Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona
As an institution with over 140 years of history, the Natural Sciences Museum of Barcelona (Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona) houses more than four million specimens within the fields of mineralogy, petrology, palaeontology, zoology and botany. The core mission of the Museum is to promote the research and conservation of its collections for the future and to raise public awareness for the transformation of society. In the future, the Museum ought to become a national museum, thereby making it a point of reference for the region. Given the current climate and biodiversity crises, the Museum has a unique opportunity to become a benchmark for research, knowledge and awareness of the Anthropocene. Unfortunately, the current problems facing our planet have only just begun and will force us to redefine the role to be played by all natural science museums --not just our own-- in facing these challenges. Museums will be called upon to educate, propose solutions and set an example regarding matters of sustainability and the preservation of biodiversity in an increasingly more urban environment. The Natural Sciences Museum of Barcelona has several different spaces located in three strategic areas of the city: Ciutadella Park; Montjuïc mountain and Forum Park. The Martorell Exhibition Centre and the Castell dels Tres Dragons are located in Ciutadella Park, while the Botanical Garden and the Historical Botanical Garden are on Montjuïc. The new facilities of the Museum are located on the building in the Forum and house public activities such as exhibitions, workshops, conferences and more.