Auburn University Museum of Natural History

05/06/2026

Thank you, AUMNH Volunteers!✨

Last week we celebrated our volunteers with a volunteer appreciation movie night and the awards ceremony!

We recognized the incredible impact our volunteers have made this academic year. In Outreach, 67 volunteers helped with programs and events, reaching over 6,000 people! In the collections, 18 volunteers helped with curation, identification, live animal care, and more. All of these efforts totaled over 600 volunteer hours!

🎉Congratulations to our Museum Service Awardee: Hannah

05/05/2026

Tortoises needing a “headstart”? What else is new?

We’re seeking a Herpetofauna Field Biologist to join our team in Mississippi. This biologist will support field-based conservation and research projects centered around federally listed and at-risk reptiles and amphibians, including gopher tortoise, black pinesnake, and other PARCA (Priority Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Area) focal species.

This full-time position focuses on gopher tortoise headstarting (captive-raising) efforts, including nest location, egg care, and release to local populations at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center and surrounding landscapes. The successful candidate will also assist with field data collection, species monitoring, and support of habitat management activities.

Preferred candidates will possess expertise in southeastern herpetofauna and specialized equipment operation.

Our core values include integrity, creativity, and innovation. We value different experiences and perspectives as critical to informing and supporting our core values. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination.

Please share, and encourage excellent candidates to apply!

Learn more and apply: ARCProtects.org/fieldbiologistms

Photo of gopher tortoise: Ron Grunwald

05/05/2026

Congratulations to Wei Wei Guo, on completing her bachelor’s degree! 🎉

While studying for her degree in Cell and Molecular Biology, Wei Wei has dedicated her time to AUMNH collections, both as volunteer and a student employee. She says:

“AUMNH has continuously provided a space for scientific curiosity and fostered my love for conservation and natural history. From painstakingly tying tags on tiny salamanders to scrubbing gunk off old jars, I gained an even greater appreciation for the meticulous work required for collection management and the role natural history museums play in research. The passionate individuals at AUMNH inspire me to continue scientific outreach and promote conservation efforts while pursuing my passion for microbial research.” 🐸🔬

04/28/2026

Join Us for the 2026 Eastern Indigo Snake & Wildlife Festival — a free, family‑friendly celebration of wildlife, conservation and the incredible outdoor experiences Conecuh has to offer.

Come learn about the Eastern Indigo Snake, meet the partners working to restore this iconic species and explore how habitat management keeps our forests healthy for all who depend on them.

💡 Fun fact: The Eastern indigo snake is the longest native snake in North America — and it’s completely nonvenomous.

Bring your curiosity, your love of the outdoors and your sense of adventure. We can’t wait to see you there.

Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, The Longleaf Alliance, Alabama Forestry Commission, Alabama Forestry Association, Alabama Extension, Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Quail Forever in Alabama, Natural Resources Conservation Service of Alabama, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of Alabama, Turtle Point Science Center

04/28/2026

🐍Friday, May 1st🐍

Join us at the 2026 Eastern Indigo Snake & Wildlife Festival to learn more about the snakes reintroduction program in Conecuh National Forest!

We can’t wait to see you there!

04/21/2026

⚠️💫Spots are open for Wehle Nature Explorers Camp this June 22nd-24th!

This FREE camp explores from field to nature center while upcoming 6th, 7th, and 8th graders learn about the local biodiversity. They will explore swamps, streams, forests, and grasslands for plants, animals, and even some fossils! 🦋🌳🐞🦖

📍Camp takes place at the Wehle Land Conservation Center in Midway, AL. Parent or guardian is responsible for drop-off and pick-up of the student each day.

🔗For more information and how to apply, visit https://aub.ie/CampWNE

04/15/2026

Monte Sano and Chewacla State Parks are pleased to offer a paid, 4-6 week summer internship opportunity funded through the Alabama State Parks Foundation for college and university students! Interns will work directly with Park Naturalist teams at Monte Sano State Park or Chewacla State Park, gaining hands-on experience delivering environmental education programs and engaging visitors in Alabama’s natural landscapes.

Applicants should be current college or university students studying or interested in Environmental Science, Ecology or Biology, Forestry or Natural Resource Management, Environmental Education, Parks and Recreation Management, Outdoor Leadership, and Public Health or Outdoor Wellness.

One intern will be selected per park, and applications are due Friday, April 24, 2026. Please submit all applications to [email protected].

04/10/2026

🐢Happy Gopher Tortoise Day!! 🐢

Gopher tortoises are threatened species found in North American coastal plains. Their burrows benefit over 350 other species in their habitats, including the eastern indigo snake!

To help in their conservation the head starts young tortoise hatchings, raising them for a year in the lab before releasing the back into their habitat! This gives them a better chance at survival in the wild 💪

Photos by: Anet Filipova

📷1: juvenile tortoises in the lab
📷2: juvenile hatchling and eggs
📷3: graduate student Anet, releasing tortoise
📷4: tortoise burrow entrance and nest

04/07/2026

🌳Big news in the Auburn Genetics world!

The Oaks of Toomer’s Corner are now featured on the cover of the journal G3 GSA - Genetics Society of America after becoming the first reference genome for the Southern Live Oak!

Following the poisoning of the trees in 2010, a team was able to preserve clones and fueled research effort led Auburn University College of Sciences and Mathematics very own Les Goertzen, Curator of Plants at AUMNH and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology Alex Harkess

🌎What began as preservation became a major scientific milestone, contributing to the American Campus Tree Genomes initiative and advancing plant research worldwide!

📸: Cover of G3
📸: Steven Dixon

04/04/2026

Come see us at Azalea Festival now until 2pm!

04/03/2026

Come check out the azaleas tomorrow Donald E. Davis Arboretum s Azalea Festival

The “loveliest village on the Plains” will look even lovelier than usual this month as a series of unique azaleas bloom for the spring throughout Auburn University’s campus.

🔗 in comments.