University of Białystok Nature Center

The University Center for Natural Sciences named after Professor Andrzej Myrcha in Białystok is a museum facility at the Faculty of Biology of the University of Białystok, combining exhibition and educational activities focused on natural history. The history of the Center dates back to 1980, when Professor Andrzej Myrcha began organizing exhibitions on the nature of Antarctica. As valuable collections grew, efforts for a new location began in 1997, resulting in the museum's opening on October 26, 1999, with its name honoring Professor Myrcha's contributions. In 2015, the Center moved to a new building on the university campus, symbolizing the growth of natural knowledge in the region. For many years, the director was M.Sc. Wiesław Mikucki, and currently, the position is held by Dr. Anna Matwiejuk. Among the permanent exhibitions are themes from various fields, such as the fauna of northeastern Poland, fossils from post-glacial sediments, the nature of polar regions, and minerals and meteorites. The Center also engages in numerous cultural events, such as the Podlasie Festival of Science and Art and the Night of Museums, and conducts educational workshops. Visits are available on weekdays, and tickets can be purchased both online and on-site, making the Center accessible to a wide audience. An interesting feature is the lapidarium with glacial erratics in front of the building, originating from the ice age. The University Center for Natural Sciences is not only a source of knowledge about fauna and flora but also a place of significant cultural and educational importance in the Podlasie region.