Press Center

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

Featured Releases

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New herpetology curator, Rayna Bell, with frog
The California Academy of Sciences welcomes new herpetology curator

Rayna Bell, African frog expert, joins the Academy’s Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability.

Siphamia arnazae [© 2019 Mark Erdmann]
Academy scientists describe 71 species in 2019

From geckos to goblin spiders, flowering plants, and island ants, these new species grow Earth's tree of life.

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BigPicture 2019 Grand Prize winner

"Black Grouse Showing Off" by photographer Audun Rikardsen (2019 BigPicture Grand Prize winner)

Submissions for BigPicture: Natural World Photography Competition now open

World-class international photo competition awards captivating wildlife and conservation images.

Releases

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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.

Frank Almeda © 1998 California Academy of Sciences
Science & Sustainability
85 new species described by the California Academy of Sciences in 2017
December 15, 2017

From fish to flowering plants and sea slugs to scorpions, these discoveries add to the tree of life.

© 2017 Anthony Ambrose
Science & Sustainability
New species discovered in Malaysian rainforest during unprecedented, top-to-bottom survey
December 5, 2017

Academy team joins Malaysian colleagues to survey region’s rich biodiversity; data to support UNESCO nomination.

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BigPicture finalist winner

Photo by Alexandre Bonnefoy, Terrestrial Wildlife Finalist, BigPicture 2017

Programs & Events, Science & Sustainability
Submissions for annual BigPicture: Natural World Photography Competition open December 1
November 17, 2017

World-class international photo competition awards captivating wildlife and conservation images.

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Snow flurries
Exhibits, Programs & Events
Annual holiday exhibit ‘Tis the Season for Science returns on November 22
November 14, 2017

Outdoor ice skating, indoor snow flurries, live performances, and more through January 7, 2018.

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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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