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Workshops

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Note: Workshop costs include coffee breaks and lunch.

1. Lichen Identification

Instructors: Irwin M. Brodo and Pak Yau Wong, Canadian Museum of Nature

Duration: 1 day

Number of participants: 20

Location: University of Ottawa

Cost (before taxes):  $35.00

Lichens are now recognized as deserving the same detailed study, appreciation, and protection given to other plants, yet the lichen flora is virtually unexplored territory for all but a small number of botanists. Here is a chance to “get into” lichens. This workshop is for those interested in learning the basics of lichen identification, concentrating on the larger “macrolichens” (foliose and fruticose species). There will be a lecture introducing and explaining morphological and anatomical terminology. A laboratory with dissecting and compound microscopes, simple identification keys and more extensive lichen literature will be available. Specimens of common lichens will be provided for beginners, but participants are encouraged to bring their own collections for identification.  Chemicals, razors, dissecting needles, etc. will also be provided, but feel free to bring your own tools.

All are welcome, from novices to experts.

 

2. Integrated Pest Management

Instructor: Tom Strang, Canadian Conservation Institute

Duration: 1 day

Number of participants: 25

Location: Canadian Conservation Institute (transport included)

Cost (before taxes):  $55.00

Tom is a senior conservation scientist at the CCI. He is active in research on controlling pests of cultural property and the effects of pest control methods on object materials. Recently these interests are in evaluation of risk in integrated pest management, measuring efficiencies in control methods, and quantifying comparative harms from control methods. Tom also has spent considerable time on questions of Integrated Pest Management survey methods, teaching modern media migration strategies, GPS site surveys and developing software tools for conservation. Before coming to the CCI Tom was acting chief of conservation at the Provincial Museum of Alberta, worked on industrial conservation for the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, Alberta, and spent Queen's Masters in Art Conservation program internships with Parks Canada on the Basque whaling site at Red Bay Labrador, and with the mobile conservation laboratory with the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Culture out of Toronto.

The workshop will teach approaches to creating an IPM plan for your institution. It will also look at the common concerns of treatment options for objects. The workshop will use a mix of short presentations, exercises and discussions throughout the day. Please bring all your concerns, challenges, and pest anecdotes.

3. Georeferencing

Instructors: John R. Wieczorek, Carol Spencer, and Heather Constable (University of California, Berkeley) and Peter Desmet (Canadensys)

Duration: 1 day

Number of participants: 25    **Due to popular demand the number of participants has increased from 20 to 25**

Location: University of Ottawa

Cost (before taxes):  $60.00

This workshop deals with the georeferencing techniques needed to correctly interpret and complete the geographic information of biodiversity data in general and in the context of the digitization of biological collections in particular. Participants will learn how to calculate geographic coordinates, their precision and uncertainty, and how to georeference using paper maps, Google Earth and BioGeomancer. The workshop is organized by Canadensys, a consortium of Canadian universities for digitization and networking of biological collections (www.canadensys.net) and builds on the experience of a team who led many previous workshops and seminars on this subject around the world. The workshop is sponsored by the Canada-California Strategic Innovation Partnership (CCSIP) program.


Participants are expected to bring their own computer and will be required to access the internet through a wi-fi connection. The number of participants will be limited.

 

4. Designing Facilities for Fluid Preserved Collections

Panelists:

Duration: 1 day

Number of participants: 30

Location: Natural Heritage Building, Canadian Museum of Nature, Gatineau (transportation included)

Cost (before taxes):  $65.00

The planning and development of collection storage facilities require taking into consideration a wide variety of factors, from health and safety and building codes to optimal environmental conditions to maximize collection preservation. This is certainly the case for facilities designed specifically for fluid-preserved collections. One of the most effective approaches is to learn from the cumulative experience of institutions that have successfully established such facilities. This workshop will provide individuals whose institutions are contemplating creating or renovating/upgrading a facility for fluid-preserved collections with the necessary information to initiate the process. A panel of experts and museum staff who have worked on such facilities will cover in detail factors such as: applicable laws, regulations and restrictions; safety & health issues; access control and safety measures for staff and users; fire prevention and suppression; fume detection; spill containment; light, UV, temperature and relative humidity; selection and use of shelving compactors, including “earthquake control”; and ventilation.

 

This workshop, which will take place at the Canadian Museum of Nature’s Natural Heritage Building in Gatineau, QC, will include a visit of the fluid-preserved collection facilities, followed by a discussion of the strategies used and some of the recent improvements introduced at other facilities.

 

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While in town, you may also want to consider the following workshop, offered by the Canadian Association of Conservators, in partnership with the Canadian Conservation Institute.

The Conservation of Feathers: An Introductory Workshop

Three-day workshop: Monday June 7th to Wednesday June 9th, 2010
Instructor: Allyson Rae
Location: Canadian Conservation Institute
Number of participants: Maximum 30


Description:

Feathers are found in all sorts of places – natural history collections, ethnographic artefacts, costume and accessories, contemporary art, even decorative interiors. The richness of their textures and colours make them a joy to work with - and contributes to their delicacy and susceptibility to damage. This three day workshop will explore the structure and nature of feathers and feathered objects and the causes of their deterioration. Through a combination of theoretical and practical sessions, principles and practice for non-interventive and basic interventive options will be introduced with a focus on soil removal, treatment of distortions and repair techniques. Invited speakers will discuss laser cleaning, fading and dying techniques.
The workshop will be led by Allyson Rae, who over the last 30 years has had extensive experience in the conservation of artefacts incorporating feathers. Now a freelance conservator, Allyson was formerly Head of Organic Artefacts Conservation at the British Museum, where an aspect of her role was training staff and interns in feather conservation. She led similar workshops in the UK in 2007 and 2008.

Inquiries concerning this CAC-ACCR Workshop may be addressed to one of the planning committee co-chairs for the 2010 CAC-ACCR Conference, Jim Hay or Amanda Gould.