Sierra Nevada Immersion Course

Course Description

UC Merced’s Yosemite Field Station and UC Santa Barbara’s Valentine Reserve host this field course based in and around Yosemite National Park. These two field stations are part of the larger UC Natural Reserve System, consisting of 39 natural reserves across California. The mission of the Natural Reserve System is to contribute to the understanding and wise stewardship of the Earth and its natural systems by supporting university-level teaching, research, and public service at protected natural areas throughout California. This course is taught in partnership with the Yosemite Conservancy. The Yosemite Conservancy helps provide for Yosemite’s future. Their mission is to inspire people to support projects and programs that preserve and protect Yosemite National Park’s resources and enrich the visitor experience.

The one-week Sierra Nevada Immersion Course begins at the Yosemite Field Station in Wawona, where we explore Yosemite National Park for three days. The course takes advantage of the natural gradient in climate, geology, and ecology as the class transitions over to the Eastern Sierra to the Valentine Reserve, where we spend the remaining three days of the course around Mammoth Lakes.

Upon completing certification requirements, participants are eligible for four academic credits through UC Davis Extension for an additional nominal fee.

Due to concerns over COVID-19, this California Naturalist certification course has been postponed until further notice. We'll update all California Naturalist courses when new dates are determined. Postponed courses may already be partially-mostly full due to prior enrollment. Please contact the course coordinator Breezy Jackson at bjackson10@ucmerced.edu to be added to an interest list.

Course Website & Registration