The Nat Blog

Have you noticed something new on the Museum’s mezzanine above the third floor? This blog post describes the making of the griffin pediment that marks the entrance of Extraordinary Ideas from Ordinary People: A History of Citizen Science, our new permanent exhibition scheduled to open August 20. Dive into the details of what it took to sculpt and mount this iconic piece of the exhibition. Read more.


A Memoir from Dr. Michael Hager

Posted: June 27, 2016

With our President and CEO Dr. Michael "Mick" Hager retiring this Thursday, June 30, we wanted to share a memoir he penned that details his early years at the Museum. Mick goes into detail on how he came to know the Museum so well, the most important initiative it has embraced during his tenure, and more.  Read more.


For more than 30 years, Soames Summerhays has literally traveled from one side of the planet to the other while documenting the natural world. His newest 3D film is playing at theNAT.  Read more.


In this guest blog, Adam Rosenberg, senior at San Diego High School, details his experience in volunteering for Summer Camp at theNAT. Read more.  Read more.


Want to learn more about whales? Our limited engagement exhibition Whales: Giants of the Deep is just the tip of the iceberg. Our other exhibitions, films, and public programs help bring this subject matter to life. Read more.  Read more.


Open Doors, Open Books

Posted: April 11, 2016

This summer, the doors will open on a brand new exhibition space in the Museum, one that enables our visitors to "open the door" to our Research Library and archives for the first time. Read more.  Read more.


The San Diego Natural History Museum (theNAT) today announced that Judy Gradwohl has been selected as the Museum’s new president and CEO. Gradwohl, who comes to San Diego after 30 years with the Smithsonian Institution, will assume the role on July 1, 2016 at the start of the Museum’s new fiscal year. Read more.  Read more.


The death of an animal as majestic as a whale is a sad event. However, as Museum scientists interested in documenting the natural biodiversity of our region--and in increasing our understanding of the evolutionary and ecological history of that biodiversity--we view such events as learning opportunities. Read more.  Read more.


Get the most out of your visit to The Nat with some helpful hints and great tips on family-friendly activities and programs. Read more.  Read more.


When asking the average person if they’ve ever seen a flying squirrel, there are usually two responses: "Those aren’t real!" or "Like Rocky and Bullwinkle?" Like many other nocturnal animals, flying squirrels frequently go unnoticed, and not much is known about these gliding creatures. But with the help of citizen scientists in the San Bernardino mountain area, the Museum is hoping to learn more about their distribution and habitat use. Read more. Read more.