I believe that there is a critical need to create a document archive for the HBES.  Only some projects may need this now, but others might in the future.  At present Tom Siccama's papers are in the garage at PVF and exposed to insects, small mammals and humid conditions that foster mold.  The bird project has 8 filing cabinets of long-term data that cannot be scanned.  These data and documents cannot be accommodated in the present USFS archive or at one of our home institutions.  Consequently, I suggested, and the HBRF is considering, creating a document archive.

In addition to the need for a document archive, the bird project also needs storage space for about 2,500 petri dishes with insect samples collected by using Malaise traps.

One potential solution to these needs is the purchase of a modified storage container (photo attached; see additional images of the interior and climate control at:

(https://www.miniwarehousing.com/office-containers)

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This structure is a modified, new 8' x 20' storage container of 10-ga steel, which is likely more bug and small mammal proof than our current archive.  It is insulated to slow changes in temperature (and hence condensation inside) and has air conditioning for periods of extreme weather (cold is not a problem, heat is).  A container like this would be positioned on concrete pillars and would probably last at least 10 years; longer if a roof that prevented water from pooling on the top was added.

It seems that an Office Container would provide plenty of space for known needs, but I am writing to determine if you or your project would like space in such an archive: for documents or fragile samples.  To determine how much space is available in an 8' x 20' container, begin with the size of a 4-drawer filing cabinet, which is:  H x W x D = 53" x 15" x 30".  The length of the Office Container (pictured) is 20' (240"), which allows 15 filing cabinet side by side.  The container is 8' (96") wide allowing a row of filing cabinets on each side with 36" between the rows, which is plenty of space for opening the cabinets.  Height of the container is 8.5' (102"), so sample boxes could be stored above or on the filing cabinets. There is about 40" of space above each 4-drawer filing cabinet and storage boxes are typically 11" tall, so three of these could be stacked above each cabinet.  In sum, an 8' x 20' Office Container could hold about at a minimum 25 filing cabinets and 75 storage boxes.  A 40' container would double this amount of space.

Please let me know if you have a present need for a document archive or foresee having a need for such space in the future.