Biodiversity at Risk
Natural history collections help us understand biodiversity past, present, and future.
Scientists estimate that we are losing dozens of species every day. Extinction is a natural part of evolution, and not all extinction is bad. However, humans are currently speeding up the natural rate of extinction, and what seems plentiful now may not be forever. Learn how natural history collections, like the collections of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, can help us gain a greater understanding of biodiversity over long periods of time.
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A Closer Look
There are many specimens in our collection that represent species that were once endangered, or on the brink of extinction, but are still around today. Although some have seen an incredible resurgence, others have not. Click to learn about a few of these species.
Keep Learning
Take a trip to our natural history collections facility to get a behind-the-scenes look at our specimens, learn about some endangered and extinct animals, and find out how they've been impacted by humans.