About this Event
Venture through the San Gabriel Foothills—where chaparral slopes, riparian zones, and oak woodlands meet in a landscape shaped by fire, time, and human influence. Led by ecological educator Kristy Brauch, this California Naturalist certification course explores the interconnections among plants, animals, soils, water systems, and ecosystem processes. Participants will investigate how fire-adapted ecosystems respond to disturbance and develop strategies for cultivating resilient landscapes.
A central focus of the course is community science—linking local observations to conservation, climate-informed stewardship, and equitable access to nature. Participants study the importance of contributing real-world data to projects such as the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP), Bumble Bee Atlas, and iNaturalist. They will gain hands-on experience restoring habitats, cultivating living soil, investigating watersheds, surveying wildlife corridors, and examining recovering burn scars, developing practical skills in habitat restoration and regenerative practices.
Participants will also cultivate skills in nature journaling, science communication, interpretive storytelling, and applied Indigenous teachings, supported by presentations from expert guest speakers affiliated with local conservation, natural resource, and research organizations.
The course blends independent learning with guided field experiences, including indoor and outdoor sessions at The Huntington Botanical Garden, Washington Park, and surrounding San Gabriel Valley foothills, with optional trips to monarch overwintering sites and other field opportunities. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to support biodiversity, foster resilience, and lead as community naturalists. Graduates earn UC California Naturalist Certification.
Course Details:
Led by: Kristy Brauch, Certified UC California Naturalist Instructor
Hosted by: Teranga Ranch Wildlife, 501(c)(3)
Dates: November 1—December 7, 2025 (Flexible schedule with alternative make up classes available)
Location: San Gabriel Valley Foothills Area
Course Cost: $450, Includes California Naturalist Certification. For additional $80 participants are eligible for 4 UC Davis Extension academic credits.
: https://ucanr.edu/statewide-program/uc-environmental-stewards
Required Text: The first or second edition of the course textbook, The California Naturalist Handbook by Greg de Nevers, Deborah Stanger Edelman, Adina Merenlender. The book must be acquired by participants. Both editions are available at the Los Angeles County Public Library. Please contact me if you need to borrow a copy.
By purchasing your copy through UC Press, you can save 30% using the discount code UCPSAVE30. Use the following purchase link:
https://www.ucpress.edu/books/california-naturalist-handbook-second-edition/paper
Los Angeles County Public Library.:
https://catalog.lacountylibrary.org/client/en_US/default/search/results?qu=The+California+Naturalist+Handbook&te=ILS&rt=false%7C%7C%7CTITLE%7C%7C%7CTitle
Certification Requirements:
- Attend all sessions (one absence permitted; make-up session available)
- Complete 8-hour volunteer stewardship project
- Read entire California Naturalist Handbook
- Log 10+ iNaturalist observations
- Participate in one community science project
- Maintain a nature journal
- Complete Capstone Project and post-course evaluation
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Washington Park, 700 East Washington Boulevard, Pasadena, United States
USD 468.44
