Since adolescence to full adulthood, museums have the power to create astonishment and boggle the mind with their assortment of exhibits and unique information. San Diego plays host to one of the most famous and oldest museums in the country, the San Diego Natural History Museum.

As a center that prides itself on research and education, the San Diego Natural History Museum has become synonymous with other great San Diego based educational research institutes such as the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park.

Founded in 1874, the San Diego Society of Natural History was founded by local naturalists who were interested in the flora and fauna of Southern and Baja California. Today, the San Diego Natural History Museum is the second oldest scientific institute in California and the third oldest west of the Mississippi.

This museum focuses its research and resources in the regions of Southern and Baja California, creating colorful and interactive exhibits that combine science and art to grab the attention of attendees and offer them the best learning experience possible. Exhibits focus on the region spanning between Pt. Conception, just below Santa Barbara and Cabo San Lucas to the tip of the peninsula of Baja California. But the museum also features exhibits created by other museums that explore varying parts of the world.

The San Diego Natural History Museum’s active research center and highly trained and educated staff are well qualified to educate and guide the attendees through the wonders of this world. And with their stock of over 9.2 million scientific specimens in the museum’s collection, there is no shortage of helpful resources to create the best possible experience.

“The Museum’s mission is to interpret the natural world through research, education and exhibits; to promote understanding of the evolution and diversity of southern California and the peninsula of Baja California; and to inspire in all a respect for nature and the environment.”

As a museum and center for research and education, the community involvement and educational offerings of the San Diego Natural History Museum has been vast. The museum has been serving school children from preschool through 12th grade. This past year, 50,243 school children visited or had programs at the Museum. 6,718 people participated in Museum-sponsored public programs and specimens from the Nature to You loan library touched 106,076 students.

The Museum, with a fund for underserved school children, offered educational, exhibit programs for 6671 students. The Museum also conducted teacher training for over 250 teachers and several thousand students in Baja California through their bi-national environmental education program.

With such great contributions to schools and its students, the community has also had the opportunity to volunteer their time and efforts into contributing to this great San Diego center. Just this past year, 742 volunteer contributed 48,462 hours of their time to the San Diego Natural History Museum. Of the active volunteers, 217 have offered over 5 years of service and 150 have logged more than 100 hours per year. With such great offerings and a commitment to excellence and service, the San Diego Natural History Museum will continue to display their research and share their knowledge with the community for years to come.