The establishment of the Natural History Section has provided an opportunity to acquire old plant specimen collections from the former Division of Conservation and Entomology. Belau National Museum is an important archive of valuable scientific natural history specimens including 5000 herbaria specimens, a pinned insect collection, and a newly acquired marine mollusk (sea shell) collection. The museum's archives of specimens and literature are an important national resource for the support of educational, cultural and conservation programs. In this context, the mission of the Natural History Section is to collect, identify, catalog, preserve and educate the public about the terrestrial biological diversity of Palau with special emphasis on plants and animals that have cultural significance. The Natural History Section has several staff including Ann Kitalong (biologist), Soleh Hanser, and Alan R. Olsen, entomologist.