Last October I was lucky enough to catch a call for volunteers at our local Botanic Garden to participate in WeDigBio (Worldwide Engagement for Digitizing Biocollections). I was still new to town and thought this seemed like a great way to meet some people as well as help out. What I found was a world of preservation I never knew existed and a new way to help the earth with fun, passionate people I may never have met otherwise.

What is WeDigBio? I’ll let them explain it – 

Worldwide Engagement for Digitizing Biocollections, or WeDigBio, is a global data campaign, virtual science festival, and local outreach opportunity, all rolled into one. The annual, 4-day WeDigBio events mobilize participants to create digital data about biodiversity specimens, including fish in jars, plants on sheets, insects on pins, and fossils in drawers. During a typical WeDigBio event, some participants are at onsite events hosted by museums, field stations, universities, science classrooms, or other organizations. Those onsite events provide opportunities for research talks or other interactions with those using the newly created data to benefit science and society. Other participants are distributed individually around the world.  For those, we offer a virtual meeting space, which contains live feeds from some of the onsite events and provides another way to interact with scientists and others. ~from wedigbio.org

In our herbarium we focused on cataloging thousands of field specimens that ranged from current day back to the 1800’s. It was amazing to still see the colors on the flowers and leaves even from 150 years ago. I have to admit I spent a LOT of my time oohing and ahhing with my partner over the beauty that has been saved through the years. I loved the event so much that I continue to volunteer at our herbarium weekly where I’ve learned how to image, database and create displays for specimens. I love being part of something that connects us and serves the scientists working to understand, preserve and conserve our earth and contribute to the future well being of our planet. And, not gonna lie, I still spend a LOT of time awwing over the beauty of the specimens. All while hanging out with a wonderful group of staff and fellow volunteers.

If you are interested in being part of this worldwide event please check out WeDigBio.org for 2023 events!