Help Connect Students with Nature and Science

The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is on a mission to provide information and experiences that inspire stewardship of the natural world and lifelong learning. There have been significant changes in 117 years of service to Santa Cruz County. One of the most impactful changes occurred when people came together to save this landmark institution by transitioning the Museum to be an independent nonprofit in

2009, which preserved a historic public institution dedicated to interpreting this region’s natural wonders.

The Museum’s many field trip programs are provided at no cost to schools, yet transportation is still a barrier for some schools in our community. When schools need buses, resources, or families who can take time away from work and drive, many local classes cannot access our educational field trips, where students can learn and explore. You can help ensure that all our students have access to the Museum’s resources for learning. When you contribute to our Field Trip Transportation Scholarships, more students will have the opportunity for educational experiences with our team of professionals committed to nature and science education.

The Museum has provided generations of Santa Cruz students, families, and visitors with field trips, public programs, and exhibits to foster an understanding of our region’s rich natural history. We provide students, educators, and visitors with tools for learning, events, and experiences that immerse them in the science and history of Santa Cruz County’s unique landscape, from the shoreline to the summit. Visiting the

Museum is something students look forward to throughout the grades. Our field trips provide opportunities to engage in real-time science, identify wildlife, explore regional geology and ocean life, and understand the impacts of fire on our ecosystem. Access to Museum field trips is essential to achieving educational equity in Santa Cruz County because exhibits and programs that educate and inspire are dynamic tools to fuel a lifetime of curiosity and learning.

With your support for Museum field trips, we can continue sharing Santa Cruz County’s natural history and inspire students to be lifelong learners who will care for it.

“The programs and resources offered by the Museum boost my confidence

(and lower my stress levels!) because they are well-vetted, expertly prepared, and researched.”

J. Vallens, teacher, Pajaro Valley Unified School District