Fiscal Year 2014 - Bell Museum of Natural History

Annual Report 2014
A Message From the Director
by Susan Weller, Director, Bell Museum of Natural History
Cradle of Innovation
For Science & Culture
Our friends, members, board and staff
have so much to celebrate in this 2014
Annual Report. We experienced success
at the legislature, engaged in high profile
faculty research, and delivered a vibrant
year of public programs and exhibits
centered on the highly successful
Audubon and the Art of Birds exhibition.
It was a great year of science
discovery and accolades for our faculty. George Weiblen
was one of ten University professors awarded a McKnight
professorship for his research accomplishments. Curator
Bates received a MN Drive grant with colleague Professor
Kinkel to investigate the community diversity of soil microfungi and bacteria at Cedar Creek Ecosystem Reserve.
Curators published on diverse topics, including the
population dynamics of the extinct Passenger Pigeon
(Zink), the evolution and diversification of South American
marsupials (Jansa), and the dynamic microdiversity of
bacterial and fungal communities found in different
composting substrates (Bates). And, we are celebrating
the legacy of botanical research at the U with the 125th
anniversary of the Herbarium and Plant Biology Department
this year.
In 2014, attendance was very strong for Audubon
and the Art of Birds. This exhibit, made possible by the
generosity of private donors and foundations, was visited
by 44,553 visitors, a nearly 30% increase in visitors over
the past five years. The Resident Artist Research Project,
funded by the McKnight Foundation supported local writers
and visual artists to work with our scientific collections
and faculty to create new works, which were premiered
at our Bell Social events. I am delighted to announce that
the museum has received another two-year McKnight
award to continue this innovative incubator program for
local artists.
Museum outreach into the community also increased
dramatically in 2014—an increase of 27%. Our portable
science lab, the ExploraDome, brought immersive earth
science and astronomy experiences to over 11,000 people
at destinations (schools, science fairs, teacher conferences)
in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. And a pilot
partnership with the Early Childhood Family Education
program in St. Paul’s Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood is helping
us reach and support the youngest of learners!
This positive growth in so many areas underscores
our need for a new facility to sustain additional innovation
in community engagement and outreach.
As our incoming Advisory Board chair, Lee Pfannmuller
notes, we are on the brink of a new era for the museum—
we are moving to the St. Paul campus. The new museum
and planetarium will be a catalyst for inquiring minds.
When our visitors step into the new lobby, they will be
immersed in a new environment that celebrates
Minnesota’s nature, inspires wonder about our place
in the Universe, and promotes youth STEM education
through the integration of science and humanities. I look
forward to having you there beside me on opening day.
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VISION
Our evolving vision is centered on the principle that creativity and scientific literacy will flourish
as people are inspired to ask about our place in the Universe. As a result, people will be moved to act
and become teachers, researchers and community leaders in environmental issues.
The Long View
by Lee Pfannmuller, Chair, Bell Museum Advisory Board
A new era is on the horizon for the Bell Museum of
Natural History and Planetarium thanks to countless
supporters who rallied for a new facility this past
legislative session. There are so many people to thank!
First, success at the state capitol depends on a
legislative champion. Ours was Representative Alice
Hausman, chair of the House Capital Investment
Committee. Representative Hausman not only supported
the Bell, she never missed an opportunity to talk to
audiences, constituents and fellow legislators about the
need for a new facility to better serve the STEM
education needs of K-12 students.
Second, legislators need to hear from the public they
serve. Our supporters did an exemplary job insuring that
legislators knew of their support for the museum and
planetarium.
Third, public figures add credibility to the cause.
Many community leaders helped but I want to especially
thank meteorologist Paul Douglas and climatologist Mark
Seeley. Both were vocal advocates, writing editorials and
blogs, contacting legislators and allowing us to freely use
their names and statements.
Fourth, leadership is essential. Steve Birke, our
Advisory Board chair for eight years did a remarkable
job. His enthusiasm and executive leadership skills were
critical. Indeed, the entire board gave graciously of
their time.
Our request for $51.5 million in state bonding dollars
took an unexpected twist as competition for the dollars
intensified during the session’s final weeks. In response,
President Kaler and his staff worked with legislative
leaders to address the need for a new facility by offering
to have the University bond for the project in return for
state funds to cover the debt service incurred by the
University. We are deeply indebted to the President for
his support in making this happen.
Since it opened in 1940, the Bell
Museum building has been an iconic
institution in the Twin Cities community,
serving as a gateway for audiences of
all ages to appreciate and understand
Minnesota’s rich natural history. Many
of the museum’s supporters have a deep
connection with the current facility.
The board and staff are committed to
retaining those features that are critical
to the Bell’s success while at the
same time expanding the learning
opportunities it provides, enhancing its
accessibility, and adding a state-of-theart planetarium.
Critical work remains to raise the
remaining private funds necessary to
finish our planning efforts and initiate
construction. Never have we been more
ready and excited to begin work!
Thank you!
Advisory Board
Members
as of September 1, 2014
Lee Pfannmuller, chair
Peter Leppik, vice-chair
Steve Sigmond, vice-chair
Daniela Bell
Steve Birke
Tom Burk
Cherie Holm
Sheri Booms Holm
Diane Hughes
Parke Kunkle
Nathan Laible
Manley Olson
Hart Rosenblatt
John Satumba
George Yoshida
We extend heartfelt thanks and best wishes to Gene Allen and Leni
Moore who ended their roles on the Advisory Board this year. While no
longer involved in regular meetings, both Gene and Leni remain strong
advocates whose advice and volunteerism will continue. Thank you for
your many years of guidance to the Bell Museum.
MISSION
As Minnesota’s state natural history museum,
our mission is to discover, document and understand nature,
and promote informed stewardship of our world.
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The Year in Review
State Funds Approved for New Museum
and Planetarium
After more than a decade of planning, fundraising and
advocacy, dreams of building a new natural history museum
and planetarium in Minnesota became reality. The project will
expand science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)
education statewide, enhance the museum’s role of training
undergraduates in science education, and provide a public portal
to University research.
In May the State of Minnesota approved $51.5 million for
the project. Design work is now underway to create a modern
museum and planetarium with the programs and amenities that
21st century audiences expect. The new facility will be built on
the northwest edge of the University’s campus in St. Paul, a
location that is close to both Minneapolis and St. Paul and one
that provides good access to major freeways and mass transit.
The key to securing the state funding was the leadership of
the Bell’s Advisory Board. “The many hours of volunteer service
by our board,” says Bell Museum Director Susan Weller, “led by
chair Steve Birke, and co-vice chairs Lee Pfannmuller and Peter
Leppik was inspiring. They led our advocacy efforts with an
infectious brand of passion and commitment to improving and
expanding STEM education.”
University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler’s commitment
to improving STEM education for Minnesota was pivotal
when the funding reached a critical point in the legislative
process. “When the opportunity arose to creatively finance the
construction, President Kaler stepped up to keep our project
alive,” Weller says. The University will issue bonds for the
project and the State will pay off the bonds in installments over
the next 25 years.
Perhaps the person most responsible for turning the dreams
of a new museum and planetarium into reality is Minnesota
Representative Alice Hausman, who championed the projects
for over a decade. Weller says, “This positive outcome speaks
volumes about her outstanding integrity and vision of Minnesota’s future STEM-related workforce.”
The new museum and planetarium will play an important
role on the University’s St. Paul campus—a role that thrills
Brian Buhr, Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural
Resource Sciences. “This museum complex will be the gateway
to the St. Paul campus and a jewel in providing hands-on
experiences to future scientists, educators and natural resource
professionals.”
The new museum and planetarium will use its
new facility to continue to discover, document and
understand nature to promote informed stewardship
of our world, but with the added benefit of a 21st century
facility and technology.
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Bell Museum, St. Paul,
Colombian Educators to Create
Bilingual Science Programs
A team of educators from the Bell Museum of
Natural History, the St. Paul Public School District, and
Planetario de Medellín (Parque Explora), a planetarium in
Medellín, Colombia are beginning a year-long program to
develop science curricula for Spanish and English speakers.
The project is funded by a $75,000 grant from Museums
Connect, an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau
of Educational and Cultural Affairs administered by the
American Alliance of Museums. Through Museums Connect,
a people-to-people exchange program designed to foster
understanding and respect of different cultures, “Stories from
the Home Planet – Historias de nuestro Planeta” will connect
teachers, their elementary school students and communities in
Colombia and Minnesota.
While environmental problems have distinct, local impacts,
people in Minnesota and Colombia have common concerns such
as how energy consumption, deforestation and urbanization
affects water quality, air quality, and the diversity of animals
and plants. Using the planetarium technology to foster St.
Paul-Medellín conversations, educators will involve students,
their families and local communities in a dialogue about how
our actions may impact the environment and global climate
change. The aspiration is that this dialogue, once begun, can be
sustained over several years.
“I am excited that we will be co-creating culturally-relevant
science programs with our colleagues in Colombia. We will be
able to better serve Minnesota’s growing Hispanic population,”
says Susan Weller, Director of the Bell Museum and one of the
project’s leaders. Minnesota is among the top ten states nationally in terms of Hispanic population growth.
Through virtual classroom meetings of students and teacher
exchanges, a series of Spanish and English astronomy and Earth
systems science lessons will be created that incorporate the
local scientific knowledge and cultural stories of the two communities. The science materials will be distributed to more than
100 international planetariums with compatible software for use
in their domes as live, interactive programs. A non-planetarium
version for classrooms also will be available. Como Planetarium
(St. Paul Public Schools) has agreed to be the first location in the
U.S. to test and use the program materials. The STEM Learning
Education Center (University of Minnesota) will evaluate the
materials effectiveness in Colombia and here in the Twin Cities.
“Winning this competitive grant also recognizes the
expertise of all our partners,” Weller says. “This project is an
example of an emerging trend—reciprocal public engagement—where teachers, students, educators and the community
are consulted and empowered. Together, we and our partners
share responsibility to create meaningful science learning in a
culturally sensitive context.”
The Museums Connect program, now in its seventh year,
pairs museums in the United States with museums abroad for a
cross-cultural exchange that brings people, especially youth, together to open a dialogue through community projects, partnerships
with local or tribal governments and schools and local events.
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Restoration of Audubon Prints Continues
Restoration of the Bell Museum’s complete set of John James Audubon’s The Birds of America folio
accelerated in 2014 due to a grant from the federal government’s Institute of Museum and Library Services
and a generous gift from the Martin-Brown Foundation. The multi-year project will complete the
restoration and create an electronic catalog of high quality digital images of all 435 prints.
The digital images will promote public access by scholars and others while protecting the
originals,” says Bell Museum curator Don Luce. The grant also funds the purchase and
installation of an archival print storage system, and moving the collection into the University’s
Anderson Library’s secure, climate-controlled underground facility.
The Midwest Art Conservation Center at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts is
performing the conservation work. The folio was donated to the Bell Museum in 1928
by William O. Winston.
Funding Recommended for Two
Bell Museum-related Projects
A key Minnesota legislative panel has recommended full
Bequest Enhances Graduate Fellowships
Philanthropists and nature lovers Wallace C. and Mary Lee
Dayton established a fund in 1972 to support research fellowships for graduate students at the University of Minnesota.
Since the inaugural research projects—“Mammals of Cook
County, Minnesota” and “Predatory Strategy of the American
Badger”—the Wallace C. and Mary Lee Dayton Natural History
Fund has supported more than 500 graduate students as they
pursue their scientific interests.
Mary Lee passed away in 2013 and
her bequest has accelerated the number of
students helped by the fund each year.
For the Daytons, conservation, protection of the environment and enjoyment of
the natural world were personal as well as
philanthropic priorities. They were birders,
avid hikers and pioneers in the development
of state parks and trails. The Daytons’ gift
brings to life the Bell Museum’s mission to
“discover, document and understand nature
and promote informed stewardship of our
world,” and ensures that the museum’s
legacy will live on as part of their own.
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funding for two projects that would involve Bell Museum staff.
The Minnesota Legislature will consider the recommendations in
2015—meaning work on the projects could begin later that year.
Creating a Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas is the goal of a
$340,00 project proposed by Bell Museum curators. The online,
searchable interface will integrate over 600,000 records on birds,
mammals, fishes, plants, and fungi, as well as up to 300,000
high-resolution digital photographs. When completed in 2018,
the atlas would dynamically generate species checklists for user
defined areas; create distributions of individual species over time
and across the state; access a rich library of imagery and species
information pages; and assist in specimen
identification using interactive keys.
The second project focuses on native bees, specifically wild
bees, which are a vital part of Minnesota’s ecosystems. However,
we know very little about their distribution, abundance and
seasonal activity. The Minnesota Wild Bee Atlas would document
the distributions of tunnel-nesting bees, which comprise 30 percent
of Minnesota’s bee species, as well as bumble bees. In addition,
the project would provide phenologies for individual bee species
and develop a statewide group of citizens with enhanced knowledge
of native bees. If the Minnesota Legislature approves the funding,
the Bell Museum portion of the project will involve training citizen
scientists to observe and identify bees at hundreds of locations
across the state.
Get to Know Your University of Minnesota Scientist
Think of a scientist and you’re likely to arrive at an image
of someone wearing a lab coat, protective glasses and latex
gloves. Or you might think of Albert Einstein on a bad hair day.
Our vision of who “does” science needs to expand.
Getting up close with scientists is one of the goals of
Saturday with a Scientist, an educational program launched
by the Bell Museum in 2013. The program is aimed at kids
and adults looking for a hands-on science experience. It has
featured more than 20 faculty and graduate students from
numerous departments across the University of Minnesota
and beyond.
The response to Saturday with a Scientist has been
unusually strong, averaging more than 80 people and more
recent Saturdays drawing over 100. “I’ve been amazed and
pleased by the number of families that have attended and their
enthusiasm for learning,” says the program’s developer Katie
Speckman, K-12 school and family programs specialist.
“I try to provide lots of different kinds of activities for kids
and adults,” Speckman says. “If a family wants 15 minutes of
fun or if they want a longer, more hands-on experience, they
can do either.”
During the past year visitors have learned about a full range
of biological and physical science topics including: amazingly
adaptable amphibians; friction-free motion; how bird specimens
are prepared; the sun, space and asteroids; how insects survive
winter; and what a day in the life of a food scientist is like.
The guest scientists have talked about their research and
explained their daily routines. They’ve also led hands-on
experiences like safely handling live birds, extracting honey from
a beehive, making ice cream with liquid nitrogen, and observing
our solar system and constellations. The Saturday sessions often
involve making something—birdhouses or mini-dioramas or jars
of honey—that participants can take home.
“I think the public really likes and has fun talking with
University faculty and student scientists,” Speckman says. “And
both get to learn from each other.”
Based on the strong showing, the Saturday with a Scientist
program is expanding in 2015 to two offerings a month. Check
bellmuseum.org to learn about
upcoming programs.
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Peer-Reviewed Publications
Alström, P., Barnes, K., Olsson, U., Barker, F.K., Bloomer, P., Ahmed
Khan, A., Ahmed Qureshi, M., and P.G. Ryan. 2013. Multilocus
phylogeny of the avian family Alaudidae (larks) reveals complex
morphological evolution, non-monophyletic genera and hidden
species diversity. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 69:
1043-1056.
Barker, F.K. 2014. Mitogenomic data resolve basal relationships
among passeriform and passeridan birds. Molecular Phylogenetics
and Evolution 79: 313-324.
Barker, F.K., Burns, K.J., Klicka, J., Lovette, I.J., and S.M. Lanyon.
2013. Going to extremes: contrasting rates of diversification in a
recent radiation of New World passerine birds. Systematic Biology
62(2): 298-320.
Bauer, A. M., Masroor, R., Titus-McQuillan, J., Heinicke, M.P., Daza,
J.D., and T. R. Jackman. 2013. A preliminary phylogeny of the
Palearctic naked-toed geckos (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) with
taxonomic implications. Zootaxa 3599:301-324.
Bentivenga, S. P., Kumar, T.K.A., Kumar, L., Roberson, R.W., and
D. J. McLaughlin. 2013. Cellular organization in germ tube tips of
Gigaspora. Mycologia 105: 1087-1099.
Berg, C. C. 2012. Seven new Malesian species of Ficus (Moraceae).
Blumea 57:147-157.
Bonito, G., Smith, M.E., Nowak, M., Healy, R.A., Guevara, G.,
Cázares, E., Kinoshita, A., Nouhra, E.R., Domínguez, L.S., Tedersoo,
L., Murat, C., Wang, Y., Moreno, B.A., Pfister, D.H., Nara, K.,
Zambonelli, A., Trappe, J.M., and R. Vilgalys. 2013. Historical
biogeography and diversification of truffles in the Tuberaceae and
their newly identified southern hemisphere sister lineage. PloS One
8(1):1-15, e52765.
Burns, K.J., Shultz, A.J., Title, P.O., Mason, N.A., Barker, F.K.,
Klicka, J., Lanyon, S.M., and I.J. Lovette. 2014. Phylogenetics and
diversification of tanagers (Passeriformes: Thraupidae), the largest
radiation of Neotropical songbirds. Molecular Phylogenetics and
Evolution 75: 41-77.
Dufort, M.J. and F.K. Barker. 2013. Asymmetric population
expansion rather than convergent selection underlies the mosaic
distribution of red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) phenotypes. Ecology and Evolution 3(15): 4851–5126. doi: 10.1002/
ece3.859.
Giarla, T.C. and SA Jansa. 2014. Hidden diversity in the Andes:
Comparison of species delimitation methods in montane marsupials.
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 70:137-151.
Giarla, T.C. and S.A, Jansa. 2014. The role of physical geography
and habitat type in shaping the biogeographic history of a recent
radiation of Neotropical marsupials (Thylamys: Didelphidae).
Journal of Biogeography 41(8): 1547-1558.
Guevara, G., Bonito, G., Trappe, J.M., Cázares, E., Williams, G.,
Healy, R.A., Schadt, C.W., and R. Vilgalys. 2013. New North
American truffles (Tuber spp.) and their ectomycorrhizal associations.
Mycologia 105:194-209.
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Halas, D. and A.M. Simons. 2014. Cryptic speciation reversal in
the Etheostoma zonale (Teleostei: Percidae) species group with an
examination of the effect of recombination and introgression on
species tree inference. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 70:
13-28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2013.08.014
Healy, R. A., Kumar, T.K.A., Hewitt, D.A., and D. J. McLaughlin.
2013. Functional and phylogenetic implications of septal pore
ultrastructure in the ascoma of Neolecta vitellina. Mycologia 105:
802-813.
Hollingsworth, P.R., Simons, A.M., Fordyce, J.A., and C.D. Hulsey.
2013. Explosive Diversification following a benthic to pelagic
shift in freshwater fishes. BMC Evolutionary Biology 13: 272.
doi:10.1186/1471-2148-13-272
Hundt, P.J. , Iglésias, S.P., Hoey, A.S., and A.M. Simons. 2014.
A multilocus molecular phylogeny of combtooth blennies
(Percomorpha: Blennioidei: Blenniidae): Multiple invasions of
intertidal habitats. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 70: 47-56.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2013.09.001
Hundt, P.J. , Simons, A.M., and D.L. Pereira. 2013. Double-crested
cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) of Leech Lake, Minnesota:
Temporal variation of diets and assessment of differential prey
selection in adults. American Midland Naturalist 169: 354-370.
Hung, C.M., and R.M. Zink. 2014. Distinguishing the effects of selection from demographic history in the genetic variation of two sister
passerines based on mitochondrial–nuclear comparison. Heredity
113:42-51.
Hung, C.M., Shaner, P.J.L., Zink, R.M., Liu, W.C., Chu, T.C., Huang,
W.S., and S.H. Li. 2014. Drastic population fluctuations explain
the rapid extinction of the passenger pigeon. Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences 111:10636-10641.
Hung, C.M., S.V. Drovetski, and R.M. Zink. 2013. Recent allopatric
divergence and niche evolution in a widespread Palearctic bird, the
common rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus). Molecular Phylogenetics
and Evolution. 66:103-111.
Jansa, S.A., Barker F.K., and R.S. Voss. 2014. The early
diversification history of didelphid marsupials: a window into South
America’s “splendid isolation”. Evolution 68(3): 684-695.
Klicka, J., Barker, F.K., Burns, K.J., Lanyon, S.M., Lovette, I.J., Chaves,
J.A., and RW. Bryson, Jr. 2014. A comprehensive multilocus
assessment of sparrow (Family Passerellidae) relationships.
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 77: 177-182.
Kumar, T. K. A., Blackwell, M., Letcher, P.M., Roberson, R.W., and D.
J. McLaughlin. 2013. Research and teaching with the AFTOL SBD:
An informatics resource for fungal subcellular and biochemical data.
IMA Fungus 4: 259-263.
McKay, B.D. and R.M. Zink. 2014. Sisyphean evolution in Darwin’s
finches. Biological Reviews, online: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/
enhanced/doi/10.1111/brv.12127/
Powell, A.F.L.A., Barker, F.K., Lanyon, S.M., Burns, K.J., Klicka, J.,
and I.J.L. Lovette. 2013. A comprehensive species-level molecular
phylogeny of the New World blackbirds (Icteridae). Molecular
Phylogenetics and Evolution 71(1): 94-112.
www.bellmuseum.org
Ryan, P.G., Klicka, L.B., Barker, F.K., and K.J. Burns. 2013. The origin
of finches on Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island, central South Atlantic Ocean. Submitted to Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
69: 299-305.
Scott, C.H., Zaspel, J.M., Chialvo, P., and S.J. Weller. 2013. A
preliminary molecular phylogenetic assessment of the lichen moths
(Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini) with comments on
palatability and chemical sequestration. Systematic Entomology.
doi: 10.1111/syen.12047
Spatola, B.N., Peterman, W.E., Stephens, N.T., Connette, G.M.,
Shepard, D.B., Kozak, K.H., Semlitsch, R.D., and L.S. Eggert. 2013.
Development of microsatellite loci for the western slimy salamander
(Plethodon albagula) using 454 sequencing. Conservation Genetics
Resources 5:267-270
Voss RS, Lim, B.K., Díaz-Nieto, J.F., and S.A. Jansa. 2013. A
New Species of Marmosops (Marsupialia: Didelphidae) from the
Pakaraima Highlands of Guyana, with Remarks on the Origin of the
Endemic Pantepui Mammal Fauna. American Museum Novitates
3778:1-27.
Widrlechner, M. P. et al. 2013. The Importance of Geographic and
Biological Variables in Predicting the Naturalization of Non-Native
Woody Plants in the Upper Midwest. J. Environ. Hort. 31(2):124–131.
Wiens, J.J., K.H. Kozak, and N. Silva. 2013. Diversity and niche
evolution along aridity gradients in North American lizards
(Phrynosomatidae). Evolution 67:1515-1728.
Zaspel, J.M., Weller S.J., Wardwell, C.T., Zahiri R., and N.
Wahlberg. 2014. Evolution of pharmacophagy in tiger moths
(Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae). PLoS ONE 9(7): e101975.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0101975
Zaspel, J.M., Hill, S.R., Wardwell, C.T., Kononenko, V.S., Ignell, R.,
and S.J. Weller. 2014. Genetic and geographic characterization
of the fruit and blood feeding moth Calyptra thalictri Borkhausen
(Insecta: Lepidoptera: Erebidae). Journal of Parasitology.
Zaspel, J.M., Coy, S., Habanek, K., and S.J. Weller. 2013. Presence
and distribution of novel sensory structures on the mouthparts of
self-medicating moths. Zoologischer Anzeiger 253: 6-10.
Zink, R.M. 2014. Comparison of patterns of genetic variation and demographic history in the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus):
relevance for conservation. The Open Ornithology Journal 7:19-29.
Zink, R. M. 2014. Homage to Hutchinson, and the role of ecology in lineage
divergence and speciation. J. Biogeography 41:999-1006.
Zink, R.M., Groth, J.G., Vázquez-Miranda, H., and G.F. Barrowclough. 2013.
Phylogeography of the California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica) using
multilocus DNA sequences and ecological niche modeling: implications for
conservation. Auk 130:449-458.
Bell Students
In the past year more than 60 students performed vital roles in the Bell Museum. From educating the public on tours of the museum to helping maintain our scientific collections to conducting research, students touch nearly every facet of the Bell Museum. In return, they receive
one-of-a-kind work experience and opportunities to contribute to the Museum’s mission. We couldn’t operate without them.
Current Graduate Students
Josh Egan – Conservation Biology – Ph.D (Simons)
Bridget Henning – Conservation Biology – Ph.D (Weiblen)
Peter Hundt – Conservation Biology – Ph.D (Simons)
Bega Inaho – Conservation Biology – MS (Weiblen)
Ashley Smith – Conservation Biology – MS (Simons)
Sam delSerra – EEB – Ph.D (Jansa)
Juan Diaz-Nieto – EEB – Ph.D. (Jansa)
Danielle Drabeck – EEB – Ph.D (Jansa)
Matt Dufort – EEB – Ph.D (Barker)
Josie Griffin – EEB – Ph.D (Zink)
Vinnie Hirt – EEB – Ph.D (Simons)
Tyler Imfeld – EEB – Ph.D (Barker)
Benjamin Lowe – EEB – Ph.D (Kozak)
Amy Luxbacher – EEB – Ph.D (Kozak)
Marta Lyons – EEB – Ph.D (Kozak)
Tricia Markle – EEB – Ph.D (Kozak)
Dakota Rowsey - EEB - Ph.D (Jansa)
Michael Wells – EEB – Ph.D (Barker)
Heather Hendrickson – Entomology – MS (Weller)
Erin Treiber – Plant Biology – Ph.D (Weiblen)
John Vincent – Plant Biology – Ph.D (Weiblen)
Recently Graduated
Hernan Vazquez-Miranda
Note: EEB=Ecology, Evolution and Behavior
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Donors
July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014
Thank You
to the many contributors for your gifts and pledges received between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014. More
than 600 donors contributed to a year of successes at the Bell Museum. Unfortunately, limited space prevents us from listing
everyone. While every attempt has been made to list donors with complete accuracy, we hope you will inform us if your
name does not appear as you wish and accept our sincerest apologies. Please call the Bell Museum development office at
(612) 624-0089 with corrections. For a complete listing of donors, visit http://z.umn.edu/bellannualreport
INDIVIDUALS
$1-$99
Peter G. & Catherine A. Hanson
Kimberly D. Adams-Kang
Dennis P. Albrecht
Jeffrey A. Albrecht
Amy B. Alch
Ada C. & David G. Alden
Bruce H. & Catherine Y. Alexander
Therese M. Scheller & Thomas
Amble
Susan A. & Brian J. Anderson
Cheryl E. Anderson
Andrea Hickle
Daniel F. Augustine
Franklin H. & Adrienne K.
Barnwell
Robert Bartlow
John A. Bauhs & Michele M.
Burlew
Mark G. Bayuk
Cornelia W. Beck
Terry G. Becker
Edward E. Beckmann
Samuel & Theresa Bisciglia
Lea K. Bittner-Eddy
Terrence M. & Sara S. Bogie
Jenny Bolling
Elizabeth T. Borer
Paul H. & Susan G. Bosshardt
Florence Brammer
James C. & Christine E. Brand
Richard G. & Lorraine R. Brasket
Sarah J. Bray
Wendy J. Brockman
Marcia Brower
Katherine C. Brown
Regina M. Browne
Joan S. & Richard W. Brust
Gregory E. Burnes
Kate M. Busse
Francis F. Busta & Jean D. Kinsey
John J. & Lorena Byerly
Michael J. Carey & Margaret
Brown-Carey
9
Anne Carlson-Buren
John Charboneau
Julie C. Chi
Nealie R. Christopher
Rebecca A. Clotts
Prateek Verma & Anu Codaty
Luanne Cortesi
Marlaine Cox
Kellie & Billy Cripe
Stewart F. & Lesley R. Crosby
Jared D. Cruz
Roger C. Bergerson & Valerie B.
Cunningham
Mariann Cyr
Melissa & Joe Dargay
Langhan W. Dee
Michelle L. Deering
Laura A. Dillon
Linda M. Dorow
Harold M. Dyalsingh
Julie Ekkers
Saffron Emerson & Paul Broenen
Paul & Elizabeth A. Erdmann
Janella R. Fesenmaier
Robert Finkler
John E. Foker
Michola Foley
Richard J. & Katharine R.
Fournier
Philip B. Hage & Kathleen S.
Franzen
Christina Frederickson
Bobbie A. Fredsall
Thomas R. Fritsche
Sarah M. Gahl
Nancy E. Gaschott & Donald M.
Ritchie
Cathy Sullivan & Mark Gavin
Rebecca George-Bandy
James P. Gerlich
Patricia S. Gibbons
Lynne Gildensoph
Thomas A. & Erica M. Giorgi
Wendy Gordon
Robert A. Gorkin
Jason & Rachel Gorski
Amber L. Sausen & Daniel Green
John C. & Janet C. Green
Debra J. & Paul Greenblatt
Ralph B. & Jean Greener
Charles A. Greenman
Michael S. Griffin
Benjamin Gross & Erika Olson
Gross
Jeff Grotte & Tanya Prashad
Brenda Grundhofer
Curtis M. Hadland
Laurie P. Hadley
Mary Jane Haemig
James E. & Marguerite K.
Hassett
Barbara J. Hastings
Christy L. Haynes
David W. Hegdahl
Jen Murphy & Jay Heikes
Mary K. Hicks
Randall A. & Teresa Hillson
Kelley Hinze-Francis
Molly Hjorth
P. Hoard
Russell B. Hofstead
Dean A. & Mary A.
Honetschlager
Barbara A. Hope
Martha E. & Alan R. Hopeman
Jennifer L. & Nicholas J. Hopper
Nora Lee Hornicek
Linnea House
Mark C. Hove & Leslie A.
MacKichan
Sheri C. Huerd
Kate & Bob Hutchinson
Nancy B. Hylden
Laurice M. Jamieson
Frederick J. Jannett
Clifford G. & Betty J. Johnson
Christopher E. & Kate Johnson
Andrea E. & Lowell A. Johnson
Paul & Elizabeth Johnson
Camille G. & Kenneth Johnson
Kent & Elizabeth Jones
Lucy Jones
Raymond E. Jorgensen
Angela Kachman
Donald W. & Phyllis L. Kahn
Diana L. Karwan
Kate Eder
Isaac Kaufman & Kimberly
Ferencik
Catherine A. Kehrwald
Gordon & Diane M. Kepner
Patricia A. Kerlin
Steven W. Kerrigan
Thomas R. Klein & Adele M.
Binning
Timothy L. Kobernat
Melissa M. Watts & Timothy E.
Korsmo
Randall E. Kroening
Mary A. Krohnke
Becky S. Kroll
John S. & Paula J. Kronholm
James & Abigail Kucera
James E. Kurle & Barbara
Swadburg
Brian Larson
Laura Schirmers
Shannon Law
Layl McDill & Josh Blanc
Paulette F. Lee
Lynn & Kelly Leibfried
Gale T. & Margaret R. Lesher
Mark G. Lex
Misha C. Liang
Ying Lin
Richard W. & Madeleine H. Linck
Dan & Sophorn Lissick
April L. Loppnow
Christopher Lund
Bing Luo
Gerold Luss
Kathleen Macosko
Susan L. & Claus T. Mahler
Judith Main
Michael P. & Jamie L. Manning
Nina M. Manzi
Kristen Marsan
Andrea L. Marshall
Mary Connell
Lawrence Mascotti
Jennifer Matticks
William G. & Patricia F. McCallum
Catherine V. & Timothy M.
McGlinch
Patricia McLoone
Mike Merissa
Eugene Merriam
James Hartmann & Michelle
Miles
Lisa A. Miller
Robert A. Minish
Shanna Mitchell
Elizabeth P. & James R. Moore
Sharyn Morrow
Joan W. Moser
Gordon R. Murdock
Sarah & Jake Nassif
Johanna Nassif
Kathie J. Nettestad
Jean D. Niemiec
Daniel C. & Heather Ninow
Sarah L. & James W. Novotny
Robert K. Noyd
Michael L. McPhee & Amy J.
Okaya
Shaina Olmanson
Joan M. Olson
Katie E. Osdoba
Heather Ostergren
Per & Kieran Ostlund
Gwen A. Partin
Jo Ann W. Pasternack
Erica Perl
Frank & Deborah Perrino
Heather Peterson
Jeanne Pfeiffer
Pamela J. Pietz
Ya F. Qin
Michael P. & Kathryn M. Quady
Rachel Bond
Robert J. Rees
Warren E. Regelmann & Marilyn
S. Joseph
Susan E. Rosenberger
Faith Russell & John S. Miller
John Russo & Winny Hung
Amy E. Ryan
Matthew W. & Stacy E. Sandvik
Maria Scarlata
Diane K. Scheid
Ralph J. Schnorr
Troy & Melissa Schoenberger
Andrea J. Schueler Valley &
Rahman D. Valley
Angela Schwartz
Stephanie Schweser
Doneka R. Scott
Louise A. & Jerome J. Segal
David G. & Maurine H. Settergren
Jean Shannon
John G. & Mary E. Shearen
Nicole L. Shultz
Daniel Ratliff & Kari I. Simonson
Laura Simonson & Raymond
Pudwill
Paul A. & Erika M. Sitz
Heather R. Skelton
George B. Skinner & Anne E.
Hanley
Rolf C. Smeby
Henry D. Smith
Sharon M. Spernick
Morgan L. Holcomb & Roy
Spurbeck
Joan D. Stenberg
Roslyn M. Stendahl
Bethany L. Stepanek
Steven L. Steuber
Craig Stowell
Robin A. Stubblefield
Elizabeth Styrvoky
Patrick C. Summers
Amy & Manuel Tafoya
Ann M. Tandy-Treiber
Micah & Lindsay Taylor
Leslie Grant & Alexander M.
Terzich
Joyce C. & John R. Tester
Joseph P. & Brenda R. Thomas
John M. Thompson
Victor A. Thorstenson & Cynthia
M. Johnson
Stacey M. Tidball
Renee E. Tierney
Margaret A. Torreano
Vija Treibergs
James R. Nylund & Vera Trent
Michele D. Vaillancourt
Holly J. Vanderhaar
Irving & Teresa S. Victor
Jane F. & Charles S. Vogel
Michael B. Walker
Elizabeth A. Walton
Linda Wang
Helen H. Wang
Gilbert E. & Dorothy J. Ward
Gloria M. Warner
Paul W. & Katharine B. Weiblen
Jessica Weigel
Wendy Fassett & Kevin Mahony
Terri Wentzka
Cynthia N. Werner
Mary T. Whitcomb
Jody L. Williams
Caroline M. Wilmot
Becky & Brandon Wilson
Robert T. & Sara-Jane H. Wilson
Nathaniel & Cindy Windau
Jean C. Wirsig
William Wood
Dan Yao
George W. & Susan Yoshida
Sue Z. Zelickson
$100-$249
Howard J. Ansel
James R. Azarski & Nancy J.
Werner-Azarski
Paul B. & La Vonne M. Batalden
Jeff P. Baysinger
Jeremy Waldman & Judith Belzer
Roland D. Benjamin
Sharon K. Bigot
Angela M. Bohmann & Jonathan
P. Riehle
Tom & Janice Burk
Christine Kraft & Nelson R. Capes
Anita F. Cholewa
Christopher P. Claude
Elizabeth M. & Robert P. Coffin
Daniel R. Engstrom & Barbara A.
Coffin
Carmen K. Converse
Scott R. Derrickson
John A. & Sara L. Donaldson
James F. & Carole N. Drake
Jennifer & Eric Engstrom
Kathleen O. & Gerald A. Erickson
Stewart Corn & Ellen L. Ferrari
Benjamin R. & Rebecca S. Field
John D. & Martha W. Gabbert
Melinda & David Goff
John D. & Mary R. Gould
Anne M. Gromme
Thank You!
10
ORGANIZATIONS
$100 - $499
3M Fdn Inc
Charles Denny Jr. & Carol Denny
Fund-Minneapolis Foundation
Hustad-Perrin Charitable Family
Fund
Riverbend Nature Center
Saint Paul Audubon Society
Wild River Audubon Society
$250 - $499
James P. Grover
Perry B. & Carol M. Hackett
Rowena & Richard B. Hartman
Melissa M. & Aaron Hasler
Marcus C. & Mari Ann Hoyer
Kathryn H. Hoyman
Harold R. Ireton
Mike Menzel & Kathryn Iverson
Veronica J. Johnson
Samuel L. & Sylvia K. Kaplan
Marianne Kaufmann
Linda R. Fritschel & James E.
Kiehne
Robert J. & Kathleen A. Klukas
Robert J. Koenke
James C. Krache
Sandra K. & Justin R.
Kromminga
Michael A. Krumpus & Franziska
M. Schneider-Krumpus
Valerian B. & Maria C. Kuechle
Gretchen M. & Jeffrey W. Lang
Sandra J. Larson
Erika G. Lee
Allen S. & Nancy J. Levine
Robert L. Lysak
Mark N. & Rebecca Lystig
David J. & Esther G. Mc Laughlin
Lucy C. & Robert G. Mitchell
Martin H. Moen & Gail M.
Tischler
Joanne Wetherell-Moriarty &
John J. Moriarty
11
Richard A. Newmark
Michael L. Nichols
Matthew E. Nielsen
Amy L. Hennen & Scott S.
Nielsen
Eugene W. & Julie M. Ollila
Robert O. & Lillian B. Pepin
Walter E. & Harriet J. Pratt
Gyles W. & Carol L. Randall
Gene D. Rayburn
Julie L. & James C. Reimer
Kathryn M. Robinson
Donna M. Rodel & Bernard J.
Waibel
Hart L. Rosenblatt
Patricia S. Simmons & Lester
E. Wold
Craig D. Skone
Lisa G. & Michael D. Sorenson
James E. Studenski
Steven W. & Jeanne M.
Tanamachi
Catherine E. & George D. Tilman
Orton R. & Karen M. Tofte
John F. Van Pilsum
George D. Weiblen & Rebecca
Montgomery
Eric J. Weller & Mary E. Fischer
Dennis W. & Suzanne J. West
Adelia K. & Leonard G. Wilson
Vera M. Wong & William E.
Morren
Ann J. Wynia
David E. & Janet G. Zens
Steve F. & Beth A. Birke
Gwenda L. Brewer
Phillip N. Davies & Lydia P.
Crawford
Ruth A. Donhowe
Paul M. Egeland
Peter U. Leppik & Carla Hennes
Sheri Booms Holm & Perry Holm
Martha H. & Arthur W. Kaemmer
Mary & Gary Kasper
Peggy Korsmo-Kennon
David A. & Ann H. Maass
Harry G. McNeely
Margot & Bjorn K. Monson
Gerda E. Nordquist
Lawrence Rudnick
Marguerite P. VanWychen
Frances R. & Frank S. Wilkinson
Gerald C. & Ottilie R. Wollan
$500 - $999
Manley E. & Ann M. Olson
Lee A. Pfannmuller & Gary T. Seim
Susan J. Weller & Robert M. Zink
$1,000 - $9,999
Mary Barkley
John R. & Nan E. Beard
Ford W. & Amy Bell
Daniela L. Bell & Eric H. Foster
Thomas R. & Marilyn S.
Breckenridge
Andrea Hasan
Parke W. Kunkle
Nathan A. & Jennifer J. Laible
Ernest Rosky
Patrick J. & Sarah A. Schott
$10,000 - $999,999
David B. & Terri E. Donsker
$1,000,000 +
Mary L. Dayton
$1,000 - $4,999
Dellwood Foundation Inc
Family Memorial Fund of the
Minneapolis Foundation
Rahr Foundation
$5,000 - $9,999
Alliance of Crop Soil &
Environmental Science
Societies
Margaret Rivers Fund
Patrick & Aimee Butler Family
Foundation
Susan Kathleen Black Foundation
Inc.
Youth Philanthropy FundMinneaplis Foundation
$10,000 - $24,999
General Mills Foundation
The James Ford Bell Foundation
Martin & Brown Foundation
Xcel Energy
$25,000+
The McKnight Foundation
Fiscal Year 2014
July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014
12%
12%
28%
12%
41%
34%
9%
9%
38%
4%
Expenses
Revenue
n State of Minnesota
$ 1,711,493
n Administration
$
402,019
n Earned Revenue
$ 520,344
n Research and Collections
$
923,163
n Gifts and Grants
$ 1,412,164
n External Relations
$
294,625
n Endowment Transfers
$ 154,062
n Public Programs
$ 1,228,693
n Sponsored Projects
$
n Sponsored Projects
$
TOTAL
$ 4,189,249*
TOTAL
$ 3,012,688
391,186
164,188
* Includes $1,176,561 in multi-year grant funds and/or gifts
to endowments
Museum Attendance
Adults
Senior Citizens
17,104
4,122
Children
10,090
K-12 Students
24,488
U of M Students and Employees
3,804
Community Outreach
18,581
TOTAL
78,189
12
The Bell Museum of Natural History
is a part of the College of Food, Agricultural
and Natural Resource Sciences of the
University of Minnesota. Publication support
is provided by the T.S. Roberts Fund.
Bell Museum of Natural History
University of Minnesota
10 Church St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities, MN
Permit No. 90155
For information:
(612) 624-7083 or bellmuseum.org
On the cover: Curator Keith Barker shows off a
bird to curious Minnesotans participating in the
Museum’s Saturday with a Scientist program.
The University of Minnesota is an equal
opportunity educator and employer.
This publication is available in alternate formats
upon request. Please call 612-626-9660
Printed on Minnesota-milled, chlorine free,
recyclable paper with 10% postconsumer material.
Bell Museum Staff
Emma Allen, Visitor Services, Data and Museum Store Manager
Tom Amble, Exhibit Fabricator
Keith Barker, Curator of Genetic Resources
Scott Bates, Curator of Fungi
Shoghig Berberian, Associate Director of K-12 Education
and Family Programs
Sally Brummel, Planetarium Education and Outreach Coordinator
Anita Cholewa, Herbarium Manager and Curator of Plants
Barbara Coffin, Associate Director of Media and Adult Education
Programs
Cale Drange, Executive Accounts Specialist
Britt Forsberg, Museum Education Specialist
Kyle Grindberg, Multimedia Technician
Heather Hendrickson, K-12 Education Coordinator and Assistant Curator
Dale Kennedy, Exhibit Assistant
Sharon Jansa, Curator of Mammals
Andrea Klaassen, Public Relations Coordinator
Sarah Komperud, Planetarium Educator
Ken Kozak, Curator of Amphibians and Reptiles
Michelle Lee, Accounting and Budgets Manager
Don Luce, Curator of Exhibits
Carmen Martin, Junior Scientist
Jennifer Menken, Assistant Curator of Exhibits and Living Collections
Martin Moen, Associate Director for Operations and Communications
Leah Peterson, Adult Programs Coordinator
Andrew Simons, Curator of Fishes
Katie Speckman, Museum Educator
Susan Weller, Museum Director
George Weiblen, Curator of Plants
Mike Westberg, Junior Scientist
Kevin Williams, Curator of Outreach Education
Shana Zaiser, Associate Development Officer
Bob Zink, Breckenridge Chair in Ornithology
Bell Museum Associates
Sarah Boyer, Assistant Professor, Macalester College
Peter Berendzen, MN Dept. of Natural Resources
Kristina Curry Rogers, Assistant Professor, Macalester College
Edward Cushing, Professor Emeritus, UMN Ecology, Evolution and Behavior
Michael Dixon, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Jacob Egge, Assistant Professor, Pacific Lutheran University, Washington
David Fox, Associate Professor, UMN Earth Sciences
Tony Gamble, Research Associate, UMN Medical School
Michael Ghedotti, Regis University, Colorado
Don Gilbertson, Professor Emeritus, UMN Zoology
Jay Hatch, Associate Professor, UMN Postsecondary Teaching and Learning
Roseanne Healy, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Harvard University
Ron Huber, Naturalist
Jeff LeClere, MN Dept. of Natural Resources
Dave McLaughlin, Professor and Curator Emeritus, UMN Plant Biology
Esther McLaughlin, Professor Emeritus, Augsberg College
John Moriarty, Ramsey Co. Parks & Recreation Naturalist
Gordon Murdock, Curator Emeritus, Bell Museum
Gerda Nordquist, MN County Biological Survey, MN-DNR
Ed Schneider, UMN Landscape Arboretum Director
Welby Smith, Naturalist
Gerald Wheeler, Naturalist
Timothy Whitfield, Assistant Professor, Brown University
Gerald Wheeler, Naturalist
Jennifer Zaspel, Assistant Professor, Purdue University