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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Dr. Jacqueline Y. Miller, curator of Lepidoptera, Florida Museum of Natural History. [Photo credit: Clifford Bowe, Simply the Best]
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The Museum of Grand Bahama was pleased to meet with Dr. Jacqueline Y. Miller from the Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville Florida. Dr. Miller who received her Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Florida, has been associated with the Florida Museum of Natural History since 1981. She currently serves as a Curator of Lepidoptera, McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity and her research interests include the evolution, biogeography, life history, ecology and biodiversity of Lepidoptera worldwide, especially in the Caribbean basin.
It is her years of studying the butterflies and moth species on Grand Bahama that create special interest for the Museum of Grand Bahama. Dr. Miller is the author of more than 143 papers and seven books and is currently working on a checklist of all Lepidoptera in the Bahamas, which will provide further clues to the total endemism present. [Endemismis the ecological state of aspeciesbeing unique to adefinedgeographic location, such as an island, nation, country or otherdefinedzone, or habitat type; organisms that are indigenous to a place are notendemicto it if they are also found elsewhere.]
Janet Albury-Simpson, administrator, Museum of Grand Bahama. [Photo credit: Clifford Bowe, Simply the Best]
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Her presentation gave great insight to the Working Committee members of the Museum and invited guests. Dr. Miller is prepared to assist in the training of Bahamian students who would then become involved in the creation of a live Butterfly Exhibit at the Museum of Grand Bahama. Mr. Zeko McKenzie of the College of the Bahamas would be an integral part of this Exhibit.
Erika Gates, of the Committee, was presented with a sample of the Florida Museum’s 2014 Grand Bahama collection, which was done under the auspices of the National Geographic Society. Dr. Miller states that there were 219 species found during a five day period with butterflies collected at a designated site in the day time and moths were collected during the night.
Mrs. Erika Gates, head of the Working Committee, Museum of Grand Bahama. [Photo credit: Clifford Bowe, Simply the Best]
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Following Dr. Miller’s presentation, Peter Barratt, architect and designer of the Museum of Grand Bahama acquainted the group with plans for the local Museum, identifying the various topics and sections of the Museum. So far, the building has been cleaned out and the roof was replaced. Enclosing the building with new windows and doors will be the next phase in the renovation process. It is greatly anticipated that the Museum will be a fun and educational gathering place for students, residents and visitors alike.
The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas [NAGB] will have a satellite location in the Museum’s building. TheNAGB,will continue its mission to preserve and exhibit the National Collection of Bahamian art and toengage the history of Bahamian Art and Visual culture. Mrs. Chantal Bethel is the Freeport-based NAGB representative and currentlyserves as Deputy-Chair to the institution.
– Mr. Peter Barratt, architect and designer of the Museum of Grand Bahama. [Photo credit: Clifford Bowe, Simply the Best]
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Dr. Miller presents the 2014 collection of butterflies to Erika Gates. [Photo credit: Clifford Bowe, Simply the Best]
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