UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day is an annual celebration that showcases the incredible diversity of life on Earth and the scientific efforts to understand and protect it. Held on the UC Davis campus, this free, family-friendly event invites the public to explore the university’s world-renowned natural history collections, museums, and research centers through interactive exhibits, engaging activities, and behind-the-scenes tours.

Visitors can delve into a wide range of topics, from ancient fossils and preserved plant specimens to live animals and cutting-edge research on biodiversity and conservation. The event offers hands-on opportunities to examine rare specimens, learn about ecological systems, and discover the latest breakthroughs in environmental science.

What sets Biodiversity Museum Day apart is the chance to meet the scientists and students behind the research. Whether you’re exploring the Bohart Museum of Entomology, the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory, or the Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology, you'll gain unique insights into the work being done to protect the natural world and address global challenges like habitat loss, climate change, and species conservation.

Perfect for visitors of all ages, UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day inspires curiosity, fosters learning, and highlights the vital role biodiversity plays in our lives. Join us for a day of discovery, inspiration, and a deeper connection to the wonders of the natural world.

FAQs

• What is the best way to experience Biodiversity Museum Day? 
• We would suggest picking several collections to visit this year and then return next year to see the others. We intend for people to spend time at each collection instead of racing between them.
• I have a toddler. Which collections are suitable for this age group? 
• The Arboretum is outside and a great space for young visitors to explore. The Raptor Center is also outside and has live birds to observe. The Bohart has live insects to pet and the Botanical Conservatory has plants everywhere, but their greenhouses have narrow aisles. Holding or carrying your toddler through the greenhouses is an enjoyable way to take in that collection.    
• I have a teenager. which collections are suitable for this age group? 
• Anthropology is open into the afternoon and they have flint knapping and atl-atl throwing. The Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology is also a favorite as they deal with birds, mammals, fish and reptiles and amphibians. The Botanical Conservatory also has a great carnivorous plant collection. 
• Hidden gems? 
• This is the one day the Phaff Yeast Collection and the Nematode Collection are showcased to the general public. They also have some of the smallest, but mightiest organisms. These scientists are so enthusiastic that you will want to become a microbiologist or a nematologist. 
• I will be visiting with 9 year olds to 90 year olds. Which collections are crowd pleasers? 
• While all of them are, one can never go wrong with fossils at Paleontology and the pressed plants at the Center for Plant Diversity.
• Where can we grab a bite to eat? 
• The event map has some options for eating. The dining halls have a set fee and then it is all-you-can-eat. For your convenience there will be a few hot trucks at this event and you are welcome to bring your own food or explore Downtown Davis for other options.