South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (Museum of Geology)

Log Number: MA-30-13-0500-13

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology’Museum of Geology will digitize its Western Interior Seaway (WIS) paleontological collections, which comprise approximately 40,000 lots and provides a record of ancient ecosystems, dynamic environmental history, and scientific exploration dating to the late 19th century. The project will create an integrated digital catalog, linking critical field information with collections data. The project will also link data to the University of California PaleoPortal Collection Search, update a local partner museum’s (the Journey Museum in Rapid City, SD) WIS exhibit, and build a virtual field trip accessible online and at the museum. Increased accessibility and interpretation of data will support research, teaching, and public education. The project will pave the way to digitize key specimens and georeference collections with geographical information system tools to inform public policy on global climate change.