Taxonomy Recognition Day #nameittosaveit
Sweden is famous for many things….. fika, midsommer, Abba, Ikea… but when it comes to biology, Carl Linnaeus is perhaps the biggest export. Many researchers based at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences use his binomial nomenclature in their work, identifying new species, monitoring biodiversity and applying taxonomy to their research.
As important as Taxonomy is to the science at our university and the understanding of the biodiveristy of the planet,taxonomy is vanishing , is misunderstood and the taxomonist the silent heros as we tackle the biodiversity crisis. Not more May 23, 2025 (Linnaeus’s birthday) is Taxonomy Recognition Day, a time to highlight the importance of taxonomists and taxonomy in every day life. Every species has a story—but without a name, that story may never be told. This Taxonomy Recognition Day, a coalition of Europe’s leading natural history museums and botanical gardens is calling on the world to celebrate the science that names, classifies, and protects life on Earth.
From the Canary Islands to Norway, and Portugal to Greece, over 30 institutions are coming together to shine a spotlight on taxonomy—the foundation of biodiversity research and conservation. Events across Europe will include expert talks, debates, behind-the-scenes tours, hands-on activities, and networking opportunities, all aimed at raising awareness about the critical role of taxonomy in our world.
“Taxonomy is more than just naming species—it’s about understanding and protecting the web of life,” says Michael Magee, Communications Lead for the TETTRIs project. “With species vanishing at an unprecedented rate, the work of taxonomists has never been more urgent. How can we protect what we don’t know is there?”
Why It Matters
A million species are currently threatened with extinction—many of them still unknown to science. Naming a species is the first step toward protecting it. Taxonomy plays a crucial role in agriculture, medicine, conservation, and policy-making. Without it, we cannot fully understand, protect, or restore the biodiversity that sustains us all.
Join the #NameItToSaveIt Movement
This year, we’re asking everyone—scientists, students, nature lovers—to help make taxonomy visible. Here’s how you can participate:
📸 Take a photo of a plant, animal, or fungus, that fascinates you.
🔤 Find its scientific name (or ask for help—we’re here for that!).
📲 Share it on social media with the hashtag #NameItToSaveIt.
Every name is a step toward protection. Every post is a voice for biodiversity. Let’s make this the loudest Taxonomy Recognition Day yet!
For more information, visit tettris.eu/trd.