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Miami is a gateway, existing on the edge between the ocean and the Everglades, open to the world. In earlier epochs under the sea, now above the sea, it may soon be under the sea again. The diverse population is always changing, new waves of people arriving. Almost no family comes from here only, so defining cultural capital for a science museum in this context is a challenge.
Our focus is on what we all share: our environment and our links to the rest of the world, our desire for a better place and better opportunities for our children. Planning for our new Museum has led to a broader vision of sustainability, seeking not just to engender a love for the environment and fostering learning, but also helping to create a sustainable community through encouraging social action. In this context, our collections need to create meaningful enjoyable experiences which inspire the desire to participate and act. Our Living Collections have taken on an increased importance as a result.
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Our Living Collections of the birds and reptiles of South Florida have grown out of our wildlife rehabilitation services, specializing in birds of prey. As people bring in found or injured animals, they have already taken an action towards protecting our environment. These animals each have a personal story, reflecting some aspect of how life on the edge affects fragile species and habitats. Through the care they receive from trained staff, and their valued place at the heart of these living collections, these animals highlight the impacts that we often inadvertently have on the environment, and the responsibility we all bear to try and help. They are precious interpretive tools, each one an individual with a history, creating unparalleled opportunities for teachable moments, providing aesthetic and emotional connections that cannot be matched by television or other media, and encouraging inter-generational conversation. They are our objects, our links, and their care is our future.
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