Nature Exchange

Explore the natural world.

Investigate by making a nature journal or project relating to nature.

Share your experiences with a docent in the Nature Exchange during sharing hours at the PG Museum or other Participating locations.

Redeem or save the credits you are awarded to take something home from the Nature Exchange for your own collection.

The Nature Exchange comes to the Museum through a partnership with Science North, an interactive science museum in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. We’re so excited to see what you’ll bring in to exchange!

The goal of Nature Exchange is to promote curiosity and exploration of the natural world. We seek Nature Exchange projects that demonstrate:

1. Exploration: the Naturalist has gone outside and engaged with the natural world.

2. Connections: the Naturalist has observed and studied nature. They can make connections between animals, plants, and their habitats.

3. Conservation: the Naturalist can provide examples of how humans and nature interact, and how we can help steward and protect the natural world.

We encourage creativity and for the Naturalist to engage in the natural world in whatever way they feel most comfortable. Common projects include nature journaling, studying a particular animal or ecosystem, iNaturalist activities, and beach (or other habitat) cleanups.

Naturalists can also bring in collected items and share observations and studies related to that item. Because much of Monterey County is located in protected conservation areas, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History will not take in these items. In particular, we cannot accept shells or feathers. It is also not allowed to collect anything (plant, rock, or other) from a regional, state, or national park. We encourage our Naturalists to do a nature drawing of the object: to take only pictures, leave only footprints.

Thank you for helping to demonstrate responsible curation and interaction with the natural world!

The goal of Nature Exchange is to promote curiosity and exploration of the natural world. Credits for Nature Exchange projects are awarded based on:

1. Exploration: the Naturalist has gone outside and engaged with the natural world.

2. Connection: the Naturalist has observed and studied nature. They can make connections between animals, plants, and their habitats.

3. Conservation: the Naturalist can provide examples of how humans and nature interact, and how we can help steward and protect the natural world.

The more of each quality that the project demonstrates, the more credits will be awarded, with a maximum daily limit of 500 credits. This daily limit is meant to encourage more exploration of nature — the goal of Nature Exchange is to get young visitors out into nature.