California Wildlands & Waters: Channel Islands Field Course (Naturalist Opportunity)
May 12 - May 17
California Wildlands & Waters Field Course
Channel Islands Region
May 12–17 | Southern California Coast & Channel Islands
Registration closes 16 days before departure- April 26th, 2026
Registration & Pricing Deadlines
• Early Bird pricing ends March 31 ,2026
• Price increases by $150 after this date
These trips require advance permits, reservations, and group logistics. Early registration helps us confirm plans and keep costs down — and it saves you $150.
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Explore California’s coastal wildlands and offshore islands through an immersive, place-based field experience designed for curious adults.
This six-day field course with Teranga Wildlife focuses on the ecological connections between land, water, and wildlife, with extended time in the field, guided observation, and opportunities to slow down and really read the landscape.
This is a meet-on-site field course (not a caravan-style road trip). Participants arrive independently and travel together during the program.
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What We’ll Explore
Sedgwick Reserve (UC Natural Reserve System)
Begin the course in California’s inland coastal region, exploring oak savanna, chaparral, and grassland ecosystems. Learn how Mediterranean climate systems, geology, and landform shape ecological patterns that extend offshore to the Channel Islands.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Study California native plant communities as a foundation for island ecology. Observe coastal sage scrub, chaparral, oak woodland, riparian systems, and Channel Islands plant species while practicing pattern recognition and comparative observation.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Explore the geological and cultural history of the Channel Islands, including marine terraces, fossils, seabird ecology, marine food webs, and Chumash maritime culture. This visit provides critical context for the island field days that follow.
Tomol Worksite (Ventura)
Visit a traditional tomol (plank canoe) construction site to learn about Chumash maritime knowledge, craftsmanship, and cultural continuity. This experience grounds the island crossings in living Indigenous ecological knowledge.
Santa Cruz Island (Channel Islands National Park)
Spend time immersed on the largest of the Channel Islands, exploring island biogeography, endemic species, coastal scrub, marine terraces, and canyon systems. The visit includes guided hiking, shoreline observation, and an overnight island camping experience.
Anacapa Island (Channel Islands National Park)
Explore Anacapa’s dramatic cliffs and marine environment, focusing on seabird nesting ecology, ocean currents, and the connections between marine productivity and island life.
Learning Themes
Participants will engage with:
- Island biogeography and endemism
- Coastal and island plant communities
- Marine–terrestrial ecological connections
- Mediterranean climate ecosystems
- Seabird ecology and marine food webs
- Geology, uplift, and marine terraces
- Field journaling and naturalist observation skills
- Indigenous maritime knowledge and cultural history
- Conservation and stewardship of protected lands
🌿 California Naturalist Certification (Optional)
There is an opportunity to earn California Naturalist certification with this program.
To complete certification, participants attend:
- Three online sessions (May 6, 19 & 21 | 7:00–8:30 pm)
- Complete brief homework assignments
- Participate in the full field course
Add-on cost: $160
🌿 California Naturalist Certification (Optional)
There is an opportunity to earn California Naturalist certification with this program.
To complete certification, participants attend:
- Three online sessions (May 6, 19 & 21 | 7:00–8:30 pm)
- Complete brief homework assignments
- Participate in the full field course
Add-on cost: $160
Participation Options
This program is offered with two participation options.
All participants take part in the same field experiences, lodging, meals, and instruction.
Option 1: California Naturalist Certification Track
Participants who choose certification will:
- Receive official UC California Naturalist certification
- Complete required coursework, participatory science observations, and a stewardship project
- Pay the additional $160 UC California Naturalist certification fee (set by UC ANR)
Option 2: Field Experience–Only Track
Participants may also join the course without pursuing certification.This option is ideal for participants who want formal certification, volunteer tracking through UC ANR, and long-term engagement as a California Naturalist.
Field Experience–Only participants:
- Participate fully in all field activities, excursions, lodging, meals, and instruction
- Are not required to complete certification paperwork, online surveys, or the UC stewardship project
- Do not pay the additional $160 UC certification fee
This option is ideal for participants who want a deep, immersive learning experience but do not need formal certification.
Important Notes:
- Both participation options share the same daily schedule and field experiences. The difference is limited to certification requirements and UC ANR administrative fees.
- The UC California Naturalist certification fee ($160) applies only to participants pursuing certification and is paid separately from the course fee.
- This is a 5 day field trip- Eventbrite doesn’t have an option to reflect this- we’re sorry about that!
- California Naturalist Certification ALSO involves 3 online sessions: May 6, 19th and 21st from 7pm -8:30pm
About Teranga Ranch
Teranga Ranch is a nonprofit organization dedicated to wildlife education, coexistence, and community science. Program fees directly support current and future educational initiatives.
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available.
To apply, email info@terangaranch.org with a brief description of your interest and financial need.