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X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://theabf.org/
X-WR-CALNAME:Anza-Borrego Foundation
X-WR-CALDESC:Make a Difference for the Park You Love
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UID:MEC-4b8d2d29dd92349330ef9a522f9c0339@theabf.org
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261012T000000
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CREATED:20260527
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SUMMARY:California Naturalist in Anza-Borrego – Fall 2026
DESCRIPTION:Are you passionate about the desert and ready to deepen your connection to this unique landscape? Do you want to be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and network to help protect and preserve our diverse wildlife, habitats, and water resources? Join Anza-Borrego Foundation and UC Environmental Stewards for an immersive 9-week course to become a certified California Naturalist… in Anza-Borrego! \nYou’ll study the natural history of California, with a special focus on the geology, flora, fauna, and water resources of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park alongside expert scientists in their respective fields. You’ll gain hands-on experience in interpretation, participatory science, and environmental stewardship. \nThe course includes weekly live online discussions, guest lectures, four guided field trips in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and an independent project designed to enhance your knowledge and communication skills in natural history. Many graduates become ABF volunteers or earn UC Extension credits. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your environmental literacy and stewardship through discovery and action in California’s largest State Park. \n \nREGISTER TODAY! ( https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=e7c4d6c9-bdfa-48a2-b817-c8e4f164e642&envId=p-Of6JnJ-NDU-Ys4lsF7CG9w&zone=usa )\nSpace is limited to 18 participants. Please register in advance – class will fill up! \n \nDates: October 12 – December 13, 2026 \nLocation: Hybrid – Online & Anza-Borrego Desert State Park \n \nCourse Fees:  \nNon-Member: $500 \nABF Member: $450 \nStudents are responsible for purchasing two required texts, travel to/from field sites, optional accommodations, & optional UC extension credit fees. \n*Please note that as the Anza-Borrego Foundation is a non-profit organization, all program costs are used to support current and future education programs, including subsidized programs that seek to increase access to the outdoors.   \nScholarships: A limited number of partial scholarships are available for those with financial hardship. If you’d like to request a scholarship, please reach out to Samantha@theabf.org with a two–three paragraph description about why you’d like to attend this program and your need for a scholarship.  \nCancellation Policy: This program is refundable up to 30 days in advance of the start date. Read full policy\n \nMeeting Dates & Commitments: \n\nVirtual class discussions: All Thursdays between October 12, 2026, from 5-6pm PST (except for Thanksgiving week) \n\n\nField trips: Sunday, October 25, Sunday, November 8, Saturday, November 21, Saturday, December 5 from approximately 8:30am – 4pm  \n\n\n*Students can not miss more than one field trip* \n\n\nSelf-paced online assignments, Stewardship Project, & video lectures \n\n \nAdditional Details: \nModality: This is a hybrid course, offering a dynamic blend of learning formats. You’ll engage in online coursework, participate in weekly Zoom discussions, and we’ll gather four times in person at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for immersive field trips, allowing you to experience the desert firsthand. \n \nContact Time: A minimum of 50 educational hours (classroom + field) are required, with 24 of these hours in the field. Additionally, you must spend at least 8 hours on your Stewardship Project.  \nPhysical Expectations: You should be prepared for easy to moderate hikes at a slow pace on uneven terrain and sand, with frequent stops for interpretation. Some areas may include slight elevation gain. You should be prepared for the desert’s variable environment anddress in layers and stay hydrated.  \nRequired Reading: You’re required to purchase and read the following two class texts: \n\nThe California Naturalist Handbook, 2nd Ed, by Greg de Nevers, Deborah Stranger Edelman, Adina Merenlender \n\n\nA Natural History of the Anza-Borrego Region Then and Now by Mike Wells and Marie Simovich \n\nYou’ll receive a 25% discount when you purchase these books at our Park Store or Visitor Center, or through UC Press. \nStewardship Project: You must complete a pre-approved Stewardship Project and present your project on graduation day. You’re expected to spend at least 8 hours on the Stewardship Project, in addition to the 50 course hours.  \nField Notebook and Journal: You are required to keep a field notebook during the course for reflection or observation assignments.   \niNaturalist Observations: You will be responsible for registering for an iNaturalist account and adding at least eight (8) observations to the course iNaturalist Project.  \nClass Participatory Science Project: You must contribute to the participatory science project adopted by the class. \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n			\n															\n									\n											\n							\n						\n														\n			\n					\n				\n					\n						\n							\n						\n					\n				\n				\n																\n			\n		\n\n\n\n\nRetro Bighorn Stone Journal\n\n\n\n\n					$12.95\n				\n\n\n\nIn stock\n\n	\n	\n		\n		\n		Retro Bighorn Stone Journal quantity\n	\n	\n\n		Add to cart\n\n			\n\n	\n\n\n\n\n\n				SKU:\n				110482\n				\n			\n\nCategory: Gifts & Accessories, New\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
URL:https://theabf.org/events/california-naturalist-in-anza-borrego-fall-2026/
ORGANIZER;CN=Anza-Borrego Foundation:MAILTO:info@theabf.org
CATEGORIES:Classes and Courses,Science
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://theabf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/california-naturalist-course-7.png
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