Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to participate in a paleontological expedition to uncover the remains of extinct marine life. Guided by paleontologist Wayne Thompson, travel 5-million years back in time to the bottom of the seafloor and discover the prehistoric creatures of the ancient Monterey Bay area. Participants will search for, decipher, and identify the…
The science of tying things together Research appointments are the highlight of any given week in the collections department. Not only do we get to learn more about the ways our collections contribute to science, we get to see the process in action. Scientists and students bring their questions alongside various tools of the trade,…
March 20, 2024, an incredible discovery made the headlines: FOSSIL SLOTH BONE FOUND IN THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND REPORTED IN THIS REGION Local students from Tara Redwood School playing in a Santa Cruz Mountains creek last spring found a strange object that they suspected was a bone from a large…
As a special continuation of the Microfossil Naturalist Night lecture, join Paleontologist Wayne Thompson for a chance to view his microfossil research up close and personal! Using scientific microscopes, experience the wonders of the prehistoric microscopic world in this once-in-a-lifetime, hands-on opportunity. Who knows what fossils you will see, what paleontological mysteries will be uncovered, and…
What might look like sand to the untrained eye may be the missing clue in a paleontological puzzle. Microfossils are preserved remains, traces, or imprints of past life, including bones, shells, footprints, and even preserved soft tissues. Despite their diminutive size, they have massive implications when trying to understand the past. Learn from a paleontologist…
A very special tooth in Santa Cruz County has captured the attention of the world. A widespread community campaign to recover a mastodon tooth that went missing after being recorded on a local beach culminated on May 30, 2023 when Jim Smith brought a special treasure to the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Here’s How…
Fossils tell the changing story of life on earth over millennia – but they can also tell stories of more recent changes. For this month’s Collections Close-Up, we look at an ancient specimen and its deep timeline, as well as a more modern, local legacy of integrating paleontological adventures with educating young minds. Some fossils…
