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
- 10/23 Member Meet-Up: Natural Dyes from Seeds
Seeds hold incredible potential — they grow into plants, feed us, and can even produce beautiful colors. During this month’s Member Meet-Up, we will explore the color potential of seeds by … Read more - 10/30 Museum of the Macabre: An Evening of Potions, Poisons, and Plants
Come in costume and imbibe cauldron-concocted cocktails while exploring the dark side of nature. The fifth annual Museum of the Macabre will be bigger than ever with freakish festivities and special … Read more - 11/3 Rockin’ Pop-Up: The Motions of the Oceans and the Atmosphere
What do rocks have to do with the ocean and the atmosphere? Well, quite a lot it turns out! Join us for our next Rockin’ Pop-Up where the Geology Gents will … Read more - 11/13 Indigenous Relationships with Coastal Prairie Plants with Alex Tabone
Coastal prairie habitats have long been tended by Indigenous people along the coast of present day California. During this demonstration outside the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, Alex Tabone will … Read more - 11/16 Ancient Scorched Seeds and Indigenous Land Stewardship with Rob Cuthrell
Archaeologists can analyze charred seeds and other plant remains to learn about relationships between people and the natural world deep into the past. This talk will describe how a collaborative research … Read more - 11/20 Saturdays in the Soil
It’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 - 11/20 Out and About: Tule Crafts
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month by connecting with the local Indigenous culture of Aulinta (present-day Santa Cruz) during this month’s Out and About family day. Museum staff will help families create … 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.
- 11/6 Nature Club: Neary Lagoon and Migratory Madness
Neary Lagoon in the autumn is full of life! Migratory birds seek food and shelter in large numbers and provide excellent opportunities to study them up close. The Museum will provide … Read more - 12/4 Nature Club: Pogonip – A Trip Through History
Join us to explore approximately 4 miles of trail in Pogonip, the largest open natural space in Santa Cruz. Enjoy beautiful views of Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay and learn … Read more - 1/8 Nature Club: Museum Deep Dive
Explore collections and specimens from the Museum that do not always get to be seen by the public. The Museum’s extensive collection of fossils, shells, and animal specimens allow us to … Read 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.
