Roy A. Anderson Blackbird Exhibit and Garden

When visiting the Science Center, your science exploration begins as soon as you arrive. Surrounding the parking structure, you'll find gardens and exhibits that invite you to take a closer look at the amazing biodiversity found around Southern California. Get a sneak peek of many of Southern California's diverse ecosystems below, and then come visit the garden to see an amazing collection of California plants in one place!

saguaro cactus stand among other desert plant species with large mountains in background
Image attribution
National Park Services

Desert

Desert plants have adaptations that help them live without much water. Many are adapted to survive desert heat too. Explore the desert areas of the garden to discover their amazing adaptations!

A man looks at the Los Angeles city skyline with palm trees in the foreground
Image attribution
Unsplash/Joel Mott

Urban

When people move into cities, they often bring plants with them. Find out how people change a landscape, but can also make choices to use native plants in gardens to help preserve California's amazing biodiversity.

Rolling hills covered with different species of plants and shrubs
Image attribution
California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Shrublands

Learn about these special plant community that surround Los Angeles, and discover how plants and animals in the shrublands have special adaptations that help them survive—and even thrive—after fire.

Rolling hills covered with different species of grass
Image attribution
Unsplash/Tim Mossholder

Grasslands

Grasslands aren't just grass. They hold a huge diversity of plant species and provide homes for lots of animals too.

A lone Oak tree covered in tiny green leaves stands next to a tan, gravely path, with a green shrub-covered hill behind it. A bright blue sky accented with white fluffy clouds fills the background
Image attribution
Chuck Kopczak

Oak woodlands

Find out how oak trees and acorns provide food and shelter for lots of animals, and yet still manage to grow new generations.

Two hikers walk on forest path with trees and bushes flanking either side of the dirt trail
Image attribution
National Park Services/Wing Sze Lee

Forests

Forests support layers of life, from the nutrient-absorbing roots of trees up to their leafy canopies. Plants that need less light thrive in the trees' shade. Forests make good homes for animals and fungi too.

Side view of a western fence lizard
Image attribution
US Geological Survey/Chris Brown

Lizards

Our garden has some very special residents—western fence lizards! See if you can spot one on your next visit!

Two coyotes wander in short, dry, yellow grass, with shrubs and clumps of trees in the background
Image attribution
US Air Force/Rebecca Amber

Naturalist's stop

Get some tips on how to discover what kinds of animals and plants are around you on your next hike.

A-12 on display in the Roy A. Anderson Blackbird Exhibit and Garden
Image attribution
Leroy Hamilton

A-12 Blackbird

Examine a totally unique 'bird that roosts in the garden—the A-12 Blackbird trainer, the only one of its kind in the world.

saguaro cactus stand among other desert plant species with large mountains in background
Image attribution
National Park Services

Desert

Desert plants have adaptations that help them live without much water. Many are adapted to survive desert heat too. Explore the desert areas of the garden to discover their amazing adaptations!

A man looks at the Los Angeles city skyline with palm trees in the foreground
Image attribution
Unsplash/Joel Mott

Urban

When people move into cities, they often bring plants with them. Find out how people change a landscape, but can also make choices to use native plants in gardens to help preserve California's amazing biodiversity.

Rolling hills covered with different species of plants and shrubs
Image attribution
California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Shrublands

Learn about these special plant community that surround Los Angeles, and discover how plants and animals in the shrublands have special adaptations that help them survive—and even thrive—after fire.

Rolling hills covered with different species of grass
Image attribution
Unsplash/Tim Mossholder

Grasslands

Grasslands aren't just grass. They hold a huge diversity of plant species and provide homes for lots of animals too.

A lone Oak tree covered in tiny green leaves stands next to a tan, gravely path, with a green shrub-covered hill behind it. A bright blue sky accented with white fluffy clouds fills the background
Image attribution
Chuck Kopczak

Oak woodlands

Find out how oak trees and acorns provide food and shelter for lots of animals, and yet still manage to grow new generations.

Two hikers walk on forest path with trees and bushes flanking either side of the dirt trail
Image attribution
National Park Services/Wing Sze Lee

Forests

Forests support layers of life, from the nutrient-absorbing roots of trees up to their leafy canopies. Plants that need less light thrive in the trees' shade. Forests make good homes for animals and fungi too.

Side view of a western fence lizard
Image attribution
US Geological Survey/Chris Brown

Lizards

Our garden has some very special residents—western fence lizards! See if you can spot one on your next visit!

Two coyotes wander in short, dry, yellow grass, with shrubs and clumps of trees in the background
Image attribution
US Air Force/Rebecca Amber

Naturalist's stop

Get some tips on how to discover what kinds of animals and plants are around you on your next hike.

A-12 on display in the Roy A. Anderson Blackbird Exhibit and Garden
Image attribution
Leroy Hamilton

A-12 Blackbird

Examine a totally unique 'bird that roosts in the garden—the A-12 Blackbird trainer, the only one of its kind in the world.

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