The Sanctuary Exploration Center is excited to announce "She to Shining Sea," a new photography exhibition featuring several local artists. Their work captures the beauty of Monterey Bay from a different perspective, and will leave guests feeling inspired by the natural beauty and amazing talent present in the Monterey Bay. Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, 35 Pacific Ave. Sanctuary calendar HERE. Free!

Join the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County for a special bird-themed First Friday celebrating the incredible birds that call Santa Cruz County home. Join Sophie Wood Brinker, author of Birds of Santa Cruz, for a meet and greet and book signing. See live raptors and explore our Mini Nature Museum. Connect with local bird experts and fellow nature enthusiasts, and discover how protecting open spaces helps birds and our entire community thrive. All ages welcome to attend this free event! Info HERE.

Join us for an evening celebrating the wonders of our local coastline at August First Friday! Seaweed Summer highlights the beauty, ecology, and hidden life of seaweeds found along the Santa Cruz shoreline. Enjoy food, drinks, hands-on activities, and opportunities to learn from local partners and naturalists about the important role seaweed plays in marine ecosystems, from habitat building to climate resilience. Explore interactive tables, creative art-making, and community organizations sharing ocean-inspired work. More INFO.

Ten years ago, Dave started teaching permaculture in a backyard. Today, we're feeding hundreds of families, training the next generation of growers, and building a community rooted in the land. We want to celebrate that with you. We'll have a farm tour, alumni led workshops and panel discussions, and a potluck dinner, At the Santa Cruz Permaculture Farm, near Año Nuevo State Park. RSVP HERE.

Attend the General Meeting of Indivisible Santa Cruz County to learn about current and upcoming actions, to network, and to be in community with people dedicated to preserving our democracy. The theme of this meeting is Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere, and the focus of this meeting is Elections and Civic Power. At London Nelson, 301 Center St. Info HERE.

We are celebrating 30 years of science education on the Monterey Bay. That's 30 years of plankton collection, 30 years of kelp forest ecology, and 30 years of hands-on learning reaching over 135,000 students! Hearty hors d'oeuvres and drinks served. Funds raised will transform the lives of students aboard the Team O’Neill Catamaran on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, 100 McAllister Way. Tickets $75. RSVP HERE.

Learning about different tree species? How in-tree-guing! During this 1 mile walk, we’ll be chattin’ about a handful of trees that reside in the park, and giving you the tools you need to identify species during your future park visits. Beleaf us, it’ll be a great time! This free program will start in front of the Visitor Center and meander down River Trail and back through the Redwood Grove. Hard rain cancels! Hope to see you there! To RSVP click HERE.