Faces of the Museum is a series profiling members of our community.
- In Memoriam: Richard Gurnee
From the glorious wingspan of our golden eagle to the small haunches of our slender salamander, our taxidermy displays are an impactful tool for connecting people to science and nature. … Read more - In Memory of John Anderson
With immense gratitude, the Museum acknowledges the incredible life of John Anderson, who passed away this April. In 1974 John began his 24-year tenure at the Museum, skillfully coordinating the … Read more - Natalie Wollman: Communication Coordinator
In Germany, Bavaria, Natalie grew up with the beautiful Alps mountain range in her backyard, and her parents took her hiking and exploring nature from an early age. Having the … Read more - Emily Antonino: Education Assistant
Emily grew up in Santa Cruz and has enjoyed its natural beauty throughout her life by going to the beach, hiking in the redwoods, and watching sunsets on the cliffs. … Read more - Shelly Logan: Visitor Services Representative
Shelly was born in Santa Cruz, grew up in Sonoma County, and came right back to town the day she graduated high school. She went to UCSC for Sociology and … Read more - Selena Stein: Visitor Services Representative
If you’ve visited the Museum on the weekend lately, you may have seen a new smiling face greeting you at the front desk — that of Selena Stein, our Visitor Services … Read more - Rocio Sánchez-Nolasco: Public Programs Coordinator
Meet Rocio Sánchez-Nolasco, our Public Programs Coordinator, and newest member of the Museum team. Rocio grew up in Santa Cruz County and has cultivated her life-long appreciation for nature through … Read more - Ellen Stone: Education Assistant
Ellen Stone began her journey with the Museum as an event and outreach volunteer, but she joined our staff this past September as one of our intrepid Education Assistants. In … Read more - Alex Krohn: Community Partner
A naturalist is someone who studies the patterns of nature. They seek to deepen our understanding of the natural world by observing the interconnected relationships of living things and their … Read more - Lisa Robinson: Museum Supporter
Lisa Robinson is a renaissance woman. As President of the board for the San Lorenzo Valley Historical Society, which owns and operates the San Lorenzo Valley Museum, she works on … Read more - Wayne Thompson: Paleontologist
Ocotober 2019 Meet Wayne Thompson: paleontologist, science educator and friend of the Museum. Wayne holds a long and rich history with us — he was the first person to receive … Read more - Terry Eckhardt: Board Member
Meet Terry Eckhardt, the newest member of the Museum’s Board of Directors, retired educator and natural history enthusiast. Terry first moved to Santa Cruz in 1972, where he lived near … Read more - Brian Johnson: Collections intern
Ask Brian Johnson which native animal he’s most excited about and he’ll name several; California newts, bald and golden eagles, rattlesnakes, trout, and salmon all make the long list. Learn … Read more - Mary Verutti: Visitor Services Representative
Meet Mary, the Museum’s longest-standing staff member. For well over a decade, Mary has greeted visitors at our front desk, shared her extensive knowledge of the Santa Cruz area and … Read more - Megan Gnekow: Artist, Naturalist and Volunteer
Meet Megan Gnekow: artist, naturalist and volunteer. If you haven’t met Megan at one of our past events, where she has introduced many of our guests to the world of … Read more - Isabelle West: Collections Assistant
Isabelle West is a collector at heart. She “finds joy in every little item,” especially those that carry perspective and narrative, from pine cones found at the Donner Party site … Read more - Rebecca Hernandez: Board Member
Meet Rebecca Hernandez: artist, scholar, educator, and newest member of our Board of Directors. Rebecca has served as Director of the UCSC American Indian Resource Center since 2014, and brings … Read more - Steve Davenport: Board Member
Meet Steve, a member of our Board of Directors and a regular at the Museum since the ‘80s. From keeping his finger on the pulse of our building’s structural wellbeing … Read more - Penny Rich: Museum Supporter
Meet Penny Rich, one of our ardent supporters and a regular at our many special events. You may have met Penny at one of our exhibit openings, or even down … Read more - Chris Soriano: Field Programs Coordinator
Chris is a born educator. Even at 12 years old, you could find him teaching others about interpreting nature with a hawk perched upon his arm. His career in outdoor … Read more - Jeff Perez: Museum Beekeeper
Our Museum staff spans many areas of expertise, from art history to plant-based crafts. But when it comes to bees, we call one man above all: Jeff Perez. As the … Read more - Marisa Gomez: Community Education and Collaboration Manager
Meet Marisa: author, certified naturalist, seasoned trivia host, and procurer of art-friendly plant materials. Marisa has elevated the Museum by wearing many hats over the years, but we now know … Read more - Joanne Curby: Seabright Neighborhood Liaison
Joanne Curby is a familiar face around our beloved Seabright neighborhood. She is our liaison with the Seabright Neighborhood Association, which is a co-sponsor of the June 23rd Summer Kick-Off … Read more - Spencer Klinefelter: Education Coordinator
Spencer Klinefelter, the newest member of the Museum team, has been teaching summer camps and outdoor education since he was 16. As the Museum’s Education Assistant, Spencer runs field programs … Read more - Kathleen Aston: Collections Specialist
As our Collections Specialist, Kathleen Aston’s job is to manage the 16,000-plus items in the Museum’s collections, which include specimens, artifacts and objects running the gamut of natural history. To … Read more - Tyler Falls and Connie Corona: Members and Docents
The older Tyler Falls gets, the more the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History means to him. Just 12 when his family relocated to the Seabright neighborhood of Santa Cruz, … Read more - Angela Ward: Director of Operations
Angela Ward brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit administration and education to her role as Director of Operations at the Museum. Hired as our administrative coordinator in January 2015, … Read more - Linda Bailey: Business Partner
Linda Bailey knows the real value of her neighborhood. A leading real estate broker in Seabright, the Museum’s neighborhood in Santa Cruz, Linda believes strongly in reinvesting in the community … Read more - J.M. Brown: Board President (fmr. Community Relations Manager)
As Community Relations Manager, J.M. Brown manages the Museum’s Business Partnership Program, media relations and facility rentals. Working closely with the Development, Education and Visitors Services teams, J.M. also organizes … Read more - Donna Meyers: Board President (former)
Donna Meyers joined the Museum’s Board of Directors in 2011 and has served as Board President since 2014. She brings a wealth of knowledge about natural resource management to her … Read more - Frank Perry: Laura Hecox Naturalist Award Winner
Frank Perry is an institution within our institution. Frank’s professional relationship with the Museum dates back to his time as a student at Soquel High School, when a stint as … Read more - Nancy Lenz: Volunteer
Nancy Lenz, champion of Pilkington Creek, is a veteran volunteer with the Museum. After retiring to Santa Cruz from Berkeley in 1990, Nancy became connected with the Museum, which is … Read more - Felicia Van Stolk: Executive Director (formerly Education Director)
Spending countless hours in parks, on trails and in tide pools was the perfect training for Executive Director Felicia Van Stolk. The Santa Cruz County native joined the Museum in … Read more - Liz Broughton: Visitors Services Manager
Liz Broughton, Visitor Services Manager, is the Museum’s longest-serving current full-time employee, having joined the team in October 2010 after graduating from the University of Washington’s master’s degree program in … Read more