How It Started: How It’s Going. Biodiversity Beyond Linnaeus
It all began, as the best things often do, with a cup of coffee during fika and a good newsletter.
I was reading Uppsala University’s Nyhetsbrev—as I often do—when I came across something that made me pause: the Boundless Knowledge campaign. It’s an ambitious initiative launched by Uppsala University Vice-Chancellor, Anders Hagfeldt, to support the incredible research taking place across the university as we head toward the 550th jubilee in 2027.
And I thought—this is brilliant. But also: what about us?
Natural history museums are, more often than not, tucked away in the background, quietly working away with limited resources. Yet our work, especially now, in the midst of a global biodiversity crisis, is nothing short of essential. And here at Evolutionsmuseet, we hold something truly special: a living legacy of Carl Linnaeus, the father of taxonomy. A man so influential, he’s been called the most famous person in history (according to at least one study, and honestly, who are we to disagree?).
So why not celebrate this extraordinary heritage? Our collections are far more than mere specimens—they are the original biodiversity data infrastructure. Far from being dusty relics, they contain vital knowledge that can help us address the global challenges we face today and those still to come.
The idea first surfaced in November 2024. The more we talked, the more it made sense. Very soon, a core team came together: Mats Eriksson, Paco Cárdenas, Brit Andermann and myself. With their energy, ideas, and shared excitement, we got to work.
That’s how Biodiversity Beyond Linnaeus was born, with the name thoughtfully coined by Paco Cárdenas.
We pitched the concept to the head of museums, then Vice-Chancellor’s advisor, built the foundations of a website, and began sharing the vision with anyone who would listen. And listen they did. We were so pleased to be invited to the Golden Friends Luncheon in May at the Uppsala University Orangery, a moment that felt like a real turning point which followed genuine interest from donors.
Our aim is big, and unapologetically so: to raise 100 million SEK by 2027 to employ biodiversity experts at our historic natural history collections. Since then, SVT has shown interest in covering the fundraising initiative, which is very encouraging for our campaign’s visibility and success.
Because it’s not about preserving the past, is it? It’s about protecting the future.
And really, what could be more boundless than that?
Visit and support: www.biodiversitybeyondlinnaeus.com
