Located in Tucson, Arizona, Biosphere 2 is a research facility that serves life-long learning about Earth. Open to the public for tours and conferences, Biosphere 2 is a remarkable structure that houses all Earth’s biomes in one place. Biosphere 2 has many features and attractions and offers regular programs for the continuing education of the sciences.
A tour of the facility is open to the public and contains numerous displays and exhibits. Tour prices are $20 for adults; $18 for seniors, AAA members and military, $13 for children, $10 for University of Arizona students and faculty.
Upon entering Biosphere 2, the movie theater gives you a 15 minute introduction video on the history and future of the Biosphere 2. The B2 Café offers snacks for tourists who built up an appetite after the tour. As you walk up to the Biosphere 2, you will travel through a village of Casitas where conference visitors and researchers stay.
The many exhibits included in the tour are: Rainwater Harvesting, Solar Exhibit, Bee Exhibit, Rooftop Exhibit, Habitat Exhibit, and the Ocean View Gallery. Each one shows how the facility is developing new ideas and ways to conserve Earth’s habitats and resources. The Overlook gives visitors the chance for great photograph opportunities. You can see the entire Biosphere from one place.
The seven sections of Biosphere 2 are: Habitat Kitchen, Upper Savanna, Coastal Fog Desert, Technosphere, Ocean, Tropical Rainforest, and South Lung. The tour leads you through each of the biomes where you will experience plant life native to that area.
Biosphere 2 has many programs offered throughout the year, including “Science Saturday,” a different program each Saturday that offers a hands-on approach to science. They also have a lecture series in which speakers come to discuss the most recent scientific research and findings. Teacher training is also in the works.
Biosphere 2 allows the general public to get involved with researching. The “Citizen Science Research” includes: RainLog/RainMapper, National Phenology Network, Master Watershed Stewards, “House Energy” Doctor Program, Citizen Scientists Studying Evapotranspiration, Dubbo Central School Virtual Citizen Scientists, and Mapping Rainforest Plants. More information is available at the website on how to get involved.
The websitewww.b2science.org gives you all the latest information about the biosphere. Take the interactive tour before you go or sign up to be a citizen researcher. View the webcam, read the blogs, hear the podcasts, and watch videos. Biosphere 2 is a must-see place in the United States that will give you the opportunity to learn about earth in a spectacular tour unlike any other.
