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U.C. California Naturalist Course Spring
Stewards is pleased to host the UC California Naturalist Certification Program. This 9 week, 50+ hour class will introduce you to the wonders of the Sonoma Coast and share how you can help steward California’s natural communities. Through the University of California Naturalist Program, participants become active members in a growing movement of conservation, community science, and volunteer activism.
Coastal Sonoma County’s unique ecosystem has been described as the place where Canada meets Mexico. Where temperate rainforest shakes hands with scrubby chaparral. This class integrates online lectures with in person field trips that explore towering redwood forests, oak woodlands, coastal prairie, and riparian forests.
The California Naturalist Program combines science curriculum, journaling, guest lecturers, daily field study, hands on experience, and local cultural knowledge to promote environmental literacy and stewardship. Discovery and action will help build a better understanding of the places you call home.
Instructors: David Berman (Environmental Educator), Meghan Walla-Murphy (wildlife ecologist) & guest lecturers (TBA)
Time and Location: Classes held Tuesday nights (6:00-8:30 PM) on Zoom. Field trips on Weekends (9AM-3PM) Location TBA for field trips.
Course Schedule:
Feb 18 Introduction to class, iNaturalist, sit spots, capstones & journaling
Feb 22 Field trip 1: Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
Feb 25 Indigenous Knowledge and Tending
Mar 4 Biomes, CA Geography, Capstone intro
Mar 11 Geology
Mar 15 Field trip 2: Headwaters to Estuary
Mar 18 Soil and Weather
March 25 Water, Capstone topic title due
April 1 Plants, Trees, and Forests
April 4-6 (4th is optional) Camping at Sonoma Coast – Bodega Dunes
April 8 Wildlife
April 15 Interpretation and Environmental Challenges
April 22 Capstone presentations & UC portal introduction
April 23 Finish capstones and graduation celebration *Note: this is a Wednesday required class
Cost: $600
Unfortunately we are no longer able to offer membership discounts for UC courses.
Scholarships are available, to apply please fill out this form.
Current volunteers are eligible for a tuition discount upon request.
For more information please contact Stewards at: (707) 869-9177 ext 1or [email protected]
Contact course instructors here: David Berman — Meghan Walla-Murphy
Course handbook can be purchased in our e-store.
Payment/refund policy:
1/3 due at registration. Balance paid by first class. No refunds will be issued after February 4, 2025. All refunds subject to 10% processing fee.
Directions for making a partial payment:
- Review your reservation. Pick the number of people attending. Click “Review Reservation”.
- Accept the terms, and click “Make Reservation”
- On the next page, you will click “Make Reservation” again.
- In “Balance Due” you will type in the amount or money you plan to put down to hold your place in the class. 1/3rd is the minimum payment. you will pay 1/3rd of $600.00, which will be $200.00.
- Click “Proceed to Checkout” where you can put in your credit card.
- The remainder is due before the first class. Thank you!
Click here to print this flyer!
Sorry, but this event is sold out.