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SPAWN Creekwalk Naturalist Training - Coho Salmon Conservation Interpretation- an Advanced Training with the California Naturalist program - November 9 & 10, 2013.
Spend the weekend outdoors learning the knowledge and skills to be a volunteer SPAWN Naturalist ready to lead Creekwalks to see coho salmon spawning! Click here to register.
Registration for the Fall 2013 SPAWN California Naturalist Training Course September 11 - November 13 is now open!
Click here to register.
For questions contact Dr. Chris Pincetich, chris@spawnusa.org, or call 415-663-8590 ×102.
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UPDATE! - University of California transferable college credits or Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available to participants for an additional fee.
The SPAWN California Naturalist Training Course is a 40-hour course utilizing a combination of science curriculum, guest lecturers, field trips and project based learning to immerse you in the natural world of California. Expert instructors uncover strategies to continue conservation of biodiversity in the Lagunitas Creek, and all, California watersheds. An additional 20 hours of volunteer service work is required of all participants to earn the California Naturalist certificate.
Fall 2013 Meeting Days & Times:
Ten weekly classroom lessons
Wednesdays, 6:30pm - 9:00pm, September 11 -November 13
Three immersive field seminars
Saturdays, 9:00am - 3:00pm dates TBD
2013 Classroom Location: TBD
Summer 2012 classroom was Marin Country Day School, Room MP2, 5221 Paradise Drive, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Lead Instructors
Chris Pincetich, Ph.D., Education & Outreach Manager, Turtle Island Restoration Network
2013 Expert Instructors during Spring 2013
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
Megan Isadore, River Otter Ecology Project
and more!
Student Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
1. Describe the role of the scientific method in understanding natural history.
2. Relate knowledge of natural history to becoming a naturalist and a watershed steward.
3. Integrate knowledge about the interconnectedness of abiotic and biotic factors (including human) and their influence on the natural history of the Lagunitas Creek Watershed.
4. Demonstrate skills in making and recording natural history observations in a field notebook.
5. Apply knowledge of the Lagunitas Creek Watershed ecosystem to local and global environmental issues.
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Capstone Project & Oral Presentation:
As a requirement of the course, participants complete Capstone Project consisting of a volunteer service project within Marin County or the Lagunitas Creek Watershed.
Participants can work individually or in teams to design and implement their Capstone Project. On the final day of the course, you will do a 5-10 minute oral presentation describing your Capstone Project, involving some aspect of the biological natural history or the conservation history of the Lagunitas Creek Watershed. This could be an interpreter-style presentation like what would be given leading a hike or field service project, or it could be a formal presentation, like what would be delivered at a public hearing. A short list of the sources you used in developing your presentation must be delivered to the instructor. You must submit the topic of your presentation by Week 4 for approval.
Service Volunteering:
Participants are required to complete 20 hours of volunteer service to earn their California Naturalist Certificate through SPAWN. California Naturalists are then required to complete 40 hours of volunteer service each calendar year to remain active as a California Naturalist. 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.
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.
Participation and Attendance:
Attending all meetings and field trips and the supplementary volunteer work is required to obtain the California Naturalist certificate. Instructors will provide a limited number of additional opportunities to make-up missed meetings and field trips.
Required Text:
The NEW UCCE California Naturalist Handbook
Click here to view the SPAWN California Naturalist Project on iNaturlist.org, the amazing new website that allows us to share wildlife observations, get assistance with species identifications, and contribute to a global citizen science effort!