The largest natural history museum in Canada known for: nature inspiration and engagement; arctic knowledge and exploration; species discovery and change; and a 10.5 million specimen collection housed at a 76 hectare research campus. 2014-2015 AnnuAl report table of contents MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR . 3 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER . 5 PERFORMANCE MEASURES FOR 2014-2015 . 7 OUR PEOPLE . 13 COMMUNICATING RESEARCH RESULTS . 15 INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY . 23 COLLABORATORS . 26 MANAGING OUR FINANCIAL RESOURCES . 33 message from the chair Sustainability is a word increasingly heard in Governance: at a micro level with respect to the ongoing health and viability of an enterprise; and at a macro level with respect to our ability to maintain a regenerating natural environment capable of supporting current global trends of increasing population, economic growth, and energy consumption . Responding to both of these aspects of sustainability have been central themes to progress at the Canadian Museum of Nature (CMN) in the past year . At the macro level, the Canadian Museum of Nature conducts research to create knowledge which has direct relevance to Stephen henley understanding environmental change . Chair, Board of Trustees And, through the National Natural History Collection, it maintains a scientific body leadership will ensure that each of these of reference that is vital to environmental Centres of Excellence continues to make management . Fulfilling this role depends, important contributions to the body at the micro level, on the museum itself of knowledge that must be leveraged managing sustainable operations . To to manage environmental change in be relevant, the museum must be clear the Arctic and maintain a wealth of in the value it provides to the scientific biodiversity in Canada and worldwide . community, and, through public engagement, to the population at large . The Centres of Excellence were supported by developments at the In 2014-2015, the museum fielded Natural Heritage Campus, which houses 13 scientific expeditions comprising the National Natural History Collection of 170 exploration days —sustaining the 10 .5 million specimens and the museum’s legacy of the Geological Survey of research laboratories . Digitization of Canada of 150 years ago, the Canadian specimen data continues, with over Arctic Expedition of a century ago, 800,000 records now available on the recent scientific endeavours such as the Museum’s web site through “Collections discovery of the Arctic camel and the Online” - an improved access interface, ongoing fieldwork for the Arctic Flora and through data integration alliances Project . Excellence demands focus, which such as one with the Global Biodiversity was heightened by the appointments Information Facility . Overall, more than of Dr . Jeff Saarela as Director of the 32 million data downloads of museum museum’s Centre for Arctic Knowledge specimen data were undertaken by and Exploration, and of Dr . Bob Anderson interested parties in Canada and around as Director of the museum’s Centre for the world over the year . To ensure that Species Discovery and Change . Their species discovery research benefits from 3 2014–2015 AnnuAl RepoRt © Michelle Valberg Michelle © state-of-the-art techniques, the DNA with our visitors . The Centre for Nature I feel sure that progress over the year, labs on the campus were expanded and Inspiration and Engagement was aligned with the strategic plan moving modernized . established this year to do just that, forward, has placed the Canadian Sustainability in Public Engagement was carrying out pilots of eight different Museum of Nature on a sustainable path improved by an operational realignment engagement innovations with museum to playing a vital role in creating our which reduced staff by five positions, visitors this year . The idea is to boldly sustainable future . The Canadian Museum mostly in public programming . The try new concepts and models, engaging of Nature is grateful to the Government resulting lower-cost base cost will allow customers in trial and feedback, and of Canada’s ongoing support and its ongoing operations of the museum building on successes to improve strong commitment to Canada’s national to continue at current levels, with existing visitor experiences, create museums . no increase in Government funding, extensions of existing programs, or following a model of 5% increases in introduce new experiences entirely . Part commercial revenues and 1% growth of the Museum’s role in leading nature in cost . These targets were readily inspiration is to recognize excellence in surpassed this year, as museum admission others . To do this, the Nature Inspiration fees were increased, attendance rose Awards were inaugurated in 2014, to by over 9% to over 400,000, and cost celebrate leadership from youth and adult efficiencies were implemented in areas individuals, small and large non-profits, such as Information Technology services . and corporations . We look forward to the Nature Inspiration Awards becoming part As the museum competes in the rapidly of the Museum’s ongoing legacy . changing leisure and entertainment sector, future success and growth in public engagement will demand finding new and innovative ways to interact Canadian museum of nature 4 message from the president and chief executive officer Reflections on 2014-2015: What a year we had… DNA lab expansion: doubled in size to Arctic Voices: an innovative collaboration address increasing demand from CMN with Science North, creating an scientists and colleagues from across experience with the many voices of Canada and around the world . Canada’s Arctic . Spaces and places: a reconfiguration Arctic testsite for Mars: who knew that of the labs and collections spaces at the an Arctic Botanist could help prepare Natural Heritage Campus, creating better future astronauts travel to Mars? use of existing space and accommodating Minerals Traveller: the miracle on the larger DNA lab . McLeod Street opened in December after Nature TALKS: four amazing and a few logistical bumps and bruises . The surprising conversations about nature’s exhibit team delivers again! intrigues . International Union for Conservation Nature CAMPS: a pilot for deeper of Nature (IUCN) World Parks engagement with young visitors . Congress Sydney Australia: a special focus on connecting youth with nature Nature SCOOP: short video vignettes based on research or collections in partnership with Parks Canada and 10,000 of our closest friends . development stories . http://nature ca/. Margaret Beckel naturescoop/ Arctic Biodiversity Congress Trondheim President and Chief Executive Officer : a first time event hosted by Arctic Flora fieldwork: exploration and Norway discovery of the Arctic’s flora continues . the Arctic Council’s working group on Conservation of Arctic Flora and Creatures of Light: a truly illuminating Fauna focused on actions to advance experience for our visitors and our exhibit the recommendations of the Arctic team . Biodiversity Assessment . : a Weston Foundation Post Doc Arctic Change 2014 Ottawa Canada: wonderful opportunity to develop the an inspiring gathering of Scientists, next generation of natural science talent . Students, non-governmental Nature Inspiration Centre pilots: from organizations, Corporations, Government camps to brunch, from ibeacons to apps, and other agencies committed to a from minerals to metrics . sustainable future for the Arctic . Arctic Natural History Museums Sustainable Museum Enterprise 5 and Alliance: the first official gathering of 1: a path to a sustainable future with a Museum Directors from Canada, the US, plan to grow earned revenues each year Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and by 5% and grow expenses by only 1% . Finland . 170 Field days: spent in the field across Nature Inspiration Awards: an inspiring Canada and around the world advancing launch of a new award recognizing our role as a creator of knowledge about innovation and impact in nature the natural world . inspiration and engagement . 90 Publications: sharing knowledge of Arctic Alive Giant Floor Map: in the plants, animals, fossils and minerals of collaboration with the Royal Canadian the natural world to inspire understanding Geographical Society, the chance to walk and respect for nature . across Canada’s Arctic without getting cold or bitten by mosquitos . 5 2014–2015 AnnuAl RepoRt 56,000 new specimens: specifically $6 million committed to the life and Thank you for playing your part. two gifts from private collections future of the Museum: cash, collections adding to our mineral collection and our and in-kind support of the Museum invertebrate collection . continues to grow as we tell our story to a broader audience . 39M touchpoints onsite, offsite, online: the increasing reach of our visitor, 8 innovations piloted: new approaches knowledge, social and civic destination to the design, development and delivery experiences . of visitor experiences that engage and have impact . Some will become part of 663 media mentions: the Museum was in the news and generating buzz locally, our core offering, whereas others will be nationally and internationally . redesigned or set aside for another day . : demonstrated their 24 full page colour ads: we were thrilled 131 individual staff to see 24 full page colour ads in the passion for our purpose with courage, Globe and Mail promoting our exhibits, commitment and capability . our Collections on Line, the Nature 38 students mentored. Inspiration