U.C. California Naturalist Certification Program, Winter and Spring 2026
This class is full. If you’d like to be added to the waiting list contact [email protected]
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 (6:30-8:30 PM) on Zoom. Field trips on Weekends (9AM-3PM) Location TBA for field trips.
Course Schedule:
Feb 17 Introductions, review schedule and class, naturalist & journaling
Feb 21 Field trip 1: Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
Feb 24 Indigenous Knowledge and Tending and Capstone Intro
Mar 3 CA Geology, iNaturalist
Mar 10 Water
Mar 14 Field trip 2: Headwaters to Estuary
Mar 17 Soil and Climate
Mar 24 Plants and Vegetation
March 31 CA Biomes and Wildlife Capstone topic due
April 7 Interpretation
April 10-12 (10th is optional) Camping at Sonoma Coast – Bodega Dunes
April 14 Environmental Challenges
April 21 Capstone presentations & UC portal introduction
April 22 Finish capstones and graduation celebration *Note: this is a Wednesday required class
Cost: $650
Unfortunately we are no longer able to offer membership discounts for UC courses.
To apply for a full or partial scholarship fill out this form
For more information please contact Stewards at: (707) 869-9177 ext 1or [email protected]
Contact course instructors here: David Berman — Meghan Walla-Murphy
Course text is The California Naturalist Handbook, Second Edition
Payment options:
- Full payment of $650 due upon registration
- Partial payment of $250 upon registration, Balance of $400 due by Tuesday, February 3, 2026
No refunds will be issued after February 3rd. All refunds subject to 10% processing fee. If you have any questions or concerns contact Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods staff at (707) 869-9177 ext. 1 or [email protected]
Directions for making a partial payment:
- Fill in the reservation form. 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. $250 is the minimum payment.
- Click “Proceed to Checkout” where you can put in your credit card.
- The Balance of $400 due by Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Thank you!
Click here to print this flyer!
Sorry, but this event is sold out.