The San Diego Natural History Museum showcases the biodiversity of the Baja California Penninsula in Balboa Park with the debut of its newest permanent exhibition, Expedition Baja.
In addition to the public opening of Expedition Baja on May 27, the San Diego Natural history Museum had the first day of its popular summer program, Nat at Night which returned after a two-year hiatus.
The Baja California Peninsula stretches 775-mile-long. It is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Sea of Cortés in the east. Expedition Baja will be presented in English and Spanish. It features specimens, immersive imagery, and stories about conservation work in the region.
“Nature doesn’t stop at the border; in fact, humans are the only species that recognize political boundaries,” Judy Gradwohl, The Nat’s president, and CEO said in a press release. “International collaboration is key to the future of this region and its remarkable biological diversity.”
Visitors can find the exhibition in a brand-new gallery on the top floor of the museum.
Museum officials say the exhibition features an immersive diorama featuring “otherwordly succulent plants” of Baja Peninsula’s central deserts. It will also showcase some of the area’s rare species.
The stories of researchers from Mexico and the United States who are studying the region will be told, and visitors can catch a glimpse of the tools of their trade.
Additionally, the exhibition shows how the region's habitats have changed over time and what we can do to help sustain its plants and animals.
Tijuana-based artist Néstor “Spel” Mondragón created a mural inspired by the stories in the exhibition.
Expedition Baja is free for members and included with paid admission. Guests can pair their visits with films in the Subaru Giant Screen Experience. One of the films, Ocean Oasis, features the wildlife of the Gulf of California and the Baja California desert.
According to the museum, Baja-related programming will be offered throughout the year, including Nat Talks, youth programs, and resources for students and teachers.
Nat at Night is open to museum guests of all ages. Admission is half-price on Fridays after 4 P.M., and free for members and Explorer pass holders.
Visitors can learn more, purchase tickets, or become a member at sdnat.org.
