Taxonomy Recognition Day - 23.05.2025

Ever dreamed of discovering a new species? Fascinated by the hidden corners of life on Earth? Passionate about protecting our planet’s incredible biodiversity? If so, taxonomy might just be your calling!

Each year on May 23rd, we celebrate the vital science of taxonomy—the practice of identifying, naming, and classifying living things. This year, we’re shining a spotlight on how taxonomic research is done, and we hope it sparks your curiosity to dive into this fascinating field yourself.

Join us from 1 p.m. at the Institute of Natural Sciences to learn directly from working taxonomists about how new species are described. You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at where this work takes place: explore our entomology collections, step into our paleontology labs, and tour our cutting-edge DNA facilities. See firsthand where scientific discovery happens—and where the knowledge we uncover is preserved for future generations.

Discover the full programm below and register here EUSurvey - Survey by May 21st to let yourself be inspired, and remember: to name it is to save it.
#NameItToSaveIt

Program

13:00                             Registration

13:30                             How to become a taxonomist

13:30                             Intro: the importance of taxonomy                                  

13:40                             Taxonomy in practice.                                                          

14:10                             The role of the Belgian Entomological Society              

14:20                             The road to become a taxonomist                                  

14:35                             Break (Refreshments)

15.00                             Visit the collections behind the scenes presented by the curators and scientists in charge.                      

1.       A 3D encyclopedia of biodiversity: Discover the entomology collections

2.       The fossil preparation lab, a key step between fieldwork and taxonomic/systematic studies in paleontology

3.       The DNA Lab of the institute of natural sciences, a polyvalent infrastructure to support taxonomy

16:00                             Closing of the Taxonomy Recognition Day                    

Gebruik de hashtag #NameItToSaveIt op jouw sociale media!