You can think of the museum as like a library, but it’s full of biological diversity instead of books.

Chris Feldman

Associate Museum Director and Curator of Vertebrates

Dried dead bats labeled in a drawer.

Explore Nevada's natural heritage at the Museum of Natural History

Located on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno, the Museum of Natural History holds irreplaceable specimens of plants and animals used in research, teaching, and outreach. Collections date back as far as the 1850s, and represent unique snapshots of the flora and fauna of the Great Basin and beyond. As the only museum of its kind in the state, the Museum of Natural History is a unique and important resource for understanding Nevada's natural heritage.

Hours

Our lobby is open for self-guided tours on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. during the spring and fall semesters.

Guided virtual and in-person tours must be scheduled in advance.

Schedule your in-person tour

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From leading scientific research to community outreach and events, our museum encompasses a lot! Watch to learn more about what we do!

Museum news and updates

See what's been happening at the Museum of Natural History!

A large moth against a white background.

Biology professor launches new scientific journal to record lost species

The journal is open-access and designed to reflect global biodiversity trends

Pinned butterflies with names printed below them. The butterflies are different colors and sizes.

Nevada’s biodiversity celebrated in upcoming lecture

The Museum of Natural History promotes science and learning

Two people sit behind a desk, one of whom is holding a book, smiling.

University herbarium publishes first complete list of Nevada plant species

Nevada is home to over 3,600 different plants

Read more news and learn about upcoming events at the Museum of Natural History