Join us for the member and volunteer exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at a recent whale rescue in Monterey Bay. Featuring powerful footage, this presentation offers an immersive, firsthand view of the teamwork, precision, and challenges involved in freeing entangled whales safely and effectively. This event is for Museum Members only. REGISTRATION CLOSED
Continuing a tradition that began in 2016, the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History will celebrate the birthday of its founder, Santa Cruz naturalist and lightkeeper, Laura Hecox, at this special open house. The outdoor event will include Victorian-era activities, community partners, historians, and the 2026 Laura Hecox Naturalist award presentation. Program: 10am-5pm: FREE...
Join geologists from University of California, Santa Cruz to share your mineralogical marvels and get them identified inside the Museum’s galleries! Price: This special event is Free during our Laura Hecox Day celebration! What can you bring: Rocks, fossils, gems, and minerals are all welcome! Feel free to bring as many samples as you like,...
Lichens are all around us, yet they are often overlooked and misunderstood. Join lichen expert Ken Kellman for an engaging evening exploring these fascinating organisms, beginning with an introductory lecture followed by a hands-on lichen identification session. Participants will examine a variety of local lichen species using dissecting microscopes and learn how to observe key...
Come find us at Hope Park, Watsonville! Celebrate World Wetlands Day with hands-on habitat restoration, live music, and fun, educational activities for all ages. ¡Ven a encontrarnos en Hope Park, Watsonville! Celebra el Día Mundial de los Humedales con restauración de hábitat, música en vivo y actividades divertidas y educativas para todas las edades. ________________________________________________________________________________________________...
Learn about the variety of marine organisms ! We'll showcase fascinating artifacts, including unique marine shells, shark teeth, and much more. This mobile museum will give you a closer look at the animals that make our bay so special. ¡Aprende sobre la variedad de organismos marinos! Mostraremos fascinantes artefactos, incluyendo conchas marinas únicas, dientes de...
Every second Tuesday of the month, Watsonville community members are invited to Somos Watsonville, where our team will contribute a guided and interactive activity alongside existing programming. Cada tercer martes del mes, los miembros de la comunidad de Watsonville están invitados a Somos Watsonville, donde nuestro equipo contribuirá una actividad guiada e interactiva a las...
Have you noticed different species in Santa Cruz in different seasons? From monarchs to birds to whales, the wildlife of our region is ever-changing as migrating animals move through or come to stay for a season. Head on over to Natural Bridges today to enjoy the Annual Migration Festival from 11am-3:30pm to learn more about...
Join us for a family-friendly event! Design a wearable mushroom cap at Far West Fungi with the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.
Join us for a fun day filled with art activities at Bay View Elementary School for Fiesta de las Artes! Be sure to stop by the Museum's table to have some fun with nature themed arts and crafts.
Every fourth Tuesday of the month, Watsonville community members are invited to the Environmental Science Workshop (ESW), where our team will contribute a guided and interactive activity alongside existing programming. Cada cuarto martes del mes, los miembros de la comunidad de Watsonville están invitados al Taller de Ciencias Ambientales (ESW), donde nuestro equipo contribuirá una...
Get ready for a Herpetology Happy Hour! This month we're celebrating the slimy, scaled, and slithering inhabitants of our local ecosystems. Connect with artists, scientists, and community partners who study, steward, and protect amphibians and reptiles. Enjoy live animals, hands-on activities, refreshments, free museum admission, and special seasonal items in the Museum Store. An open...
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...
Get hands-on with herpetology and creativity at this paint and sip workshop at the Museum. Join science illustrator and naturalist Hannah Caisse for an evening of art, learning, and amphibian appreciation. Participants will choose from a selection of 3D printed salamander and herp models and paint their own scientifically inspired creation using acrylic paints. Hannah...
Offered by Big Basin State Park, this 2-mile walk through old-growth redwood forest provides an engaging look at the resilience of coastal redwoods and the ongoing recovery of the forest after the devastating CZU Lightning Complex fires in 2020. This hike is a great opportunity to witness nature’s ability to adapt and renew, and also...
Join geologists from University of California, Santa Cruz to share your mineralogical marvels and get them identified inside the Museum’s galleries! Price: This special event is Free with Admission. $5 Adults | $3 Students and Seniors | Free for Youth Under 18 | Free for Museum Members. What can you bring: Rocks, fossils, gems, and...
Santa Cruz County is a critical stronghold for the threatened California red-legged frog. Join Wildlife Biologist Michael Westphal for an inside look at three decades of research, restoration, and on-the-ground conservation efforts centered around this remarkable amphibian. This talk explores what it takes to protect a species on the brink and how our community can...
Museum Members and exhibit artists are invited to join us for a special opening reception for our beloved annual exhibit, The Art of Nature. Enjoy a festive evening with refreshments, and be among the first to explore the featured works! RSVP Online or email events@santacruzmuseum.org Explore the beauty and fine details of the natural world around...
Join us at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for a special First Friday celebrating our Art of Nature exhibition and the beauty of plants. This month’s event is Flora-themed, highlighting the incredible diversity of local plant life and the artists inspired by it. Meet Art of Nature artists, learn about their creative process,...
CAMP FULL – CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST Are you a super sleuth when it comes to nature? Campers ages 5-7 are invited to join a week of hands-on investigation, creative challenges, and outdoor discovery during the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History's Spring Break Day-camp for nature detectives! During spring break 2026, campers will...
Please join us in celebrating the publication of Singing from the Deep End (CavanKerry 2026), a poetry collection about girldom and friendship set on the rocky Atlantic coast by Rebecca Hart Olander. In addition to being a poet, Olander is the editor and publisher at Perugia Press, a press dedicated to publishing first and second books by women...
Join Art of Nature artist Avery Maltz for a hands-on workshop exploring botanical ink-making using locally sourced plants. In this small-group setting, you’ll learn how natural pigments are extracted and turned into usable inks. Avery will demonstrate the process step by step, showing how plant materials are simmered and transformed, and how factors like heat,...
Come Join Us for Toddler Tumble Time! We’ll be sharing some of our educational collection items. Bring your little ones to explore and learn about science. Don’t miss out on the fun! ¡Acompáñenos en la Hora de Juegos para Pequeñitos! Compartiremos una selección de artículos de nuestra colección educativa. Venga con sus pequeños a explorar...
Join us to explore the fascinating world of bird nests! Study real nest specimens and captivating photos to learn how birds build their homes, what materials they use, and how each nest is uniquely designed for different species. ¡Venga a vernos para explorar el fascinante mundo de los nidos de aves! Estudie ejemplares reales...
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! This event...
Find the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History at Earth Day Santa Cruz! We’ll be hosting a nature-inspired art activity. 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 engage our citizens through education, hands-on...
Join us for a fun-filled day in the community! We’ll be at the Watsonville Cabrillo College campus for a family-friendly event featuring local organizations. The event will also coincide with the Farmers Market. ¡Únete a nosotros para un día lleno de diversión en la comunidad! Estaremos en el campus de Cabrillo College en Watsonville para...
Join Art of Nature exhibit artist Erin Ellis for an immersive botanical illustration workshop focused on the beauty and complexity of Hummingbird Sage. Found growing right outside the Museum, this fragrant native plant offers a perfect subject for slowing down and observing the intricate details of the natural world. REGISTER The workshop will begin with...
Join us at the Museum on April 26th from 1-3pm for a Neighborhood Resiliency Workshop with Ecology Action and the City of Santa Cruz! Together we'll build neighborhood connections and increase community confidence, preparedness, and resiliency towards climate disasters while sharing resources that support sustainable habits. Host a workshop in your own neighborhood within Santa Cruz...
Celebrate the flower-filled month of April with the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History and the Santa Cruz County chapter of the California Native Plant Society as we spotlight the science and beauty of local flora. Join graduate researcher Georgia Vasey for an engaging talk on the role of prescribed fire in restoring California’s coastal...
Celebrate First Friday this May with a special fauna-themed evening honoring our Art of Nature exhibit. Explore artwork inspired by the animals of our region, from coast to redwoods, and connect with local artists and community partners bringing these stories to life. Enjoy hands-on activities, live demonstrations, and fresh perspectives on the creatures that shape our...
Spring has sprung! And with the new sunny, warm days, the forest comes alive with activity! Young lizards are basking out on the chaparral outcroppings, adult newts are on the move under the redwoods to find their birth ponds and streams , a snake or two will be hunting under the oaks for lunch, and...
Come find us at Marinovich Park, Watsonville! Join the Environmental Science Workshop while engaging in educational activities for all ages. Make sure to stop by and visit the Museum's table. ¡Ven a encontrarnos en Marinovich Park, Watsonville! Únase al taller de Ciencias Ambientales mientras participas en actividades educativas para todas las edades. No olvide pasar...
Join us for our Spring Artist Market in the Park on Saturday, May 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m! Celebrate the season with a curated lineup of local artists, makers, and creatives showcasing nature-inspired goods just in time for Mother’s Day. Browse unique, handmade items, meet the artists, and enjoy a vibrant afternoon in...
Join us at the Museum for a creative evening with Art of Nature artist Calene Luzco Fletcher in this sip and paint style workshop focused on fish illustration! We’ll begin with a short overview of fish and how they have been represented in scientific guidebooks, with a look at the role illustration plays in documenting...
Join us for an informal and informative evening with financial experts who will be on hand to answer your questions and walk you through the giving vehicles that can help you support the causes you love while maximizing your financial and tax benefits. Whether you are curious about making a gift through your IRA, establishing...
