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The Nat Blog

A Turtle-y Cool Fossil Find

Posted: May 5, 2023

Did sea turtles go extinct in the Pacific Ocean when the Dinosaurs died out? Were they here all along, swimming below the radar? Turns out the answer was sitting in a small box, on the third shelf of a large cabinet, deep in The Nat’s paleontology collection.   Read more.


"Coastal resiliency" has become a global priority for government agencies and conservation groups alike. But what is coastal resiliency, and why is it important in our corner of the world?  Read more.


Vireos on the Verge

Posted: April 3, 2023

The grey vireo has declined steeply in southern California for 75 years, but new research indicates the vireos persist in high numbers just south of the border. Our twenty-year journey to conserve this overlooked songbird just got a lot more interesting.   Read more.


While it may look like drawers of dead plants and animals, our collection is very much alive with information critical to the future of our region, and indeed, human survival on the planet. When museums coordinate efforts, share information, and make their specimens more accessible, our global collection becomes ever more relevant to the future of humanity and biodiversity. Read more.


Los enfoques de investigación y conservación geográficamente limitados nos dan una perspectiva incompleta que nos lleva a una solución incompleta. Si bien existen desafíos para la colaboración transfronteriza, también sabemos que funciona. La Dra. Mariana Delgado Fernández y su colega en San Diego, La Dra. Michelle Thompson, explican por qué un enfoque holístico es crucial para el futuro de nuestra región. Read more.


Research and conservation approaches that are geographically limited give us an incomplete picture that will lead us to an incomplete solution. While there are challenges to cross-border collaboration, we also know that it works. The Nat's Dr. Michelle Thompson and her colleague in Mexico, Dr. Mariana Delgado Fernández, explain why a holistic approach is crucial to the future of our region.  Read more.


Kate Stephens was not only the Museum's first paid employee, but she also retired with more years of service to the museum than any of her peers. Her legacy lingers on in our collections, archives, and ethics today. Read more.


In celebration of their 50 year anniversary, we sat down with three Canyoneers, Daniel, Maritza, and Samantha, to discuss the value of time spent in nature, favorite spots around the county, and dreams for the next 50 years.   Read more.


Apprentices in the Research Library are digitizing a hidden collection of glass plates that’s almost a century old. This project will convert a relatively unknown collection of historic photographs into a valuable historic resource that’s accessible to people worldwide.  Read more.


Building Exhibitions, Sustainably

Posted: December 29, 2022

We have always sought out earth-friendly materials when creating experiences for our visitors. But Expedition Baja’s conservation focus made it even more important to keep these practices top-of-mind. From the flooring to the UV-shielding skylights, sustainability was a driving force behind the exhibition’s development.  Read more.