Annual Report 2008 - California Academy of Sciences

Our extraordinary new facility opened to the world on
September 27, 2008, marking the end of the “Great Migration”
back to Golden Gate Park. What began as a shared dream is
now a reality—all thanks to the enthusiasm and generosity of
our community, trustees, and friends like you.
From the moment we opened the doors, the success of
the new Academy has been evident. More than 50,000
visitors attended our opening weekend celebration.
We’re well on our way to exceeding our initial
attendance projections of more than two million people
in the first year.
The new Academy is truly a one-of-a-kind institution,
a global destination in itself. It’s the only place in the
world to combine a museum, aquarium, planetarium,
and world-class research and education programs
under one roof. (And what a roof it is!) It is a place
where visitors interact with live animals, educators, and
scientists. The exhibits are immersive and hands-on, and
the collections aren’t just kept in the dark, but actually
used for research about the nature of life, biodiversity,
and sustainability.
Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium, and the
Kimball Natural History Museum provide a home for
20 million real specimens of life that define us and our
planet. You’ll find everything from a four-story rainforest
and thousands of coral reef fish to a virtual tour of the
Universe—and far more than we can list here.
In alignment with our commitment to promoting
sustainability, we are proud that the Academy has
been awarded the highest possible rating from the
U.S. Green Building Council: a Platinum-level LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
certification. The Academy is now the largest public
Platinum-rated building in the world, and the world’s
greenest museum.
While the completion and opening of the facility is
an enormous accomplishment, it’s also the beginning of
fresh new challenges. We must determine not only how
to live in but also how to live up to the masterpiece of
science and sustainability we have created. And we shall.
As we forge ahead, our focus will include increasing
scientific literacy, promoting sustainability, contributing
to public understanding of evolution, and researching
and preserving the planet’s biodiversity.
From the scientists and staff, to our members and
generous supporters, to our docents and interns, we all
have a part to play. We are pleased to say that we’re
ready, eager, and looking forward to an even more
exciting future.
Greg Farrington, Executive Director
Bill Patterson, Board Chair
Welcome
3