Open All Year
by appointment only
call 408-356-4945
email info@ysi-ca.org
Nestled within Sanborn County Park in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains, YSI's Sanborn Science and Nature Center has been open to the public since 1982. Aubrey Creek flows year-round through this magnificent redwood setting. The waterway hosts many types of habitats found within the surrounding landscape: redwood forest, chaparral, oak woodland, and riparian. The famous San Andreas Fault also runs directly through the Park, behind the historic Dyer House, which YSI calls home.
Constructed as a family retreat, the H.P. Dyer House is a registered historic landmark with a rich Santa Clara Valley history, which YSI leases from Santa Clara County Parks. It was built circa 1915 for retired engineer and sugar manufacturing executive Harold Parker Dyer. The sale of a 500-acre portion of the Dyer Family estate in the 1960s to the County of Santa Clara was the foundation of Sanborn County Park, which now occupies over 3,688 acres.
YSI Science and Nature Center exhibits include animal mounts that populate the Santa Cruz Mountain Range, earthquake and geology displays, and an organic garden, featuring both regional plants and those used by Native Americans. The Historic Dyer house, organic garden and surrounding redwood park provide the perfect contextual setting and a “sense of place” for some of YSI’s most popular school programs, including Ohlone Indians (grades 3-6), Pioneer Organic Garden (grades K-6), Five Senses Nature Walk (grades Pre-K—2), and Discovery Nature Walk (grades 3-8).
Additional family programming is held throughout the year, including Family Science Safaris. A popular highlight of the Sanborn Science and Nature Center is YSI’s annual “Insect Fair Week” held each May. A special week of Insect Fair programs for school classes features the YSI “Insect Zoo,” along with a public Insect Fair for families on Saturday. Please see our School and Group Program and Science Safari web pages for more information on Sanborn programs.
Walking sticks, silkworms and hissing cockroaches will be there, so why not you? At this family-oriented hands-on affair children and adults get an up-close look at live insects, spiders, scorpions, millipedes and more. YSI instructors and volunteers will be on hand to answer your questions and help you get hands-on. To add to the fun there will be children’s crafts, face painting, and bug-themed snacks.
Free admission; donation requested. Held rain or shine.
Park entry fee $6. For more information call YSI at (408) 356-4945 x27.
School & Group Tours of the Insect Fair
are available May 14-18. Please call (408) 356-4945 x12 for details.
Millipedes on the California Coast
Last Update: 10/6/119:02 PM
Special Offer!
If you are a new client, take the H&R Block YSI Referral Form to any H&R Block Office, and H&R Block will give $25 to YSI. Offer good until April 18, 2012. + read more
The new YSI toolbar is a free download and allows you to raise money for YSI every time you search or shop online! Every time you shop a percentage will be donated to YSI - at no cost to you.
COMMONWEALTH CLUB UPCOMING SPEAKER EVENTS
In Association with Youth Science Institute
For on-line sign up for YSI Programs, ways to participate, and information about YSI, including facts, services, awards, etc., see this link for YSI-tikkl.
