Museums and zoos step up as federal science funding fades

As federal support for science becomes less reliable, museums, zoos and botanical gardens are emerging as key partners for research that depends on public participation. A new Newsjunkie investigation argues these “bridge institutions” could become even more important for independent science work after government-backed projects stall.

Why it matters: - Museums, zoos and botanical gardens are helping keep environmental research moving when federal funding and infrastructure weaken. - These institutions connect scientists with the public, which can expand data collection and build trust around research. - The model may become more important for independent science projects that need durable support outside government.

What happened: - Dr. Phillip Levin was leading the United States’ first national-level assessment of the state of nature when a Trump administration official told him in January 2025 to stop the project. - The halt ended two years of government-backed work involving about 200 scientists and a nearly finished scientific report. - Levin left government and founded the nonprofit Nature Record to complete and publish the assessment independently. - In spring 2026, The Nature Record took the project on tour, with stops at bridge institutions including museums, zoos and botanical gardens. - Newsjunkie’s Prairie Fire initiative published an investigation by senior reporter Morgan Kriesel on how those institutions support scientific research. - Kriesel began reporting after attending The Nature Record event at the San Diego Natural History Museum.

The details: - The California Academy of Sciences was founded in 1853 by nonprofessional science enthusiasts and helped document early North American plant life. - The California Academy of Sciences now co-hosts iNaturalist, a global biodiversity platform. - Anyone can submit wildlife observations to iNaturalist. - California Academy of Sciences biologist Dr. Rebecca Johnson described iNaturalist as one of the world’s most important biodiversity datasets. - Johnson said the platform’s volunteer network gives professional researchers access to observations at a scale they could not easily collect alone. - At the San Diego Natural History Museum, Dr. Michelle Thompson involves community scientists in experimental research. - One project explores whether spiderwebs can capture environmental DNA from surrounding wildlife. - Thompson said participation can change how people relate to science and the natural world. - Thompson said the museum work can show people they can take part in science. - Museums, zoos and botanical gardens also have revenue streams such as admissions, memberships and philanthropy. - Those funding sources can help support science when federal support is under pressure. - The model depends on treating community scientists as real participants, not just free labor. - Johnson said proper credit in scientific publications is one way to recognize contributors. - Thompson said the San Diego Natural History Museum sends participants personalized summaries showing how their contributions were used. - Johnson said close public engagement helps keep these institutions as places where good science can happen.

Between the lines: - Bridge institutions have a built-in advantage because public engagement is part of their mission, not an extra outreach effort. - Their ability to pair research with admissions, memberships and donations makes them less dependent on federal funding than many research organizations. - Kriesel’s reporting suggests that public-facing research networks could offer a template for science groups trying to survive outside government support. - Kriesel said bridge institutions combat anti-intellectualism by making space for the public within science.

What’s next: - The Nature Record is continuing its independent effort after the federal project was shut down. - Levin ended his San Diego Natural History Museum presentation by inviting the public to join the work. - Kriesel’s investigation points to more collaboration between researchers and public-facing institutions as federal support remains uncertain.

The bottom line: - When government-backed science stalls, museums and zoos are becoming not just exhibitors of science, but active engines for producing it.