Rocky Mountain Herbarium
The Rocky Mountain Herbarium, which includes the U.S. Forest Service National Herbarium and the W.G. Solheim Mycological Herbarium, collectively contains more than 1.1 million specimens and an additional 300,000 that await accessioning. The Herbarium ranks 15th in the nation of 641 herbaria, 75th in the world of 2,962 herbaria.
Learn more about the collections ➞
Mission & Vision
Mission: The Rocky Mountain Herbarium champions the stewardship of plant diversity, inspires and prepares the next generation of botanists, and advances collections-based botanical research, education, and outreach at the University of Wyoming through innovative thinking, transformative educational experiences, and community engagement.
Vision: The Rocky Mountain Herbarium enhances the University of Wyoming’s impact and facilitates its land-grant research mission by providing an innovative and accessible botanical resource that documents the diversity of plants, lichens, and fungi in Wyoming, the Rocky Mountain region, and the world through space and time, while cultivating a group of inspired and engaged citizens, students, and scientists.
Rocky Mountain Herbarium Strategic Plan (PDF) ➞
Aven Nelson carrying his vasculum of plant specimens for pressing, and several of his students in a photo taken in 1937. Image: American Heritage Center.