Come find us at Patagonia Outlet Santa Cruz! We will be sharing one of our Mobile Museum's designed to inspire you to connect with the natural world through hands-on observation. We invite people of all ages to explore, ask questions, and engage directly with specimens through touch and close study.
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
Every third Saturday of the month, we invite volunteers to come together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. During this volunteering event, you'll get your hands dirty assisting with the maintenance of the park, our pollinator garden, and Pilkington Creek, while gaining insights into local ecology, native plants, and...
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...
Enjoy FREE admission to the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History every First Friday of the month! Explore hands-on exhibits, dive into local nature and get to know the species that call this special place home. Plan Your Visit Explore Our Exhibits
Get ready for a fun-gi First Friday at the Museum! Our Fungus February First Friday invites you to dive into the fascinating world of fungi and the vital role they play in our local ecosystems. From underground networks to above-ground marvels, this evening celebrates the weird, wonderful, and essential world of mushrooms. Connect with artists,...
Join us to learn about mushrooms and how to identify and differentiate between various species. We will discuss mushroom picking and collecting etiquette, and various ways of identifying fungus genus and species – by shape, parts, and anatomy of a mushroom, color, smell, and tree associations! Participants will have time to explore, find, and closely...
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...
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...
Visit us at the Watsonville Public Library every second Friday. Each month, we feature a different Mobile Museum designed to inspire visitors to connect with the natural world through hands-on observation. We invite people of all ages to explore, ask questions, and engage directly with specimens through touch and close study. Visítenos en la Biblioteca...
Lichens are all around, yet seldom understood. Join us for an introductory walk where we will look closely at a variety of lichen species and learn to better understand their unique qualities. The walk will be led by Ken Kellman, a member of the California Lichen Society and volunteer curator of lichens and bryophytes at...
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...
This hands-on workshop introduces natural dyeing with plants and fungi, including mushroom-based dyes. Participants will learn basic folding techniques, experiment with multiple dye baths, and explore how pH modifiers like vinegar and baking soda affect color. The workshop also includes a brief demonstration on working with natural charcoal and draws inspiration from traditional dye practices....
Every third Tuesday of the month, Watsonville community members are invited to Arte del Corazón (ADC), 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 Arte del Corazón (ADC), donde nuestro equipo contribuirá una actividad guiada...
Every third Saturday of the month, we invite volunteers to come together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. During this volunteering event, you'll get your hands dirty assisting with the maintenance of the park, our pollinator garden, and Pilkington Creek, while gaining insights into local ecology, native plants, and...
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...
Enjoy FREE admission to the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History every First Friday of the month! Explore hands-on exhibits, dive into local nature and get to know the species that call this special place home. Plan Your Visit Explore Our Exhibits
Learn about the variety of marine organisms that call Monterey Bay home! We'll showcase fascinating artifacts, including a pelican's skull, 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 que llaman...
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...
Visit us at the Watsonville Public Library every second Friday. Each month, we feature a different Mobile Museum designed to inspire visitors to connect with the natural world through hands-on observation. We invite people of all ages to explore, ask questions, and engage directly with specimens through touch and close study. Visítenos en la Biblioteca...
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...
Every third Tuesday of the month, Watsonville community members are invited to Arte del Corazón (ADC), 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 Arte del Corazón (ADC), donde nuestro equipo contribuirá una actividad guiada...
Every third Saturday of the month, we invite volunteers to come together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. During this volunteering event, you'll get your hands dirty assisting with the maintenance of the park, our pollinator garden, and Pilkington Creek, while gaining insights into local ecology, native plants, and...
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...
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...
Enjoy FREE admission to the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History every First Friday of the month! Explore hands-on exhibits, dive into local nature and get to know the species that call this special place home. Plan Your Visit Explore Our Exhibits
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...
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...
Visit us at the Watsonville Public Library every second Friday. Each month, we feature a different Mobile Museum designed to inspire visitors to connect with the natural world through hands-on observation. We invite people of all ages to explore, ask questions, and engage directly with specimens through touch and close study. Visítenos en la Biblioteca...
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...
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...
Every third Tuesday of the month, Watsonville community members are invited to Arte del Corazón (ADC), 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 Arte del Corazón (ADC), donde nuestro equipo contribuirá una actividad guiada...
Every third Saturday of the month, we invite volunteers to come together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. During this volunteering event, you'll get your hands dirty assisting with the maintenance of the park, our pollinator garden, and Pilkington Creek, while gaining insights into local ecology, native plants, and...
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...
