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The Nat Blog

California Biodiversity Week 2020

Posted: August 31, 2020

Our state is something very special. Join us and our partners for a weeklong celebration of California Biodiversity Day, September 5 – 13, 2020. Read more.


A recent paper presents data about the first use of chickens for food in the state of California during the 1700s. At the San Diego Presidio, women may have been involved in small-scale husbandry of chickens to benefit their subsistence diet, as well as a possible source for barter or income. Zooarchaeologists used bones from our collection as points of comparison in their research. Read more.


An unusual fossil deposit containing skeletal remains of extinct mammals—including camels, oreodonts, rodents, and possibly a large carnivore—was recently unearthed by The Nat's Paleo Services team at a construction site for new U.S. Land Port of Entry in Otay Mesa. Read more.


South Korean paleontologist accesses 3D models of dinosaur fossils that were collected by Charles Sternberg and housed in The Nat’s collection, resulting in publication of two recent scientific papers. Read more.


Southern California is known for its endless summer. While it may seem that the weather doesn’t change much, the wildlife activity certainly does. As “June gloom” turns into August, typically our hottest month of the year, you may need to look beyond your weather app to notice the natural phenomena that occur each summer. Read more.


The board and leadership of the San Diego Natural History Museum have made some strategic decisions that will allow us to emerge from the pandemic as a stronger, more vibrant organization. One is to delay reopening the Museum to the public until after the first of the year. This nearly five-month period will allow us to accomplish a wide range of projects and develop a new blended model of exciting onsite, online, and nature-based activities.   Read more.


We thought it was extinct, but one of the lost plants we were searching for in Baja California was rediscovered right in our own backyard.  Read more.


With sunny skies and near perfect temperatures almost year-round, it is easy to assume that San Diego does not have seasons. Our wildlife would beg to differ. Between March and June, as warmer weather and brilliant flowers sweep through the region, look beyond your weather app to notice the natural phenomena that occur each spring. Read more.


San Diego is synonymous with seafood—especially tuna. Museum volunteers are preparing two specimens that will allow people to see these impressive animal skeletons in incredible detail. The specimens also serve as a useful tool in understanding the lives of native people.  Read more.


Museums that don’t take risks and experiment with new ideas struggle to adapt to changing conditions. In this blog post, originally published on the American Alliance of Museums blog, Judy Gradwohl discusses The Nat’s internal venture fund.   Read more.