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  • Naturalist Night: Lichens 101

    Fungus February
    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    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...

  • boys using binoculars to look at a black wetland bird

    Mobile Museum at World Wetlands Day

    Hope Park 76 Hope Dr, Watsonville, CA, United States

    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. ________________________________________________________________________________________________...

  • Toddler Tumble Time: Marine Animals

    Watsonville Public Library 275 Main St STE 100, Watsonville, CA, United States

    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...

  • Afterschool Activities: Somos Watsonville

    Afterschool Activities: Somos Watsonville
    SOMOS Watsonville 112 E Beach St., Watsonville, CA, United States

    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...

  • Mobile Museum at the Migration Festival

    Natural Bridges State Beach 2531 W Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    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...

  • Family Fun at Far West Fungi

    far west fungi 224 Laurel St APT A101, Santa Cruz, United States

    Join us for a family-friendly event! Design a wearable mushroom cap at Far West Fungi with the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.

  • Afterschool Activities: Environmental Science Workshop

    Afterschool Activities: Environmental Science Workshop
    Environmental Science Workshop 120 2nd St., Watsonville, CA, United States

    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...

  • Herpetology First Friday

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    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...

  • Pinned butterfly specimens in a drawer

    Toddler Tumble Time: Entomology

    Watsonville Public Library 275 Main St STE 100, Watsonville, CA, United States

    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...

  • Salamander Sip & Paint

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    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...

  • Member Meetup: The Resilience of the Redwoods

    Big Basin Redwoods State Park 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA, United States

    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...

  • Rockin’ Pop Up!

    Rockin’ Pop Up!
    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    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...

  • Protecting the California Red-Legged Frog in Santa Cruz County

    Featured
    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    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...

  • Member Opening: The Art of Nature

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    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...

  • Flora First Friday

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    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,...

  • Nature Detectives Spring Camp

    Featured
    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    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 join us to gather clues from the local...

  • Member Meetup: West Cliff Geology Walk

    West Cliff Drive West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    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...

  • Toddler Tumble Time: Bird Nests!

    Watsonville Public Library 275 Main St STE 100, Watsonville, CA, United States

    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...

  • Find Us At: Earth Day Santa Cruz

    Downtown Santa Cruz Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    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...

  • Santa Cruz Safari Summer Camp

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    CAMP FULL - CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST 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...

  • Magnificent Museum Summer Camp

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    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! Times: Drop-off 8:30-9 a.m. | Pick-up 3-3:30...

  • Can You Dig It? Summer Camp

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    CAMP FULL - CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST 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...

  • Surviving Santa Cruz Summer Camp

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    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...

  • Wild World of Santa Cruz Summer Camp

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    CAMP FULL – CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST 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...

  • Biomimicry Summer Camp

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    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...

  • Incredible Invertebrates Summer Camp

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    CAMP FULL - CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST Do you love flipping rocks and logs and studying our invertebrate friends? This summer, young naturalists join us on a journey to investigate the animals of Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay that do not have a backbone, ranging from tiny creatures to some of the biggest...

  • Vivan Los Vertebrados Summer Camp

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    Vertebrates are the incredibly diverse species of animals that have a backbone to support their body. Kids will learn all about different branches of the tree of life and how they connect to all the other life on the planet. Campers will explore the Museum’s specimens and surrounding habitats to learn more about the wonderful...

  • Art and Science in Nature Summer Camp

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    CAMP FULL - CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST Calling young artists and scientists curious about nature! This summer, young explorers can join us on a journey to investigate symmetries, patterns, and curiosities in the natural world. Spend the week exploring nearby beach, creek, and garden habitats, and making all sorts of art inspired by...

  • Experiments in Nature Summer Camp

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    Are you a future scientist? We invite kids to join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for Experiments in Nature camp to perform experiments and studies in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, ocean studies, and climate science. Explore nature while learning more about how scientists study the natural world that surrounds us. Times:...

  • Beginning Botany Summer Camp

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    CAMP FULL - CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST Are you a green thumb or a budding botanist? Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for the Beginning Botany camp this summer to learn about the natural world by studying plants, trees, and much more. Campers will build friendships while investigating nature, playing games,...

  • World of Birds Summer Camp

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    Birds are fascinating and charismatic animals and the study of them is both fun and scientific. Campers will use scientific tools to study the many species of birds that visit the Museum and the surrounding habitats to study the great diversity of birds that call Santa Cruz home during the summer. Join us to dive...