Previous Exhibits

Keen Eyes & Curious Minds

What if nature was your classroom and animals were your textbooks? This exhibit explored what it means to be a naturalist through the lives and work of local naturalists, Daniel Miller and Randall Morgan. Using their keen observation skills, these influential men catalogued hundreds of local species and helped establish protections for endangered lands. Visitors learned how everything from an Ohlone tiger beetle to a great white shark can teach us how to become naturalists and develop a greater sense of stewardship for our local lands.

*Major funding provided by the Bureau of Land Management

Coastal Lagoons: A Closer Look through Art, History, and Science

On the central coast of California, creek mouths and seasonally tidal estuaries (a.k.a. lagoons) provide unique and valuable ecological services to freshwater and marine species and are very susceptible to adjacent land use impacts and pollution. Many of these lagoon systems have been impaired by various land uses including forestry, agriculture, grazing, and urbanization. In partnership with Central Coast Wetlands Group, the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History designed an exhibit to increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of the beauty and ecological importance of lagoons along the central coast.

Endangered Neighbors

The exhibit offered an intimate look at 15 endangered species in the Monterey Bay area. Monterey Bay area itself, however, is home to over 30 endangered species. Some of these are endemic to Santa Cruz County, some rest here on their way to breeding grounds in the north, and some nest in the redwood forest while spending the remainder of the year at sea. Each species were shown in the habitats they share with us. In these settings we learned what threatens our animal neighbors, what conservationists are doing to protect them, and what we can all do to give them safer places to live.

Bones: An Inside Look at Nature

The exhibit offered an “inside look” at adaptation and biodiversity, from whales to hummingbirds. On display were skulls, teeth, and bones from fishes, reptiles, mammals, and birds. The exhibit featured specimens from the Ronald Wickum collection of skulls, UCSC Museum of Natural History, Long Marine Lab, and Rancho del Oso State Park.

Earth Day Class Project Exhibit

The three winning projects from the Earth Day Class Project Challenge, originally presented at Earth Day Santa Cruz 2010, were displayed in this exhibit. The exhibit shared a look at what local students at BayView Elementary School, Mount Madonna School, and Monarch School are doing for our environment.

Art of Nature

A collection of works created by members of the Northern California Guild of Natural Science Illustrators. The exhibit included exquisite botanical and zoological illustrations from Northern California artists.

The Otter Zone: Sea Otters and their habitat

A collaboration with the Otter Project of Monterey to bring attention sea otters and the current issues they face in celebration of Sea Otter Awareness Week. All artwork was done by local artists.

Illustrating Nature

An exhibition from the Science Illustration Program of the University of California Extension in multiple media, including 3-dimensional works that give insight into the world of an artist. The Museum of Natural History is proud to have presented this annual exhibit for 20 years.

Plastics: The Project

This exhibit demonstrated the importance of keeping plastics off our beaches and out of the ocean for the health and safety of seabirds and other wildlife. Plastics: The Project was inspired and created by a group of 4th-6th grade students from the Sky Class at the Monarch Community School.

A Magic Web:The Tropical Forest of Barro Colorado Island

This Simthsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition displayed a closer look at the tropical forest of Panama's Barro Colorado Island. The 40 large-format color photographs provided views of the forest and its spectacular diversity of inhabitants.

Caves: A Fragile Wilderness

This Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition featured 39 otherworldly photographs taken in caves all around the world, illustrating the fragility and complexity of these unique and fascinating habitats.