Recorded Sound Archives

Recent headlines about newly rediscovered whale recordings have captured the public imagination, reminding us just how powerful sound can be in understanding the natural world. In fact, the earliest known whale song recorded in 1949 during underwater sonar experiments was only recently identified, offering a rare glimpse into a quieter ocean of the past.

At the Recorded Sound Archives (RSA), discoveries like these resonate deeply. While archives are often associated with music, sound collections also preserve the voices of the natural world, capturing animals, environments, and ecosystems across time. Earth Day provides an opportunity to reflect not only on the environments we protect, but on the sounds that define them. Read More About This…

On this World Environment Day, we turn the dial back to a time when voices of nature were heard and performed—live, on stage, and even on shellac. Meet Charles Kellogg, a naturalist, performer, and early environmental advocate who used his voice—literally—to raise awareness for the preservation of America’s great redwood forests.

Born in 1868 in the Sierra Nevada of California, Charles Kellogg grew up surrounded by the sights and sounds of wilderness. But he wasn’t just a lover of the outdoors—he was a living echo of it. Gifted with a vocal range unlike any other, Kellogg became famous for his astonishing ability to mimic birdsong and forest sounds with uncanny accuracy. His performances earned him the nickname “The Forest Singer.” Read More About This…