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

• 
  12/21 Saturdays in the Soil
  We are coming together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. At the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural … Read more
• 
  1/3 First Friday: Pajaro Photovoice Project Exhibit Opening
  Join us for First Friday as we kick off the first special exhibit of 2025! In addition to our First Friday festivities, we … Read more
• 
  1/10-12 Santa Cruz Fungus Fair
  This January, the Museum will once again partner with the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz to transform the London Nelson Community Center into … Read more
• 
  1/18 Landscape Photography and Native Plant Walk
  While exploring the native plants of Santa Cruz, learn to appreciate the diverse landscapes through a camera lens. Apply photography tips, tricks, and … Read more
• 
  1/25 Laura Hecox Day
  Join the Museum for the annual Laura Hecox Day open house, celebrating the pioneering lighthouse keeper, naturalist, and Museum founder. Born in 1854 … Read more
• 
  1/25 Saturdays in the Soil
  Celebrate Laura Hecox Day by joining Saturdays in the Soil, a recurring volunteer event at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History’s Garden … Read more
• 
  1/29 Nature Journaling: Stick Season
  Explore the hidden beauty of winter and uncover the secrets of seemingly bare forestscapes. The leaves may have fallen, but the beauty of … Read more
• 
  2/14 Valentines Day Special: Beach Glass and Bubbles
  Give the gift of an experience to your loved one this Valentine’s Day! As part of this special seasonal offering, discover the beauty … Read more
• 
  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 … 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.

• 
  2024-25 Fall/Winter Nature Club
  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. Across four excursions, youth will learn … Read more

Watch previous lectures, tutorials, and more.

• Fungi Fundamentals: Mushrooms of the Bay Area with Christian Schwarz and POST (watch recording)
• Naturalist Night | Animals Underground: The Burrowing and Cave Dwelling Creatures of the Santa Cruz Mountains with Matt Sharp Chaney and Alex Jones (watch recording)
• Caves and Climate Change with Jessica Oster | Online Talk
• Naturalist Night: Reintroducing Fire (watch recording)
• Perils in Paradise: Natural Disasters in Santa Cruz County with Gary Griggs
• Transforming Taxidermy: Remembering Richard Gurnee
• Ancient Coastal Connections: Collaborative Archaeology on the Santa Cruz Coast with Mike Grone
• Santa Cruz Sea Monsters with Geoffrey Dunn (recording)
• Seabright and the Castle: Then and Now with Dr. Gary Griggs
• Remembering Castle Beach: Stories from the Exhibit (recording)

Public Programs at the Museum offer dynamic and inclusive places for learning, dialogue, study, and exploration. Through community outreach, virtual presentations, small-group gatherings in nature, large community events, and stewardship and volunteer opportunities, the Museum builds community around a shared curiosity for and appreciation of the natural environment. Programs help communicate how science impacts our daily lives by connecting local experts with community members, including academics, artists, non-profit organizations, and tribal members.