SAN DIEGO—The San Diego Natural History Museum recently received one of the largest gifts in its history, which will help The Nat strengthen its existing science and conservation work for decades to come.
The extraordinarily generous $10 million endowment gift from Dr. Irwin Jacobs will establish the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Center for Science and Conservation at the San Diego Natural History Museum.
“This landmark gift is an investment in our science and in the future of our region,” explained Judy Gradwohl, the Christy Walton president and CEO of the San Diego Natural History Museum. “We are grateful for the opportunity to expand our research and ensure that our region’s biodiversity is studied, resilient, and celebrated for years to come. It boosts our ability to employ new technology, work with partner organizations, and train the next generation of conservation scientists.”
The gift comes on heels of The Nat’s 150th anniversary celebration and helps the organization realize 82% of its $50 million Here for Nature Capital Campaign. Private donations of this size are rare and treasured, and according to Gradwohl, “This transformational contribution will help us remain at the forefront of research, deepen our impact, and expand our role as a science and conservation leader.”
“Joan and I have always believed in the power of science to make a difference,” explained Dr. Jacobs. “With this endowment, I hope to ensure that The Nat continues to lead the way in understanding and protecting the incredible biodiversity of our region. This is about investing in the future of scientific discovery and research.”
The Museum uses its research collection of nearly 9 million specimens to advance conservation work in Southern California and the Baja California Peninsula. Dr. Jacobs is particularly interested in fostering The Nat’s efforts to modernize its natural history research through technological innovation and emerging science. Current projects include:
(For more details on each project, see supplemental fact sheet.)
The newly renamed Joan and Irwin Jacobs Center for Science and Conservation will expand research and training opportunities for the next generation of researchers, foster collaborations with other leading academic and research and conservation organizations, and leverage the Museum’s collections to inform future conservation strategies. Collectively, these will ensure The Nat remains at the forefront of science and conservation for the foreseeable future.
“Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Jacobs and many others in our community, we’re poised to shape the next 150 years—driving discovery, advancing science, and inspiring generations to care for our natural world,” added Gradwohl.
About the San Diego Natural History Museum
The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) is one of California’s oldest and most respected cultural and scientific institutions. Founded in 1874 by a small group of citizen scientists, the Museum focuses on conserving nature through science and discovery. The Museum is located at 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 in Balboa Park. For more information, call 877.946.7797 or visit sdnat.org. Follow The Nat on Twitter and Instagram and join the discussion on Facebook.
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Below is a selection of groundbreaking projects being led by Museum scientists at the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Center for Science and Conservation.
The Museum is using modern genomic methods to extract and sequence DNA from decades-old specimens held in our collections such as the highly endangered Hermes copper butterfly (Lycaena hermes). The effort allows scientists to ask new questions about our region’s biodiversity that will inform conservation efforts for threatened and endangered species.
Nat entomologists are also helping build California’s first insect DNA barcode library which will considerably advance research on insect biodiversity. The project will serve as a resource for other scientists in the region, allow for more comprehensive biodiversity assessments, and facilitate detection, monitoring, and mapping of insect communities in California.
The Entomology department is also using robotics, AI, and computer vision to help identify and sort specimens both in the lab and in the field—a project that will significantly optimize current human-driven techniques. Equipment for both field and lab usage is currently under development, allowing us to monitor biodiversity remotely and acquire new types of data.
Many of these projects are being spearheaded by Curator of Entomology Dr. Shahan Derkarabetian, who explains that “these modern technological approaches will bring in a new set of tools, allow us to ask questions that we never thought possible, and give us deeper insight into how to protect the biodiversity of our region.” He adds that “the new methods will complement our historical collections, broadening the reach, importance, and significance of our natural history specimens."
Researchers from the Salk Institute found a chemical with neuroprotective and anti-aging properties in a northern California plant called yerba santa. While studying related plant species in The Nat’s botany collection, they found that the Southern California species of this plant have this chemical compound as well. Recently, the Salk group tested a variety of other Southern California plant species in The Nat’s herbarium and identified several additional plants with potential neuroprotective properties. Their findings may help treat dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Learn more.
Canyons are ubiquitous in San Diego, but their ecological status is not well documented. Conservation biologists at The Nat are laying the groundwork for the long-term health of these urban green spaces by studying what lives where, and engaging local residents and school groups in the process. The project aims to identify how canyons are important to regional wildlife, explore what ecological services they provide to local residents, and how communities can help manage and protect their canyons. Learn more.
For additional information or to coordinate interviews, please contact Toni Robin, 858.483.3918, tr@trprsandiego.com.
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