UC Environmental Stewards: California Naturalist Certification Course

Schedule

Sun, 03 May, 2026 at 09:30 am to Sun, 21 Jun, 2026 at 03:30 pm

UTC-07:00

Location

Oakland Zoo | Oakland, CA

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Join the UC Environmental Stewards CalNat Course to better understand local ecology and learn about the unique natural wonders.
About this Event

The course meets on Saturdays, October 4 -November 22, 9:30 am-2:30 pm.

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand what it means to be a naturalist.
  • Integrate knowledge about the interconnectedness of abiotic, biotic, and cultural factors and their influence on the natural history of the central coast.
  • Demonstrate skills in making and recording natural history observations in a field notebook.
  • Apply knowledge of the local bioregion to local and global environmental issues.
  • Recognize the value of natural and cultural resources to our community/society.
  • Meet all the course requirements.


Course Requirements

  • Contact Time: Each UC California Naturalist course consists of a minimum of 40 educational hours (classroom hours and field time), which includes a minimum of 8 hours in the field.
  • Each participant must contribute to the participatory science project adopted by the class. Our class participatory science project is Arroyo Viejo Creek Restoration.
  • Every participant is required to read the “The California Naturalist Handbook,” by Greg de Nevers, Deborah Stranger Edelman, Adina Merenlender. (Purchased separately by participants).
  • All participants are required to keep a field notebook during the course. The course encourages all participants to develop the skills of systematically recording field observations.
  • Participants are required to complete a Stewardship Project in one of six areas: Community Resilience and Adaptation, Environmental and Climate Justice, Conservation/Restoration (Stewardship), Participatory Science, Education/Interpretation, or Program Support.


Course Materials

  • Required: Access to an internet-connected computer or phone and an email account for communication, Volunteer Portal access, and iNaturalist.
  • Required: Field Notebook (If you don’t own one, the types of journals will be discussed during the first-course session.)
  • Required: Pencil(s)
  • Recommended: Hand lens (10x)
  • Recommended: Binoculars


Course Credit

Upon completing certification requirements, participants are eligible for four academic credits through UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) for an additional fee. Eligible participants will receive a link to a website and guidance on the process to request and pay for credits. Credits are only processed at the end of each quarter and may take several weeks to arrive. A Certified Naturalist can only receive credits from one institution.


For Course Scholarship Opportunities, please get in touch with [email protected]


Event Photos
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Where is it happening?

Oakland Zoo, Main Entrance, Oakland, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 350.00

Oakland Zoo

Host or Publisher Oakland Zoo

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