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Opening at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) on May 16,
2009, the Schad Gallery of Biodiversity
is devoted to exploring our world’s biodiversity and the
numerous factors affecting its conservation and survival. This
innovative and interactive gallery combines seven ecosystem
experiences, approximately 2,500 specimens and the Earth Rangers
Studio featuring live animal ambassadors to convey an important
message about the stunning variety of life on Earth, the
interconnectedness of nature’s amazing web, and the ability that
each of us has to care for the environment.
"This spectacular new gallery brings together the breadth of the
ROM’s natural history collections and the latest research by
Museum curators to convey a powerful statement about life on
Earth and life in crisis that is both compelling and hopeful,"
says William Thorsell, ROM Director and CEO. "The additions of
dynamic and thought-provoking programming, as well as live
specimens, make this gallery a must-see destination for visitors
of all ages."
Located on Level 2 of the ROM’s Heritage Building, the Schad
Gallery is at the centre of the Museum’s galleries devoted to
natural history. A diverse ROM curatorial team, made of experts
specializing in areas spanning from sharks and insects to
lichens, water lilies and herons, has been involved in the
development of this 10,000 square-foot specimen-rich permanent
gallery.
"The Schad Gallery of Biodiversity represents the
much-anticipated return of the Life Sciences collections to the
ROM’s public spaces," says Doug Currie, Curator of Entomology in
the ROM’s Natural History department and the Schad Gallery’s
lead curator. "The ROM’s curatorial team has been working
diligently for two years to select the most spectacular
specimens, the most compelling videos and the most fascinating
information about our natural world. Visitors will walk away
with a feeling of respect for our planet and a renewed sense of
purpose to protect its biodiversity."
The Schad Gallery of Biodiversity is named for Robert Schad and
his family. Robert Schad is the founder and chairman of Earth
Rangers, a non-profit organization that empowers kids to help
improve the health of the planet. Robert’s wife Elizabeth Schad
is a member of the ROM Board of Governors. Their generous gift
supports the creation of this gallery, its programming, as well
as related scientific research by the ROM’s curators in the
Department of Natural History.
Mr. Schad states, "We are pleased to partner with the ROM.
Capitalizing on the Museum’s extensive biodiversity collections,
this gallery will effectively inform the visitor that the
Earth’s biodiversity is in crisis. As well, Earth Rangers’
message of hope and action is a great complement to the gallery
and will help families make positive changes in their daily
lives to care for the environment. We are proud of the role
played by Earth Rangers and the Schad Foundation to help the ROM
bring the Schad Gallery of Biodiversity to reality."
Three core themes run throughout the gallery and are the driving
forces behind each ecosystem and species on display. Life is
Diverse illustrates the astonishing number and variety of
species on Earth – so many that the true extent of biodiversity
is not yet known. Life is Interconnected demonstrates
how species and habitats are so tightly interwoven that any
impact on one of them necessarily affects the whole ecosystem.
Life is at Risk highlights that the "web of life" is
threatening to unravel due to human activities. This theme
clearly points to humans being very much part of the problem and
equally have the ability to be part of the solution.
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