This fall, the American Museum of Natural History is launching a comprehensive initiative to foster a series of innovative scientific expeditions that meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. The program, called Explore21, will support exploratory fieldwork that is multidisciplinary, heavily integrated with emerging technologies, and focused on delivering real-world applications by discovering new species, preserving biodiversity, and uncovering new knowledge about the natural world—even potentially human health. The Explore21 Solomon Islands Expedition, the first expedition launched under the Museum’s new program, is underway to investigate the mysterious organisms that light up its dark waters, its uncharted microbial life, and its rich diversity of fishes, corals, and other animals.