California Naturalist Bodega Marine Lab Immersion Course with Stewards of the Coast & Redwoods
About the Event
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 16-25, 2026 (Arrival beginning Friday, January 16 at 3pm with optional evening gathering)
Fees: $3,000 for course, food, and lodging. A limited number of scholarships are being offered on an invitation basis only. Current volunteers are eligible for a tuition discount, contact Lisa Baiter, lisa@stewardscr.org for more information.
Delivery Mode: In-person
Contact: David Berman, coyoteberman@gmail.com and Meghan Walla-Murphy, phoksumdo.mwm@gmail.com
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.