Birch Aquarium Opens Imagine Wild: Mountain Yellow-legged Frog Exhibition

Birch Aquarium at Scripps is opening Imagine Wild: Mountain Yellow-legged Frog, an immersive installation that transports you to a fictional California mountainside to explore the forest, meadows, and lake that form the Mountain Yellow-legged Frog habitat.

The exhibition tells a story of resilience, uncovers the threats these endangered amphibians face, and shows how science and conservation are giving them a second chance. It’s one of those exhibits that makes conservation feel tangible rather than abstract.

Birch Aquarium’s Role in the Conservation Story

Birch Aquarium is proud to be part of the Mountain Yellow-legged Frog conservation story. In 2024, the aquarium joined an effort that began in 2006, raising over 200 frogs from tadpoles to adults, which were released into a wildlife preserve in summer 2025.

This release marked the first-ever species reintroduction for Birch Aquarium, a huge milestone that shows the kind of long-term commitment that makes a difference in conservation work.

A Story of Decades-Long Restoration

Robert Raad, Senior Exhibit Designer at Birch Aquarium, says the return of the Mountain Yellow-legged Frog took decades. People with a clear vision worked to restore Southern California’s mountain habitats, believing they could be healthier, more resilient, and full of life.

The exhibition was designed to let you wander through that world, uncovering the dedication and perseverance that brought it back. It’s the kind of exhibit that makes you appreciate the slow, painstaking work that goes into conservation rather than just celebrating the end result.

Explore the Habitat and Meet the Frogs

Imagine Wild invites you to imagine the landscape as it could be as you explore the many complex elements needed to create a healthy ecosystem for these endangered amphibians. You’ll discover the decades-long process of restoring a habitat and the cooperative efforts involved in bringing frogs back to the land.

After immersing yourself in the story of resilience and hope, you can journey to the center of the exhibition to come face-to-face with some of Birch Aquarium’s own Mountain Yellow-legged Frogs up close.

Replacing Meditation Ocean

Imagine Wild: Mountain Yellow-legged Frog will replace Meditation Ocean: Aquarius Reef Base, which opened in November and closes on February 22.

Birch Aquarium opens daily at 9 AM with closing hours varying by day. You can purchase tickets online in advance for the best pricing or buy an annual membership to visit the aquarium all year.

See you there!

Birch Aquarium continues proving that conservation stories are worth telling in immersive, thoughtful ways that make you understand the work behind the wins.

📆 Opens Thursday, March 20, 2026
📍 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla
🎟️ Click here for tickets
ℹ️ More info here

See you there, San Diego!