Donate Time or Specimens

As the largest zoological collection in Vermont and the state's primary repository for invertebrates, we have the unique mission of documenting the past, present, and future of Vermont fauna and sharing this invaluable information with the larger scientific community and the public.

Our current principal project is to complete digital curation of the collection in order to safely preserve this record of Vermont natural history. Each specimen will be photographed and catalogued electronically on Symbiota. We have already made great strides, but, given the large number of specimens, this is a long-term project that will benefit from the support of volunteers. If you would like to contribute your time to helping us organize specimens, please contact us. Volunteers and students have been essential to our efforts so far.

We will gratefully accept donations ranging from single specimens to thousands. Please contact us if you are in possession of either vertebrate or invertebrate specimens that you wish to pledge or give to the Thompson Zoological Collections. Other donations are also welcome, including literature, collecting equipment, curatorial supplies, and of course financial support. If you have assets you would like to donate but are uncertain whether we would have use for them, please get in touch so that we can work with you and best fulfill your intentions.