Community Science

Los Angeles is a diverse, dynamic, ever-changing city, both for people and the wildlife that live here. Although we are frequently aware of the larger wildlife around us, like parrots and squirrels, many of the smaller animals remain unnoticed and even undescribed by scientists.

In order to understand our city better, the Museum has begun a long-term biodiversity study of urban habitats and surrounding natural areas. Our goal is to not only increase our knowledge of local wildlife, but also to involve our local community in this study.  From lizards to ladybugs, we need your help in each of our community science projects — the Museum can't do it alone! 

Los Angeles Butterfly Survey

Partnering with Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA), the Museum hopes to compile a record of the butterflies we're likely to find around the Museum. We know there are 237 species recorded for L.A, County, but how many can you find? Learn more >

Lost Lizards of Los Angeles

Why are there no lizards in Exposition Park, the Musuem's own backyard? We hope to answer this question and find out where lizards do occur in the Los Angeles basin. And we need your help!  Learn more >

Lost Ladybug Project

Partnering with Cornell's Lost Ladybug Project, the Museum hopes to census the ladybugs found in our region.  We have historic data of ladybug species in Los Angeles County, but we don't know how much it has changed — we need your help to find out. Learn more >

Spider Survey

L.A. is an important international port, new species of spiders are always being accidentally introduced, and some are establishing breeding populations.  We need your help to find out what spiders are becoming established so we can understand what impacts they may be having on our native spiders. Learn more >

Lost Lizards Featured in L.A. Weekly

Journalist Gendy Alimurung finds out what happens when NHM asks "where have all the lizards gone?"  Read the article >