# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Bessey Herbarium: History, Impact, and Opportunities
- **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 09 Oct, 2026 at 10:00 am (-05:00)
- **Event Description**: The C. E. Bessey Herbarium at the University of Nebraska State Museum preserves hundreds of thousands of plant, lichen, fungal, and other botanical specimens, some collected more than a century ago. These collections provide a record of Nebraska’s biodiversity through time and can help researchers study topics ranging from species distributions and invasive species to environmental change and conservation.

In this presentation, Todd Widhelm will introduce the Bessey Herbarium, its history, and why natural history collections remain important today. He will also discuss ongoing efforts to photograph, database, and georeference specimens so that they can be accessed and used by researchers and the public around the world. The talk will also highlight ways volunteers and citizen scientists can help make these historical collections more useful for modern conservation and research.

Speaker Bio:
Todd Widhelm, Ph.D., is Curator of the C. E. Bessey Herbarium at the University of Nebraska State Museum. A Nebraska native, he earned his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago while conducting his research at the Field Museum. Before returning to Nebraska, he served as Collections Manager of Mycology and Lichenology at the Field Museum in Chicago. His research focuses on lichens, particularly their evolution, taxonomy, and biogeography. At the Bessey Herbarium, he oversees the museum’s botanical collections and works to expand their use in research, conservation, education, and public outreach. 

Register for the webinar here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Iyp1MQUMROyUxKh3T5NqAw

Register for the in-person event here:
https://secure.ngpvan.com/Rr-v9UvVlkWah2fz-HG9kg2
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/lincoln/bessey-herbarium-history-impact-and-opportunities/200030785004047
- **Event Categories**: workshops, virtual, webinar
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 63

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Lincoln
- **state**: NE
- **country**: United States
- **location**: Library Lincoln City Bennett Martin Public Library
- **lat**: 40.812870087139
- **long**: -96.700717049993
- **full address**: Library Lincoln City Bennett Martin Public Library, 136 S 14th St, Lincoln, NE 68508-1801, United States

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: Bessey Herbarium: History, Impact, and Opportunities
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events9/banners/fab2199a824bf0b101f9271d7d99fae57de1207d6bd1fc1609f6bf17cf5ad057-rimg-w1200-h675-dc780828-gmir?v=1791275927

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is Bessey Herbarium: History, Impact, and Opportunities being held?
  - **A:** Bessey Herbarium: History, Impact, and Opportunities takes place on Fri, 09 Oct, 2026 at 10:00 am to Fri, 09 Oct, 2026 at 10:00 am at Library Lincoln City Bennett Martin Public Library, 136 S 14th St, Lincoln, NE 68508-1801, United States.
- **Q**: Who is organizing Bessey Herbarium: History, Impact, and Opportunities?
  - **A:** Bessey Herbarium: History, Impact, and Opportunities is organized by Conservation Nebraska.
- **Q**: What has been the experience of attendees at Conservation Nebraska's events?
  - **A:** Attendees have given Conservation Nebraska a rating of 4.5/5 based on reviews from early attendees on AllEvents. Conservation Nebraska has a verified profile on AllEvents where you can read reviews and explore their upcoming events.
- **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me?
  - **A:** Bessey Herbarium: History, Impact, and Opportunities is ideal for curious learners, students, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Lincoln, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. With 60+ people already showing interest, this is clearly an event worth adding to your calendar - don't miss out.

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