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Diversifying UC California Naturalist Participation by Intentional Program Design

Environmental Educator Certification Program

Final Action Project

Dr. Rosanna Ruiz

Fresno State Professor

Primary Project Partner

Four Rivers Natural History Association

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Project Overview

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Photo Credit:

Center for Ecoliteracy

ECOLITERACY

CENTRAL VALLEY

DIVERSITY

Photo Credit: National Center for State Courts

Photo Credit:

GeoCurrents

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Project Approach

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Environmental literacy and stewardship

through discovery and action.

Four Rivers Natural History Association

UC California Naturalist Program 2022

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Connections to Central Valley Bioregion

Cohort Certification

Diverse Cohort

Building Community Through Collaboration

85% of the Cohort will Complete all Course Requirements

Mirror the Central Valley Demographic

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Project Goals

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Project Outcomes

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Four Rivers Natural History Association

UC California Naturalist Program 2022

With a Focus on the Central Valley Bioregion

Eight Virtual Class Sessions:

February 3rd - March 24th

Thursdays from 5:30pm-7:00pm

Virtual Course Content:

Wk 1: Environmental Interpretation

Wk 2: Animals

Wk 3: CA Natural History

Wk 4: Geology, Soils, and Climate

Wk 5: Natural Resources; Ecosystems

Wk 6: Plants

Wk 7: Water Resources

Wk 8: Energy and Global Issues

Seven Field Experience Opportunities:

  • San Luis National Wildlife Refuge
  • Millerton Lake State Recreation Area Eagle Tour
  • Grassland Environmental Education Center
  • UC Merced Vernal Pools & Grassland Reserve
  • Pacheco State Park 25th Year Celebration
  • Los Banos Creek Reservoir
  • REQUIRED: San Luis Creek/O’Neill Forebay

Field Experience Notes:

  • Attendance to 3 is the minimum requirement.
  • Experiences were offered for a range of ability levels and access accommodations.

Additional Certification Opportunities:

  • Project WILD
  • Growing Up WILD

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Project

Partners

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Evaluation and Assessment

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Evaluation and Assessment

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Ethnic Affiliation

Pacific Islander

12%

Egyptian

6%

Caucasian

69%

Native American

6%

Latinx/o/a

31%

Age

**Multi-ethnic status was noted for 19% of the cohort.

26-30

23%

31-35

18%

36-40

12%

41-45

23%

46-50

6%

51-55

6%

56-60

0%

61-65

12%

Gender

Male

24%

Female

70%

Nonbinary

6%

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Evaluation and Assessment

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  • Rancher
  • Nurse (2)
  • Yacht Club Director
  • Wildlife Artist
  • California State Park Interpreter
  • School Office Assistant/Technician
  • Docent: Native Plant Garden
  • Docent: Land Trust
  • Community Garden Owner
  • Stay at Home Mom
  • Realtor
  • Entrepreneur: Urban EE
  • Elementary Teacher
  • Chemistry Teacher
  • Musician/Private Instructor
  • College Instructor: Communication
  • College Instructor: Academic Writing

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Evaluation and Assessment

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Course Completion

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100% of the cohort completed all of the course requirements and received their UC California Naturalist Program Certification.

Accessibility

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The top two things that made the course accessible as noted by 94% of the cohort:

  • Online component
  • Scheduling options

Content Experts

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The guest speakers that participated in the online sessions ended up being a very diverse group. An unintentional, but welcomed surprise.

Fumika Takahashi

Angela Laws

Gail Davis

Allyson Brooks

Chris Velez

Reyn Akiona

Jordi Vasquez

Cecelia Sheeter

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Content Experts

Six-33 Solutions

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Project Importance

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Lost Lake Recreation Area

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Project Importance and Next Steps

Connections

Support and Engage Naturalists/Agencies

Awareness

Specialty Field Experiences

Deepen Partnerships

Expand Collaborative Efforts

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Pacheco State Park

Millerton Lake SRA

San Luis Reservoir SRA

Thank You!

Questions?