First Friday at The Land Trust: Mini Museum Opening

The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County is joining First Friday Santa Cruz, and we're throwing open the doors to our beautiful downtown office!

Step inside for a free interactive evening where nature, art, and community come together. Explore interactive exhibits created by interns from the Kenneth S. Norris Center for Natural History at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who will be there to guide you through their work. All are welcome, and it is completely free!

When: Friday, June 5th, 5:00 - 8:00 pm

Where: Land Trust of Santa Cruz County Office, 911 Center St, Santa Cruz 95060

Registration is required to receive email reminders and event updates.

Our lobby has been transformed into an immersive natural history experience. Three original exhibits, each researched and designed by interns from UC Santa Cruz's Kenneth S. Norris Center for Natural History, invite visitors of all ages to slow down, look closely, and discover the ecological stories unfolding across Santa Cruz County. The interns will be present throughout the evening to guide you through their work and spark conversation.

Predators & Pollinators

A deep dive into the native insects of Santa Cruz County, from the pollinators keeping our wildflowers alive to the predators you never knew were out there.

Dancing & Singing Birds

Listen to the songs of local birds, touch real feathers, and see if you can ID the species that share our neighborhoods and wild places.

Producers & Decomposers

From pressed flowers to fungi photography to real mushroom specimens, you can examine up close, this exhibit celebrates the underrated magic of life after death.

• Four different species of feline skulls on display;
• Real sandhills fossils from Land Trust properties, including shark teeth
• A giant interactive map of Santa Cruz County's conserved lands

One of our favorite parts of First Friday is the chance to meet our neighbors. Whether you're a casual nature enjoyer, a curious UCSC student, or just looking for something genuinely different to do on a Friday night—we got you!

Land Trust staff will be on hand throughout the evening, so please come and introduce yourself, ask us what we're working on, learn about volunteer and internship opportunities, or just chat about your favorite local trail. We love sharing our love for the people and places that make Santa Cruz County worth protecting.

There is limited free street parking on Union Street and Chestnut Street.

Paid parking options include metered parking on most downtown Santa Cruz streets, as well as the nearest parking garage on Locust Street.

From the Byrne-Milliron Forest to the Glenwood Open Space Preserve, members like you are partnering with us to ensure there are redwood and oak forests to hike, farmland to produce fresh healthy food, and connected open space for wildlife to roam.

When you make a gift of any size to the Land Trust, you automatically become a member. Thank you for your support!

https://landtrustsantacruz.org/donate-events/

Please contact Events Manager, Emily Brouwer at [email protected] or call/text (831) 281-0386.

By attending this event, I hereby grant Land Trust of Santa Cruz County permission to use my likeness in photograph(s) in any publications or publicity materials (including but not limited to books, newsletters, videos and Web use), in perpetuity. Please email [email protected] if you have questions or concerns about photo permissions.

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Host or Publisher Land Trust of Santa Cruz County