Events will be held throughout the spring and summer at the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park. (photo courtesy of NHMLAC)

The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County have announced their slate of spring and summer programming for the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park and La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park. The mix of family-friendly and adult programming and events features a wide range of exhibitions, hands-on activities, talks and performances both in-person and online. In addition, NHMLAC community scientists will spearhead a number of research initiatives and expeditions open to the public that will highlight the museums’ ongoing impact and discoveries and allow Angelenos to get involved.

Among the events is “Fierce! The Story of Cats,” a new exhibition that will be on view starting July 13. For information, visit nhm.org/cats. A discussion entitled “Dire Wolves: Still Extinct?” will be held on May 13. Admission is free. For information, visit nhm.org/direwolvesstillextinct. “Ocean Encounters” will feature live performances with life-size sea creature puppets on Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Admission is $10 per person. For information, visit nhm.org/oceanencounters.

At the La Brea Tar Pits, Mark Dion’s installation “Excavations,” goes behind-the-scenes of the Ice Age, on view through Sept. 14. For an Excavator Tour, visit 1 p.m. every day, or 10:30 a.m. on weekends, while Ice Age Encounters is available Thursdays and Fridays at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Admission is $8. For information, visit tarpits.org/iceageencounters.

For a full list of summers happenings across all campuses, visit nhm.org. The Natural History Museum is located at 900 Exposition Blvd.

The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum is located at 5801 Wilshire Blvd.