The University of British Columbia unveiled a $45-million expansion to the Beaty Biodiversity Centre with an open house event. The expansion adds dedicated research and meeting spaces to the Biodiversity Research Centre, as well as a new fossil storage room and pollinator garden to the Beaty Biodiversity Museum. Biodiversity Research Centre director Mary O’Connor said the expansion brings new opportunities for collaboration with both researchers and non-academic partners from across the globe. …O’Connor said she would describe biodiversity as “all life on Earth.” This immense scope is what makes collaboration so important when it comes to tackling biodiversity issues. By adding spaces designed for collaboration, the research centre hopes to form new partnerships as well as expand on existing ones. …Meanwhile, the new additions to the museum hope to improve public engagement and awareness of biodiversity.