By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–The San Diego Natural History Museum will debut Wild San Diego, a new documentary revealing the natural marvels of San Diego, the county boasting the highest biodiversity in the continental United States.
With surf, sand, and an intricate tapestry of habitats, San Diego’s incredible landscapes and wildlife will be showcased on the big screen beginning November 22.
Produced by San Diego-based Day’s Edge Productions—known for the PBS series Human Footprint and many other award-winning global media projects—the documentary reveals the hidden lives of San Diego’s grebes, grunions, ground squirrels, marine giants, and more. It also highlights how wildlife continues to adapt to humans’ impact on the landscape.
“Wild San Diego displays the spectacular resilience of our city’s ecosystems. It’s a rare chance to witness the stunning biodiversity that exists right in our backyards,” shared Judy Gradwohl, president and CEO at The Nat. “It’s exactly what our Museum’s conservation work is all about.”
Wild San Diego is 40 minutes long and includes paid admission. It will become one of the museum’s core film offerings, shown for the next few years along with other rotating films like T. REX. The film comes to The Nat after a one-hour version aired nationally on PBS in early November under San Diego: America’s Wildest City. That version can also be streamed on PBS.
The film aligns well with The Nat’s focus on regional conservation, which has allowed museum scientists to continue caring for the very plants and animals shown on the big screen. People who enjoy the film will explore San Diego’s rich nature in the museum’s exhibits and public programs.
“Over the past two years, we’ve been knee-deep in Lake Hodges watching grebes, flown drones over the Pacific Ocean, and filmed grunions in Pacific Beach,” said Dr. Nathan Dappen, owner of Day’s Edge Productions and director of Wild San Diego. “As a San Diego local, it’s been a labor of love to discover everything this city’s natural world has to offer.”
Dappen believes viewers will leave the theater feeling inspired and curious about the region’s local wildlife.
Wild San Diego is a production of The WNET Group, Terra Mater Studios GmbH, and Day’s Edge Productions in association with PBS, CPB, and The Nat.
Screenings are included with paid museum admission and are free for members.
For more details and screening times at The Nat, visit sdnat.org/giantscreentheater.
