Collections

Only half of one percent of our collection is on display at any given time. The rest of our specimens are stored in our research collection, which is among the richest in the world. It contains more than 160,000 fossil vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, and geologic specimens. We hold 350+ holotypes ('type' specimens that provide the basis for a species description and name). About 3000 specimens are added to our collection each year.

The online collections database can be viewed through our eMuseum site.

Researchers interested in visiting the Museum’s collections are asked to submit a request to our Head of Collections Management by emailing brandon.strilisky@gov.ab.ca.