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Digitisation of National Herbarium of NSW

Overview

ICS provided staff for the National Herbarium of New South Wales’ project to digitise its collection of 1.4 million preserved plant specimens. Some of these specimens date back to Captain Cook’s landings in Australia in 1770.

The digitisation of these plants provides researchers, educators and the public with access to the specimens online, reducing the need for handling the delicate plants and prolonging their conservation. The database of images will also link with other existing databases including the Australasian Virtual Herbarium, Atlas of Living Australia, and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

The project was undertaken as part of a relocation to a new herbarium under construction at Mount Annan.

ICS partnered with Picturae – a renowned digitisation company based in the Netherlands – to support project delivery. The enormous collection of specimens was digitised using Picturae’s conveyor belt and innovative imaging and automated capture technologies.

Year

2018-2019

Client

Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney

Services

Digitisation of collections

Awards

Condition

Outcomes

ICS provided staff to assist with this landmark project in Australian science
The project created opportunities for skill sharing and collaboration between industry and scientists across Australia and worldwide
The project contributed to the preservation of a vast and priceless collection of Australian scientific material for future generations

Treatment

Before treatment

After treatment

Video gallery

Photo gallery

Testimonial

Media & awards

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