Since 1869, the American Museum of Natural History has played a leading role in the study and interpretation of the natural world. Through the establishment of the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation in 1993, the Museum continues to lead the way in scientific excellence through the expansion of its programs to address one of today's key issues -- conservation of biodiversity. The Center, drawing on the combined strengths of the scientific, education, and exhibition departments, strives to integrate scientific knowledge into the conservation process and to disseminate information on biodiversity conservation widely.

From March through August 1997, the companion exhibition to this self-guided tour, Endangered! Exploring A World At Risk, will be on display in the Museum's Gallery 3. This will be followed in 1998 by the opening of a major permanent exhibition hall devoted to the topic of biodiversity, which will provide up-to-the-minute information on many of the themes explored in this guidebook.