🌟 Donor Spotlight: Mesa Associates
We are proud to partner with organizations that share our passion for nature, science, education, and community. Mesa Associates is an engineering firm with a strong philanthropic focus on supporting STEM education in the communities it serves.
As part of the Mesa Giveback Program, Derek Thompson traveled from the Knoxville, Tennessee office to Charlotte to personally deliver a generous donation in support of the new Charlotte Museum of Nature. He was joined by Mesa team members based in the Charlotte area—along with their families—for a special visit to Discovery Place Science.
Mesa Associates was introduced to Discovery Place through our mutual connection with Duke Energy, and it quickly became clear that our shared values made us natural philanthropic partners.
🎥 Why Mesa Chose to Support the Charlotte Museum of Nature
In this short video, Derek Thompson shares—in his own words—why Mesa Associates chose to support Discovery Place and what this partnership means to them. 🎦 Mesa Interview
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mesa Associates for their support. Together, we’re building a space where nature, science, and community come together to spark wonder and discovery for generations to come.
Do you work at a company that values community engagement and nature?
We’re inviting organizations to partner with the new Charlotte Museum of Nature for unique opportunities that connect your team with nature, science, and impact. If your company might be interested in getting involved contact Lucy Livingstone today at 704-645-0638 or LLivingstone@discoveryplace.org.
👋🏻 Meet Tanya Mitchell: Steward of the Non-Living Museum Collections
This month, we are excited to introduce you to Tanya, the Manager of Collections at Discovery Place. Her work behind the scenes helps bring the Charlotte Museum of Nature to life through objects that have powerful stories to tell.
🧬 About Tanya & The Collections
Tanya’s journey began 15 years ago as a volunteer in collections. She later joined the team part-time before stepping into her current role. With a B.S. in Biology from Eastern Illinois University and an M.S. in Forestry from the University of Tennessee, Tanya now oversees the care, preservation, and documentation of approximately 70,000 objects in Discovery Place’s non-living collections.
Our Museum collections consist of a wide variety of artifacts and specimens that fall into two general categories: Permanent Collections, which include natural history specimens and cultural artifacts held in public trust and maintained in perpetuity, and Educational Collections, used for hands-on teaching and engagement. The specimens and artifacts span various disciplines, including biology, geology, paleontology, anthropology, history, and technology..
Tanya’s work is meticulous and mission-driven. From monitoring environmental conditions to conducting inspections and inventories, and consulting with conservators, she ensures that every object is preserved and recorded for future generations. “We follow all the American Alliance of Museums Collections Stewardship Standards,” she says.
🌱 Charlotte Museum of Nature, Then & Now
One of her favorite memories at the Charlotte Nature Museum was visiting with her kids in the early 2000s. “As a mom with a science background, it was important to me to teach them about the natural world. Now I love seeing new families come in and learn about nature and how to be good stewards of our environment.”
Looking ahead, Tanya is particularly excited about the new museum’s outdoor spaces and the opportunity to showcase objects from the non-living collections that have never been displayed before. “These collections spark exploration and active learning. They provide opportunities for guests to engage with authentic specimens and artifacts in meaningful ways.”
Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes stories from Tanya and the Collections team as we prepare to open the new Charlotte Museum of Nature next year!
