Urban Estuaries: San Francisco Bay and Lake Merritt CA Naturalists Course

Explore and learn about our local ecology, engage in citizen science, and share your knowledge with others. Become a certified naturalist.

Full price $475, scholarships available on request. See below. Please watch for an email from Katie to complete your registration and payment. This UC California Naturalist course offered through Rotary Nature Center Friends explores the natural history of Lake Merritt, a modern urban estuary - its history and ecology, its human interactions, and its relationship to San Francisco Bay and the central California region. It will engage you in citizen science and allow you to share your knowledge with others. The 40-hour course combines a science curriculum with guest lecturers, field trips, and project-based learning to uncover the interconnected ecology, community, and natural history of the inner-city tidal estuary. If you enjoy exploring and learning about our local ecology, engaging in citizen science, and sharing your knowledge with others, this program is for you! LOCATION: Lake Merritt, Oakland, in Lakeside Park. Meeting place is in the parking lot at 568 Belleve Avenue, 94610. Field trip locations will be announced with detailed itineraries during the course. Lectures will be held on ZOOM. SCHEDULE: FALL - The course runs from Saturday October 4th (a field trip) to Wednesday January 14th, with breaks for Thanksgiving week and winter holidays. Zoom lectures every Wednesday evening from 6 pm to 8:30 pm. Field trips every Saturday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, locations to be announced. A draft syllabus will be sent on request: Email ktnoon@aol. com. DURATION: 40 hours encompassing lectures and field trips. FEES: Full price for the course is $475. Reduced fees will be offered to participants based on need. Please email ktnoon@aol. com for information. A Donation price of $500 ($25 extra) may be selected to support scholarships. Required text and field notebooks not included. Our Non-discrimination Policy: Rotary Nature Center Friends brings people together, regardless of age, ability, and background to participate in environmental education and stewardship. We strive to provide meaningful access to urban nature to each individual and community we serve. We do so by including the voices of the community in all that we do. Registration is currently open and applicants, upon notification that there is room in the course, may use the PayPal or other credit card donation button on our Rotary Nature Center Friends' website to pay, or they may mail a check (details on website). Fees must be paid before September 15th 2025.