California Naturalist Training at Sagehen Creek Field Station 1- Week Immersion Course: July 7-13, 2014 About the course: California Naturalist is a program developed by the University of California Cooperative Extension to foster ecoliteracy and a committed corps of volunteer naturalists and citizen scientists trained and ready to take an active role in natural resource conservation, education, and restoration. In its second year at UC Berkeley s Sagehen Creek Field Station, this 1- week course provides participants with the same content and certification as our 6- Week Course, but in a residential setting at the field station. Lodging is included in the course fee and a requirement for all participants since activities begin early each day and continue through the evening hours. Participants may camp on the premises if preferred over sharing a cabin. Lodging fees also apply for this option. Meals are catered. In addition to providing in- depth training in the ecology of the Sierras and California in general, this course offers a unique, intimate experience within the 600 acre Sagehen Creek UC Natural Reserve not available to the general public. The course consists of presentations and lively collaborative discussions about individual components of an ecosystem, including influences on and interconnections with the whole system. Led by scholars and professionals in their fields, these sessions introduce and expand on the roles and importance of each entity using examples from Sierra communities while relating to California s unique ecology and natural history. Time in the field with researchers and professionals give participants first- hand experiences in seeing nature from a scientists perspective as well as an opportunity to interpret what they see to make meaning for themselves and others. In order to receive certification as a California Naturalist, participants are required to attend all presentations and mandatory field sessions. Certification also requires that each participant plan and complete a Capstone Project. See: The Capstone Project. Since time is limited during the week, participants in the immersion course will need to complete reading and homework assignments, in addition to planning a Capstone Project, ahead of time. We will provide examples and guidance in developing your project after you have registered. After completing the California Naturalist training program, participants are encouraged to complete 40 hours of volunteer service relating to California s natural or environmental cultural history (stewardship, education/interpretation, or citizen science/program support) to remain active as a California Naturalist. The course Capstone Project counts toward this total and in some cases will complete the requirement. We provide information on local opportunities and students are encouraged to participate in and conduct activities within their own communities. More information about this program at http://sagehen.ucnrs.org/events.htm#calnat Registration & fees: The early registration course fee is $995. (After May1, there is an additional late- registration fee of $50.) This includes the course instruction, graduation certificate, California Naturalist registration and website support. Students also need to provide a nature journal and purchase the course textbook: The California Naturalist Handbook. For an additional fee of $85, 4 Continuing Education Units/Credits (CEUs) are available through UC Davis Extension to teachers and undergraduate students who successfully complete the course. Download registration form and logistics from the Sagehen website at: http://sagehen.ucnrs.org/events.htm#calnat 1- Week California Naturalist Course 2014 Sagehen Creek Field Station 1
Sagehen Creek California Naturalist 1- Week Immersion Course Outline & Schedule Note: While dates are set, course details are preliminary. The 1- Week Course at Sagehen Creek consists of required pre- course work and full participation throughout the week. While each day is filled with new content and activities, the alternation of presentations, field sessions, and hands- on activities sets a comfortable pace with time for reflection and taking care of personal needs. Past participants of the one- week course found that the residential format allowed them to develop deep connections with the place, and fostered a sense of camaraderie with fellow participants. The course schedule is outlined below. Guest speakers will present information and lead discussions about the specific topics. Field sessions correlate with each topic. Readings listed are from the California Naturalist Handbook. Homework questions will be posted and accessible after registration. Obtain Read Pre- Course Work California Naturalist Handbook: Order from Amazon or UC Press Bring a notebook to act as your Nature Journal: Read article: before purchasing so you re sure to buy one that is useful for your purposes. Write Mandatory Pre- course Survey Course Syllabus Guide to Sagehen s inaturalist project The Capstone Project California Naturalist Handbook- All chapters Homework Assignments for all chapters (coming soon) Capstone Project Plan to be discussed and approved by instructor via email before class Prepared Capstone Presentation- to be shared with class during the course week Familiarize yourself with California Naturalist Website California Naturalist Volunteer Management System (VMS) inaturalist Website Course Schedule and Syllabus Monday, July 7 Day One 12:30 Arrival at Sagehen Creek- Onsite Check- in/cabin Assignments (no lunch served) 1:00 Welcome and Introduction to Sagehen Creek Field Station/Orientation Instructor: Jeff Brown Director, Central Sierra Field Research Stations 1- Week California Naturalist Course 2014 Sagehen Creek Field Station 2
2:00 Introduction to California Naturalist Program Instructor: Leslie Smith Coordinator, California Naturalist Program, Sagehen Creek Field Station To understand Sagehen Creek Field Station To understand the California Naturalist program and the role of a California Naturalist To understand what is unique about California s natural history, human history, ecology and landscape To understand what naturalists do and why it is important Identify two important naturalists. Describe the characteristics of a good naturalist Name three things that make California s ecology unique Explain the Linnean classification system Correlated Reading: Chapter 1, Introduction to Becoming a California Naturalist 4:00 Guided Field Notebook Activity 6:30 Evening Presentation: Wildlife To recognize the energy and evolutionary relationships among animals To understand how animals are adapted to their environment To understand the concepts of food webs, predator/prey relationships and trophic levels To be able to identify the economic and social importance of wildlife species in your area List and identify by sight 10 vertebrates and invertebrates that are common in your biome, three by their common and scientific names Pick an animal native to your area and describe three ways in which it is adapted to the local environment Describe a food web and identify the predators and prey List five wildlife species of economic and social importance in your area, at least two of which must be invertebrates, and describe their current status Correlated Reading: Chapter 7, Wildlife Tuesday, July 8 Day Two 7:00 Breakfast 7:30 Field Session: Wildlife 11:00 Reading and Informal Discussion: Wildlife 12:00 Lunch 1:00 Afternoon Presentation: Water 1- Week California Naturalist Course 2014 Sagehen Creek Field Station 3
To review the water cycle To identify parts of a watershed To describe the economic, ecologic and social functions of water resources To become exposed to water management, water quality and water distribution issues in California Describe the water cycle and three ways that humans have altered it in the West Pick a water resource (wetland, stream, lake, etc.) and identify three of its important functions Name three creeks near your home Explain the difference between non- point source and point- source pollution and give examples of each Name three uses of the primary water source in your area and discuss any conflicts that arise over these uses. Correlated Reading: Chapter 3, Water 3:30 Field Session: Citizen Science/ Water Quality Monitoring Instructor: Leslie Smith 6:30 Evening Presentation: Plants Instructor: Mike Hamilton, Botanist; Director, Blue Oak Ranch Reserve To become familiar with the plants and plant communities in your local area To understand how plants function, reproduce and adapt To understand the differences among native, non- native, invasive, and noxious plants To understand impact of human and natural disturbance on plant communities List and identify by sight ten plants that are common in your area by their common and scientific names List three plant community types in your area Pick one plant in each of the local community types listed above and describe its adaptations to its environment Sketch the parts of a flowering plant and explain how it reproduces Define and describe the effects of native, non- native, invasive, and noxious plants Reading: Chapter 5: Plants Wednesday, July 9 Day Three 8:00 Breakfast (Pack lunch for field) 9:00 Reading and Discussion: Plants and Water 9:30 Morning Presentation: inaturalist Training and Practice (*Bring Smart Phone & Laptop if you have them) Instructor: Kaitlin Backlund and Rick Ramos, California Naturalists 1- Week California Naturalist Course 2014 Sagehen Creek Field Station 4
To become comfortable using the inaturalist app and website To understand the inaturalist program at Sagehen Provide 6 inaturalist observations from the Sagehen basin. Reading: Familiarize yourself with and create an account on the inaturalist website: file://localhost/(http/::www.inaturalist.org) Guide to Sagehen s inaturalist project: http://www.stanford.edu/~loarie/california_naturalist/sagehen_inaturalist_assignment.pdf 11:30- Field Session: Plants / inaturalist Practice 3:30 Guided Field Notebook Activity: Drawing Plants 6:30 Evening Presentation: Interpretation and Collaboration To understand the basic principles of interpretation To learn techniques for presenting to and communicating with different kinds of audiences To explore the advantages of citizen science for participants and the advancement of science Describe three principles of successful interpretation Define and develop a theme for an interpretive project Describe how you would adapt a program for use with two different audiences List two things to remember about speaking at a public meeting and three things that can help make a program more successful Define citizen science and provide examples of ways to get involved Reading: Chapter 4, Interpretation, Communication and Citizen Science Thursday, July 10 Day 4 8:00 Breakfast (Pack lunch for field) 9:00 Reading and Discussion: Forests 9:30 Morning Presentation: Forest and Woodland Resources To appreciate the ecological and economic value of forests To understand forest structure To understand the role of fire in forest regeneration To understand the various benefits that forests provide To understand the challenges of balancing society s conflicting desires for forests 1- Week California Naturalist Course 2014 Sagehen Creek Field Station 5
Name 10 local trees and 10 local shrubs Describe the forest types common to California Describe at least four benefits that forests provide to society, two economic and two ecological, and discuss how forest fragmentation affects these benefits Act out a forest related resource conflict, taking the point of view of at least two different stakeholders. Correlated Reading: Chapter 6: Forests and Woodland Resources 12:00 Field Session: Forest and Woodland Resources 4:00 Guided Field Notebook Activity 6:30 Evening Presentation: Energy and Global Environmental Issues Instructor: Mike Wolf Environmental Chemist; Environmental Engineer II at Washoe County Air Quality Management District To become familiar with the sources and kinds of energy To understand how plants and animals use energy To explore agricultural issues and their relationship with the environment To consider how human activities and resource use affect the global environment Draw a diagram illustrating the two primary sources of energy on Earth List three sources of renewable and three sources of non- renewable energy Pick one pressing global environmental issue and describe two different ways to resolve it. Explain the relationship between population growth and resource use Reading: Chapter 8: Energy and Global Environmental Challenges 9:00 Journaling/Bed Friday, July 11 Day 5 8:00 Breakfast 9:00 Reading Discussion: Geology and Soils 9:30 Citizen Science Project 12:00 Lunch 1:00 Capstone Presentation Prep 3:00 Field Notebooks 6:30 Evening Presentation (with 6- Week Students): Geology and Soils Instructor: To be Announced To understand how the geologic history of California created the current landscape To understand how the landscape influences the ecology of California To be aware of the role that nutrient cycles and soils play in shaping plant communities 1- Week California Naturalist Course 2014 Sagehen Creek Field Station 6
Describe the ways in which the topography of California influences climate within the state Discuss how the resulting climate and soil variations influence the ecology of California Name a soil type found locally and its impact on the local ecology Draw the nitrogen cycle and explain its importance. Describe how agriculture has affected soils, water and land use in California Reading: Chapter 2, Geology, Soils and Climate 9:00 Campfire Social 10:00 Bed Saturday, July 12 Day 6 8:00 Breakfast (Pack lunch) 9:00 Field Trip with 6- Week Students: Geology and Soils 2:00 Field Notebooks- Sharing 6:30 Capstone Project Presentations Sunday, July 13 Day 7 7:15 Pack and clean cabins 8:00 Breakfast 9:00 Capstone Project Presentations 11:30 Graduation Ceremony 12:00 Depart Sagehen (no catered lunch) 1- Week California Naturalist Course 2014 Sagehen Creek Field Station 7