Hello to those that follow us out there in the blogosphere! We're going to post regular weekly or biweekly CalNat program and partner/Naturalist highlights here. Let us know in the comments or at canaturalist@ucanr.edu if you have suggestions or updates/pics to share about your course, capstone project, partner organization etc! A lot of the content will look familiar if you're already following us on Facebook or Twitter, but we realize no one communication type fits all and some folks miss those updates. To see new posts you can log into the volunteer portal, or look at the bottom right of the page here to find the buttons to subscribe for e-mail updates or add to your RSS feed. Following is a summary of the last few weeks. Enjoy!
Join us in congratulating our second graduating class of University of California, Merced Vernal Pools Reserve California Naturalists! This spring the vernal pools received more rain than they have in 5 years, creating a breathtaking outdoor classroom that was teeming with life. Capstone projects included developing naturalist and citizen science curriculum for Merced public schools, creating several local interpretive trail guides, implementing a bullfrog eradication project, and participating in citizen science projects including raptor surveys with Audubon California, the Lost Ladybug Project, and water quality monitoring.
CalNat has a lot of teachers to appreciate on National Teacher Appreciation Week! From our 35+ course instructors (pic from the inaugural 2014 CalNat conference) and guest experts, to all the dedicated classroom teachers and interpreters that attend and enrich our classes, we salute you and your important work! Don't forget to?#ThankATeacher? this week!
CalNat was well represented at the California Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education - AEOE 2016 Statewide Conference this past weekend in Malibu! CalNat Instructor Chris Cameron from Camp Ocean Pines, and CalNat staff, Shayna, teamed up on a joint presentation, and we ran into a few Certified California Naturalists also enjoying the conference. Outdoor educators and CalNat certification--what a perfect match! Hope to see CAEOE at our CalNat Conference ?#CalNat2016?!
Have you checked out the program lately? We have added some amazing speakers! ?#CalNat2016? http://calnat.ucanr.edu/2016conference/2016program/