Explore the nature of Santa Cruz — wherever you are! Connect with local experts and join your community in deepening understanding about nature, science, and stewardship online and in-person. Stay updated about upcoming events by signing up for our newsletter.
Upcoming Events
- 3/22 – Behind-the-Scenes at a National Monument: A Cotoni-Coast Dairies Tour
Don’t miss this special, limited-time opportunity for a private guided tour of the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument – before it’s even open to the public! Guided by land stewards and environmental … Read more - [Sold Out] 3/23 Intro to Plein Air Painting – Sandhills
Go outside and learn to paint gouache and watercolor landscapes while surrounded by nature as inspiration. This open-air art workshop will teach the techniques necessary to capture environmental perspectives through the … Read more - 3/26 Plein Air in Plain Sight – The Legacy of Santa Cruz Nature Painting
Santa Cruz has been an outdoor painting hotspot since the 1890’s, well-known across the nation as a destination for exploring art while surrounded by nature. In fact, the Seabright Community in … Read more - 3/29 Horticulture Workshop: Living Springtime Wreath
Let’s get festive with native flowers, succulents, and air plants! Celebrate Springtime and the wonder of wildflowers by crafting a living botanical wreath. This course will satisfy both plant and art lovers alike; learn the … Read more - 4/4 The Art of Nature: First Friday
Get to know Santa Cruz’s WILD SIDE at the Museum of Natural History! Nerd out on your night out during monthly after-hours events, featuring rotating themes, vendors, and activities. FREE admission … Read more - 4/5 Member Meetup: West Cliff Geology Walk
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 … Read more - 4/12 Scientific Illustration & Observation in Watercolors
Love nature, science, and art but don’t know where to start? Here is your opportunity to master a new skill and bring home your own environmentally-inspired masterpiece after just one class. … Read more - 4/18 Art of Nature Workshop: Butterflies in Watercolor
As part of this Springtime special, get up close and personal with the art of arthropods! Featuring beautiful insect displays, from the rarely seen insect taxidermy collection, this program is perfect … Read more - 4/19 Saturdays in the Soil
It’s time to volunteer and get your hands dirty! Dig in and flex your green thumb as we tackle invasive species in Pilkington Creek and plant native species in the Museum’s Garden Learning Center. … Read more - 4/19 Earth Day Rockin’ Pop Up!
Looking for a GNEISS way to spend your weekend? Well, you won’t want to take this special event for GRANITE! Celebrate Earth Day with a rockin’ afternoon at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural … Read more - 4/20 Earth Day Special: Birding Photography
Learn to appreciate the diverse bird populations of Santa Cruz through a camera lens. Level-up your birding by applying photography tips, tricks, and techniques to capture these animals in action. Guided … Read more - 4/23 Art of Nature Workshop: Birds in Gouache
As part of this Art of Nature special, learn from one of the featured exhibitors on how to capture the intricate beauty of birds. Spotlighting local Santa Cruz species as models, … Read more - 4/25 Earth Day Special: Sea Glass Art
Go green this Earth Day by creating a work of art from upcycled beach glass! As part of this special seasonal offering, discover the beauty of beachcombing as you create a … Read more - 4/26 Earth Day in Oils – Environmental Oil Painting
Let’s go to the beach and learn to paint in oils! In recognition of Earth Day, learn how to use oil paints in an environmentally friendly, solvent-free way. This open-air art … Read more - 4/27 Intro to Plein Air Painting – Superblooms
Go outside and learn to paint gouache and watercolor landscapes while surrounded by nature as inspiration. This open-air art workshop will teach the techniques necessary to capture environmental perspectives through the … Read more - 5/3 Micro May: Scientific Illustration & Observation in Stippling
Love nature, science, and art but don’t know where to start? Here is your opportunity to master a new skill and bring home your own environmentally-inspired masterpiece after just one class. … Read more - 5/24 Member Meetup: A Cotoni-Coast Dairies Behind-the-Scenes Tour
Don’t miss this special, limited-time opportunity for a private guided tour of the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument – before it’s even open to the public! Guided by land stewards and environmental … Read more
Registration Policies
Want to know more about our events or share your suggestions about potential topics? Email us at events@santacruzmuseum.org.
Upcoming Nature Club Events
Nature Club takes young explorers (6th-8th grade) into local habitats to learn about the amazing living world around us while making discoveries along the way. Learn more.
