California Naturalist in the Desert – Spring 2025

Are you passionate about the desert and ready to deepen your connection to this unique landscape? Join the Anza-Borrego Foundation and UC Environmental Stewards for an unforgettable 9-week journey to become a certified California Naturalist… in the Desert! 

This immersive course, designed for adult nature enthusiasts, will transform you into an expert in the natural history of California, with a special focus on the Anza-Borrego Desert—home to more plant and animal species than any other state in the U.S. Led by a team of expert instructors, you’ll explore the natural processes that make California one of the WWF’s global biodiversity hotspots. 

Through engaging field trips, you’ll dive into the desert’s geology, flora, fauna, water resources, and archaeology. You’ll study these topics alongside scientists in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, gaining a deeper understanding of the delicate balance that sustains this unique ecosystem. 

The course includes live online discussions, webinars, in-person lectures, field trips, and independent projects designed to enhance your knowledge and communication skills in natural history. As a participant, you’ll also have opportunities to become an ABF volunteer program host or earn UC Extension credits. Certified California Naturalists gain hands-on experience in education, interpretation, stewardship, participatory science, environmental program support, community resilience, and environmental justice. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your environmental literacy and stewardship through discovery and action in California’s largest State Park. By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and network to help protect and preserve our diverse wildlife, habitats, and water resources for generations to come. 

Dates: February 13, 2025–April 10, 2025 

Locations: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Anza-Borrego Foundation Administrative Office, Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center 

Course Fees:  

ABF Member: $450 

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 [email protected] 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: 

Online Class Discussions:  

• Thursday, February 13, 2025, 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. 

• Thursday, February 20, 2025, 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. 

• Thursday, February 27, 2025, 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. 

• Thursday, March 6, 2025, 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. 

• Thursday, March 13, 2025, 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. 

• Thursday, March 20, 2025, 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. 

• Thursday, March 27, 2025, 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. 

• Thursday, April 3, 2025, 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. 

• Thursday, April 10, 2025, 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. 

Webinars: 

• Thursday, February 13, 2025, 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. 

• Thursday, February, 27, 2025, 6:00 p.m–7:30 p.m. 

• Thursday, March, 13, 2025, 6:00 p.m–7:30 p.m. 

• Thursday, March 27, 2025, 6:00 p.m–7:30 p.m. 

In Person Lectures: 

• Friday, February 21, 2025, 7:00 p.m.–8:30pm 

• Friday, March 7, 2025, 7:00 p.m.–8:30pm 

• Friday, March 21, 2025, 7:00 p.m.–8:30pm 

• Friday, April 4, 2025, 7:00 p.m.–8:30pm 

Field trips:  

• Saturday, February 22, 2025, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. 

• Saturday, March 8, 2025, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. 

• Saturday, March 22, 2025, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. 

• Saturday, April 5, 2024, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. 

REGISTER TODAY!

Registration: Space is limited to 18 participants. Please register in advance! 

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 lectures and discussions, and have the option to attend in-person lectures. Additionally, 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.