balgooy passed away on 3 September, aged 89. He started working with the Dutch National Herbarium (now a part of Naturalis) in 1961, and stayed working there until and after his retirement. He obtained his PhD with prof. Dr. Van…
New butterfly species discovered during internship
The butterfly species Cyme reticulata, which is found in Papua New Guinea, has many different morphological variations. Research has revealed that one of the variations is a different and previously undescribed species. Student Noortje Looijenga (18) from…
A future-proof Bulb region Working together on a resilient cultivation system
The world-famous Bulb region is a national pride and of great value to the Dutch economy. But what about the future of the region? Facilitated by Naturalis Biodiversity Center, entrepreneurs, researchers and policymakers are committed to the project:…
Naturalis’ research receives top marks
The quality of the research at Naturalis is rated as “excellent”, research facilities are “state of the art”, the collection is “unique” and its relevance to society is no less than “world leading”. This was all said by an external top visitation committee…
Is there a future for artificial reefs?
Manmade structures such as seawalls, breakwaters, and jetties are increasing in frequency in marine coastal environments. Overtime, these structures are unintentionally recruiting marine life such as corals, resulting in the formation of artificial reefs…
Naturalis and Picturae will digitize thousands of insects
This summer visitors to Naturalis can see something unique in the museum: a giant installation that will photograph tiny insects in detail. The system has been developed by the Dutch company Picturae, which provides solutions to solutions to digitize…
Biodiversity devastation: human-driven decline requires millions of years of recovery
A new study shows that the current rate of biodiversity decline in freshwater ecosystems outcompetes that at the end-Cretaceous extinction that killed the dinosaurs: damage now being done in decades to centuries may take millions of years to undo.
Naturalis best museum of Europe 2021
We are so proud! Naturalis Biodiversity Center has been named European Museum of the Year on May 6, during an online ‘award ceremony’. This is the oldest and most prestigious museum award in Europe. Previous winners have included the Victoria and Albert…
Naturalis proud winner of the European Museum of the Year Award 2021
Naturalis Biodiversity Center has been named European Museum of the Year! The European Museum of the Year Award is the oldest and most prestigious museum award in Europe. On Thursday afternoon, during the online 'Award Ceremony', the joyful news was…