New finding aids make early specimen records easier to compare with contemporary fieldwork.
A long-term collection
The Foundation's digitization program has completed an initial index of historical botanical correspondence, collection dates and available provenance records. Specimen custody remains with the relevant scientific partner institutions.
Many older entries use obsolete names or descriptions that need specialist interpretation. The public index records those limitations rather than silently modernizing uncertain information.
How researchers can use it
The finding aids support cross-referencing between conservation assessments and historic vegetation records. Sensitive locality information remains generalized.
See relevant program pages and the Research & Publications section for background and methods.