Earth Optimism Wikipedia Editing Workshop on Endangered Species at Smithsonian Libraries (22 April 2020)

This Wikipedia Editing Workshop has been postponed for a later date. Please stay tuned – we will update when a new date is determined.

All Smithsonian museums and Smithsonian Libraries locations continue to be closed to support the effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. A re-opening date has not been announced at this time. Smithsonian will provide updates on a regular and as-needed basis. See http://si.edu/events for details.

The illustrations of endangered species featured in this graphic are part of the suggested worklist for this workshop. Left to Right: San Diego thornmint (Acanthomintha ilicifolia), endangered under the California Endangered Species Act. Art by Matilda Smith for Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, v. 110 (1884). Contributed in BHL from the Peter H. Raven Library of the Missouri Botanical Garden. | Regent honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia), critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. Art by John William Lewin from his A Natural History of the Birds of New South Wales: collected, engraved and painted faithfully after nature, 3rd ed. (1822). Contributed in BHL from Museums Victoria. | Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. Art from Naturgeschichte der Schildköten by Johann David Schöpf (1792-1801). Contributed in BHL from Smithsonian Libraries.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. In celebration, the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) and our partners are joining the global Earth Optimism movement.

Spearheaded by the Smithsonian, Earth Optimism is a global event and movement to shift the conservation conversation from one of doom and gloom to hope and optimism. Occurring throughout 2020, Earth Optimism invites participants to celebrate conservation success stories and inspire continued success through social media, events, and other outreach opportunities.

BHL and our partners will be participating in the Earth Optimism movement with a social media campaign this April (3-30 April 2020). Follow our blog for more information coming next month about the campaign.

As part of our participation in Earth Optimism, several BHL partners, including Smithsonian Libraries, will host events on Earth Day, 22 April 2020. Find information about the Smithsonian event below and stay tuned for more information about Earth Optimism events from other BHL partners to be announced soon.

Smithsonian Earth Optimism Wikipedia Editing Workshop on Endangered Species (Washington, DC)

Help improve information in Wikipedia about endangered species as part of the Earth Optimism Wikipedia Workshop on Endangered Species hosted by the Smithsonian Libraries (Washington, D.C.) with support from Wikimedia DC.

Drawing on BHL’s free and extensive online collections as source materials, attendees will help to improve information about endangered species in Wikipedia — the third most-visited website in the world in 2019. By including citations to materials in BHL, attendees will provide easy access points for researchers and the public alike to primary data about these species while also helping to raise public awareness about many endangered species, which can be the first step in gaining momentum for conservation activities.

When? Wednesday, 22 April 2020, 1-5pm ET
Where? Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.

Laptops are required. Please bring your own. Wikimedia has two laptops to loan. Reserve one by emailing info@wikimediadc.org. This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited, so register today.

Registration is required:

• Register for the Smithsonian Workshop

More Information:

• Smithsonian Wikipedia Event Page