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🌊 Sea 🌊 for yourself if we can get it all done in time. 
 
Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea opens this Friday, May 22! Along with the incredibly cool bioluminescence mural, see hand-crafted marine sculptures and wall art, participate in activities that invite you to explore the impact of plastic pollution, and discover how you can help keep our waterways clean. 
 
During Nat at Night, the exhibition will also transform into an ocean-themed dive bar: grab a craft beer and chat with a nature expert, or shore up in one of our lounge spots to take in the art. 
 
Plan your visit at the link in our bio. 
 
#TheNat #HereForNature #VisitSanDiego #ThingsToDoSanDiego #WashedAshoreProject

I researched and recreated California native plants in cardstock paper for the San Diego Natural History Museum about a year ago. Loved the process behind this project and what a perfect way to honor each donor who helped support this museum with a paper flower. 🌿🌸
Go visit The Nat at the Balboa Park next time you’re in San Diego!

#PaperFlowers #SanDiegoNaturalHistoryMuseum #CaliforniaNativePlants #PaperArtInstallation #balboapark

Experience natural history after dark every Friday this summer.

Starting this Friday, May 15, we’re opening our doors until 11 PM so you can explore the Museum, grab a drink and some food, and take in iconic San Diego views on the rooftop. On select dates, catch a DJ set, chat with a scientist, channel your inner artist with Sketchparty, or participate in trivia.

Admission is half-price starting at 5 PM and parking is free after 6 PM, so grab tickets and plan to sleep in this Saturday.

#TheNat #HereForNature #VisitSanDiego #ThingsToDoSanDiego #DateNightIdeas

Shh...let her snooze. She just became a mom!

Spring means pups, and for the next few weeks coyote parents are in survival mode keeping their litter warm, safe, and fed. Sound familiar? You won’t see the pups, but you may see more adult activity as they protect their family and hunt both in urban and rural spaces.

Small things make a big difference: give them space, hike midday when coyotes rest, and keep dogs leashed in canyons and greenspaces.

Parenthood is hard enough. A little kindness goes a long way.

This peaceful image of a snoozing coyote was taken by our camera trap in Chollas Open Space for our Healthy Canyons Initiative.

Happy Mother’s Day!

#TheNat #TheNat #HereForNature #UrbanNature #MothersDay

🌊 What are these blue blobs and why are they washing up all over Southern California right now? Meet the velella.

#TheNat #HereForNature #Velella #ByTheWindSailor #SouthernCalifornia

Unshelved fans, rejoice!

Although we’ve officially retired the exhibition, many of your favorite specimens were given new homes throughout the Museum. See if you can spot them all on your next visit. 👀

#TheNat #TheNat #HereForNature #HouseTour #SabrinaCarpenter

This is your reminder! Mother’s Day is one week from today.

Not sure what to get mom? @goldleaf.nat has some suggestions based on her favorite exhibition at the Museum:

🌊 Fossil Mysteries
Pick up an herbal facial steam, a to-go glass bottle, or an ocean sound machine to bring prehistoric spa vibes to mom.

🌵 Coast to Cactus
Grab a cool creature hair clip, a seed kit, and a non-fiction book about nature. She’ll appreciate them all while gardening and hiking in one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.

💎 Hidden Gems
Whether she likes earrings, bracelets, or necklaces, show off mom’s sparkly side with a piece of jewelry inspired by our gem and mineral collection.

Need even more inspo? Here’s a tip: you can visit Gold Leaf without paying for museum admission—they’ll help you curate the perfect gift.

#TheNat #HereForNature #MothersDay #GiftIdeas

This is your reminder! Mother’s Day is one week from today.

Not sure what to get mom? @goldleaf.nat has some suggestions based on her favorite exhibition at the Museum:

🌊 Fossil Mysteries
Pick up an herbal facial steam, a to-go glass bottle, or an ocean sound machine to bring prehistoric spa vibes to mom.

🌵 Coast to Cactus
Grab a cool creature hair clip, a seed kit, and a non-fiction book about nature. She’ll appreciate them all while gardening and hiking in one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.

💎 Hidden Gems
Whether she likes earrings, bracelets, or necklaces, show off mom’s sparkly side with a piece of jewelry inspired by our gem and mineral collection.

Need even more inspo? Here’s a tip: you can visit Gold Leaf without paying for museum admission—they’ll help you curate the perfect gift.

#TheNat #HereForNature #MothersDay #GiftIdeas

This is your reminder! Mother’s Day is one week from today.

Not sure what to get mom? @goldleaf.nat has some suggestions based on her favorite exhibition at the Museum:

🌊 Fossil Mysteries
Pick up an herbal facial steam, a to-go glass bottle, or an ocean sound machine to bring prehistoric spa vibes to mom.

🌵 Coast to Cactus
Grab a cool creature hair clip, a seed kit, and a non-fiction book about nature. She’ll appreciate them all while gardening and hiking in one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.

💎 Hidden Gems
Whether she likes earrings, bracelets, or necklaces, show off mom’s sparkly side with a piece of jewelry inspired by our gem and mineral collection.

Need even more inspo? Here’s a tip: you can visit Gold Leaf without paying for museum admission—they’ll help you curate the perfect gift.

#TheNat #HereForNature #MothersDay #GiftIdeas

Nature needs your voice and you can make it heard on Thursday, May 14.

Join us for a free event hosted in partnership with The Nature Record to discuss how nature is changing in the United States and what those changes mean for our health, homes, communities, and economy.

The Nature Record is putting together a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of how nature is doing across the United States. If you care about the places you live, work, and love, your voice matters. Be a direct contributor to this national effort by offering your input during the talk.

You can shape the record. Click the link in our bio to RSVP now.

#TheNat #HereForNature #TheNatureRecord

Nature is all around us in San Diego County, but access to nature and the healing benefits it can provide are not experienced equally across our region. We recently released a report that explores how San Diegans connect with nature and its healing benefits.

We gathered feedback from over 500 participants throughout San Diego County through surveys, interviews, a youth photography project, and community conversations. The message was resoundingly clear: nature plays a vital role in our wellbeing.

Check the link in our bio to see what participants had to say.

#TheNat #HereForNature #HealingThroughNature #NatureAccess #Nature

To say we’re obsessed with our volunteers is an understatement.

They’re the people who spark your love for nature at The Nat. From Docents leading activities at the Museum, to Canyoneers pointing out native plants on a hike, to Whalers educating visitors out on the water, to Garden Corps members caring for our Nature Trail, our volunteers do it all with enthusiasm.

There’s also a group that doesn’t interact with the public as often, but is just as important to driving our mission: the science volunteers. They work in museum research labs, assist on projects, and participate in fieldwork.

If you get the chance, chat with a Nat volunteer. You’ll hear amazing stories about their time as a volunteer and learn an interesting fact (or two).

#TheNat #HereForNature #NationalVolunteerWeek #Volunteers

(IB: @leilanijadem)

The giveaway is now closed. Congratualtions to our winner, @heymicquie!

It’s an Earth Day giveaway! 🌎 It’s no secret we’re here for nature, and we actually couldn’t do it without you.
 
When you visit the museum, donate, or become a member, your support drives our mission to conserve nature through science and discovery. As a thank you, we’re treating one nature enthusiast to a day at the museum:

🎟️ Four VIP pass tickets to The Nat 
🎁 One year-long membership to The Nat at a level of your choosing 
🛍️ $30 @goldleaf.nat Gift Card 
🌮 $30 @thecrafttaco Gift Card

How to participate: 
1. Follow @sdnhm @thecrafttaco @goldleaf.nat 
2. Like this post 
3. Share your love for Earth in the comments
 
We’ll announce the giveaway winner in 24 hours on Instagram stories. No purchase necessary to enter. Cannot be redeemed for cash and must be redeemed in-person. 

#TheNat #HereForNature #EarthDay #EarthDayGiveaway

Want to help scientists do research? Turns out you can. Yes, you! Actually, anyone can. And there are over 30 opportunities to do so this weekend.

City Nature Challenge begins this Friday, April 24 and runs through Monday, April 27. Find The Nat team at the below events or visit the link in our bio for an even longer list with dozens of opportunities.

🌊 Friday, April 24 from 8–10 AM. Explore the Scripps Coastal Reserve through a docent-led walk.
🌱 Saturday, April 25 from 2–4 PM. Hike through the Elliot Chaparral Reserve with special access to this typically restricted area.
🐦 Sunday, April 26 from 9–11:30 AM. Bird sit and nature journaling along the Bayshore Bikeway in Imperial Beach.

Your wildlife observations are often used by scientists in San Diego County, so your participation is directly helping conservation in our region.

#TheNat #HereForNature #CityNatureChallenge #SanDiego #KumeyaayLand #Conservation #iNaturalist