::History::

The Instituto de Ciencias Naturales (Natural Sciences Institute) was created by the Directive Council of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia on October 30, 1936, under the name Department of Botany. Its founder was Dr. Enrique Pérez Arbeláez. On January 30,1939, its name was changed to Botanical Institute. Armando Dugand, its first director, broadened the scope of the Institute to its current one, with a broad conception of science. Finally, on November 14, of 1940, the name was changed to Natural Sciences Institute – Natural History Museum.

::Mission::

The Institute generates and disseminates knowledge of the highest level about the flora and the fauna of Colombia and its past and present relationships with human groups. This mission is accomplished through the development of research and the formation of researchers.