U.C. California Naturalist Certification Program, Fall 2026
Stewards invites you to join us for our first fall offering of 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 Wednesday nights (6:30-8:30 PM) on Zoom. Field trips to locations in western Sonoma County on weekends (9 AM-3 PM)
Course Schedule:
Oct 17 Field trip 1: Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
Oct 21 zoom Zoom classes are on Wednesday nights
Oct 28 zoom
Nov 4 zoom
Nov 11zoom
Nov 15 Field trip 2: Estuary, Coast – Jenner Visitor Center
Nov 18 zoom
Dec 2 zoom
Dec 6 9am – 3pm OAEC tour
Dec 9 zoom
Dec 16 Capstone presentations
Dec 17 THURSDAY please note there are two required classes this week, the last class is on a Thursday Capstone presentations
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 $300 upon registration, Balance of $350 due by Thursday, Oct 1
No refunds will be issued after Oct 1. All refunds subject to 10% processing fee. If you have any questions or concerns contact Stewards.
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. $300 is the minimum payment.
- Click “Proceed to Checkout” where you can put in your credit card.
- The Balance of $650 due by Thursday, Oct 1. Thank you!
Click here to print this flyer!
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