Don’t miss this special, limited-time opportunity for a private guided tour of the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument – before it’s even open to the public! Guided by land stewards and environmental scientists from the Bureau of Land Management, learn what it took to designate a National Monument, the history of the land, and observe all...
Santa Cruz has been an outdoor painting hotspot since the 1890’s, well-known across the nation as a destination for exploring art while surrounded by nature. In fact, the Seabright Community in particular has been an artistic hub for plein air painters for over a hundred years and continues to have a robust presence even today....
Let’s get festive with native flowers, succulents, and air plants! Celebrate Springtime and the wonder of wildflowers by crafting a living botanical wreath. This course will satisfy both plant and art lovers alike; learn the science of epiphytes while you design and mount native flowers, succulents, and air plants. Create a masterpiece for your seasonal decor or a treasured...
Get to know Santa Cruz’s WILD SIDE at the Museum of Natural History! Nerd out on your night out during monthly after-hours events, featuring rotating themes, vendors, and activities. FREE admission to the Museum all day 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with special festivities from 5 – 8 p.m. Just like mixing a palette, we...
Don’t miss this special Member-only opportunity for a private guided tour of the geologic wonders of Santa Cruz. Led by geological experts from the University of California Santa Cruz, go back in time to discover fossils, rare minerals, and learn the history, and stories, of what makes West Cliff such a rockin’ place! Instructor: Geologist...
Come to SOMOS Watsonville for an art activity: Discover a botanical process with fresh flowers and a cardboard press. Come and learn how to make a plant press to dry and preserve your favorite flowers. Open to Watsonville Residents ¡Venga a SOMOS Watsonville para una actividad artística: Descubra un proceso botánico con flores frescas y una...
Come find us at the Library! We will be sharing our Oceans themed collections : orca tooth, krill, baleen, and more! ¡Vaya a visitarnos a la Biblioteca! Compartiremos nuestras colecciones con temática oceánica: dientes de orca, krill, barbas y mucho más. These programs are funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209...
Love nature, science, and art but don’t know where to start? Here is your opportunity to master a new skill and bring home your own environmentally-inspired masterpiece after just one class. Learn the basics of watercolor and gouache with step-by-step instruction by a master scientific illustrator. After a nature walk to gain knowledge of local...
Come learn about local mammals and their tracks. Come and create an animal track for your to take home! We will be at Arte del Corazon every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month! Free and open to Watsonville residents. Venga a aprender sobre los mamíferos locales y sus huellas. ¡Venga a crear una huella...
Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History as we team up with the Peninsula Open Space Trust for an unforgettable evening at the 2025 Wild & Scenic Film Festival. Inspiring environmental films, live music, and an engaging Community Fair all come together for a night of fun and environmental connections! The Wild & Scenic...
Make a print that will last forever inspired by the different things you see in nature! This printmaking technique is called “embossing”. Used during the 19th century to design stamps and seals for documents, to make coins, and to make a variety of different types of prints. Open to Watsonville Residents ¡Haga una impresión que...
As part of this Springtime special, get up close and personal with the art of butterflies! Featuring beautiful insect displays, from the rarely seen insect taxidermy collection, this program is perfect for aspiring artists and entomologists alike. Taught by a professional entomological illustrator, this workshop will begin with a scientific presentation on insects before transitioning...
Find the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History at Earth Day Santa Cruz! We’ll be hosting environmentally-inspired science activities and displaying wild artifacts from our collections. Earth Day Santa Cruz is an annual event bringing our community together to promote environmental stewardship, healthy living, and sustainability. Together with local businesses, schools, and community organizations, we...
Looking for a GNEISS way to spend your weekend? Well, you won't want to take this special event for GRANITE! Celebrate Earth Day with a rockin' afternoon at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Join geologists from University of California, Santa Cruz to share your mineralogical marvels and get them identified inside the Museum's galleries. ...
Find the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History at the Santa Cruz Brewing Festival! The Museum will host a history booth and an activity station. Connect with other community partners, brewers, and hobbyists. Enjoy drinks in a tasting room, live music, food, and much more. As a bonus for finding this event on the Museum’s...
Learn to appreciate the diverse bird populations of Santa Cruz through a camera lens. Level-up your birding by applying photography tips, tricks, and techniques to capture these animals in action. Guided by an expert nature photographer, this open-air workshop will lead you on a nature walk to find inspiration from native fauna for your photography....
As part of this Art of Nature special, learn from one of the featured exhibitors on how to capture the intricate beauty of birds. Spotlighting local Santa Cruz species as models, participants will learn how to paint the nuanced features of these stunning seasonal subjects. In addition to learning the painting techniques, participants will also...
Go green this Earth Day by creating a work of art from upcycled beach glass! As part of this special seasonal offering, discover the beauty of beachcombing as you create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece made from shoreline treasures. Using local and sustainably-sourced resources, participants will learn the basics of environmental sculpture and design with step-by-step instruction....
Let’s go to the beach and learn to paint in oils! In recognition of Earth Day, learn how to use oil paints in an environmentally friendly, solvent-free way. This open-air art workshop will teach the techniques necessary to capture environmental perspectives through the creative use of negative space, layering, various stroke techniques, and more. Paint a...
Find the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History at Wilder Ranch’s Art in the Park! We’ll be hosting environmentally-inspired art activities and displaying beautiful artifacts from our collections. Come celebrate the incredible artistic talent we have in our community, especially artists inspired by nature. Bring your art supply of choice and get creative, or take...
Go outside and learn to paint gouache and watercolor landscapes while surrounded by nature as inspiration. This open-air art workshop will teach the techniques necessary to capture environmental perspectives through the creative use of negative space, layering, various stroke techniques, and more. Using the Museum’s exclusive access to various vistas as reference, participants will be...
Come learn about local mammals and their tracks. Come and create an animal track for your to take home! We will be at Arte del Corazon every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month! Free and open to Watsonville residents. Venga a aprender sobre los mamíferos locales y sus huellas. ¡Venga a crear una huella...
Discover a botanical process with fresh flowers and a cardboard press. Come and learn how to make a plant press to dry and preserve your favorite flowers. Open to Watsonville Residents Descubra un proceso botánico con flores frescas y una prensa de cartón. Venga y aprenda a hacer una prensa de plantas para secar y...
Come find us at the Library! We will be sharing our Oceans themed collections : orca tooth, krill, baleen, and more! ¡Vaya a visitarnos a la Biblioteca! Compartiremos nuestras colecciones con temática oceánica: dientes de orca, krill, barbas y mucho más. These programs are funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209...
As part of this Art of Nature exhibit special, join an esteemed artist as you learn the science and art behind the most adorable sea slugs around! Featuring beautiful scientific illustration displays from the exhibit, this program is perfect for aspiring artists and marine biologists alike. Taught by a professional illustrator and exhibitor, this workshop will...
Join over 40 local Santa Cruz artists as they showcase their craftsmanship! We will be featuring a wide array of goods, ranging from paintings and photography to jewelry, decor, and embroidery. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to support our community’s artisans, celebrate local talent, and grab a gift just in time for Mother’s...
Come for Toddler Tumble Time. We will have diverse specimens to share with everyone! Specifically, we will be showcasing our entomology collections. Open to Watsonville Residents Venga a disfrutar la Hora de Toddler Tumble cada segundo martes del mes. ¡Tendremos diversos ejemplares para compartir con todos! Mostraremos nuestras colecciones de entomología. These programs are funded...
Make a print that will last forever inspired by the different things you see in nature! This printmaking technique is called “embossing”. Used during the 19th century to design stamps and seals for documents, to make coins, and to make a variety of different types of prints. Free and open to Watsonville Residents ¡Haga una...
Come do scientific illustrations with us! You will be making close observations of specimens and using descriptive language and drawings to reflect your observations. Open to Watsonville Residents ¡Venga a hacer ilustraciones científicas con nosotros! Observará detenidamente los especímenes y usarás lenguaje descriptivo y dibujos para plasmar sus observaciones. These programs are funded by the...
Join the Museum for a very special community gardening day, as we team up with the Santa Cruz County Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology! Dig in and flex your green thumb as we tackle invasive species in Pilkington Creek and plant native species in the Museum’s Garden Learning Center. Learn from horticultural experts...
Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History as we team up with the Sempervirens Fund to celebrate 125 years of protecting redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains! Hosted among the redwoods at the historic Roaring Camp, our first-ever Redwoods Festival will celebrate the redwoods. A day filled with fun, connection, and a celebration of...
Dig into fun! Discover rocks, fossils, and the secrets of our Earth! We will be at Arte del Corazon every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. Free and open to Watsonville residents. ¡Explora y diviértete! Descubre rocas, fósiles y los secretos de nuestra Tierra! Estaremos en Arte del Corazón cada 1er y 3er miércoles...
Don’t miss this special, limited-time opportunity for a private guided tour of the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument – before it’s even open to the public! Guided by land stewards and environmental scientists from the Bureau of Land Management, learn what it took to designate a National Monument, the history of the land, and observe all...
Explore the tiny side of Tyrrell Park and learn to paint in oils! In celebration of Spring, learn how to capture the beauty of nature’s miniature marvels using oil paints. From pint-sized pollinators to delicate florals, this workshop will train your eye to find, and appreciate, the artful beauty hidden under your nose. This open-air...
Meet our local birds and craft your own mushroom hat — nature and fun in one! Free and open to Watsonville residents. ¡Conoce las aves de nuestra zona y crea tu propio sombrero de hongo — naturaleza y diversión en uno! These programs are funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209...
Get to know Santa Cruz’s WILD SIDE at the Museum of Natural History. Nerd out on your night out during monthly after-hours events, featuring rotating themes, vendors, and activities. Free admission to the Museum all day 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with special indoor festivities 5 to 8 p.m. Join us for Genomic June! The Museum is...
