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...
We are coming together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. At the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, you gain new wisdom about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening while connecting with nature outdoors. It’s time to get your hands dirty! Join us and volunteer in the Museum’s...
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...
Join us for a family-friendly event at Pajaro Valley Arts! We will be learning about shells and performing a shell print, which you'll be able to take home with you. Venga a un evento familiar en Pajaro Valley Arts! Aprenderemos sobre las conchas y realizaremos una impresión de conchas, que podrá llevarse a casa.
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...
Capture the beauty of redwoods on canvas using the forests as inspiration. In celebration of the new Treasured Trees exhibit, adventure into the redwoods of the Byrne-Milliron Forest and learn to paint with oils using nature as a living reference. This open-air art workshop will teach the techniques necessary to capture environmental perspectives through the...
Looking for the purr-fect way to spend your Friday night? You otter swing by to celebrate Safari September! The Museum is thrilled to partner with the Cheetah Conservation Fund and Sea Otter Savvy to showcase these marvelous mammals all month long. Join us for a hare-raising adventure as wildlife photographers display their images of endangered species...
Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for a collaborative workshop connecting local educators with tribal leaders and scholars. This workshop aims to deepen knowledge, clarify terminology, and provide a space for dialogue about incorporating a native perspective into K-12 curriculum. Teachers will have the opportunity to work side-by-side with colleagues and tribal representatives...
Join us to celebrate California Biodiversity Day with a hands-on park beautification project! Discover the beauty of native wildflowers and help support local ecosystems. Participants will go on a native plant walk, learn about California flowers and pollinators, and the conservation efforts to restore fragile coastal landscapes through sustainable gardening. After the plant walk, participants...
Join the Museum for the biggest beach cleanup day of the year! Participate in the marine stewardship efforts and volunteer in this nationwide event. This year, we’re proud to partner with Save Our Shores and Pajaro Valley Arts for a Sunset State Beach cleanup. After the Save Our Shores beach cleanup, join Pajaro Valley Arts...
Join us for a hands-on, in-person workshop in partnership with the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. This training is required for new participating teachers, grades 6th-12th. REGISTER Attendees will: Receive a 5-lesson curriculum aligned with NGSS and Common Core Get hands-on training in Pacific mole crab data collection and analysis → includes a classroom...
Every year, Sea Otter Awareness Week takes place during the last full week of September to celebrate and inspire deeper awareness of these marine mammals. The week is organized by Defenders of Wildlife, Sea Otter Savvy, and the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Find Museum Naturalists at Lighthouse Point and participate in sea otter...
Every year, Sea Otter Awareness Week takes place during the last full week of September to celebrate and inspire deeper awareness of these marine mammals. The week is organized by Defenders of Wildlife, Sea Otter Savvy, and the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Find Museum Naturalists at Lighthouse Point and participate in sea otter...
Families will have an opportunity to view and interact with the herpetology collection from the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Herpetology is a branch of zoology that studies reptiles and amphibians. The exhibit includes snake specimens in jars, snake skins, sea turtle carapace, and even a live rosy boa named Dolores! Las familias tendrán...
Every year, October 15th is National Fossil Day. But why limit the fun to just a day? At the Museum, we’re turning it into a month-long celebration of fossils with a Pleistocene Pop-Up exhibit and events! Our Fossil Frenzy First Friday will showcase paleontologists, geologists, and scientific illustrators with a fossil focus. Bring your mystery...
NOTICE: Temporary Program Pause Due to the U.S. government shutdown, our Full Moon Hikes at the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument (in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management) are currently on hold. We plan to reschedule these special programs once operations resume. Thank you for your understanding. For questions, please contact events@santacruzmuseum.org.
Come enjoy our collection of natural history. Learn about local mammals and their dentition. ¡Venga a disfrutar de nuestra colección de historia natural. Aprenda sobre los mamíferos locales y su dentición. These programs are funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209 and administered by California State Parks, Office of Grants...
Come Join Us for Toddler Tumble Time! We’ll be featuring our natural history collection and offering a fun coloring activity. Bring your little ones to explore and learn about fascinating local creatures. Don’t miss out on the fun! ¡Acompáñanos en la Hora de Juegos para Pequeñitos! Presentaremos nuestra colección de historia natural y ofreceremos una...
Join us for family activities, bike demos, a raffle, and snacks! ¡Acompáñenos para actividades familiares, demostraciones de bicicletas, rifas y refrigerios!
Visit us at Pajaro Valley Arts to see our mammal collections, create an animal print, and preview artwork from Open Studios artists across the region. Visítenos en Pajaro Valley Arts para ver nuestras colecciones de mamíferos, crear una impresión de huella de animal y descubrir las obras de los artistas de Open Studios.
Join us for a howling good time with this year’s Museum of the Macabre: Creatures of the Night! The Museum will be turned into a haunted house full of the bone-chilling taxidermy that inspired your favorite movie monsters. Get up close and personal with every type of Halloween horror. Experience the natural history of your...
Inspired by Día de los Muertos—a tradition that honors loved ones who have passed. Join us for viewing our skulls collection, altars, installations, and artworks from diverse cultural traditions. Inspirado en el Día de los Muertos, una tradición que honra a los seres queridos que han fallecido. Acompáñanos para ver nuestra colección de calaveras, altares,...
NOTICE: Temporary Program Pause Due to the U.S. government shutdown, our Full Moon Hikes at the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument (in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management) are currently on hold. We plan to reschedule these special programs once operations resume. Thank you for your understanding. For questions, please contact events@santacruzmuseum.org.
Families will have an opportunity to view and interact with the herpetology collection from the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Herpetology is a branch of zoology that studies reptiles and amphibians. The exhibit includes snake specimens in jars, snake skins, sea turtle carapace, and even a live rosy boa named Dolores! Las familias tendrán...
Get ready for a tree-mendous First Friday at the Museum! Our Redwoods First Friday will celebrate and explore the wonders and history of our local redwood forests while highlighting the Treasured Trees exhibit. Connect with artists, naturalists, and community partners who work to protect and share the beauty of redwoods. Enjoy hands-on activities, free museum...
Join us at SOMOS Watsonville to learn about local environmental organizations and the bilingual resources available for the community. Encuéntrenos en SOMOS Watsonville para aprender sobre las organizaciones ambientales locales y los recursos bilingües disponibles para la comunidad.
Join artist Jane Kim and Jenny Rieke, the Museum's Associate Director of Education, in conversation about the art and science of interpreting nature. Learn how the artwork for the Treasured Trees exhibit was developed, and hear how the partnership between institutions like the Museum and artists can bring to life scientific concepts for public education...
A Convening for Indigenous Leaders and Public Educators A One-Day Workshop - LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE - SPACE IS LIMITED Samper Hall, Cabrillo College Are you an Indigenous leader or a public educator committed to fostering meaningful partnerships and enriching Indigenous education? Join us for a free transformative one-day workshop designed to cultivate understanding,...
In this hands-on masterclass, artist Jane Kim will demonstrate the tree ring printing process used to create the artworks of Treasured Trees. Attendees will acquire basic know-how of the skills and tools required to practice this beautiful technique at home. REGISTER About the Speaker Jane is a visual artist, science illustrator, and the founder of...
Looking for locally made, nature-inspired gifts this holiday season? Join us for the Museum’s Holiday Sale and Art Market, featuring a curated selection of art, jewelry, home décor, prints, and more from over 20 local artists and makers whose work celebrates nature and natural history. It’s the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind gifts inspired by...
Winter can be a wild time! Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History this winter break to learn about the seasons, the weather, and how plants and animals adapt to survive the wintertime. Explore nature, make art, and play with new friends while learning about local natural history. For K-2nd Graders (5-7 Years Old)...
