FNC Events
Coming Up!
Bug Bonanza: The Science & Art of Insects, Festive Card Making, & More!
Saturday, November 15, 2025, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Kenneth S. Norris Center for Natural History, UC Santa Cruz campus, Natural Sciences 2, Room 239. Click here for directions
Please register by Monday, November 10
Join us at UC Santa Cruz’s Norris Center to learn about the Center’s amazing insect collection, meet some of the Norris Center’s student curators, make your own holiday and greeting cards, and help us take care of business at a short annual meeting. We’ll provide the print making materials, cards, and snacks. You provide your curiosity and creativity!
Space is limited. Please use this form to register by Monday, November 10.
Please note: this event is designed for current members of the Friends of the Norris Center and their families and guests. If you are not a current member, please join us! You can join online here.
Free parking is available at UCSC’s Core West Parking Structure (on Saturday November 15th) , a short walk from the Norris Center, which is located in Room 239 of the Natural Sciences 2 building. Accommodations for mobility limitations are available by contacting fnc@ucsc.edu.
Additional details and parking/walking directions will be sent via email a week prior to the event. Questions? Contact us at fnc@ucsc.edu.
Tour UC Natural Reserve and Bickford House (at the Año Nuevo State Park)
Tuesday, December 2, 11 am – 3 pm
Current members of the Friends of the Norris Center are invited to a special tour of the UC Natural Reserve’s Bickford House site and the adjacent beach at Año Nuevo State Park. Join researcher Dr. Patrick Robinson, manager of the UC Reserve, for a walk to see the elephant seals. Learn about the latest research projects at the Reserve and the role of the Bickford House facilities in UC’s educational programs.
Please note: this event is designed for current members of the Friends of the Norris Center and their families and guests. If you are not a current member, please become a member! You can join online here.
The walk to see the elephant seals requires traversing soft sand and cobble beach. After registration we will send details on where to meet for this tour.
Space on the tour is limited. Register for the tour by Monday November 24th.
Murmuring About Birds: A Visit to Kalkar Pond, Santa Cruz
Date: Early December to be determined
Registration will be required.
The Friends of the Norris Center are invited to a special tour of Kalkar Pond. Join us as we visit this hidden pond in the west side of Santa Cruz to observe a diversity of birds and bird behaviors under the guidance of pond manager Ron Goodman. Ron will also share stories about the history and ecology of the area (there’s more there than birds!). If we’re lucky, we’ll see Tricolored Blackbirds and impressive murmurations.
Please note: this event is designed for current members of the Friends of the Norris Center and their families and guests. If you are not a current member, please join us! You can join online here. Space on the tour is limited.
We will send details on where to meet for this tour by Monday, November 24.
Learn more about the Kalkar Pond.
Past Events
Saturday, September 6th, 2025, 1p m – 4:30 pm
Volunteer Day at the Norris Center Herbarium
Thursday, August 16th, 2025, 9 am – 12:30 pm
Return to the Redwoods, UC Santa Cruz annual alumni event
Wednesday, August 6, 2025, 10-11:30 am
Younger Lagoon Reserve Tour: Habitat Restoration and Enhancement for the Red-legged Frog
Thursday, June 5, 2025, 9 am – 12:30 pm
Hike at Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument, Davenport
Birding Tour of Elkhorn Ranch Saturday, May 17, 2025, 9 am – 12 noon
Birding tour of a private ranch along the North side of Elkhorn Slough, led by UC Santa Cruz professor Dr. Bruce Lyon
Friday–Sunday, February 21–23, 2025
Radical Then, Critical Now: Interdisciplinary Strategies in Environmental Conservation
Hay Barn, UC Santa Cruz
Sunday, October 13, 2024, 10:45 am – 2 pm
Tour of the Año Nuevo UC Reserve and Bickford House
Saturday, September 21, 2024, 9 am
Beginners Bird Walk
Rancho del Oso, coastal section of Big Basin Redwoods State Park
3600 Highway 1, between Davenport and Año Nuevo
Friday, June 7, 2024, 8:15 am – 10 am
Bird Banding Station Visit at the Younger Lagoon Reserve
UCSC Coastal Science Campus, Long Marine Lab