Course Descriptions
Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods is offering the Climate Stewards certification course and the California Naturalist certification course in Sonoma County.
Climate Stewards Certification
Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods is pleased to announce our 2025 UC Climate Stewards Certification course for adults interested in climate science, interpretation, and action. Climate Stewards is the newest Initiative from the University of California Cooperative Extension. In this program you will learn more about the science of climate change, how to communicate more effectively about this issue, and how to help your community adapt to climate challenges.
Dates: September 9 - October 28, 2025
Fees: $250, Active volunteers tuition $175, Contact lisa@stewardscr.org to determine your eligibility
Delivery Mode: Hybrid (Weekly classes on Zoom. In-person field trips in Sonoma County to be determined, with option for self-guided field trips.)
Contact: Cathy Johnson, cathyconnorjohnson@gmail.com
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California Naturalist Certification
Stewards of the Coast & Redwoods is pleased to host the UC California Naturalist Certification Program. This 9 week, 50+ hour class will introduce you to the wonders of the Sonoma Coast and share how you can help steward California’s natural communities. Through the University of California Naturalist Program, participants become active members in a growing movement of conservation, community science, and volunteer activism.
Coastal Sonoma County’s unique ecosystem has been described as the place where Canada meets Mexico. Where temperate rainforest shakes hands with scrubby chaparral. This class integrates online lectures with in person field trips that explore towering redwood forests, oak woodlands, coastal prairie, and riparian forests.
The California Naturalist Program combines science curriculum, journaling, guest lecturers, daily field study, hands-on experience, and local cultural knowledge to promote environmental literacy and stewardship. Discovery and action will help build a better understanding of the places you call home.
Dates: February 18 - April 23, 2025
Fees: $600
Delivery Mode: Hybrid
Contact: stewards@stewardscr.org, (707) 869-9177
Stewards is pleased to announce a new UC California Naturalist Certification Program. A Cal-Nat Oceans Intensive at Bodega Marine Lab! This is an in-person multi-day residential intensive program where students will stay at Bodega Marine Lab and spend their time exploring California natural history through a marine lens. We will dive deeply into the wonders of ocean, inter-tidal, and coastal habitats.
Instructors David Berman and Meghan Walla-Murphy will guide this journey along with multiple guest speakers who have spent a lifetime researching, photographing, and monitoring California’s ocean ecology. Even if you have already taken the standard certification course, this program will offer new insight and understanding for the place we call home. We will study kelp forests, geology of the ocean floor, marine wildlife and more. Through the University of California Naturalist Program, participants become active members in a growing movement of conservation science and volunteer activism.
This course combines science curriculum, journaling, guest lecturers, daily field study, off site trips, and local cultural knowledge. The California Naturalist Program promotes environmental literacy and stewardship through discovery and action. All instruction, lodging, and food are included in the cost.
Dates: January 17-26, 2025
Fees: $2,250 for course, food, and lodging
Delivery Mode: In-person
Contact: stewards@stewardscr.org, (707) 869-9177 ex 1
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Organization Information: Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods is a non-profit, environmental and interpretive organization that works in partnership with California State Parks in the Russian River District to support volunteer, education and stewardship programs.
