| The
Mission of The Academy of Natural Sciences is
to
expand knowledge of nature through discovery and
to inspire stewardship of
the environment.
The Academy may be well known for its museum and educational initiatives, but
not many people realize that these public programs are built upon a 200-year legacy
of scientific research. Did you know that the Academy's historic building at 19th
and the Parkway in Philadelphia contains more than 17 million specimens
of plants and animals that are studied by researchers from all over the globe?
 |  |
The study of diatoms by
Dr. Ruth Patrick forms the foundation of the Academy's world-renowned
program of water research. Scientists from the Patrick Center for Environmental
Research (Philadelphia) and Estuarine Research Center (Maryland) study life in
watersheds, from mountain headwaters to estuaries where freshwater meets the sea.
Their focus is on understanding how aquatic ecosystems function, and figuring
out how human activities affect a waterway's health. Academy researchers are
like environmental detectives, gathering clues and analyzing data in order to
piece together a science-based picture of what's happening in nature-and why.
Once they have the facts, they work together with citizen groups, environmental
organizations, industry, and government to find solutions that preserve ecosystems
and repair some of the damage that's already been done. Healthy
Watersheds
 are
important to the scientists from the Academy's environmental research centers.
The "aquatic doctors" from the
Patrick Center for Environmental Research and the
Estuarine Research Center use a wide range of tools to examine the
health of waterways from headwater to estuary. Find out
New
Videos The
videos below are the newest additions to the Academy of Natural Sciences commitment
to supplying our visitors with the latest news about environmental concerns. Click
on the pictures below to play the videos. | | | Mercury
levels - What you need to know - Part 1 | Mercury
levels - Part 2 | | | | Invasive
species - Japanese Knotwood - Part 1 | Invasive
species - Japanese Knotwood - Part 2 |
| 
Research
