The California Academy of Sciences is a scientific and cultural institution founded in 1853 and located in San Francisco, California. It operates an integrated facility housing an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum under one living roof. The institution maintains a living collection of nearly 60,000 animals across over 800 species, and a research collection of nearly 46 million specimens.
The Academy's work spans biodiversity science, environmental learning, science communication, storytelling, and design. Its mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. Major initiatives include Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030, each focused on leveraging biodiversity science and environmental learning to support fragile ecosystems.
The organization operates within the scientific research, museum and cultural institution, environmental conservation, and education sectors. Its culture emphasizes a collaborative work environment, an integrated approach to understanding nature, and the use of science and storytelling to advance its mission.
