Meet Rocio Sánchez-Nolasco, our Public Programs Coordinator, and newest member of the Museum team. Rocio grew up in Santa Cruz County and has cultivated her life-long appreciation for nature through gardening and by exploring local wetlands, beaches, and forests.
Like many locals, Rocio recognizes how special our region is. “I was fascinated and inspired by the diversity of habitats in the Central Coast, and beyond,” she said. “I think knowing that there is always something new out there to learn about constantly motivates and inspires me to research and get out in nature more.”
Rocio graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a B.A. in Art History and a minor in Digital Humanities. While at UCLA, Rocio learned about the importance of museum education and public programming in helping bridge a sense of community among people of all walks of life and cultivating knowledge through different perspectives.
“My favorite thing about museums is that they can provide a space for new knowledge and curiosities to spark intrigue, community, and learning in an unparalleled way,” said Rocio.
In her short time here at the Museum, Rocio has already brought our community together through outdoor events such as Saturdays in the Soil and Out and About, and she continues to support our Public Programs department behind the scenes in a multitude of ways. She is excited to continue to share her passion for local ecology and museums by helping others learn and connect to nature.
In her spare time, Rocio can be found at the beach, watching horror films, or making art. One of her favorite outdoor spaces to visit locally is the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve where she enjoys viewing the vast number of plants, birds, and marine mammals that rely on this critical wetland habitat.
Please join us in welcoming Rocio!