Press Center

Browse the latest news, fact sheets, and images from the Academy’s Press Office.

Featured Releases

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Luiz Rocha © 2017 California Academy of Sciences

An unprotected coral head off of Easter Island, Chile will now have a chance to be integrated into a recently created MPA. [Luiz Rocha © 2017 California Academy of Sciences)

Scientists warn of slow progress towards United Nations biodiversity targets

Team praises widespread commitment but calls for broader participation to better protect marine ecosystems.

Hippocampus japapigu [© Richard Smith]
Academy scientists describe 229 species in 2018

From fish to flowering plants and seahorses to snakes, these 229 new species grow Earth's tree of life.

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BigPicture Winged Life First Place

Photo by Claudio Contreras, Winged Life First Place category winner, BigPicture 2018

Submissions for BigPicture: Natural World Photography Competition open December 1

Sixth annual photo competition awards captivating wildlife and conservation images with cash prizes and exhibit.

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© 2016 Marlene Hill Donnelly

An ancient relative of crocodiles and birds (left) attacks an ancient relative of plant-eating mammals (right) in an illustration depicting life 240 million years ago. © 2016 Marlene Hill Donnelly

New study explores ecosystem stability

Findings raise questions about the stability of our modern global system.

Releases

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Party After Dark dance floor
Programs & Events, Science & Sustainability
Big Bang 2018 to feature Mark Tercek, Dr. David Titley, and Innovators Forum with Jessica Lessin, Davida Herzl, Lesley Marincola, and Dr. Laura Stachel
April 18, 2018

Annual fundraiser on May 10 to feature talks by scientific innovators, live DJ set by T-Pain, and more.

© 2018 California Academy of Sciences
Science & Sustainability
Citizen scientists across the globe compete in City Nature Challenge April 27 – 30, 2018
April 4, 2018

Third-annual competition will document global biodiversity using iNaturalist. Results announced May 4.

Ocean acidification
Science & Sustainability
Unprecedented coral reef experiment shows acidification from carbon dioxide slows growth
March 13, 2018

New findings are a clear call for immediate global action on climate change.

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Expedition Reef planetarium show
Exhibits, Programs & Events, Science & Sustainability
Expedition Reef, an all-new planetarium show, opens March 16
March 9, 2018

Deep-diving show explores the hidden world of coral reefs and science-based solutions to keep reefs healthy.

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Students on an Academy field trip

Tripling the total reach of the program, this expansion ensures that all kindergarten through fifth grade students in San Francisco can benefit from the joy, inspiration, and education of a facilitated visit to the Academy. (Photo credit: Noah Graham/Golden State Warriors)

Education
Academy announces unprecedented free field trip program thanks to $20 million endowment from Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock
March 5, 2018

Acclaimed program for all 4th and 5th grade students in San Francisco will expand to K-5.

Control burns
Science & Sustainability
Scientists team up to investigate fire—and long-term resilience—in a Northern California forest
February 13, 2018

How can we avoid megafires? A healthy stretch of forest near Lake Tahoe hints that active management is key.

Flattie spider © 2015 Dr. Yu Zeng
Science & Sustainability
Fastest spin on Earth? For animals that rely on legs, scientists say one spider takes gold
February 8, 2018

Study shows flattie spiders turn to capture their prey at a speed nearly three times faster than an eye blink.

California owls
Science & Sustainability
Marijuana farms expose owls to rat poison in northwest California
January 11, 2018

As timberland converts to cannabis, spotted and barred owls test positive for rat poison.

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Dozens of Academy scientists and curators are available to working journalists to comment on topics related to their fields of expertise.

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