UC California Naturalist Course

Course Overview

The UC California Naturalist Program (CalNat) seeks to foster a committed corps of volunteer naturalists and community scientists trained and ready to take an active role in natural resource conservation, education, and restoration. The UC California Naturalist course will introduce you to the wonders of our local ecology and engage you in the stewardship of California’s natural communities. The course will combine a science curriculum with guest lecturers, field trips and project-based learning to immerse you in the natural world. This UC California Naturalist Course will focus on the Los Angeles Area and the interpretation of naturalist concepts for and from diverse perspectives.

Course Schedule

October 1 - December 10

Class meets online every Thursday from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, except Thanksgiving Day

Registration Deadline

September 17th

Instructor Team

Lead Instructor: Sarah-Jane Oska

Course Administrator: Celeste Gasperik

Instructors: Julio Soria, Kelly Bailey, Marissa Llanes, Annakaren Ramirez

Featuring Special Guest Speakers

Course Fee

$250.00  + $35.00 Materials

Scholarships available, please email training@communitynatureconnection.org for details.

Course Contact Information

Email: training@communitynatureconnection.org

CalNat Website

http://calnat.ucanr.edu/Take_a_class/CNC/

Learning Outcomes

• Understand what it means to be a naturalist
• Understand the cultural factors that make California’s natural history and ecology unique, with a focus on the ecosystems of greater Los Angeles and the ecosystem of the L.A. Watershed.
• Demonstrate skills in making and recording natural history observations in a field notebook and on iNaturalist.
• Demonstrate skills in communicating and interpreting natural resource information for and from diverse perspectives.
• Apply knowledge of the local ecosystems to regional and global environmental issues.

Course Requirements 

• Contact Time: 40 educational hours (online classroom hours and front-loaded independent work), which includes a minimum of 8 independent hours in the field.
• Required Reading: Read the entire book “The California Naturalist Handbook” and completed front-loaded “prep work” before each class.
• Class Attendance and Self-Guided Field Trip
• Capstone Project
• Using a Field Notebook and Journal
• Class Community Science Project

Course Credit

Upon completion of this course, students are eligible to receive 4 academic credits.

Cancellation Policy

Registrants may cancel up to two weeks before the first day of instruction for a full refund, minus a $50 administrative fee. Registrants that can successfully refer another student to replace their spot in the course prior to the first day of class will receive a full refund. Registrants that experience a verifiable medical emergency personally, or in their family, between the two weeks of class before and after instruction has begun may re-enroll in the following year's course at a 50% discounted rate, with priority for early registration. No other cancellations, for any other reason, will result in a refund.

For questions about accessibility and general inquiries, please email training@communitynatureconnection.org. 

*Must be 18 and over for this training