Preserve Calavera

Course Description

Preserve Calavera is partnering with the UCSD Natural Reserve System and the Buena Vista Audubon Society to offer the UC California Naturalist certification course. The class will provide hands-on instruction and exposure to real world environmental projects designed to inspire adults to become active participatory scientists and enhance their personal connection with the natural world. The course culminates with each participant completing a capstone project. Upon completing certification requirements, participants are eligible for four academic credits through UC Davis Extension for an additional nominal fee. Participants are expected to volunteer 40 hours of their time after the class sharing their expertise.

Dates: February 4 - April 8, 2025

Fees: $500

Delivery Mode: In-person

Contact: Jimmy Kidd kidd.jim4@gmail.com and Lisa Kuleto lkuleto@sbcglobal.net

Registration and Course Website

Organization Description: Preserve Calavera is a grass-roots, tax-exempt organization of north San Diego county residents and users of the natural open space in the area. It started in 2001 with a focus on the Calavera open space in northeastern Carlsbad. The group soon realized that natural lands do not exist as an island, and in order to protect this area they needed to consider the entire watershed, and the wildlife movement corridors that connect this area to the rest of the natural lands in coastal north county. While Preserve Calavera’s members are primarily from the surrounding cities of Oceanside, Carlsbad and Vista, they have some scattered throughout southern California and even from other states—all of whom care about preserving our priceless local natural lands. They confer with other environmental organizations with respect to habitat preservation and watershed protection issues and other parties of interest such as the adjoining Dawson Reserve.

The mission of the Natural Reserve System is to contribute to the understanding and wise management of the Earth and its natural systems by supporting university-level teaching, research, and public service at protected natural areas throughout California. UCSD manages land at Dawson Los Monos Canyon Reserve, Elliott Chaparral Reserve, Kendall Frost Reserve, and Scripps Coastal Reserve.

Buena Vista Audubon Society was chartered in 1951 as the coastal North San Diego County chapter of the National Audubon Society. Our mission isConservation through Education, Advocacy, Land Management, and Monitoring. BVAS operates a nature center adjacent to the Buena Vista Lagoon Ecological Reserve in Oceanside, and runs educational programs for children and adults, engages in advocacy efforts to protect at-risk wildlands, and owns two parcels of land in Oceanside earmarked for restoration to native habitat.