Deadline to apply is October 27, 2025. Apply today >
Course dates: January – April 2026
The California Naturalist Certification Course is a welcoming, community-centered program designed to connect people from all backgrounds with California’s natural environments. Whether you’re reconnecting with a lifelong love of nature or just beginning to explore your curiosity about the natural world, this course is designed to be accessible and supportive for participants at all experience levels.
Our focus is on building core naturalist skills, nurturing curiosity, and strengthening relationships—with each other and the land. Rather than emphasizing the memorization of Latin names, we center storytelling, observation, and learning from both guest experts and the lived experiences of fellow participants.
This course is especially designed for those who may not yet identify as naturalists. If you are already highly experienced and seeking advanced or technical training, a different program may be a better fit.
Course Structure:
Flexible Learning – A mix of in-person and online sessions. Online classes are held over zoom each Thursday from 5:30-8 p.m. beginning on January 8, 2026.
Field trips will have different start and end times and meeting locations, but they will all be full-day events. We will share more detailed information with those awarded a space in the class
Cost:
$500 per person. Audubon Canyon Ranch provides full or partial fee waivers based on need, using a pay-what-you-can-afford model. We are open to arranging payment plans or discussing any further accommodations once offered a spot in the class.