California Academy Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences (CAS) is the oldest scientific institution in the western United States, established in 1853 and located in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Originally founded by amateurs, it has grown into a prominent center for scientific research and education, significantly enhanced by contributions from professionals over the years. CAS features a variety of museums and exhibits, including a multistory rainforest, a planetarium, an aquarium with a coral reef, and a permanent African wildlife exhibit with live South African penguins. The academy also houses a comprehensive research library with over 230,000 volumes and boasts one of the largest collections of mounted insects in the U.S., with approximately 7.5 million specimens. Additionally, it publishes the quarterly magazine *California Wild*, which focuses on various scientific topics. The academy serves a diverse audience, including the general public, researchers, and educators, promoting science literacy and awareness through its programs and resources.