The course meets on Saturdays, October 4 -November 22, 9:30 am-2:30 pm.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand what it means to be a naturalist.
- Integrate knowledge about the interconnectedness of abiotic, biotic, and cultural factors and their influence on the natural history of the central coast.
- Demonstrate skills in making and recording natural history observations in a field notebook.
- Apply knowledge of the local bioregion to local and global environmental issues.
- Recognize the value of natural and cultural resources to our community/society.
- Meet all the course requirements.
Course Requirements
- Contact Time: Each UC California Naturalist course consists of a minimum of 40 educational hours (classroom hours and field time), which includes a minimum of 8 hours in the field.
- Each participant must contribute to the participatory science project adopted by the class. Our class participatory science project is Arroyo Viejo Creek Restoration.
- Every participant is required to read the “The California Naturalist Handbook,” by Greg de Nevers, Deborah Stranger Edelman, Adina Merenlender. (Purchased separately by participants).
- All participants are required to keep a field notebook during the course. The course encourages all participants to develop the skills of systematically recording field observations.
- Participants are required to complete a Stewardship Project in one of six areas: Community Resilience and Adaptation, Environmental and Climate Justice, Conservation/Restoration (Stewardship), Participatory Science, Education/Interpretation, or Program Support.
Course Materials
- Required: Access to an internet-connected computer or phone and an email account for communication, Volunteer Portal access, and iNaturalist.
- Required: Field Notebook (If you don’t own one, the types of journals will be discussed during the first-course session.)
- Required: Pencil(s)
- Recommended: Hand lens (10x)
- Recommended: Binoculars
Course Credit
Upon completing certification requirements, participants are eligible for four academic credits through UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) for an additional fee. Eligible participants will receive a link to a website and guidance on the process to request and pay for credits. Credits are only processed at the end of each quarter and may take several weeks to arrive. A Certified Naturalist can only receive credits from one institution.
For Course Scholarship Opportunities, please get in touch with asamura@oaklandzoo.org
