“Imagine a place where you can explore the depths of the ocean, travel to distant galaxies, and wander through a rainforest all in one day. That place exists. It is the California Academy of Sciences.
The California Academy of Sciences stands as one of the largest natural history museums in the world. It houses over 46 million specimens. It began in 1853 as a learned society. The Academy still carries out a large amount of original research. You’ll find this incredible institution in Golden Gate Park.
Completely rebuilt in 2008, the primary building covers 400,000 square feet. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, it had around 500 employees. Its annual revenue was about $33 million.
The California Academy of Sciences is California’s oldest operating museum. It is a research institution for the natural sciences. A 41-member board of trustees governs it.
Besides its museum, the California Academy of Sciences operates the Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability. It conducts research in taxonomy, phylogenetics, and biodiversity studies. Most of the research happens in labs behind the scenes. These facilities occupy nearly 50% of the Academy’s structure.
The main thrust of the exhibits is natural history. The venues include the Kimball Natural History Museum. This encompasses the entire museum outside the planetarium, rainforest, and aquarium. Africa Hall is the Academy’s oldest running exhibit.
The Morrison Planetarium features a digitally controlled planetarium dome. It measures 90 feet in diameter. The Rainforests of the World exhibit is enclosed in a 90-foot glass dome. The Steinhart Aquarium includes exhibits of coral reefs, tide pools, and swamp habitats. A colony of African penguins also calls this place home.
Academy scientists conduct systematic and conservation research. This happens in anthropology, marine biology, botany, and other fields. There is a strong emphasis on environmental concerns. All departments collaborate closely to focus on systematic biology and biodiversity. A 2011 expedition to the Philippines discovered an estimated 300 species new to science.
The California Academy of Natural Sciences was founded in 1853. It was the first society of its kind in the Western US. Its aim was a thorough survey of every portion of the State. It sought the collection of a cabinet of her rare and rich productions. It was renamed the California Academy of Sciences in 1868.
The academy had a forward-thinking view towards women in science. In 1892, Alice Eastwood, a botanist, was hired. She worked there until she retired in 1949. She created the collection of rare plants. It was saved when the academy was destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
The academy’s first official museum opened in 1874. In 1916, the Academy moved to Golden Gate Park. In 1923, the Steinhart Aquarium was added.
The new building emphasizes environmentally friendly design. It received Platinum certification under the LEED program. The green roof has several environmentally friendly features. It was planted with 1.7 million California native plants.
Isn’t it amazing how the California Academy of Sciences combines education, research, and conservation all under one roof? It is a true gem of San Francisco. It is a must-see destination for anyone interested in the natural world.”