{"id":432,"date":"2021-05-12T10:16:15","date_gmt":"2021-05-12T17:16:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/geography\/?page_id=432"},"modified":"2026-04-16T13:31:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T20:31:08","slug":"uc-california-naturalist-certification","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/geography\/uc-california-naturalist-certification\/","title":{"rendered":"California Naturalist Certification"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As of Spring 2026 we have not scheduled the next class offering – this page will update when future offerings are scheduled.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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What is the California Naturalist Certification?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UC California Naturalist program<\/a>, a statewide program of the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, collaborates with California Community Colleges and other local partner organizations to deliver California Naturalist certification courses. These courses are designed for adults including college students, teachers, docents, land stewards and nature enthusiasts wanting to develop a sense of place and participate in service learning and stewardship of natural resources. After completing this 40+ hour course you can become a certified California Naturalist joining over 4000 Naturalists around the state who have, in turn, volunteered over 200,000 hours in service to nature in the areas of education and interpretation, stewardship, citizen science, and environmental program support (Details from UCANR<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Course Details<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This 1.5-unit course, GEOG 195<\/strong>, fulfills partial requirements of the AA-T Geography program, as well as all requirements of the California Naturalist certification. There are no prerequisites!  If you are new to studying nature we welcome you! It will include 5 online meetings along with 4 Saturday field trips ranging in length from 4 to 8 hours. The schedule is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n