On January 12, 2016, the Natural History Museum opened a new exhibition section, the "Natural Treasures of Thuringia". With more than 500 specimens and modern audio technology, this section provides information about the habitat and biodiversity of our federal state.
At 16,172 km², Thuringia is one of the smallest federal states in Germany, but a state with an extraordinarily diverse natural environment. The abundance of species shown here is an expression of the diversity of a mosaic of different habitats. Only by preserving this diversity can the existence of plant and animal species be ensured.
The exhibition shows a small selection of the wealth of different animal and plant species in Thuringia. Some are very rare, others are even threatened with extinction. Still others have returned to Thuringia after a long absence. Some have their main distribution area here. They are "natural treasures" and deserve our care and protection. The decline of common species in particular is an alarm signal that we must not ignore.
The implementation of this ambitious project was only possible with the help of the Allianz Environmental Foundation, which made the largest financial contribution. The exhibition was also supported by the State Chancellery and the Association of Friends and Sponsors of the Natural History Museum.