California Naturalist in the Desert – Fall 2025

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 the Desert! 

You’ll study the natural history of California, with a special focus on the geology, flora, fauna, and water resources of the Anza-Borrego Desert alongside expert scientists in their respective fields. You’ll gain hands-on experience in education, interpretation, participatory science, and environmental stewardship. 

The course includes weekly live online discussions, guest lectures, field trips in Anza-Borrego, and an independent project designed to enhance your knowledge and communication skills in natural history. You have the option to become an ABF volunteer 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,  

REGISTER TODAY!

Dates: October 13 – December 10, 2025

Locations: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Course Fees:  

ABF Member: $425 

Non-Member: $500 

Students are responsible for purchasing required texts, travel to/from field sites, accommodations, & optional UC extension credit fees. 

*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.   

Scholarships: A limited number of 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.  

DOWNLOADABLE INFORMATION PACKET

Meeting Dates & Commitments: 

• Virtual class discussions: Thursdays Oct 13 – Dec 11, 2025, 5-6pm PST 

• Field trips: Saturdays Oct 25, Nov 8, Nov 22, Dec 6 (graduation), ~9am – 4pm PST 

• Self-paced online and project work & Pre-recorded lectures 

Additional Details: 

Modality: 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. 

Contact 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.  

Physical 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 and dress in layers and stay hydrated.  

Required Reading: You’re required to purchase and read the following two class texts: 

• The California Naturalist Handbook by Greg de Nevers, Deborah Stranger Edelman, Adina Merenlender 

• A Natural History of the Anza-Borrego Region Then and Now by Mike Wells and Marie Simovich 

You’ll receive a 25% discount when you purchase these books at our Park Store or Visitor Center. 

Stewardship 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.  

Field Notebook and Journal: You are required to keep a field notebook during the course for reflection or observation assignments.   

iNaturalist Observations: You will be responsible for registering for an iNaturalist account and adding at least eight (8) observations to the course iNaturalist Project.  

Class Participatory Science Project: You must contribute to the participatory science project adopted by the class.