Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History has made bold strides towards accessibility and community connection through recent signage installations at Neary Lagoon.
By Max Ari’i
January 28, 2025—With the new year comes several fresh starts in education and endless opportunities for community learning and growth. As students begin to settle into their classes, 2025 has already set the stage for a wide variety of innovative initiatives and community-focused projects. Among these is the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History's recent effort to enhance nature education, particularly, the installation of new interpretive signage at Neary Lagoon.
The signs, featuring colorful illustrations and detailed descriptions of local flora and fauna, aim to educate visitors about the lagoon's unique ecology. “We wanted to ensure that all visitors of the Lagoon have the opportunity to learn more about (the land) they’re seeing the same way that we can educate on our school programs,” says Jenny Rieke, the Museum’s Education Manager who designed the interpretive signs.
Chris Soriano, the Museum’s Education Specialist emphasized the collaborative nature of the Museum’s Neary Lagoon education programs and expressed that he finds great fulfillment in sparking locals to engage with the outdoors. “Getting kids (and adults) to explore their surroundings encourages them to take a closer look at the nature in their own backyards” he says.
The new signs have made a huge impact on Santa Cruz youth who have attended Watershed Walks, one of the Museum’s field trip opportunities. From water testing to data analysis, children gain exposure to a few of the research processes in natural science, as well as a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of ecosystems. And, there is no better teaching opportunity than nature itself, as Chris shares with us that his favorite Watershed Walk memory involved witnessing an eagle hunt in front of his tour group.
This project is part of a broader push by the Museum to foster connections between people and nature while promoting environmental awareness. Plans for similar installations in other local outdoor spaces are already in the works, says Rieke, ensuring that 2025 will be a year of continued learning, growth, and community impact.
Visit the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History’s website for upcoming events and exhibits.
Category: