First Tuesday Free at the Seymour Center | May 1 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Visit our aquarium, exhibit hall, and touch tanks. Take a tour or explore on your own. Join us as we explore Monterey Bay with our hands-on family programs!

Seymour Marine Discovery Center
End of Delaware Avenue, Santa Cruz
831-459-3800, seymourcenter.ucsc.edu

Lecture: Plan Endemism in the Andes | May 3 (4 p.m.)

Lou Jost, plant researcher working in Ecuador, will give an illustrated lecture on the plants in the South American mountain ecosystem that are challenged by development, and how they might be preserved. Free.

Arboretum - UC Santa Cruz
1156 High St., Santa Cruz
831-427-2998, www.2.ucsc.edu/arboretum

Bug Day | May 5 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)

Come on kids, let's go buggy! Make new discoveries about a wide variety of bugs through interactive games, puppet shows, art projects, nature walks, and displays. Kids can earn a degree in "Bugology" as they find out about the diversity of wildlife found in this park.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Hwy 9 @ North Big Trees Rd., Felton
831-335-7077, www.santacruzstateparks.org

Bird Walk | May 5 (7:30 -11 a.m.)

Expert birder Rick Fournier will lead a group of 15 on a birding adventure through the wetlands at the Sea Mist property, located adjacent to Moro Cojo Slough. Priority given to Elkhorn Foundation members.

Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Reerve
1700 Elhorn Rd.
831-728-5939, www.elkhornslough.org

"Illustrating Nature" | May 5 - June 10

Annual spring showing of best works of artists from the UC Science Illustration program. More than 60 works are displayed that are done in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, colored pencil, graphite, scratch-board and digital media mediums.

Museum of Natural History 831- 420-6113, www.santacruzmuseums.org

UC Farm Spring Plant Sale | May 5-6 ( 10 a.m.-3/2 p.m.)

The biggest and best collection of organically grown flower, herb and vegetable starts, along with perennial landscape plants available in the region.

UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz
831-459-3240

In Search of Herps | May 6 (1-4 p.m.)

Herpetologist, Paul Haskins leads the search for amphibians at the park's ponds and chaparral trail. Help with the search and spotting of various species of reptile and amphibian. Free. All ages.

Quail Hollow Ranch County Park, Ben Lomond
831-454-7930, www.scparks.com

Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center | May 6 (1-3 p.m.)

Create fun crafts that feature the cool creatures of the tidepools. Make a seastar suncatcher, or create your own sea anemone! There are activity sheets, scavenger hunts, and a take home souvenir of your day.

Seymour Marine Discovery Center
End of Delaware Avenue, Santa Cruz
831-459-3800, seymourcenter.ucsc.edu

Lecture: Footprints in the Sky | May 6 (1:30 pm )

David Carle, author of "Air In California," "Water In California," and the forthcoming "Fire In California," from UC Press, will give an illustrated lecture on the atmosphere we all share. $15 public, $10 Arboretum Members.

Arboretum - UC Santa Cruz
1156 High St., Santa Cruz
831-427-2998, www.2.ucsc.edu/arboretum

Birding Walk at Castle Rock State Park | May 6 (6:30 a.m.)

Group departs from 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz (6:30 a.m.) or meet at main parking area of Castle Rock State Park.

Santa Cruz Bird Club
www.santacruzbirdclub.org