Press Releases
April 17, 2026
The Collectors: A Life in Lepidoptera runs April 24–September 7, 2026 in John and Peggy Maximus Gallery at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.
April 13, 2026
Sprague Butterfly Pavilion nominated for Best Butterfly Garden in USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards
April 13, 2026
The startling and unique female Mysterious Moon Clam in the running for Mollusc of the Year.
A scientist at SBMNH leads an international team studying this species.
April 8, 2026
• A celebration of Santa Barbara County’s wine and food scene set on the Museum’s iconic oak woodland campus, June 27
• Tastings from dozens of renowned wineries, alongside local chefs and bakeries
April 3, 2026
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History hosts the Trail Running Film Festival on Saturday, April 18, 2026, celebrating the joy, beauty, and challenges of running in wild places.
March 26, 2026
The Museum welcomed 210 guests to its sold-out 26th Annual Mission Creek Gala, Revealing the Colors of Nature, celebrating the vibrancy of the natural world & supporting education and science programs
March 2, 2026
Nine Giant Pacific Seahorses, the world’s largest seahorse species and native to
California’s coastline, are now on display in the Dive In: Our Changing Channel exhibit,
open daily 10:00 AM to 5:00
February 12, 2026
SoCal Museums is a consortium of Southern California institutions that each year celebrate Museums Free-for-All, February 22. Visit the SB Museum of Natural History and be inspired by science.
February 7, 2026
Celebration of Life honoring Max, the beloved Great Horned Owl and longtime Eyes in the Sky avian ambassador
February 5, 2026
Curator of Mammalogy Ally Coconis, Ph.D. expands curatorial expertise at SBMNH
January 29, 2026
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (SBMNH) is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Adams as Chair of its Board of Trustees.
January 2, 2026
Underwater Parks Day celebrating marine protected areas (MPAs) will take place at the Sea Center Saturday, January 17, 2026. The Sea Center will offer free admission to all for the day.
December 16, 2025
Potentially invasive species captured at a coastal business. Spider was observed by a knowledgeable local naturalist. Likely arrived in a floral delivery in what is thought to be isolated incident.
December 9, 2025
Internationally renowned Zapotec-American multidisciplinary textile artist Porfirio Gutiérrez will appear at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History in January for two connected public programs.
November 7, 2025
Robin Yardi joined the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History’s Board of Trustees, bringing creativity and a fresh perspective to the organization.
October 18, 2025
The Museum hosts its second annual Mission Creek Beer Festival on Oct. 18.
Beer enthusiasts and nature lovers alike will appreciate the new concept: A Flavor Field Guide.
October 14, 2025
The Living Print art exhibit opens to the public Saturday, October 25 at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History in the Courtyard Gallery.
September 6, 2025
The newly released vendor list shows a commitment to uplifting Central Coast craft style beers featuring a wide diversity of flavor profiles, pairing them with exceptional local bites.
July 21, 2025
New Schlinger Chair of Entomology Alex Harman, Ph.D., has joined Museum staff. Harman is a power user of the popular community science database, iNaturalist, and wants others to get involved.
July 7, 2025
• New hands-on Space Sciences exhibit, Our Cosmic Coast, opens to the public July 12, 2025
• Experience explores tides, Moon phases, gravity, meteorites, and more
