Earn the UC California Naturalist Certificate in the SPAWN California Naturalist Training Course March 13- May 15!
This course will immerse you in the interwoven wonders of the unique ecology and natural history of the Lagunitas Creek Watershed and engage you in direct stewardship actions. The 40-hour course combines science curriculum, guest lecturers, informative field trips and project based learning to uncover the amazing natural world of California. Expert instructors will uncover strategies for local and regional conservation and provide the inspiration to turn your ideas into action!
For more information visit http://www.spawnusa.org/training
Meeting Days & Times:
Ten weekly classroom lessons Wednesdays, 6:30pm – 9:00pm, March 13 – May 15
Three outdoor field seminars Saturdays, 9:00am – 3:00pm, March – May (dates TBD soon).
Classroom Location:
Marin Country Day School, 5221 Paradise Drive, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Expert Instructors:
Chris Pincetich, Ph.D., Education & Outreach Manager, Turtle Island Restoration Network
John Dell’Osso, Lead Interpreter, Point Reyes National Seashore
Emily Burns, Ph.D., Director of Science, Save the Redwoods League
David McGuire, Shark Stewards, California Academy of Sciences
and more!
Student Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Describe the role of the scientific method in understanding natural history.
- Relate knowledge of natural history to becoming a naturalist and a watershed steward.
- Integrate knowledge about the interconnectedness of abiotic and biotic factors (including human) and their influence on the natural history of the Lagunitas Creek Watershed.
- Demonstrate skills in making and recording natural history observations in a field notebook.
- Apply knowledge of the Lagunitas Creek Watershed ecosystem to local and global environmental issues.
Field Journal: Naturalists document their observations with notes and sketches with a Field Journal. It is encouraged, but not required, for all participants to keep a Field Journal during the course and hopefully beyond. Keeping a field journal is one of the best ways of fostering continued learning and develop as an experienced naturalist.
Service Volunteering: Participants are required to complete 20 hours of volunteer service each calendar year to remain active as a California Naturalist, and the beginning of this service volunteering must occur during the course. The criteria for California Naturalist volunteer service requires the activity be focused on either stewardship, education/interpretation, citizen science and/or program support and be in California, be sponsored by an organization, and be unpaid.
California Naturalist is a new program developed by the University of California Cooperative Extension to foster a committed corps of volunteer naturalists and citizen scientists trained and ready to take an active role in natural resource conservation, education, and restoration. Sustaining natural resources requires an understanding of science, adaptive management, and cooperation among diverse interest groups.
We cannot protect and restore California’s unique ecology without an environmentally literate, engaged public!
