Luomus accepts well-preserved and well-documented specimens for accessioning into its scientific collections. We welcome specimens and collections gathered by hobbyists and specimens collected for research projects. Generally, extensive collections, accumulated during environmental monitoring projects cannot be accessioned as such. As the purpose of our collections is scientific research, the documentation of specimens is imperative. The necessary data and their delivery method depend on the collection subset; for the requirements, see below.
Donations of specimens entail the transfer of full ownership, use and control rights to Luomus. This includes the right to deaccession material from the museum collections, either by transfer to another museum or, if necessary, disposal.
When planning a donation, contact the relevant collection personnel. For more information on some key donations, see the links below.
We accept donations of well-preserved and well-documented insect specimens and their associated notes. Specimens must have labels with the collection date and location and the collector’s name. Specimens with serial numbers, together with notes, can also be offered. Copies of the permits and certificates associated with the specimens (e.g., collection licences for conservation areas, material export licences) can be submitted in paper form or electronically.
In case of large collections, the accessioning of specimens is considerably expedited by the delivery of collection details in electronic form (e.g., an Excel spreadsheet).
In some cases, inadequately documented specimens may be considered useful, for example, if they are well-preserved specimens of species we do not usually receive. Such specimens may be needed for exhibitions or teaching.
Donations of specimens entail the transfer to Luomus of full ownership, use and control rights, including the right to deaccession material from the museum collections, either by disposal or transfer to another museum. When planning a donation, contact the relevant collection manager.
We are happy to receive well-preserved and well-documented specimens, assuming they include information on the collection date and location, at the minimum. Other details are also important and welcome, including the name of the collector or finder, the method of collecting, and the cause of death and habitat. In addition, notebooks on specimens are often valuable. In case of large collections, the accessioning of specimens is considerably expedited by the delivery of collection details in electronic form (e.g., an Excel spreadsheet).
In some cases, inadequately documented specimens may be considered useful, for example, if they are well-preserved specimens of species we do not usually receive. Such specimens may be needed for exhibitions or teaching.
Donations of specimens entail the transfer to Luomus of full ownership, use and control rights, including the right to deaccession material from the museum collections, either by disposal or transfer to another museum.
When planning a donation, contact the relevant collection manager.
We accept old herbaria (e.g., plant specimens pressed as part of schoolwork) for viewing if they are technically well executed and well preserved (e.g., no mould or insect damage) and accompanied by detailed information on the collection location. This means that the collection location is specifiable with an accuracy of about one square kilometre; a municipality or village is insufficient. In addition, the habitat should be described in sufficient detail (e.g., a reference to a ‘forest’ is usually too broad).
Donations of specimens entail the transfer to Luomus of full ownership, use and control rights, including the right to deaccession material from the museum collections by transfer to another museum or for other use or, if necessary, by disposal. Often, only a small part of a donation ends up in the Luomus collections. If you can send us a photo of a few typical specimen sheets by email, this will make it easier for our staff to decide whether the herbarium is of interest to us.
Pressed plants prepared as part of schoolwork often include common species as they have been collected for educational purposes, which means they focus on species that are easy to find and identify; such specimens are well represented in our collections.
Unfortunately, we cannot arrange the delivery of material from donors. When planning a donation, contact the relevant collection manager.
We accept specimens that increase knowledge of bryophyte, fungi and lichen species and diversity, understanding of species evolution, and awareness of the importance of biodiversity. Specimens must include an identification of the organisms, the collection location (incl. coordinates and the coordinate system used), the habitat (for wood-decay fungi, the host tree, its diameter and its decay rate, if known), the collection date, and the collector. For donations of more than a few specimens, information must be provided in digital form using templates available from our collection personnel.
Please note that in Finland bryophytes and lichens cannot be collected without the landowner’s consent. Specimens collected from conservation areas must be accompanied by a copy of the collection permit.
Received specimens entail the transfer of full ownership, use and control rights to Luomus. This includes the right to deaccession material from the museum collections, either by transfer to another museum or, if necessary, disposal.
When planning a donation, contact the relevant collection personnel.
When planning a donation, contact the relevant collection manager.