Los Angeles

Exhibitions

Scanning Electron Microscope Lab

See how big discoveries can come from the tiniest things in the Gem and Mineral Hall.

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Exhibition | NHM

Spiky, Hairy, Shiny: Insects of L.A.

Meet your tiny neighbors!

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April 1 - October 10, 2021 | NHM

Rise Up L.A.: A Century of Votes for Women

While some women earned the right to vote in 1920, the fight was far from finished.

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The Woolsey Fire in Southern California seen from Malibu Canyon Road.

February 25 - August 5, 2019 | NHM

Wildfire

For many years, we've been adding fuel to the fire.

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Exhibition | NHM

Nature Lab

Live animals and hands-on interactives show you L.A.’s wild side.

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Stories

LA Nature Quest

Join LA Nature Quest this October and discover and share biodiversity across Los Angeles

A Northern White Rhino Skeleton From the San Diego Zoo Comes to NHM

The new specimen highlights the crucial relationship zoos play in ensuring rare and endangered species are represented in museum collections.

The Fairy Poppy Bee's Dance of Fragility and Resilience

Discover one of the 1600 species of native California bees and the intimate portraits in conservation photographer Krystle Hickman's forthcoming book, The ABCs of California Native Bees

How To Build A Bat Box

When Southern California (or other bat-heavy areas) sees waves of extreme heat, the second-largest order of mammals can be put at significant risk. But with a little community assistance, our nocturnal neighbors like this Yuma myotis can sleep safely during hot days in a comfortable bat box — which you can easily build and install yourself.

A close up of the skull of a polar bear skeleton

The Tale of Piccolo the Polar Bear and Captain Jack Bonavita

The story of the most famous polar bear in our collections

Man standing in front of a call covered in colorful graffiti, leaning his right shoulder against the wall. His hands are in his pockets; he wears a dark baseball cap and gray plaid, button-down long-sleeved shirt.

Skate, Create, Elevate

Salman Agah | Pizzanista!

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Video: Happy Hour with Dr. Greg Pauly

Dr. Greg Pauly, Curator of Herpetology and Co-Director of the UNRC, gives a peek at how NHMLAC's community science work is revolutionizing the detection and management of potential invasive species.

NHMLAC Discovery Talk with Ilana Gustafson

In this Discovery Talk you'll meet Ilana Gustafson, Manager of Performing Arts, as she offers a deeper look into this unique museum Preforming Arts program.

NHMLAC Discovery Talk with Dr. Adam Clause

Join Adam Clause, Herpetology and Urban Nature Research Center Postdoctoral Fellow, as he explores what he has been doing while sheltering-in-place, his research on how plastic litter might be threatening non-marine turtles, and how he worked with other departments in the museum to make his discoveries.

Video: Happy Hour with Cullen Townsend

Find out how ancient creatures and environments are brought to life with Paleo Artist, Cullen Townsend. He'll show us how scientific research is used in his creations, and explain his current project.

Photo of a dire wolf bone being cleaned at

Members Q&A with LBTP Lab Manager Stephany Potze and Assistant Curator Dr. Regan Dunn

Asphalt is dirty business, but scientists at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum have spent over 100 years learning how to excavate, clean and conserve the multitude of fossil specimens plucked from the tar at Hancock Park.

News & Press

New Exhibition Fierce! The Story of Cats Roars into the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park on July 13

Tickets are available now for this insightful, interactive celebration of the diversity
and significance of cats

Through advanced microscopy and imaging techniques, La Brea Tar Pits scientists successfully identify a previously unknown species to Southern California from fossilized seeds, revealing a drought-fueled dance between two species of juniper with lessons for the region’s climate future

The traveling exhibition by the National Geographic Society and National Museum of Wildlife Art features the impactful work of National Geographic Explorer and photographer Ronan Donovan.