Bug Fair 2024

Alexandra Carlin, Presenter

Alex Carlin is currently a student at UC Santa Barbara, and will graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies in June of this year. Her interest in the field of entomophagy stems from her concern for sustainability in the agricultural sector and personal experience with edible insects in her culture. She co-founded The Edible Insect Initiative at UC Santa Barbara, which featured student, staff, alumni, and international art depicting the role of insects in cuisine and agriculture. In the future, she hopes to use this knowledge in the Environmental Public Health sector to promote traditional food systems, food sovereignty, and cultural appreciation.

Website: Edible Insect Initiative Instagram

Randall Oliver, Presenter

Based within University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, Randall Oliver is the statewide Invasive Shothole Borers (ISHB) Communications Coordinator. Working in coordination with members of the California Invasive Species Advisory Committee and a broad coalition of public and private stakeholders, he develops, implements and manages education and outreach communications regarding the pest and related issues. He also is an active volunteer with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy.

Oliver previously had a long career in corporate communications and investor relations with several companies in the retail, electric power and hospitality industries. He holds degrees from the University of Southern California and UCLA (Anderson) Graduate School of Management.

One Grain of Sand Puppet Theater

One Grain of Sand Puppet Theater began in the fall of 2001 with a small suitcase show and the idea that even one tiny grain of sand can tilt the balance toward a more positive future. One Grain of Sand Puppet Theater includes puppetry artists, musicians, visual artists, actors, choreographers, educators and community organizers. We focus on very small portable shows and also very large puppets for festivals, pageants, community actions and parades.  The core of the work is sharing the ordinary/extraordinary stories of everyday people. The heart lies in building communities through puppet theatricals that explore cultural reclamation, ancient myth, connection to the earth, little known community stories and the issues of our time. 

To learn more about the One Grain of Sand Puppet Theater, visit their Instagram and Facebook.

Ash Valentine

Tattoo artist in Los Angeles, CA working at and Co-owning Uh Huh Honey studio. Ceramics, pins, tattoos, t-shirts visit ash-valentine.com.

Instagram: @tatts_n_ash

LA Compost

As a community based non-profit, we support a healthy transition where food is never wasted, but returned to the soil for the next cycle of life.

Website: lacompost.org 
Instagram: @lacompost

Horticulture Team
The Museum has a dedicated staff of horticulturalists that oversee the care and maintenance of our gardens. The Nature Gardens has over 600 kinds of plants, including California natives and others from around the world, that are home to a variety of birds, butterflies, lizards, squirrels, and more! This amazing team enjoys sharing their love for horticulture and gardens with the local community.
Follow Nature Gardens on Instagram @nhmla_naturegardens

Living Collections
Did you know the museum has a team of professional animal keepers on site 365 days a year? They take excellent care of all animals on exhibit and behind the scenes at the museum, utilizing the natural history expertise of our scientists as well as our veterinarian, who advises on any medical and nutritional needs. Because even a frog needs a doctor sometimes. We have around 15-25 species of vertebrates, and 70-100 species of invertebrates at any given time.  
Follow Living Collections on Instagram @nhmla_liveanimals

Museum Educators

The Museum Educator team at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County are the knowledgeable staff that enhance the visitor experience through personal interaction. Through research and training, Museum Educators create and facilitate educational programs for general museum visitors, for school groups, and for special events, both in-person and virtual.

Performing Arts

The team behind the Performing Arts department at the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County creates live theatrical performances based on our exhibits, research, collections, and events. Learn more about this unique program HERE. 

Research and Collections
The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County protect and share more than 35 million specimens and artifacts, the largest natural and cultural history collection in the western United States. The Research and Collections Department is the research institution within the museums. They create new knowledge through academic scholarship in history and science. Visitors can get up close to these fascinating objects and specimens, which are sometimes displayed in exhibitions and during museum events.