Natural science collections underpin our understanding of the planet and the life that lives on it. Type specimens lodged in museums are what define every species known to science, with reference specimens providing a way for researchers to check species identifications and piece together the history of life and relationships between organisms.
Natural science collections also provide a historical baseline for understanding past population distributions, to better understand current distributions and future trends. This allows us to make sense of our changing planet and raise awareness of how we influence it.
Of course, natural science collections can also provide a rich historical record of cultural activity and a valuable tool for engaging people from all backgrounds with the diversity of life on their doorstep and the rest of the planet.