SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) – Angelo State University is home to a significant natural history collection, allowing students and faculty to engage in hands-on science studies and support researchers worldwide.
The Angelo State Natural History Collections offer preserved plants and animals for scientific research, accessible through an online database. This enables scientists to study specimens without needing to gather them from the wild.
With over 100,000 specimens including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and plants from various locations, the collections provide valuable resources for scientific study.
In addition to physical specimens, there is a genomic resources collection storing tissue samples for DNA analysis. These samples, such as blood or muscle, are crucial for genetic research.
Aside from research, the collections serve as educational tools for university and K-12 students, offering guided tours and community outreach programs.
A public open house, organized by the Department of Biology, will allow community members to explore the collections firsthand. The event will feature interactive booths, guided tours, and educational programs for all ages.
During the open house, a presentation titled “Hidden in the Dark: Secrets of the Bats of Texas” by Dr. Loren Ammerman, a prominent bat researcher, will be highlighted. An online silent auction of artwork by Dr. Terry Maxwell, a late biology professor, will also take place to benefit the Terry C. Maxwell Endowment in Natural History.
The Angelo State Natural History Collections Open House is scheduled for March 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. in Room 100 of the Cavness Science Building, open to the public. The online auction will end on March 3.
[Context: The Angelo State University houses a diverse natural history collection and offers educational programs for students and the community.] [Fact Check: The event featuring Dr. Loren Ammerman is about the bats of Texas, not from 2025 as mentioned in the article.]
