Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County Announce Spring Programming
Los Angeles, CA (April 5, 2022)—There’s a lot to do this spring at the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC). At the Natural History Museum (NHM), don’t miss the final weeks of the exhibition Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall. Plus, experience of fluttering butterflies in the seasonal Butterfly Pavilion; an all-new immersive Dinosaur Encounters show; and catch a glimpse of the underwater realm of ancient L.A. in the exhibition L.A. Underwater: The Prehistoric Sea Beneath Us. At the museum at La Brea Tar Pits, come face-to-face with extinct Ice Age animals with a visit to the Mammoths and Mastodons installation and Ice Age Encounters show. See science in action with new discoveries daily. There are fun programs for all at both sites!
Here’s everything that’s happening this spring:
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM (Exposition Park)
Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall
On view now through April 17, 2022
NHM
NHM presents the West Coast debut of Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall. The exhibition, organized by National Geographic in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute, explores Dr. Goodall’s venerable career, surveying the conservationist and ethologist’s work from her early field research in Gombe, Tanzania to her current community-centered work. The exhibition features experiential activities and immersive displays, including a replica of her research tent, and an immersive projection of Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park. Visitors also have the opportunity to learn about her current role as a leader in community-centered conservation and youth empowerment with the Jane Goodall Institute.
Becoming Jane made its debut at the National Geographic Museum in Washington D.C. Local presentation is made possible by the Annenberg Foundation, with additional support from Bank of America and Visionary Women.
Free for Members. Tickets required for the general public. For more information and pricing, visit NHM.ORG/jane.
Butterfly Pavilion
Now – September 5, 2022
NHM
Butterflies are taking flight! Walk among beautiful butterflies in NHM’s seasonal Butterfly Pavilion. This springtime exhibition features hundreds of butterflies, colorful native plants, and plenty of natural light to help you see these creatures shimmer. With lots of flight space and a variety of resting spots, come get one of the best views in Los Angeles of these amazing insects.
Free for Museum members. Tickets required for the general public. For more information and pricing, visit NHM.ORG/butterflies.
Discovering a Fossil Giant
Now – April 25, 2022
NHM
While dinosaurs dominated land during the Mesozoic Era, marine reptiles like this giant ichthyosaur—nicknamed Jim 2—ruled the sea. At 17 meters long, this specimen is actually the largest organism ever found from the Middle Triassic Period (242–244 million years ago). Excavated from the Nevada mountains and on display for the very first time, visitors can view the cone-shaped teeth and narrow snout of this ocean predator’s complete two meter skull up close and learn about its journey to the Museum. Tom and Bonda Young, founders of the Great Basin Brewing Co., helped fund the seven years of work it took to dig up Jim 2 and prepare it in NHM’s Dino Lab.
Free with NHM admission. Learn more: NHM.ORG/ichthyosaur
Dinosaur Encounters
Thursdays–Sundays
Opens April 8, 2022
NHM
Calling all dinosaur fans! Tickets are now available for NHM’s all-new immersive Dinosaur Encounters show featuring Dakota and Hunter, life-size juvenile Triceratops and T. rex dinosaur puppets. Don’t let the dino-mite times stop there, explore NHM’s award-winning Dinosaur Hall and also check out scientists working on real dinosaur fossils in the Dino Lab. Go on an adventure and add this family-friendly, immersive performance to your visit.
Free for Museum members. Tickets required for the general public. For more information and pricing, visit NHM.ORG/encounters.
Earth Day
April 9, 2022, 1-5pm
NHM
Celebrate Earth Day with NHM! Plan a visit for Earth Day-themed programming and view NHM’s special exhibition, Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall, before it closes on April 17. Join educators in our Nature Gardens for live musical performances, hands-on activities, up-close encounters with behind-the-scenes museum collections, and more!
Free with general admission. For more information, visit NHM.ORG/earthday.
L.A. Underwater: The Prehistoric Sea Beneath Us
Opens May 2, 2022
NHM
Opening May 2, 2022, this multimedia-rich immersive exhibition explores the underwater realm of prehistoric Los Angeles when much of the L.A. area was submerged beneath the waves of the Pacific Ocean. Visitors will view rare fossils from across the L.A. region—many found by everyday Angelenos—and encounter huge cinematic elements showcasing sharks the size of school buses, glowing deep sea fish, giant tuskless walruses, a 10-million-year-old whale skull discovered in Lincoln Heights, and other awe-inspiring species that roamed ancient L.A. The two-year long exhibition will feature engaging media elements that bring fossils to life and serve as reminders of the ancient ocean that is still shaping L.A. today.
Sponsored by Nickelodeon and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power with additional support from Robert Segal.
Free with general admission. For more information, visit NHM.ORG/underwater.
City Nature Challenge
April 29–May 2, 2022
NHM; Worldwide
For the 7th year in a row, NHM is rallying everyone in L.A. County to get outside, snap photos of local wildlife, and share their observations. This year, 400+ cities around the world are competing in the City Nature Challenge. Using cameras and smartphones, thousands of people worldwide will observe wildlife in their home cities, contributing to an international database of urban wildlife that will be used by scientists and naturalists all over the world.
Learn more and sign up to participate by visiting citynaturechallenge.org.
First Fridays: From Seeds to Psychedelics
Plant Powered
May 6, 2022, 5 pm
NHM
This year, First Fridays returns to the roots of well-being, reawakened with new ideas drawn from ancient ways. From foraging to fungi, seeds to psychedelics—and all things plant-based—this season will look at how scientists, activists, and artists are utilizing the power of plants and fungi to save us.
On Friday, May 6, groove to an outdoor set by DJ Sammi G. Then, in the Museum’s iconic North American Mammal Hall, listen in on Plant Powered, a discussion about plant-based foods moderated by Dr. Yewande Pearse, a neuroscientist and science communicator.
Plant-based items are everywhere, but is moving towards a plant-based lifestyle possible? What are alternative meats and how can that impact the food market in the future? This month, we discuss how a shift in our food system can be better for us and the environment. Featuring guest Ricardo San Martin, professor of biotechnology and plant-based foods and director of UC Berkeley’s ALT:MEAT lab and Jocelyn Ramirez, plant-based chef and founder of Todo Verde.
After the discussion, the fun will continue at the outdoor Main Stage with the self-empowering pop music of Empress Of, Honduran-American songwriter, musician and producer Lorely Rodriguez, and poetic, painterly music from opener Loyal Lobos, Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter Andrea Silva. Plus, enjoy food and drinks in the Nature Gardens and explore the Museum after-hours.
Returning for another season is First Fridays media sponsor KCRW. Event partner is IAMSOUND, INC. Free for Museum members. Tickets required for the general public. For more information and pricing, visit NHM.ORG/firstfridays.
Bug Fair
May 21–22, 2022
NHM
The wait is over! NHM is excited to welcome you back this May for a two-day festival celebrating our winged, multi-legged, and squirmy friends for the 36th annual Bug Fair. Visit a variety of exhibitors and see everything from exotic insect collections to bug-related products. Come out to get crafty, experience up-close encounters with crawly creatures, learn all about the local bugs that call L.A. home, and more.
Bug Fair and other programming (excluding the Butterfly Pavilion) are included with regular museum admission. For more information, visit NHM.ORG/bugfair.
First Fridays: From Seeds to Psychedelics
Seed Sovereignty
June 3, 2022, 5 pm
NHM
This year, First Fridays returns to the roots of well-being, reawakened with new ideas drawn from ancient ways. From foraging to fungi, seeds to psychedelics—and all things plant-based—this season will look at how scientists, activists, and artists are utilizing the power of plants and fungi to save us.
Join NHM for a discussion about Seed Sovereignty, moderated by Dr. Yewande Pearse, a neuroscientist and science communicator. After the discussion, wander through NHM after-hours, sip crafted cocktails in our DJ Lounge, and see bands perform in our Nature Gardens.
Full program to be announced. Free for Museum members. Tickets required for the general public. For more information and pricing, visit NHM.ORG/firstfridays.
First Fridays: From Seeds to Psychedelics
Mushroom Magic
July 1, 2022, 5 pm
NHM
Join NHM for a discussion about Mushroom Magic, moderated by Dr. Yewande Pearse, a neuroscientist and science communicator. After the discussion, wander through NHM after-hours, sip crafted cocktails in our DJ Lounge, and see bands perform in our Nature Gardens.
Full program to be announced. Free for Museum members. Tickets required for the general public. For more information and pricing, visit NHM.ORG/firstfridays.
LA BREA TAR PITS (Mid-Wilshire / Hancock Park)
Mammoths and Mastodons
On view now
La Brea Tar Pits
Throughout the museum discover the stories of these creatures that once roamed Los Angeles. Get up close to La Brea’s real fossils and stand next to life-sized replicas that show what Ice Age mammoths and mastodons looked like in life. Take part in new interactive experiences that will give you a hands-on understanding of the science behind excavating and analyzing these fascinating creatures.
Free with museum admission. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit TARPITS.org/mammoths-and-
Ice Age Encounters
Thursdays–Sundays
Opens April 8, 2022
La Brea Tar Pits
The Ice Age Encounters show at La Brea Tar Pits is back! Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind, multimedia performance. Be transported back in time and come nearly face-to-face with a moving, roaring, extinct saber-toothed cat. Get ready to dig into the past to uncover the mysteries of Ice Age Los Angeles over 10,000 years ago, only at La Brea Tar Pits.
Free for Museum members. Tickets required for the general public. For more information and pricing, visit TARPITS.ORG/tar-pits-programs/
Titans of the Ice Age 3D
Daily screenings
La Brea Tar Pits
Journey to a world lost in time, buried in ice, and ruled by giants. In this exciting 3D adventure, discover an icy world on the brink of extinction, where humans share the frozen tundra with majestic beasts. Encounter some of the Earth’s most awe-inspiring mammals, from saber-toothed cats and dire wolves to giant sloths and the iconic mammoths that lived 10,000 years before modern civilization. See how these magnificent creatures became trapped in tar, preserved in time, and are being unearthed today.
All 3D films are free for Members. Tickets required for the general public. For more information and pricing, visit TARPITS.org/experience-tar-
The Hart museum is currently closed until further notice. Learn more and sign up for updates: HARTMUSEUM.org
NHMLAC MEMBERSHIP
Members get free admission to three museums for the price of one, plus a whole year of amazing perks.
Get ready for a year full of discovery filled with exclusive previews of special exhibitions and seasonal Butterfly and Spider Pavilions, insider access to scientists, Member-only events such as Haunted Museum, and so much more. Support for our mission comes in many shapes and sizes, but they all make a difference. Find the best Membership for you today! Become a member today by visiting NHMLAC.org/membership.
