Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute plays a leading role in the Smithsonian's global efforts to save wildlife species from extinction and train future generations of conservationists, spearheading research programs at their headquarters in Front Royal, Virginia, the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and at field research stations and training sites worldwide. SCBI scientists tackle some of today's most complex conservation challenges by applying and sharing what they learn about animal behavior and reproduction, ecology, genetics, migration and conservation sustainability.

Rachel Curtis grew up drawing and painting from a young age leading to a lifetime of having far, far too many art supplies. She uses these to make pictures of a great variety of things, from very small to very big. She grew up in Alberta, just a couple hours drive from Dinosaur Provincial Park. You can find her online at www.instagram.com/catinspats/ (or the same on twitter) where she does occasionally draw cats in spats.