Press Release for August 31, 2009: NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM GROUP SUBMITS PROPOSAL TO KEEP THE MUSEUM OPEN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 31, 2009

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM GROUP SUBMITS PROPOSAL TO KEEP THE MUSEUM OPEN
Over $55,000 pledged to help support the efforts

On Friday, August 28, the HSU Natural History Museum Advisory Board and the “Friends of the North Coast’s Natural History Museum,” a group of volunteer community members, met HSU’s deadline to submit a proposal to avert permanent closure of the museum. Only three weeks earlier, the university announced the closure due to cutbacks in California State funding. The plan submitted satisfies HSU’s requirement to reduce their expenditure to zero, and outlines the Museum’s transition to an independent non-profit organization over the next several months.

The proposal is the result of two weeks of hard work by concerned community members and the Advisory Board. The community rallied to “Save the North Coast’s Natural History Museum.” following an initial August 12 meeting when College of Natural Resources Dean James Howard and Associate Dean Steven Smith explained the budgetary pressures that forced the closing of the museum. The Deans agreed to seriously consider an alternative plan if it outlined a reasonable strategy for both short- and long-term fundraising to replace the university’s contribution to the Museum budget. Members of the Museum’s Advisory Board and The Friends of the North Coast’s Natural History Museum formed workgroups tasked with marketing and public relations, grassroots fundraising, research into foundations and grants, non-profit and other operating models, and fiscal analysis.

The results of these efforts to date include: an online blog for up-to-date information, an online pledge system, information tables at local businesses and community events, widespread media attention, and as of the proposal’s submission, over $55,000 in pledges. Efforts are continuing to fundraise and spread the word about the museum’s predicament.

The future of the museum is still far from clear, but the impressive show of support is a testament to the vital role that the Natural History Museum plays in the North Coast community. In these times of fiscal hardship, there remains hope that a solution may be found. HSU’s response is expected within a week.

Friends of the North Coast’s Natural History Museum continues to update the Natural History Museum blog (http://savethenorthcoastnhm.blogspot.com) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/savencnhm). They are also on Facebook and can be reached at savethenorthcoastnhm@gmail.com. For interviews please contact Karen Reiss, 825-0465 or karen-reiss@redwoods.edu