Coast to Cactus in Southern California, our new core exhibition complementing Fossil Mysteries, helps every Museum visitor understand why we are one of only 35 global biodiversity hot spots; why we have the greatest biodiversity in the North American continent; why we have the greatest number of endangered species; and most importantly, why every single one of us should care. This is the exhibition that many of our staff, volunteers, and educators have been dreaming of for more than 40 years, and opened to the public on January 17, 2015.
Coast to Cactus will take you on a journey through the unique habitats of southern California, from the coastal wetlands and urban canyons to the high mountains and the desert. The exhibition will cultivate a sense of place for a region that offers much more than can be seen at first glance, taking visitors beyond the breathtaking coastlines that draw millions of tourists and into the ecosystems that make this area special.
You can help support Coast to Cactus by making a donation today. To thank you for your generosity, donations at the $140 level and above receive an exclusive Coast to Cactus tote bag! Please see below for more gift offers.
Donations are directed to the Special Projects Campaign, which encompasses Coast to Cactus, the Library Special Collections Gallery and bridge funding, which helps the Museum sustain annual programming and operations during the campaign.
In recognition of your generosity, we’re delighted to offer you the following exclusive gifts:
Goods and services received for donations $280 and above have a fair market value of $53.60*.
*Fair market value of a guest pass is $13.40, which is derived from the average price of an admissions ticket, including films. Under Internal Revenue Service guidelines, gifts to this campaign are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law less the fair market value of the gift received in exchange for your donation. If you wish to give without receiving a gift, please indicate so at the time of your donation.
We’re opening the Research Library to the public! In late spring 2016, a new exhibition, Extraordinary Ideas from Ordinary People: A History of Citizen Science, will open in the new Library Special Collections Gallery. Many collections of rare documents, books, and art have been kept within the Museum for research and scientific study. We are breaking down the walls (literally) between our Library and visitors by revamping the space and putting these collections on display. The history of science and its social impact is a rich and complex story, and this exhibition will explain the role of the citizen scientist in advancing scientific understanding and how we relate to our natural environment.
The Museum established the bridge funding component of the campaign to ensure that our core programs continued while generous donors directed gifts to the Special Projects Campaign. This bridge funding helps the Museum sustain annual programming and operations during the fundraising and pledge payment period of the campaign.