- Author: Sabrina Drill
"My goal is to expand the program here in Los Angeles, and throughout Southern California," said Drill. "Given the amazing diversity of our habitats and communities, we are expanding to serve more diverse communities, working with teachers, conservation corps trainees and community leaders throughout urban areas," she added.
Using an ecosystem stewardship framework, the California Naturalist Program is building a statewide network of environmental stewards. The program uses a science-based curriculum and extensive field time and experiential learning to introduce the public, teachers, interpreters, docents, green collar workers, natural resource managers and budding scientists to the wonders of our unique ecology as well as engage them in the stewardship of California's natural communities.
The curriculum includes chapters on forest, woodland and range resources management, geology, climate, water, wildfire and plants. Participants engage in field days and capstone projects and use the iNaturalist app (for iPhone or Android to upload observations of plants or animals and document was seen and where). These tools help to instill a deep appreciation for the state's natural communities and engage participants in biological conservation.