The University of Massachusetts Natural History Collections presents “Where Life Lives.” From mountain tops to the deep ocean, there is life. Learn about terrestrial and oceanic life zones and the species that live in them. Explore deep diving whales, high alpine sheep, and everything in between!

About the UMNHC: Beginning with the transfer of the Massachusetts State Cabinet of Natural History to the newly founded Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1866, the Natural History Collections have been a foundational part of UMass. The collections include over 500,000 preserved specimens of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fishes, invertebrates, herbarium specimens and living plants representing the world’s biodiversity and local flora and fauna. In addition to playing a major role in undergraduate education and faculty and student research, our specimens connect the university and the broader community to the natural world through our expanding outreach programs, including our greenhouse and new museum exhibit space.