California Naturalist Blog
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Tide Pooling Along the Central Coast During the 2019 Regional Rendezvous
Our day started brisk and damp as the sun rolled out behind a curtain of central coast fog. We gathered in the grey light with our morning tea, dressed in warm clothes as the steam from our breath billowed out in front of laughter and conversation on the subject of tide pool safety and ecology. What followed was a deep dive (pun intended) into...
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Rediscovering California’s Central Coast bioregion
Just in time for the 2019 California Naturalist Regional Rendezvous, naturalists can re-discover California's Central Coast through a new UC ANR publication: Natural History of the Central Coast Bioregion. The publication and the Rendezvous event―both outgrowths of the University of California's California Naturalist Program―provide two new...
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Becoming a certified California Naturalist...
Text and pictures by guest California Naturalist blogger Samantha McMillan. Original post appears in her Innovative Ideas for Inspired Classrooms blog. Last summer, I attended the Forest Institute for Teachers (FIT) workshop to deepen my knowledge of California forests and forest management practices. My...
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Transformational learning
“Transformational—the class gave me tools to transform intent to application, especially in areas where I've been unsure how best to be effective.” “I am still aglow with my “new eyes” that can see so much more clearer with a naturalist lens.” - California Naturalist Course Participant...
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Regional Rendezvous speaker series 2019
This year's Regional Rendezvous (August 16-18) will host an abundance of learning opportunities for our CalNat participants. Aside from the amazing activities and adventures (such as kayaking, birding, historic building and nature preserve visits, traditional tool use workshop, etc.), Rendezvous participants will learn from our lightning talks,...
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The beautiful Central California coast
The smell of the ocean, the cool, salty breeze, sandy toes and plenty of sunshine – many of us lucky Californians have special memories spending time at our central coast. While enjoying the company of friends and family, the stunning backdrop instantly puts us at ease, and gives us some perspective. However, a naturalist's mind has a hard...
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Nothing lights up the roadside like firecracker brodiaeas
Are you guilty of botanizing-while-driving? This pastime is most safely achieved with a flower spotter in the passenger seat. But sometimes, at the peak of wildflower glory, even the safest, most focused driver isn't immune to picking up a flash of bright color. Just a few weeks ago in Northern California, firecracker brodiaea were in...