Academy Expeditions

For more than 100 years, scientists from the California Academy of Sciences have set off to explore the globe, returning with knowledge that has enriched our understanding of life on Earth. Today, Academy expeditions teams continue to roam the world, discovering new species and gathering information about the fragile environments they live in.

A Sampling of Expeditions

  
  • Channel Islands, 2007
  • Coast of Southern Australia, 2007
  • Namibia, 2007
  • Madagascar, 2006
  • Palmyra Atoll, South Pacific, 2006
  • Sao Tome and Principe, 2006
  • Yunnan Province, China, 2006
  • Brazil, 2005
  
  • South Africa, 2005
  • Costa Rica, 2004
  • Fiji, 2004
  • Tuamotus Archipelago, French Polynesia, 2004
  • Myanmar, 2001
  • Dominican Republic, 2001
  • Colombia and Bolivia (Amazon Rainforest), 2000
  

Recent Expedition

    

Journey to Namibia

Academy scientists Dr. Jack Dumbacher and Dr. Galen Rathbun spent five weeks in the desert of Namibia, tracing the evolutionary trajectory of the elephant shrew. Find out what this little-known animal can tell us about evolution in Africa.

Learn More »

Mapping Biodiversity

    

In the face of climate change, understanding our planet's biodiversity is increasingly urgent. As climates change, habitats change. That fact has enormous impact for every species that lives on the planet—including humankind.

Learn More »