
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
- Fungus February 2023Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for a month of fungi fun at the Museum and in nature. Uncover the mycological marvels of the forest floor guided by experts, … Read more
- 1/28 2023 Laura Hecox DayJoin us for a FREE festive day celebrating the past, present, and future of sharing the wonder of nature and science exploration in Santa Cruz County. You’ll connect with today’s local … Read more
- FULL 2/4 Mushroom Walk with Phil CarpenterJoin Phil Carpenter for a guided exploration of local mushrooms, part of our line-up of Fungus February events. Note: Location will be within Santa Cruz County and determined based on this season’s mushroom … Read more
- FULL 2/4 Fall Creek After FireThe Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park has reopened after nearly two years of recovery work in the wake of the CZU Lightning Complex fires — and we want to share it … Read more
- 2/8 Nature Journal StudioNature journaling can help us view the natural world with new perspectives, learn about our surroundings, and see the extraordinary in the ordinary. During this monthly Nature Journal Studio session, Museum … Read more
- FULL 2/11 Family Fun: Mushroom Scavenger Hunt!Join educators from the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for a scavenger hunt in the woods! We’ll look for mushrooms and make observations of their fascinating features. Family Fun programs … Read more
- FULL 2/11 Mushrooms of the Santa Cruz Mountains Walk with Christian SchwarzJoin celebrated mycologist Christian Schwarz for a guided exploration of the beauty and biodiversity of the Santa Cruz Mountains with a particular emphasis on the mushrooms of the redwood coast. Hone your observational … Read more
- FULL 2/12 Mushrooms of the Santa Cruz Mountains Walk with Christian SchwarzJoin celebrated mycologist Christian Schwarz for a guided exploration of the beauty and biodiversity of the Santa Cruz Mountains with a particular emphasis on the mushrooms of the redwood coast. Hone your observational … Read more
- 2/15 Book Talk: The Lichen Museum with Laurie PalmerGather at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History to hear a radical proposal for how a tiny organism can transform our understanding of human relations. Laurie Palmer’s forthcoming book, The … Read more
- 2/18 Saturdays in the SoilIt’s time to get your hands dirty! Learn about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening while coming together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. … Read more
- FULL 2/18 The Art of Fungi Workshop with Andrea DingeldeinJoin Andrea (science illustrator) and Marisa (fungiphile and Museum staff) for a day full of fungal exploration — from forest foraging to science illustration! We’ll start by exploring mushroom biodiversity in … Read more
- FULL 2/25 Member Meet-Up: Lichens with Ken KellmanLichens are all around, yet seldom understood. Join us for a special Member Meet-Up with Museum Member Ken Kellman, where we will look closely at a variety of lichen species and … Read more
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.
- 2/4 Nature Club: Finding Fungus at DeLaveaga ParkWe will explore the forests and trails of DeLaveaga Park, traversing about 3 miles of trails. The great variety of trees in these forests supports a huge amount of fungal life. … Read more
- 3/4 Nature Club: Exploring the Tide Pools at Natural BridgesThe tide pools at Natural Bridges are some of the best in Santa Cruz and they are teeming with living creatures. Explore tide pools and nearby coastal prairie habitat and learn … Read more
- 4/1 Nature Club: Arana Gulch, Santa Cruz Harbor, and Spring WildflowersSpring wildflowers abound at Arana Gulch! We will explore the 63 acre open space observing wildlife, exploring forests and fields, and walking around the adjacent Santa Cruz Harbor to look for … Read more
- 5/6 Nature Club: Neary Lagoon – A Living NurserySpringtime at Neary Lagoon means one thing – baby waterbirds! Neary Lagoon is home to lots of newly hatched bird life, and we can observe hatchling ducks, grebes, coots, and more … Read more
- 6/3 Nature Club: Moore Creek Preserve and Summer StartupKick off the beginning of summer with an awesome visit to the Moore Creek Preserve, exploring different communities found in one of our best local habitats. Birds, deer, coyotes, rabbits, and … Read more
Want to know more about our events or share your suggestions about potential topics? Email us at events@santacruzmuseum.org.
