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...
Forget the horrors lurking in the shadows, instead ask what’s lurking under your own skin! Join an eco-pathologist to uncover the nuanced nightmares that call host organisms home. From flatworms to fungus, learn about tiny terrors! REGISTER Instructor: Chloe Rickards, Ecologist Materials: Light refreshments will be served prior to the start of the program. After the lecture,...
As a special continuation of the Microfossil Naturalist Night lecture, join Paleontologist Wayne Thompson for a chance to view his microfossil research up close and personal! Using scientific microscopes, experience the wonders of the prehistoric microscopic world in this once-in-a-lifetime, hands-on opportunity. Who knows what fossils you will see, what paleontological mysteries will be uncovered, and...
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...
Learn to appreciate the diminutive flora and fauna of Santa Cruz through a camera lens. Magnify your photography skills by applying special micro and macro tips, tricks, and techniques to capture and shed light on the micro world around you. Guided by an expert nature photographer, this open-air workshop will lead you on a nature...
What’s the buzz with hummingbirds? You may have seen them in your backyard, but how much do you really know about the secretive world of the world’s smallest bird? There is a lot to unpack in these minuscule aviators and here is an opportunity to learn about their incredible flight abilities, diet, size, and social...
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...
The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is thrilled to be partnering with the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute as they open the vault to bring you a month of intriguing science mysteries and behind-the-scenes research! We’re starting Genome June at a slow pace, but that’s on purpose! For the first lecture of the month,...
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...
Be part of a select group of volunteers who will gain access to the currently off-limits, and rumored to be haunted, Rispin Mansion property. To celebrate National Trails Day, the Museum is partnering with the City of Capitola and Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship to remove invasive plants as part of a garden beautification project...
Celebrate World Oceans Day with the Museum as we team up with Save Our Shores for a beach cleanup! Give back to your community while showing your love for marine ecosystems as we take to Seabright Beach scrub it clean of trash. All trash grabbers, gloves, bags, and other materials will be provided by the...
Come do scientific illustrations with us at Toddler Tumble Time! 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...
Discover local wildlife and take on the egg drop challenge — science meets adventure! Free and open to Watsonville Residents ¡Descubre las especies locales y participa en el desafío del huevo — ciencia y aventura se unen! These programs are funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209 and administered by California...
Discover local wildlife and take on the egg drop challenge — science meets adventure! Free and open to Watsonville Residents ¡Descubre las especies locales y participa en el desafío del huevo — ciencia y aventura se unen! These programs are funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209 and administered by California...
The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is thrilled to be partnering with the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute as they open the vault to bring you a month of intriguing science mysteries and behind-the-scenes research! Genome June will make a splash with this next lecture and just in time for World Oceans Day! Join...
Museum Members are invited to join us for s special opening celebration of our newest exhibit, Treasured Trees: The Story of Coast Redwoods. Enjoy a festive evening with refreshments, and be among the first to explore the exhibit! RSVP Online or email events@santacruzmuseum.org Delve into the rich natural history of California’s coast redwoods. This exhibit...
Discover local wildlife and take on the egg drop challenge — science meets adventure! Free and open to Watsonville Residents ¡Descubre las especies locales y participa en el desafío del huevo — ciencia y aventura se unen! These programs are funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209 and administered by California...
For one night only, join celebrated international artist, Nicole Sylvia, for an evening of redwood-inspiring collaging! Drawing inspiration from the new Treasured Trees exhibit, participants will learn the beauty and intricacies of paper art. This workshop will cover the process of collage from ideation to structuring compelling compositions. Participants will learn how to arrange a...
The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is thrilled to be partnering with the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute as they open the vault to bring you a month of intriguing science mysteries and behind-the-scenes research! This Genome June lecture will be a roaring good time as we uncover the mysteries of prehistoric mammals! From...
Looking for a GNEISS way to spend your weekend? Well, you won't want to take this special event for GRANITE! Join geologists from University of California, Santa Cruz to share your mineralogical marvels and have them identified inside the Museum's galleries. Price: This special event is Free with Admission. $5 Adults | $3 Students and...
Calling young explorers and scientists curious about nature! This summer, young naturalists join us on a journey to investigate the wildlife of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Coast. Campers spend the week exploring nearby beach, creek, and garden habitats, and learning about the wild world of animals around us. CAMP FULL JOIN THE WAITLIST For...
Are you curious about curating? Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History this summer to learn about the natural world by studying museum specimens, exploring outdoors, and building a museum collection of your own. Campers will build friendships while investigating nature, playing games, and creating awesome crafts! CAMP FULL JOIN THE WAITLIST For students...
Join a state-wide citizen science initiative as the Museum teams up with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center for a tidepooling BioBlitz! Coinciding with a King Tide, assist marine biologists as they survey the flora and fauna found in the crevices of Davenport Beach. Watch the sunrise as you contribute to the California-wide...
The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is thrilled to be partnering with the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute as they open the vault to bring you a month of intriguing science mysteries and behind-the-scenes research! To celebrate the end of Genome June and the opening of the Museum’s new Treasured Trees exhibit, our final...
Let’s get festive with redwood horticultural art! Celebrate the new Treasured Trees exhibit and the wonder of forestscapes by crafting an arboreal-inspired sculpture. This course will satisfy both plant and art lovers alike as you learn the science of redwood ecosystems by designing, weaving, and mounting redwood materials into a beautiful model. Create a masterpiece for your...
Are you a fossil forager, a dinosaur discoverer, or a rock wrangler? Join the Museum as we unearth the fossils, rocks, and ancient history of Santa Cruz by exploring the many surprising things you can learn from digging into the ground. Campers entering K-2nd grade will build friendships while investigating artifacts, studying fossils, playing games,...
Have you ever wondered what it takes to be able to live here in Santa Cruz? This summer, young adventurers can join us as we investigate the plants and animals that call Santa Cruz home and learn how they manage to survive and thrive here. Campers will go on walking field trips to explore nearby...
4th of July is always full of fun, fireworks, and friends! But our festivities can leave a mess on the beaches and potentially harm marine life. So, after celebrating the 4th of July, join the Museum on the 5th of July as we team up with Save Our Shores for a beach cleanup! Give back...
Have you ever noticed how places in nature around Santa Cruz are different from each other? In this camp young adventurers can join us on a journey to study the many incredible and interesting habitats you can find here. Campers will become more observant of the connections in nature around them and deepen their appreciation...
Biomimicry is an engineering concept that uses ideas from nature to create sustainable solutions. We invite kids to spend the week exploring and drawing inspiration from nature to solve design challenges and engineer their own solutions to help humans live more sustainably on Earth. The week leads up to completing an engineering project and an...
Jumbo July is off to a blazing start, as we learn the science behind redwood trees fireproof capabilities. This hot topic will showcase the unique adaptations of redwood trees, how wildfires transform forest ecology, and how the ecosystems are able to bounce back. REGISTER Instructor: Brian Woodward - Sempervirens’ Land & Stewardship Committee and Forest...
In collaboration with the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, adventure through exclusive areas as you partake in a redwood forest exploration. Guided by an expert ecologist, prepare to trailblaze into the unknown as you explore unique redwood forest ecosystems, survey wildfire scars, and, if you’re lucky, you might even discover an albino redwood! Open...
Don’t miss this special opportunity for Museum Volunteers and Members to take a private, guided tour of pristine birding habitats. Led by local birding experts, explore the wondrous wilderness of the Santa Cruz County Land Trust! The nature preserve’s habitats include sandhills, ponds, and wildflower meadows. Veteran naturalists and nature newbies are sure to be...
