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The sources of support vary markedly from organization to organization. For example, the Fort Pierce Bureau operates solely with restricted trust funds, while the Astrophysical Observatory, because of its unique national and international position as a research leader, has better than half of its dollar and personnel resources associated with federal grants and contracts. Most of the balance of the Astrophysical Observatory's funding originates from direct federal appropriations, and a small portion (about 13 percent) stems from trust funds. The Tropical Research Institute and the Zoological Park, on the other hand, rely extensively on federal appropriations for maintenance of programs.

As is the case with other museums and galleries of the Institution, the Museum of Natural History and the Air and Space Museum conduct their basic exhibit, research, collections, and building service activities primarily with federal appropriations, but at the same time enjoy measured support from restricted or unrestricted trust sources, and from federal grant and contract work based upon their ability to obtain these funds.

[[underline]] Future Year Prospectus [[/underline]]

Over the next five years trust fund expenses (restricted and unrestricted are expected to increase by about $550,000 from present levels of $6,342,000 with the growth occuring as a result of increased general purpose support available to the Astrophysical Observatory because of expected increases for grant and contract work. Growing interest on the part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the capabilities of the Astrophysical Observatory may increase grant and contract support to that organization in future years. Support for experimental astrophysical work related to the nation's space shuttle program and to satellite tracking is anticipated.

Increased federal appropriations of about $12,610,000 will be required to fund Congressionally legislated programs and to maintain the quality of the Smithsonian's science operations.

[[underline]] Museum of Natural History [[/underline]]. Over the next several years, beginning with FY 1980-81, a build-up of federal support for equipping the Museum Support Center will be needed. Plans call for the expenditure of about $400,000 a year from base federal funds of the Museum for storage and other equipment through FY 1985, and additional funds are being sought in a phased fashion over the planning period. Equipment needs are presented in the Special Programs chapter.

In FY 1979, a portion of the $500,000 appropriation provided by Congress was allotted to the Museum to undertake inventory and conservation efforts on collections most highly valued as well as objects destined for transfer to the Museum Support Center. Progress is being made on the inventory. About 70 employees have been hired for all departments of the Museum. It is estimated that more than 400,000 inventory shelf records were generated in FY 1979, and these records will be subsequently cross-checked against existing catalogue records, making extensive use of computers. Almost half of the Museum's inventory effort to date is direct-