Keeping track of what is done to a specimen to maintain it is vital. This conservation history is just as much part of the specimen data as the locality, collector and taxon. To ensure ease of access to these records, this information can be added straight to the Collection Object record in Specify.
First, open the Collection Object form for the specimen you are conserving. At the bottom of the form you'll see the 2 buttons for Conservation and Prep. Click on the Conservation Data button.
Fill out as much information as you can. Many of the fields are explained below, but if you need more information don't forget you can double click on any field name in the form for more information. If you need to add a new event, be sure you have the main form in Edit mode. When in Edit mode, the green '+' will appear. Don't delete or write over previous records.
The form is broken up into 3 main parts. First, is the Description section at the top. This is where the initial 'what' is recorded- the situations that spur conservation events. Below that are the Recommendations, which mostly pertain to exhibit. Images taken of the specimen pretreatment are attached below the Recommendations section. The Conservation Events is the last portion of the form.
Remember, conservation at NPL is 3 fold:
- Actions like repairing broken specimens, and conserving label data from damaged labels
- Documentation of these action
- Adherence to current, peer reviewed, and approved conservation methods
Things to know:
Conservation Tasks:
- Making Ethafoam Liners for trays and drawers
- Specimen Numbering
- Label Repair
- Tracking Specimen Conservation
- Replacing Non-archival Materials
