Tall Trees, Wild Coasts: Online
2026-03-25 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
A live introduction to redwood ecology, wildlife, and landscapes—plus a look at our upcoming Northern California field course.
Welcome to Tall Trees, Wild Coasts: Ecology in the Land of the Giants!
These forests are among the rare temperate rainforests left on Earth.
Join us for a live online introduction to California’s redwood ecosystems. We’ll explore how these forests function-from towering trees and flowing rivers to wildlife like elk, owls, and banana slugs- and the connections that make this landscape so unique.
I’ll also share details about our upcoming Redwoods field course and answer questions for those interested in experiencing these places in person.
Suggested donation: $10–$20
(All are welcome regardless of ability to pay.)
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California Wildlands & Waters: Redwoods Field Course (Naturalist Opportunity)
2026-04-16 - 2026-04-21 | CA
California Wildlands & Waters Field Course
April 16–21 | Northern & Coastal California
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Registration closes 15 days before departure: April 1, 2026
Explore California’s redwoods, rivers, and coastline through an immersive, place-based field experience designed for curious adults and older youth.
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.
What We’ll Explore
Prairie Creek Redwoods & Elk MeadowBegin the journey among towering old-growth redwoods and open meadow systems. Observe Roosevelt elk, explore forest–meadow edge dynamics, and learn how seasonal changes shape wildlife behavior.
Trillium Falls & Spring Understory EcologyExperience the redwood forest in peak spring condition — with flowing seeps, lush understory plants, and active forest-floor life.
Sue-meg State Park (Agate Beach)Explore the dramatic North Coast shoreline where forest meets ocean. Observe seabirds, intertidal life, coastal processes, and learn about the cultural and ecological significance of this landscape.
Avenue of the Giants & Humboldt Redwoods State ParkTravel through one of the most iconic redwood corridors in the world, focusing on floodplain forests, river dynamics, and redwoods at watershed scale.
Eel River & John B. Dewitt Redwoods State Natural ReserveSpend a full day immersed along the Eel River — one of California’s last major free-flowing rivers. This day focuses on wildlife tracking and sign, bear ecology, river processes, and reading movement and disturbance in the landscape. (River entry and aquatic observation may occur depending on conditions.)
Point Reyes & the San Andreas FaultConclude the trip with a lighter re-entry day in Point Reyes, exploring coastal landscapes shaped by tectonic forces and observing how geology influences ecosystems.

Learning Themes
Participants will engage with:

Rivers & watersheds (with emphasis on the Eel River)

Wildlife tracking & animal sign

Forest ecology & conservation

Elk ecology (Roosevelt elk)

Coastal systems & intertidal life

Lagoons, wetlands, and estuaries

Human land use, stewardship, and conservation challenges

🌿 California Naturalist Certification (Optional)
There is an opportunity to earn California Naturalist certification with this program.
To complete certification, participants attend:

Three online sessions (April 14, 23, and 28 | 7:00–8:30 pm)

Complete brief homework assignments

Participate in the full field course

Add-on cost: $160

Trip Details
Dates: April 16–21Group size: LimitedAudience: Adults and older youthNo pets, please.

Pricing
• Early Bird Rate: $515 available until March 5
• Standard Rate: $675 increases by $150 after March 5
• Registration closes 15 days before departure: April 1, 2026

$160 optional California Naturalist certification add-on

Includes:

3 nights lodging at Angelo Coast Range Reserve (UC Natural Reserve System)

Instruction by experienced naturalists

Guest speakers and guides

Some meals during the Angelo portion of the trip

Not included:

Transportation / gas

Lodging at the beginning and end of the trip

Meals at the beginning and end of the trip

Snacks

Overnight Locations

April 16: Near Santa Cruz (participant-arranged)

April 17–20: Angelo Coast Range Reserve (lodging included; shared facilities)

April 20: Near Petaluma / Nicasio / Point Reyes (participant-arranged)

Lodging recommendations will be provided.
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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.

California Wildlands & Waters: Channel Islands Field Course (Naturalist Opportunity)
2026-05-12 - 2026-05-17 | Sedgewick Reserve, 3566 Brinkerhoff Avenue, Santa Ynez, 93460, United States
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.
——————————————————–

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

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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.

Return of the Wolf
2026-05-23 19:30 - 20:30 | CA
The wolf is coming home.
Join us to explore the return of wolves to California—and what it means for all of us.
Malibu Creek State Park
May 23 • 7:30 PM
FREE! ALL AGES!!!

Living with Rattlesnakes in Ventura County
2026-06-03 19:00 - 20:00 | CRPD Headquarters, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91360, United States
Join us June 3 at 7:00 p.m. at CRPD headquarters, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, for an informative community presentation by wildlife educator Dana Stangel of Teranga Ranch and rattlesnake relocator John Noble. They will discuss rattlesnake behavior, safety, coexistence, and practical steps residents can take to reduce conflict and stay safe. Please register in advance: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/T4jjfa4YQzmeCp2w2n7YHA?field_30=fb

California Wildlands & Waters: Eastern Sierra (Naturalist Opportunity)
2026-06-10 08:00 - 2026-06-15 17:00 | Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory, 1016 Mt Morrison Rd, Mammoth Lakes, CA, 93546, United States
Explore the Eastern Sierra’s alpine lakes, volcanic landscapes, wildlife, and wildflowers in this immersive naturalist field course.

Explore the Eastern Sierra’s alpine lakes, volcanic landscapes, wildlife, and wildflowers in this immersive naturalist field course.
The Eastern Sierra is a landscape of dramatic contrasts. Volcanic craters and glacial valleys, alpine lakes and sagebrush basins, ancient forests and open sky. Over six days, participants will explore how geology, water, fire, and elevation shape life in one of California’s most dynamic mountain ecosystems.
Through guided field exploration, observation, and naturalist-led discussion, we’ll learn to read the landscape, noticing the subtle connections between landforms, water systems, wildlife, and plant communities.
This course emphasizes slow observation, ecological literacy, and immersive field learning.
Registration closes on May 26th
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Why the Eastern Sierra?
The Eastern Sierra is one of California’s most spectacular and geologically dynamic landscapes. Towering granite peaks rise abruptly above sagebrush valleys, alpine lakes reflect the sky at nearly 10,000 feet, and volcanic forces continue to shape the land beneath our feet.
This is a place where water begins its journey west, fire shapes forests, glaciers carved valleys, and wildlife thrives in extreme conditions.
For naturalists, it’s an extraordinary outdoor classroom.

What We’ll Explore
Mammoth Lakes Basin – Alpine Lakes & Watersheds
Begin among a chain of high-elevation lakes surrounded by granite peaks and lodgepole forests. Explore watershed dynamics, glacial history, and alpine aquatic ecosystems while observing birds, amphibians, and wildflowers.
Mono Lake & Tufa Towers
Explore one of the oldest lakes in North America, famous for its otherworldly limestone towers and vast bird migrations. Learn about hydrology, conservation history, and how water management reshaped this unique ecosystem.
Devils Postpile National Monument & Rainbow Falls
Discover one of the Sierra’s most striking volcanic formations: towering basalt columns created by ancient lava flows. Along the San Joaquin River, we’ll explore riparian ecology and the geological forces that shaped this landscape.
Long Valley Caldera & Volcanic Landscapes
Explore the massive volcanic system underlying the region. We’ll examine lava domes, geothermal activity, and the ecological communities that have adapted to this constantly evolving terrain.
Hot Creek Geological Site
Observe steaming vents, boiling springs, and vivid mineral deposits where geothermal energy rises close to the surface- a powerful reminder that the Eastern Sierra remains volcanically active.
Convict Lake & Glacial Valleys
Walk along one of the Sierra’s most dramatic glacially carved valleys, where turquoise water sits beneath towering granite walls. We’ll explore glacial history, mountain geology, and wildlife adapted to high-elevation environments.
Jeffrey Pine & Lodgepole Forests
Spend time in the region’s iconic conifer forests examining fire ecology, tree adaptations, wildlife habitat, and the role of disturbance in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Learning Themes
Participants will engage with:
• Volcanic geology and glacial landscapes
• Alpine lakes, watersheds, and hydrology
• High-elevation plant communities and wildflowers
• Fire ecology and forest dynamics
• Wildlife observation and tracking
• Climate, elevation, and ecological adaptation
• Reading landscapes through naturalist observation
• Human history, stewardship, and conservation in the Eastern Sierra
__________________________________________________________
California Naturalist Certification (Optional)
There is an opportunity to earn California Naturalist certification with this program.
To complete certification, participants attend:
Three online sessions (June 8, 17 & 23)
Complete brief homework assignments
Participate in the full field course
Add-on cost: $160
________________________________________________________________
What Makes This Course Unique
This is not a lecture-based class. Teranga Ranch naturalist courses are immersive field experiences.
Participants spend the majority of the program outdoors learning directly from the landscape through observation, guided discussion, and hands-on exploration.
You’ll learn to:
• Read landscapes like a naturalist
• Identify patterns between geology, water, plants, and wildlife
• Observe animal sign and ecological clues
• Understand how natural systems interact across large landscapes
Each day blends science, storytelling, and shared discovery, creating a deeper connection to the places we explore
___________________________________________________________________
Trip Details
Dates: June 10-15
Location: Mammoth Lakes / Eastern Sierra
Group size: Small
Audience: Adults and older youth
No pets, please.
Pricing
• Early Bird Rate: $890 (Register before April 26th!!)
• Standard Rate: $1,040
• Registration closes on May 26th
$160 optional California Naturalist certification add-on
Includes
Lodging and most meals
Instruction by experienced naturalists
Guided field excursions
Guest speakers and local expertise
Course materials and field resources
Not Included
Transportation / gas
Snacks

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Coexisting with Rattlesnakes in Los Angeles County
2026-06-21 08:00 - 17:00 | Placerita Canyon Nature Center, 19152 Placerita Canyon Rd, Newhall, CA, 91321, United States
Living with Rattlesnakes
What Los Angeles County Residents Need to Know
Rattlesnake encounters are on the rise across Ventura County this spring, raising questions and concerns for hikers, homeowners, pet owners, and anyone spending time outdoors.
Join local wildlife educator Dana Stangel of Teranga Ranch and local rattlesnake relocator Shandi Noble for an informative community presentation focused on rattlesnake behavior, safety, coexistence, and practical steps residents can take to reduce conflict and stay safe.
Topics will include:
Why encounters may be increasing this year
What to do if you see a rattlesnake
How to reduce attractants around your home
Safety tips for hikers, families, and pets
Common myths and misconceptions
The ecological role of rattlesnakes in our local environment
The evening will also include time for questions and discussion.
📅 June 21, 2026
🕖 2:00 PM
📍 Placerita Canyon Nature Center
💻 Live
Presented in partnership with Placerita Canyon Nature Center and Teranga Ranch.

Wildlife After Dark
2026-06-27 19:30 - 21:00 | CA
Discover the Hidden World of Southern California After Sunset
Have you ever wondered what happens in the Santa Monica Mountains after sunset?
Join Dana Stangel, founder of Teranga Wildlife and California Naturalist instructor, for a guided evening walk exploring the fascinating world of Southern California’s nocturnal wildlife.
Listen for owls and coyotes, watch for bats overhead, search for tracks and wildlife signs, and learn how animals survive and thrive in the darkness.
Saturday, June 27
7:30pm – 9pm
Meet at Wendy Trailhead, Newbury Park
Easy walk • Ages 12+ • Advance registration required
Members: $20
Non-Members: $25

Los Angeles Catio Tour
2026-10-17 10:00 - 16:00 | CA
Save the Date for the 4th Annual LA Catio Tour!
More info to come!
(Got catio? Email scout@losangelescatiotour.com)
