Category Archives: IPM-Working Group

IPM Working Group Meeting 2018 PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT

March 14 – 16, 2018

Sponsored by Harvard University Herbaria, the Museum of Comparative Zoology, and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology

The host for this year’s meeting are three of Harvard University’s museums – Harvard University Herbaria, Museum of Comparative Zoology, and Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. While IPM has been a long-time component of these historic museums’ preventive conservation programs, this is their first time hosting the IPM Working Group (IPM-WG). We are grateful for their willingness to provide a welcome meeting space. 

As always, the IPM-WG meetings are designed to help institutions with active IPM programs by bringing individuals together to tackle projects related to particular pest-related challenges.  All information resulting from these collaborations are placed on the MuseumPest.net website for the benefit of the cultural heritage community. 

The program is scheduled for 2.5 days, beginning the afternoon of March 14th, with optional tours held across several locations within Harvard University, including collections tours where participants will have the opportunity to take a look behind-the-scenes.

The following two days (March 15-16) will revert to the traditional IPM-WG schedule focusing on further development of the online content for the MuseumPest.net website.  Short 5-10 minute presentations by participants on IPM-related activities and/or projects at their home institutions are interspersed with the work sessions.  If you would like to present to the group, please indicate your interest when you RSVP for the meeting. 

There is no fee for attending the program; however, participants are responsible for their own travel, room, and board.  Additionally, participants are expected to take on an assignment that will result in content for the MuseumPests.net website. The two-and-a-half-day program is by invitation only as space is limited. 

To request a spot please RSVP by e-mailing: chair@museumpests.net including: “IPM-WG 2018 Meeting” in the subject line. Your request must include:

Name
Address (Company/institution)
Phone #
E-mail

RSVP’s will be accepted through March 1st, 2018 or until spots are filled.  Priority will be given to returning participants on a first-come, first-served basis and to new participants who are actively involved in an IPM program in their institution.  

Please note: The IPM-WG meetings do not teach IPM and are only appropriate for individuals working with an active IPM program.  For more information on establishing a program, please consult the MuseumPests.net website. 

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Stressed About Pests? Integrated Pest Management Training for Heritage Preservation Professionals 2017 Workshop

Insects and vertebrate pests can do irreversible damage to objects of historic and artistic value. Preventing such damage is an essential element of best practice in collection care and requires the design and implementation of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy and plan.

In March 2017 the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library and the University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation hosted a workshop, Stressed About Pests? Integrated Pest Management Training for Heritage Preservation Professionals for WUDPAC students and area professionals. 

The workshop introduced participants to multiple aspects of IPM: policy and procedure; preventing infestation; trapping and monitoring; remedial treatment; basic pest identification. It was designed for small to mid-sized institutions needing to establish or improve an IPM program as well as anyone needing to develop or refresh basic IPM knowledge.

Rachael Perkins Arenstein, a conservator specializing in preventive care, Pat Kelley, an entomologist  with extensive knowledge of museum collection care practices, and Matt Mickletz, the person responsible for the daily implementation of Winterthur’s IPM program, worked together to teach the theory and practice of IPM using a a combination of lectures, discussions and hands-on exercises.  The workshop was coordinated by Professor Joelle Wickens, Associate Conservator and Preventive Team Head with funding generously provided by Tru-Vue.

The program was designed to:

  • Identify the stakeholders in their institutions who must be involved in setting up a successful IPM program
  • Understand which policies and procedures set the groundwork for successful implementation 
  • Survey a building envelope and collection areas to identify locations vulnerable to entry and infestation 
  • Determine what kind of traps can be used to monitor collection areas and where they should be placed
  • Identify some of the most common museum pests
  • Work effectively with a pest management professional
  • Understand the range of options for museum appropriate treatment of pest infestations and what is needed to implement them

Participants in the workshop can access the password protected workshop page for additional information. 

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