california academy of sciences Annual Report Fiscal Year 2020 from the executive director and chair of the board of trustees In early 2020, as the covid-19 education, with a focus on diversifying the pandemic upended the world, the Academy field of science. was no exception. When we closed our As we advocate for a thriving future for museum to the public in mid-March, our humans and (non-human) nature, events of biggest concern was how to continue the past year have spurred us to participate providing access to the wonders of science in the critical work of dismantling systems and nature when children, families, and of white supremacy and oppression. The educators needed it most. Academy is committed to addressing We quickly launched Academy @ Home, racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion within an online suite of immersive educational our institution and beyond. We created resources and livestream events like an internal task force and will work with a Bay Area-based consultancy with deep Breakfast Club and Virtual NightLife, to keep expertise in anti-racist work, that represents our communities inspired and connected. the perspectives of marginalized groups. Academy scientists didn’t miss a beat— We must be more responsive to the many turning their attention to vital research; communities we serve; build authentic sharing science-based information with relationships that engage us with the the public about the ongoing pandemic; struggles and successes of communities and strengthening partnerships locally and burdened by systemic racism and injustice; globally to ensure that the pace of scientific and fight for access to healthy air, water, discovery continued. food, and nature for all people. The pandemic lent a sense of urgency Despite projected declines in revenue over to a major endeavor: developing a bold, the next fiscal year due to a long closure, we new institutional strategy that will guide are confident in our financial sustainability. the Academy into the decades ahead. This trust is widely shared, reflected by We are laser-focused on conducting generous philanthropic support from our science that addresses the dual threats Board of Trustees, the Hearst Foundations, of climate change and biodiversity loss; and the many individuals, foundations, and energizing community-based partnerships corporate supporters who have kept us and conservation actions; and expanding afloat in uncertain times. Thank you. We are access to high-quality science and nature here for you, today and always. Elizabeth R. Patterson Scott Sampson, PhD Chair of the Board of Trustees Executive Director William R. and Gretchen B. Kimball Chair 2 | California Academy of Sciences | Annual Report fy20 California Academy of Sciences | Annual Report fy20 | 3 Biodiversity science for solutions 12,800 Academy scientists in our biodiversity research, conservation, insect protein-packed Institute for Biodiversity Science and and restoration. In partnership with lunches provided to Sustainability continued their world- colleagues in Curaçao and Australia, we Malagasy children changing work—with many contributing are developing novel tools and technologies to solutions to the covid-19 crisis. Chief of to map and monitor reefs to help protect Science and virologist Dr. Shannon Bennett these threatened ecosystems that sustain was a trusted voice and shared science- 25 percent of all marine life. 71 based information about the pandemic At the museum, Steinhart Aquarium new species 50m with the public. Her research—based on global biodiversity genetic data and using computational biologists cared for 40,000 animal residents identified and tools—leverages our world-class while adhering to health guidelines. In added to the observations on Center for Comparative Genomics to April, we livestreamed a rare spawning tree of life iNaturalist of unravel the origins and evolution of the event of Acropora hyacinthus colonies 300,000+ species novel coronavirus. from our world-leading Coral Spawning by 3m+ observers Laboratory—a scientific breakthrough The Academy’s new Assistant Curator with on-the-reef conservation implications. of Herpetology and Patterson Scholar, Academy scientists partnered with the U.S. Dr. Rayna Bell, used her research on Forest Service in California for a multi-year 20,000 amphibian diversity in the Guinean Forest assessment of forest fire risk and resilience square meters of Caribbean Biodiversity Hotspot to teach school at 80 sites covering 8,000 acres, and coral reefs mapped children and communities about covid-19, documented more than 64 species of birds especially in isolated and underserved as they return to recovering forests. areas. Dr. Bell worked remotely with local partners to distribute thousands of coloring pages showing steps to prevent the spread We’re at a pivotal point where we can take of coronavirus, featuring endemic island our vast understanding of nature to help the 100% animals from a biodiversity education of global curriculum—along with pencils and locally- natural world and humans thrive together. expeditions produced masks. included That is the only way forward. 80 In Madagascar, we prepared to break juvenile corals community ground on a new facility to scale Breakfast Dr. Shannon Bennett, Chief of Science growing, with 15 outreach and Before Conservation, a project that bolsters coral colonies education food and economic security for women and Our iNaturalist digital platform continues spawned in the children through sustainable insect farming. to be wildly popular, fueling the highest-ever laboratory (11 for the It also protects endangered lemurs from participation in City Nature Challenge, co- first time) bushmeat hunting and preserves their forest hosted by our Citizen Science team. Nearly 26,000+ habitat, reducing the transmission risks of one million observers participated from new research specimens zoonotic diseases like covid-19 from animal some 250 cities—some under lockdown— added to collections of 46m to human populations. helping inspire and connect a global 42 Our intrepid global Hope for Reefs team community of naturalists while generating scientific continued critical work on coral reef valuable scientific data. publications 4 | California Academy of Sciences | Annual Report fy20 California Academy of Sciences | Annual Report fy20 | 5 Educating and engaging the public 6.5m+ views of online educational materials The Academy is committed learning and engagement while teaching 27.9m to providing high-quality science education remotely. To serve families and youth global social media and environmental learning experiences programs with limited time and budgets, engagements and programming to students, families, we created a new online version of Science Science and educators. Just days after the covid-19 Action Club, our national afterschool and Action Club pandemic forced Bay Area schools and summer program that activates the inner engaged nearly museums to close indefinitely, we launched scientist in every curious kid. Academy @ Home—a curated, interactive online hub of stem activities and resources. 7,300 Within 24 hours, 5,000 educators had I feel like I can teach science online now. Before youth and 650 viewed one or more resources; by June activity leaders the Professional Development, this idea seemed 30th, our online educational materials in 15 states and programs had been viewed 6.5 impossible and overwhelming. million times—a 68 percent increase in Yvonne, 5th grade teacher, Monroe Elementary engagement from the previous year. 158 livestream To keep our community connected during Because systemic barriers continue programs a time of social isolation, we offered new to impede universal access to science delivered from livestreams including the Breakfast Club education, environmental learning, and March 13 to series featuring Academy scientists and advancement in stem careers, we continued June 30, with their discoveries and insights, Virtual to advocate for diversity in science NightLife, and NightSchool. Programming 1,243 530,000+ views leadership, learning, and research. High- educators participated in Teacher from Morrison Planetarium and Steinhart impact programs like Careers in Science Aquarium—along with animal webcams Professional Development provided one-on-one science mentorships showcasing our African penguins, workshops, impacting 135,000+ and workforce development for motivated shimmering coral reef, and graceful students in 35 California counties high school interns in San Francisco, while stingrays—helped sustain a public eager for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral inspiration and hope. candidates excelled through opportunities 31 We adapted existing programs to offer like the Summer Systematics Institute Careers in Science a mix of online and in-person activities; and EntoPOC. youth participants leveraged our distance learning expertise logged 5,766 total to support educators and families grappling With support from generous donors who internship hours with the challenges of helping students learn understand the lifelong value of high-quality in a virtual environment; and successfully education from an early age, the pivoted the Rock Fund Program field trip Academy is pleased and proud experiences into online programs. Our to expand access to science teacher professional development programs and environmental learning 1,308 like the Bayview Science Institute provided through immersive experiences media stories featuring Academy educators with tools—including lesson in