UC California Naturalist Program

A statewide program of the University of California's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the UC California Naturalist Program is designed to introduce Californians to the wonders of our unique ecology, engage the public in study and stewardship of California’s natural communities, and increase community and ecosystem resilience.

The mission of the UC California Naturalist Program is to foster a diverse community of naturalists and promote stewardship of California's natural resources through education and service.

The UC California Naturalist Program is the hub of a collective impact network. We currently offer two certification courses: UC California Naturalist and UC Climate Stewards. To become a certified California Naturalist or UC Climate Steward, participants need to complete a 40+ hour course. Read more about us or find a course near you.

News & Inspiration

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California Naturalist and Climate Stewards: certification course calendar

Event Name	Date
CalNat College of the Redwoods course	8/16/2021
CalNat American River College courses	8/21/2021
NorCo Community College course	8/27/2021
CalNat West Valley College course	8/30/2021
CalNat Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum course	9/11/2021
CalNat UCR Palm Desert Center course	10/2/2021
CalNat Palomar Community College course	10/16/2021
CalNat Nature For All course	10/19/2021
Climate Stewardship Book Talk: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History	12/7/2021
Climate Stewardship Book Talk: Master Gardeners Orange Co.	12/11/2021
Climate Stewards Hopland Research & Extension Center course	1/5/2022
Climate Stewardship Book Talk: Reader's Books Talk	1/5/2022
Climate Stewardship Book Talk: Copperfield's Books	1/6/2022
CalNat Pepperwood course	1/8/2022
CalNat USC BISC 369	1/10/2022
CalNat Tuleyome course	1/14/2022
CalNat Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods	2/17/2022
CalNat Catalina Island Conservancy course	3/1/2022
CalNat Tuleyome immersion course	4/10/2022
CalNat City College of San Francisco course	4/11/2022

Program Updates

We're hiring two Regional Community Educators!

News: Announcing the 2022 Conference and 10th Anniversary Celebration!

Please save the date for our 2022 Statewide Conference and 10th Anniversary Celebration! Current and future California Naturalists and Climate Stewards from all walks of life will have a chance to meet each other and explore new directions in natural history, climate change and environmental education, participatory science, biodiversity conservation, and building community and ecosystem resilience.

News: UC Climate Stewards core team honored for outstanding curriculum. The Alliance of Natural Resource Outreach and Service Programs recognized the UC California Naturalist Program with the 2021 ANROSP Outstanding Educational Materials Award for our UC Climate Stewards curriculum at their national conference.

Resources: Hot off the Press! The third publication in the California Natural History publication series: Natural History of the California Current by Christopher Pincetich and Sabrina Drill. This series includes overviews of specific bioregions and topics to help sharpen the reader's scientific understanding of California's ecosystems and environmental stewardship.

Recordings: CONES: California Online Naturalist Event Series. Enjoy our latest CONES presentation on Climate Stewardship: Taking Collective Action to Protect California with Dr. Adina Merenlender and special guests David Diaz and Tracy Bartlett.

Meet the Community: View the CalNat Story Map and Climate Stewards Story Map. In pictures and words, we seek to share the inspiring stories of California Naturalists and Climate Stewards from around the state. Share Your California Naturalist or Climate Stewards Story here!

Gear: Need some UC California Naturalist gear to outfit your adventures?! Acorn Naturalist is the exclusive vendor of CalNat gear: hats, hoodies, patches, bags & tee shirts. UC Climate Stewards gear TBA.

Download: California Naturalist Handbook 30% off Flier (UC California Naturalist certification course required text)

Download: Climate Stewardship: Taking Collective Action to Protect California 30% off Flier (UC Climate Stewards certification course required text)