For nearly 170 years, the California Academy of Science has documented biodiversity around the world by building and curating world-class research collections. As the oldest and largest U.S. research collections west of the Mississippi River, preserved CAS scientific specimens from around the world are an invaluable resource for documenting the biodiversity of our changing planet.
The Academy’s Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability (IBSS) is home to more than 100 research scientists and nearly 46 million scientific specimens, with many species housed alive and on display under the same roof in the Academy’s Steinhart Aquarium. Since 1923, the Steinhart Aquarium has developed a colorful history of firsts. From becoming the first public aquarium to display flashlight fish and coconut octopuses to advancing exploration of the ocean’s mysterious “twilight zone”, the Steinhart continues to shape the role modern aquariums play in educating and inspiring the public about the biodiversity and sustainability of our oceans and rainforests.
Blocks of two behind the scenes tours of the California Academy Academy’s IBSS Collections and our Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco are available to meeting attendees with pre-registration. You may sign up for one tour block that interests you. Tour block sessions begin at 1:30 pm at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, a short MUNI ride from the SF Hilton downtown.
And visit the Academy's public floor any time during the week. Your conference badge will grant you free access through the main entrance.