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

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  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
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  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
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  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
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  Fungus February 2025
  Explore a month of fungi fun with the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History! Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of mushrooms through … Read more
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  2/1 West Glenwood Mushroom Exploration
  In collaboration with the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, adventure through exclusive areas as you partake in a fungus exploration! Guided by … Read more
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  2/2 Fungus Forms & Features in Watercolor
  Capture the intricate beauty of mushrooms with watercolors. Spotlighting local Santa Cruz County mushrooms as models, participants will learn how to paint the … Read more
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  2/5 An Endangered Mushroom & CA’s eDNA
  Join us in kicking off Fungus February with the best mushroom mystery story you’ve never heard! In collaboration with UCSC’s Genomics Institute, learn … Read more
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  2/7 Fungus February 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 … Read more
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  2/8 San Vicente Redwoods Mushroom Exploration
  In collaboration with the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, adventure through exclusive areas as you partake in a fungus exploration! Guided by … Read more
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  2/8 & 2/9 Fungus February Flameworking & Glassblowing
  Looking for a fiery way to enjoy Fungus February? Experience the excitement of glassblowing in this special hands-on flameworkging program hosted by the … Read more
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  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
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  2/15 Antonelli Pond Mushroom Exploration
  In collaboration with the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, adventure through exclusive areas as you partake in a fungus exploration! Guided by … Read more
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  2/15 & 2/16 Fungus February Flameworking & Glassblowing
  Looking for a fiery way to enjoy Fungus February? Experience the excitement of glassblowing in this special hands-on flameworkging program hosted by the … Read more
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  2/19 Cordyceps, Cappuccinos, & Mind Control
  Fungus February just got a whole lot spookier, especially when the topic is parasitic zombie fungi! Learn about the sinister Cordyceps mushroom that … Read more
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  2/21 Spore Prints & Mushroom Painting
  Capture the intricate beauty of mushrooms using the mushroom spores as the painting medium. Utilizing local Santa Cruz County mushrooms as both the … Read more
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  2/22 East Glenwood Mushroom Exploration
  In collaboration with the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, adventure through exclusive areas as you partake in a fungus exploration! Guided by … Read more
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  2/26 Sky Islands, Sea Islands, Dry Islands, & the Biogeography of Macrofungi
  Making maps of the distributions of organisms is one of the most fascinating topics in all of natural history. The theory of island … Read more
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  2/28 Fluorescent Fungi & Bioluminescent (DNA) Barcodes
  Glowing, glowing, gone! For the last lecture of Fungus February, explore the brilliant world of bioluminesce. In this illuminating lecture, learn about the … Read more
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  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.

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  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.