Members' Month

We’re honored to spend the month of March celebrating and thanking our members for their ongoing, vital support of the California Academy of Sciences. Explore this page to see what's in store, from animal feedings and exclusive members-only talks to deep discounts on dining, tours, and more.

Not a member? Join or renew today to take full advantage of Members' Month offerings!

Seeing Eye to Eye
Tuesday, March 7 | 3-4 pm PT
Boardroom & Livestreamed

Paradoxical facilitation is a term neurologists use to describe situations in which people with a neurodegenerative disease, or brain injury, develop or show an enhanced ability. Neuroscientist, stage director and Osher Fellow Dr. Indre Viskontas will demonstrate the value of seeing the world through another person's perspective, drawing on work from patients with dementia and other neurological conditions, and relate these findings to the BigPicture exhibit and survey in the Piazza.

Legacy Symposium: Hope for Reefs
Tuesday, March 21 | 1-2 pm PT
Livestreamed only

You are invited to a livestream of the Legacy Symposium: Hope for Reefs, featuring Bart Shepherd, Senior Director of Steinhart Aquarium and Co-Director of the Academy's Hope for Reefs initiative. Bart will take us deeper into Phase II of the initiative, where the team is building powerful pathways—biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement—to reverse the rapid decline of Earth’s reefs in this generation.‌

Addressing Global and Local Food Insecurity
Tuesday, March 28 | 3-4 pm PT
Boardroom & Livestreamed

From edible insect farming to seasonal fruits and vegetables, join Dr. Brian Fisher, Academy Curator of Entomology and Patterson Scholar, and Dr. Linda Shiue, MD, Director of Culinary Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine at Kaiser Permanente San Francisco, for a discussion around solutions to local and global food insecurity, sustainable eating, and the work being done to combat malnutrition in these communities. This member talk is supported by Kaiser Permanente.

Planetarium Talk: Authoring Dark Universe
Sunday, March 26 at 10:30 am PT
Morrison Planetarium

Join award-winning author Timothy Ferris to discuss his script writing for Dark Universe, as the show makes its return to Morrison Planetarium! During this conversation with Ferris and Ryan Wyatt, the Academy’s Senior Director of Morrison Planetarium and Science Visualization, learn about the challenges of presenting complex ideas about cosmology in only a 25-minute show. Stay for the showing of Dark Universe immediately following the program.

Sunday Members’ Brunch
Every Sunday in March | 10-11 am PT
Terrace Restaurant | West Garden

Start your Sunday morning at the museum with a complimentary mimosa or orange juice and selection of freshly baked pastries for purchase (while supplies last; limit one drink per member).

No RSVP required to attend.

Naturalist Center Activities
Sunday, March 19 & 26 | 10-11 am PT
Naturalist Center

The Naturalist Center will open early during Member Hour for some hands-on investigative activities. Explore skull adaptations or experiment with iridescence with our Academy Naturalist Teen volunteers!

No RSVP required to attend.

Girls Who Green the World
Sunday, March 5 | 1-1:30 pm PT
Piazza

Join us for an inspirational conversation on dreaming big, breaking barriers, and fighting for our planet with author Diana Kapp and food waste activist Kayla Abe. Diana Kapp is a journalist and author who focuses on spotlighting female entrepreneurs, particularly in STEM, sustainability & climate change, and social innovation. Kayla Abe is a food waste activist and co-founder of Ugly Pickle Co. and Shuggie's Trash Pie + Natural Wine.

Member Preview: Spring Festival
Thursday, March 23 
East Garden

Members see it first! Celebrate the arrival of spring with festivities for the whole family–including water play with Riveropolis, hands-on crafts, puppet shows, and more!

No RSVP required to attend.

Swamp Feedings
Tuesday, March 7 & 21 | 8:45 am PT
The Swamp

Join our biologists for a live feeding of Claude, everyone's favorite American alligator with albinism, and find out what he eats for breakfast. Questions encouraged!

No RSVP required to attend.

Lagoon Feedings
Tuesday, March 14 & 28 | 8:45 am PT
The Lagoon

Watch in awe as Academy biologists feed our rays as they glide beneath your feet. Explore the fascinating adaptations of these ocean cruisers and their relatives, and learn about what you can do to keep them and their ocean homes healthy.

No RSVP required to attend.

Penguin Feedings
Every Sunday in March | 10:30 am PT
African Hall

Learn all about our charismatic African penguin colony from Academy biologists during these Sunday breakfasts and special enrichment activity. Unable to visit in person? Tune in to the penguin cam to see the feedings live!

No RSVP required to attend.

First time registering for an event in Member Connect? Member Connect is the Academy’s new online platform for members-only exclusive livestream programs, all ages on-demand science content, and a digital community of like-minded learners.

To login, simply click here, enter your email address, and receive an access link in your email to start exploring and registering for programs right away! Visit our FAQ page for more information.