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 2022
  Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History and the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz for a month of fungi fun at the Museum and in nature! Uncover the mycological marvels … Read more
• 
  1/22 Family Fun with Honey Bees! (FULL)
  Connect with the fascinating world of honey bees during this family friendly event outside the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. We’ll explore a hive, learn how honey bees live, and … Read more
• 
  1/25 Pollinators and Urban Community Gardens with Stacy Philpott (online)
  Pollinators are essential to our environment, but habitat loss, pesticide use, and introduced diseases are causing issues for these creatures all over the world. During this talk, Stacy Philpott will share … Read more
• 
  1/29 Laura Hecox Day
  Take a trip to the 19th Century during this free and festive celebration in honor of the founder of the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, Laura Hecox! Tour historical collections, … Read more
• 
  2/2 Rockin’ Pop-Up: Terrestrial Planets of our Solar System
  Join the Geology Gents, Gavin and Graham, for the first installment of a three-part trilogy exploring the planets of our solar system. February will examine the terrestrial planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, … Read more
• 
  2/2 Nature Journal Studio (FULL)
  Nature journaling can help us view the natural world with new perspectives, learn about our surroundings, and see the extraordinary in the ordinary. During monthly Nature Journal Studio sessions inside the … Read more
• 
  2/5 Exploring the Mushrooms of the Santa Cruz Mountains with Christian Schwarz (FULL)
  Join 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 skills and … Read more
• 
  2/8 Pollinators in the Dark: Bats and their Flowers with Dr. Winifred Frick
  Bat diversity around the world includes remarkable adaptations, including species that are highly specialized to drink nectar and pollinate flowers. Worldwide, bats pollinate about 500 different plant species, some of which are … Read more
• 
  2/12 The Art of Fungi Workshop with Andrea Dingeldein (FULL)
  Join 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

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.

• 
  2/5 Nature Club: Finding Fungus at DeLaveaga
  We will explore the forests and trails of DeLaveaga Park looking for a kingdom of life best viewed in the winter: fungi! The great variety of trees in these forests supports … Read more
• 
  3/5 Nature Club: Arana Gulch, Santa Cruz Harbor, & Spring Wildflowers
  Spring 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
• 
  4/2 Nature Club: Neary Lagoon – A Living Nursery
  Springtime 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
• 
  5/7 Nature Club: Exploring the Tide Pools at Natural Bridges
  The 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
• 
  6/4 Nature Club: Moore Creek Preserve and Summer Startup
  Kick 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.

Watch previous lectures, tutorials, and more.

• Climate Stewardship: Taking Collective Action to Protect California with Adina Merenlender
• Ancient Scorched Seeds and Indigenous Land Stewardship with Rob Cuthrell
• Rockin’ Pop-Up: The Motions of the Oceans and the Atmosphere
• Fossil Walruses and Other Ancient Life in the Monterey Bay with Dr. Robert Boessenecker
• Rockin’ Pop-Up: Dangerous Minerals
• Hiking With A Purpose: Post-fire community science with Josie Lesage
• Rockin’ Pop-Up: What even IS North America?
• Fire and the Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve with Dr. Jodi McGraw
• A Striking August: Lightning and Wildfires with Chris Giesige
• Collections Close-Up: Preserving Cultural History After Fire with California State Parks

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.