Small Collections Grant
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Sustaining Montserrat’s Botanical Heritage: Improving herbarium services and collection care.
Montserrat
Database, Digitally image, Conserve, Other
Cost (USD):
2000
MNT
Montserrat National Trust
Objective:
This project aims to strengthen the Montserrat National Herbarium (MNT), established in 2023, by improving specimen preservation, expanding digital access, and fostering research collaborations. Funding will support archival-quality storage, digitization, and pest control, while labor costs are provided in-kind. The project will also promote local engagement through educational events and partnerships with researchers and conservation institutions, ensuring the herbarium’s long-term sustainability and vital role in biodiversity conservation and scientific study.
Timetable:
In the first three months, we will focus on planning and procurement, including acquiring a herbarium specimen dryer to improve specimen preservation. Archival-quality materials will also be purchased, and partnerships with researchers and owners of dislocated collections will be strengthened.
Between months four and six, we will enhance collection care and maintenance by rehousing specimens in acid-free materials and implementing pest control. The herbarium specimen dryer will be put into use to ensure efficient drying and prevent deterioration.
From months seven to nine, we will focus on digitisation and community engagement. A community engagement event will showcase achievements and recruit volunteers that will support the herbarium in the long-term.
We will evaluate progress in the final three months, assess the herbarium specimen dryer’s impact, and finalise specimen documentation. We will explore future funding and partnerships to ensure the herbarium’s long-term sustainability.
Scoring Rubric
Reviewer's name:
Collection Improvement (max. 120 points)
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Facilitating access to the physical collections by digitization (e.g., data entry, setting up database structure with an outline of the platform to be used, purchasing equipment, and imaging specimens) – up to 30 points.
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Enhancing physical collections by improving the conservation status of specimens in the herbarium (e.g., better folders, protecting covers, mounting paper, labeling, etc.) – up to 30 points.
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Curating specimens (e.g., updating families, species identification, identifying types) – up to 20 points.
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Increasing our understanding of the flora or funga by making new herbarium specimens available, such as processing of backlog or collecting and mounting of new specimens from understudied sites – up to 20 points.
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Securing collections by distribution of duplicates (or orphan collections) to other regional or international herbaria or shipping endangered collections to another herbarium – up to 20 points.
This proposal scores:
/120
Methods & Funding (max. 40 points)
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Match between the proposed budget and methods for the aims described – up to 10 points.
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Perceived need, the extent to which the project will benefit from IAPT funding: e.g., due to active floristic work or contribution to poorly collected sites, due to threatened conditions of collections, and for the degree of involvement of others (outreach and education). We give more points for herbaria in low- and middle-income countries – up to 20 points.
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Sharing duplicate specimens with other herbaria – up to 10 points.
This proposal scores:
/40
Broader Impacts (max. 40 points)
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Degree of regional importance of the collection or the taxonomic importance of the targeted collection – up to 10 points.
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The project will yield durable benefits (specimens, digitized metadata, databases, websites) – up to 15 points.
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The project involves outreach/mentoring and broad dissemination – up to 15 points.
This proposal scores:
/40
Year of last successful SCG application:
Has applicant applied for SCG before?:
Plan:
To enhance the Montserrat National Herbarium’s functionality, ensuring its long-term contribution to scientific research and biodiversity conservation in Montserrat, we will take the following structured and cost-effective approach:
1. Specimen preservation & collection maintenance
Acquire a herbarium specimen dryer to ensure rapid drying of plant specimens to prevent deterioration.
Acquire archival-quality storage materials, including acid-free folders, herbarium sheets, and protective covers to safeguard specimens.
Implement pest control measures, such as insect monitoring, to prevent specimen damage.
Assess environmental conditions and, if necessary, invest in basic climate control solutions like dehumidifiers or temperature monitors to maintain optimal storage conditions.
2. Digitization & accessibility
Utilize existing technology to capture high-resolution images of specimens for online access and research collaboration.
Establish partnerships with regional and international herbaria to exchange best practices and expand digital access.
3. Research & local engagement
Organize a community engagement event to showcase the herbarium’s role in conservation and botanical research.
4. Sustainability & collaboration
Seek in-kind contributions, such as donated materials or volunteer expertise, to maximize the impact of funding.
Strengthen partnerships with botanical institutions to support ongoing improvements and ensure the herbarium's sustainability beyond the grant period.
Institution:
IH Code:
Country:
Target areas:
Applicant First Name/s:
email:
Expand the collection by incorporating duplicate specimens and their associated data, currently housed aboard.
"Other" target:
Virginie Sealys
Applicant Last Name/s: