Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections October 2021 - 8

Society Reports
When we have more clarity on these points, we will develop
ways to approach relevant US agencies, hopefully in the
course of the coming year.
eDNA
No significant progress has been achieved on the issue of
import and interpretation of environmental DNA samples
(eDNA). Because eDNA samples often include traces of
specimens rather than specimens themselves, one question to
be resolved is if eDNA samples qualify as tangible objects,
or whether, at the time of import, it is considered a water or a
soil sample (that carries eDNA information). While larvae of
protected species, such as planktonic larvae of corals or fish
contained in the sample, would fall under CITES and would
require a COSE for import, data recovered from the sample
would not. The next step is to draft an internal interpretation
of eDNA samples to see in which areas conservation laws and
reporting obligations connect.
DSI
The discussions on the potential applicability of the CBD
and/or Nagoya Protocol to Digital Sequence Information
(DSI) are further delayed because of the current
COVID-19 situation. It seems clear that DSI will be vital
for many of the proposed monitoring elements of the post2020
Global Biodiversity Framework that is currently being
discussed in parallel, but it is less clear at the moment if and
how DSI could be handled and regulated and if this could be
done on an international level. Our committee joined forces
with the Biodiversity Crisis Committee and we follow the
current debates and discussions closely.
Respectfully submitted,
Dirk Neumann and Stephanie Carson, Co-chairs
Long Range Planning Committee
With a new SPNHC chair and the new world in which we
find ourselves, the Long Range Planning Committee met
virtually in May during the joint AIC and SPNHC annual
meeting.
The group reviewed and discussed the work of the LRP to
the deliver the existing actions set out in the current strategic
plan. The plan set out a series of short, medium and longterm
objectives designed to address the four main goals of the
society:
* To show leadership;
* To communicate;
* To provide value for money;
8 * SPNHC Connection
* To work internationally.
The plan was formally adopted in 2013
and each action or goal was assigned
to an appropriate committee for implementation.
At this point, many of those
objectives have been met, and it was
agreed that it is time to develop a new
strategic plan.
Agreed actions for 2021-2022
Strategic Plan and members survey
The 2019 LRP Committee initiated this
project and produced a series of aims:
1. Produce a survey for all members
to ask what direction the members
would like the society to go (other
SPNHC committees are also looking to carry out membership
surveys).
2. Form a small sub-group to work on the survey and strategic
planning.
3. Plan for a two-day strategic planning meeting to collate
survey results and update the strategic plan.
4. Review the model for hosting future meetings to facilitate
the growth of the society and its international membership.
There is a strong desire to facilitate meetings in
person but hybrid meetings may provide more accessibility
to members.
Professional training as outlined in the Strategic Plan
Strategies to improve the current situation were specifically
highlighted during the Latin America Forum where many participants
emphasised the need for training opportunities.
Committee links
We will be exploring how the interaction and collaboration
between specific committees and Executive Committee can
be improved. We will also explore ways to facilitate better
coordination towards joint goals.
Repectfully submitted,
Julian Carter and Suzanne Ryder, Co-chairs
Membership
The Membership Committee focuses on ways to promote
the society and retain existing members as well as attract
new members. We work with the SPNHC Treasurer to help
members keep their dues up to date. We promote SPNHC at
conferences by advertising in conference literature and by
exhibiting the membership booth. Most recently, SPNHC was
Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections October 2021

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