1 CalNaturalistSierraNevadaImmersionCourse

CaliforniaNaturalistSierraNevadaImmersionCourseSundayOctober1toSaturdayOctober7,2017HostedbytheUCMercedYosemiteFieldStation(YFS)inWawona,andtheSierraNevadaAquaticResearchLaboratory(SNARL)inMammothLakes

CoordinatingInstructors:

Dr.CarolBlanchette805-893-5698carol.blanchette@ucsb.edu

CarolisacommunityecologistandResearchBiologistattheMarineScienceInstitute,UCSB.Herworkfocusesonpopulationdynamics,biomechanicsandecologicalnetworks.SheistheDirectoroftheUCSBValentineEasternSierraReserves(SNARLandValentineCamp).

Dr.AnneKelly209-628-1064akelly5@ucmerced.edu

AnneistheDirectoroftheYosemiteandSequoiaFieldStationsforUCMerced.HerresearchhasfocusedontheeffectsofclimatechangeanddroughtontheecosystemsofthetheSierraNevada,MojaveDesert,ColoradoPlateau,andArctictundra.

Dr.TomHothem209-217-7247thothem@ucmerced.edu

TomHothemisAssociateDirectorofUCMerced’sMerrittWritingProgram,inwhichheteacheswritingfornaturalsciencesandengineering.Hisresearchexploresintersectionsbetweenenvironmentalscienceandliteratureinnaturalhistoryandurbanplanning.

GuestInstructorsAnnieBarrett;OutreachCoordinator,SNARLPeteDevine;ResidentNaturalist,YosemiteConservancyDr.DaveHerbst;ResearchScientist,SNARLDr.MarcMeyer;Ecologist,USForestServiceBartsheMiller;MonoLakeCommitteeAnnHowald,MA;ProfessionalBotanist(Ret.),SNARLDr.JaySexton;ProfessorofEcology,UCMercedDr.GregStock;Geologist,YosemiteNationalParkAndieThrams;ProfessionalIllustrator

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AbouttheCaliforniaNaturalistProgramTheCaliforniaNaturalistprogramhasbeendevelopedbytheUniversityofCaliforniaCooperativeExtensiontofostereco-literacyandtotrainvolunteernaturalistsandcitizenscientiststrainedforactiverolesinnaturalresourceconservation,education,andrestoration.Itsgoalsare:

● TopromoteenvironmentalliteracyandstewardshipofCalifornia'snaturalresources● Toincreaseparticipationinresourceconservationandcitizenscienceprojects

throughoutthestate● Todevelopacoreconstituencyofcommittedandeducatedcitizensmotivatedand

trainedtoparticipateinresourceconservation,preservation,andrestorationefforts● Toprovideparticipantswiththeknowledge,skillsandconfidencetheyneedtoeducate

othersandparticipateinmanyaspectsofresourcemanagement,suchaspubliceducation,resourceplanningandpublicdecision-making

● ToprovidethecommunicationexperienceandcriticalthinkingskillsnecessarytogrowacitizenbasethatsupportsenvironmentalprotectionandsustainablegrowthinCalifornia

● TosupportpartnerorganizationsandcollaboratorsastheyimplementtheprogramAbouttheSierraNevadaImmersionCourseThisweeklongimmersioncoursefocusesontheecosystemlinkagesoftheSierraNevadaaroundYosemiteNationalPark.Itconsistsofpresentations,fieldtrips,andlivelycollaborativediscussionsaboutindividualcomponentsoftheecosystem,includinginfluencesonandinterconnectionswiththewholesystem.Ledbyscholarsandprofessionalsintheirfields,thesesessionsintroduceandexpandontheimportanceofeachentity,usingexamplesfromSierracommunitiesandrelatingthemtoCalifornia’suniqueecologyandnaturalhistory.Timeinthefieldwithresearchersandprofessionalsgivesparticipantsfirst-handexperiencesinseeingnaturefromascientist’sperspective.Thecourseoffersparticipantsopportunitytointerpretwhattheysee,tomakemeaningforthemselvesandothers.ThefirsthalfofthecoursewilltakeplaceinaresidentialsettingonthewestslopeoftheSierraattheYosemiteFieldStation(YFS)inWawona,andthesecondhalfwilloccurontheeastslopeoftheSierraattheValentineEasternSierraReserveandSierraNevadaAquaticResearchLaboratory(SNARL)inMammoth.On-sitelodgingisincludedinthecoursefeeandisimportantforallparticipants(becauseactivitiesbeginearlyeachmorningandcontinuethroughtheevening).Participantswillstayinsemi-rusticcabinsinWawonaanddormitory-stylehousingatSNARL.Thecoursefeealsoincludesallmeals,withcatereddinnersandonenightdiningout.SierraNevadaImmersionCourseStudentLearningOutcomesUponcompletionofthiscourse,participantswillbeableto:

1. Describescientificmethodsofunderstandingnaturalhistory.

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2. Relateknowledgeofnaturalhistorytobecominganaturalistandanenvironmentalsteward.

3. Integrateknowledgeabouttheinterconnectednessofabioticandbioticfactors(includinghuman)andtheirinfluenceonthenaturalhistoryoftheSierraNevadaEcosystems.

4. Demonstrateskillsinmakingandrecordingnaturalhistoryobservationsinafieldnotebook.

5. ApplyknowledgeoftheSierraNevadaecosystemtolocalandglobalenvironmentalissues.

6. Understandandcommunicatetheroleofcitizenscienceininformingthenaturalresourcesmanagementdecisionmakingprocesses.

ParticipationParticipantsmustattendclassmeetingsandfieldtripsduringthisone-weekimmersioncourse,andmustcompleteaneight-hourCapstoneProjectandpresentation,inordertoobtaintheCaliforniaNaturalistcertificate.Thecourseconsistsofrequiredpre-coursereadingandfullparticipationthroughouttheweek.Whileeachdayisfilledwithnewcontentandactivities,presentations,fieldsessions,andhands-onactivitieswilloccuratacomfortablepacewithtimeforreflectionandpersonalneeds.Theresidentialformatallowsparticipantstodevelopdeeperconnectionswiththeareaandfostersasenseofcamaraderiewithfellowparticipants.NaturalistFieldNotebookNaturalistsdocumentfieldobservationswithnotesandsketchesindetailedFieldNotebooks.ItisacourserequirementthateachparticipantkeepaFieldNotebookduringthecourseandhopefullybeyondit.Keepingadetailedfieldjournalisoneofthebestwaysofrecordingobservationsforfuturereflectionandforfosteringcontinuedlearninganddevelopmentasanexperiencednaturalist.CourseparticipantsalsorecordobservationsinanonlinefielddatacollectionandsocialnetworkingtoolcallediNaturalist(https://www.inaturalist.org/).Toobserveyourownpersonalapproachtotakingnotesinthefield,weencourageyoutobringyourownnotebook.Wewillalsohavenotebooksavailableforthosewhowouldlikethem.RequiredTexts(Pleasereadthembeforehandandbringthemwithyoutothecourse!)

● deNevers,Edelman,&Merenlender,TheCaliforniaNaturalistHandbook,UCPress,2013.Linktoamazonproductsite:http://a.co/aMijyWJ.AlsoavailableviatheUCPresswitha30%CalNatdiscount.

● Ingram&Kocher,“NaturalHistoryoftheSierraNevada”availableonlineonly:http://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8535.pdf

CapstoneProject

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CaliforniaNaturalistcertificationrequireseachparticipanttocompleteaCapstoneProject,whichapplieshis/hernaturalistskillsandenvironmentalintereststoataskthatbenefitsanaturalhistoryorganization(anestablishedrestorationeffort,conservationprogram,researchproject,naturecenter,parksystem,scientificpublication,etc.).TheCapstoneProjectmustfocusonstewardship,education/interpretation,citizenscience,and/orprogramsupportandshouldbecompletedinarelativelyshorttimeperiod(eighthours).ParticipantsmayworkindividuallyorinteamstodesignandimplementtheirCapstoneProjects.Sincetimeislimitedduringtheweekofourimmersioncourse,participantswilldesignCapstoneProjectstoimplementafterthecourse.Attheendoftheimmersioncourse,eachparticipantwillgiveafive-minuteoralpresentationdescribingaplanfordesigningandcompletinghis/herCapstoneProject.Therewillbetimethroughouttheweekforbrainstormingandfocusingyourproject.SeeCapstonedocumentforideasandsuggestionsaboutpossibleCapstoneProjects.VolunteerService:AftercompletingtheCaliforniaNaturalistYosemitetrainingprogram,participantsareencouragedtocomplete40hoursofvolunteerservicerelatingtoCalifornia’snaturalorenvironmentalculturalhistory(stewardship,education/interpretation,citizenscience,orprogramsupport).Hoursspentplanning,developing,andcompletingtheCapstoneProjectcounttowardyour40hoursofservice.Yourinstructorswillprovideinformationonlocalopportunities,andstudentsareencouragedtoparticipateinandconductactivitieswithorganizations,fieldstations,parksoragencieswithintheirowncommunities.Volunteerswholog40hoursofserviceannuallyreceiveaservicerecognitionpin,whichcommemoratesadifferentCalifornianativespecieseachyear.RegistrationandFeesThecourseregistrationfeeis$900.Classsizeislimitedto25participants.Feesincludelodging,meals,courseinstructionandfieldsessions,graduationcertificate,CaliforniaNaturalistregistration,websitesupport,andlapelpin.Participantswillneedtopurchaseandreadtherequiredtext,TheCaliforniaNaturalistHandbook,priortothestartofthecourse.Foranadditionalfee,GeneralEducationAcademicorContinuingEducationCredits(CEUs)areavailablethroughUCDavisExtensiontoteachersandundergraduatestudentswhosuccessfullycompletethecourse.IfyouareinterestedinCEUs,pleasespeaktoacoursecoordinator.RegistrationandFeesCover…

● Cabinaccommodationsatbothreserves ● JohnMuirLaws’“LawsGuidetotheSierraNevada”andajournalingbook● Foodfortheweek ● Classroominstruction ● Fieldtrips

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● Graduationcertificateandlapelpinuponsuccessfulcompletion ● RegistrationwithCaliforniaNaturalistandwebsupport

TODOLIST(BEFORETHECOURSE)

● Buyandreadthetextbookbeforehand(therewon’tbemuchtimetoreadduringtheweek).ReadtheCalNatSierraNevadaSupplementavailableontheCalNatwebsite.

● SignupforafreeiNaturalistaccountathttps://www.inaturalist.org/.Downloadtheapptoasmartphone,andpracticetakingapictureanduploadingyourobservationoniNaturalist.

● Thinkaboutapotentialcapstoneprojectandemailyourideatothecoordinatinginstructors(Anne,Carol,andTom,whosecontactinformationisatthetopofthesyllabus).SeetheCapstoneProjectdocumentinthisfolderformoreinformationandexamples.

WHATTOBRING

● ClothesappropriateforvariableautumnconditionsintheSierra:warmlayers,rainlayers,sturdyhikingshoes,hats,sunglasses

● Sleepingbagorsheets/blankets,pillow ● Towelandtoiletries ● Ajournal:anemptynotebook,withorwithoutlinesorgrids,inwhichtorecordyour

natureobservations.Wewillhavesomeavailableifyoudonothaveyourown. ● Coloredpencilsand/orpenstowriteandsketchinyournaturejournal ● Yoursmartphone,iPad,orlaptopforiNaturalistobservations(optional) ● Alaptopforsupplementalresearchduringthecourse(optional)● Thingsyouliketobringonthetrailandwhiletraveling:daypack,waterbottle,

headlamporflashlight,binoculars,magnifyingglass,snacks,pocketknife,travelmug,etc.

● Anyalcohol,orspecialfoodsandsnacksforyourself--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------COURSESCHEDULENote:Thisschedulemayberevisedduetoweatherorfireconditionsorothersurprises.IffirepreventstheopeningoftheYosemiteFieldStation,wewillcarryonasplanned,butourstartinglocationonSundaywillbeSNARLinMammothLakes.Thecoursecoordinatorswillkeepeveryoneapprisedofanychangesinschedule.MeetingTimesandLocations:

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ParticipantswillconveneattheSierraNevadaResearchStationinWawona(justinsidethesouthentrancetoYosemiteNationalPark)middayonSunday,1October.WewilldepartforMammothonWednesday,4October,andadjournafterlunchonSaturday,7October.Day1:Sunday,October1st

8:30: EastsidersmaymeetatSNARLforcarpoolingtoWawona.11:30–1:00: Cabinassignments,unpack,settleinLocation: SierraNevadaResearchStations,YosemiteFieldStation 7799ChilnualnaFallsRoad,Wawona,95389Note:LunchisnotprovidedonSunday,10/1.Pleasebringalunch,orconsiderpurchasingato-gosandwichandsnacksfromtheBigTreesStoreinWawona.1:00–3:00:Welcome,IntroductiontotheCaliforniaNaturalistProgram,VolunteerManagementSystem,andiNaturalistLocation: FieldStationclassroomStaff: PeteDevine,TomHothem,AnneKellyReading: CalNatHandbookChapter1,“CaliforniaNaturalHistoryandtheRoleofNaturalists”CalNatHandbookChapter1Outcomes:“CaliforniaNaturalHistoryandtheRoleofNaturalists”--DescribeCalifornia’sbiodiversity,notingitsimportanceandpotentialcrises.--IdentifyandcharacterizeCaliforniabioregions.--Distinguishthesignificanceofbeinganaturalist.--MaintainafieldnotebookutilizingsomeformoftheGrinnellMethod.--Summarize(1)featuresofLinnaeantaxonomyforplantsandanimals,and(2)featuresofgeographicrangeinwhichCaliforniaplantsandanimalslive3:00–5:30:GuidedJournalingActivityandIntroductiontoiNaturalist,walkingtourofmeadowareaLocation: FieldStationclassroom,WawonameadowInstructor: AndieThramsReading: CalNatHandbookChapter1,“CaliforniaNaturalHistoryandtheRoleofNaturalists”5:30: Dinner

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7:00–8:00: Interpretation,Collaboration,andCitizenScienceLocation: FieldStationclassroomInstructor: TomHothemReading: CalNatHandbookChapter8,“Interpretation,Collaboration,andCitizenScience”CalNatHandbookChapter8Outcomes:“Interpretation,Collaboration,andCitizenScience”--Identifyprinciplesofnatureinterpretationwithrespecttoitsthepracticeandpromotion.--Enumeratewaysinwhichexpertsandnovicescollaboratetoproduceknowledgeaboutthenaturalworld.--DefineCitizenScience,andexplainitsimportance.Day2:Monday,October2nd

7:30: Breakfast,assemblefoodforlunch8:30–12:00:Geology-GlacierPointInstructor:GregStock,YosemiteNationalParkgeologistReading: CalNatHandbookChapter2,“Geology,Climate,andSoils”CalNatHandbookChapter2Outcomes:“Geology,Climate,andSoils”--Describetectonic,glacial,anderosivephenomenathatgaverisetoCalifornia’svariousmountainrangesandvalleysystems.--IdentifysomeofCalifornia’scommonrocksandsoils,andlocatethemgeographically--ExplainkeyaspectsofCalifornia’sclimateandwaysinwhichitmanifestsinspecificbioregions.--Illustrateaspectsofnutrientcyclinganditsroleintheenvironment.12:00-1:00pm:LunchLocation: Wawona,YFSOffice1:00–3:00pm:PlantsLocation: WawonaMeadowStaff: Dr.JaySextonReading: CalNatHandbookChapter4,“Plants”CalNatHandbookChapter4Outcomes:“Plants”--EnumeratecommonCaliforniaplants(trees,shrubs,grasses,wildflowers,etc.)withrespecttocommunitiesandbioregionsinwhichtheyoccur.--Illustratethedifferentpartsofaplant,anddescribeplants’meansofreproduction.

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--Assessnaturalandculturalsignificancesofrelationshipsbetweenplantsandpeople.3:00–5:00WawonaHike,Journaling,andiNaturalist[WawonaMeadowLoop]5:30: DinnerLocation: Landsnaes7:00–8:00 DailyReflectionandCapstonePreparationLocation: LandsnaesStaff: PeteDevine,TomHothemReading: ReviewChapters1,2,4,&8Day3:Tuesday,October3rd

7:30: Breakfast,assemblefoodforlunch8:30–12:00:WildlifeLocation: FieldStationclassroomandWawonaMeadowLoopInstructor:Dr.MarcMeyerReading: CalNatHandbookChapter6,“Animals”CalNatHandbookChapter6Outcomes:“Animals”--Describethelifestyles,behaviors,ecologicalfunctions,reproductivestrategies,andadaptationsofcommonCaliforniaanimals,locatingtheminspecificfoodcyclesandbioregions.--EnumeratesomeofCalifornia’ssignatureinsects,fish,amphibians,birds,reptilesandmammals,notingenvironmentalfacilitatorsandstressorsthataffectthem.--Assessnaturalandculturalsignificancesofrelationshipsbetweenanimalsandpeople.--Definetheterm“invasivespecies,”andillustratedynamicsofinvasionwithreferencetospecificanimalsaswellasplants.12:00–1:00:Lunch1:00–4:00:Forest,Woodland,andRangeResourcesandManagement,iNaturalistand

journalingLocation: Foresta-NorthRimTrailorTBDInstructors:AnneKellyandMarcMeyerReading: CalNatHandbookChapter5,“Forest,Woodland,andRangeResourcesandManagement”

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CalNatHandbookChapter5Outcomes:“Forest,Woodland,andRangeResourcesandManagement”--CategorizetypesofwoodlandandlocatetheminCaliforniabioregions.--AnalyzethehistoryandmanagementofCaliforniaforests.--Identifycommonforestdynamicswithrespecttosuchphenomenaasgrowth,disease,drought,wildfire,fragmentation,andcarbonsequestration.5:30: Dinner7:00–8:00 DailyReflectionandCapstonePreparationLocation: LandsnaesStaff: PeteDevine,TomHothemReading: ReviewChapters5&6Day4:Wednesday,October4th

7:30-8:30: Breakfast8:30-9:30: Pack,cleanfacilities,anddepartAcrosstheDivide:FromWawonatoMammoth(Geology,Plants,Wildlife,andLandscapeEcology)Instructors: GregStock,AnnieBarrett,PeteDevine,CarolBlanchette,AnneKelly,Tom

HothemLocation: MultiplestopsalongHighway120fromWawonatoLeeViningtoexamineand

compare/contrastthenaturalhistoryaswecrossthroughclimategradientsandacrossgeologicfeatures

5:30: Dinner7:00–8:00: DailyReflection,WelcometoVESR,etc.Location: PageCenter@SNARLStaff: CarolBlanchette,AnnieBarrett,ParticipantsDay5:Thursday,October5th

7:30: Breakfast

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8:30–12:00: Water,StreamandLakeEcology,SNARLstreamsfieldtripLocation: PageCenter@SNARLStaff: Dr.DaveHerbst,UCSBResearchScientistReading: CalNatHandbookChapter3,“Water”CalNatHandbookChapter3Outcomes:“Water”--IllustrateaspectsofthewatercycleinCalifornia’sgeographyandclimate.--Describestreamprocesseswithrespecttobiological,chemical,andphysicalinputs.--LocatesomeofCalifornia’sestuaries,intertidalzones,wetlands,andlakes,notingtheirrolesinsupportingbiodiversity.--CharacterizethecurrentstateofCaliforniariversintermsofwatermanagementandsustainability.12:00: Lunch1:00–4:00: FieldTriptoMonoLake,LakeEcologyandBirdsLocation: MonoLakeInstructors: BartsheMiller(MonoLakeCommittee),PeteDevine4:00: Freetime,workoncapstone5:30: Dinner7:00–8:00: MovieandDiscussion-WaterintheWest(optional)Location: PageCenter@SNARLHost: CarolBlanchetteDay6:Friday,October6th

7:30: Breakfast,assemblelunch8:30–10:00:EnergyandGlobalEnvironmentalIssuesLocation: PageCenter@SNARLInstructors: CarolBlanchette,AnnieBarrett,TomHothem,AnneKellyReading: CalNatHandbookChapter7,“EnergyandGlobalEnvironmentalIssues”CalNatHandbookChapter7Outcomes:“EnergyandGlobalEnvironmentalIssues”--Compareandcontrastformsandsourcesofenergyusedbyplants,animals,andpeople.--Explaintheroleofenergyfluxesandimbalancesintheprocessesandeffectsofclimatechange.

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--CategorizecommonformsandsourcesofpollutioninCalifornia.--PredictsomeoutcomesofclimatechangeandhumaninfluenceinCalifornia,withrespecttosuchchallengesasresourcemanagement,publichealth,habitatmodification/destruction,watershortage,airquality,wastemanagement,and(over)population.—Definesustainability,andlistsomemeansbywhichthepracticethereofmightmitigateenvironmentalpressures.10:30: GuidedHikearoundValentineReserve,iNaturalist,journalingLocation: ValentineCampInstructors: AnneHowaldReading: ReviewCalNatHandbookChapter4,“Plants”12:00: BrownBagLunch@Valentine1:30–3:00 ScienceCommunicationLocation: PageCenter@SNARLInstructors: CarolBlanchette,AnnieBarrett,TomHothemReading: ReviewChapter8,Interpretation,Collaboration,andCitizenScience3:00–5:30: PrepareforCapstoneProjectPresentations 5:30: Dinner7:00–9:00: CapstonePresentations,PartILocation: PageCenter@SNARLStaff: ParticipantsDay7:Saturday,October7th

7:30: Breakfast8:30–11:30: CapstonePresentations,PartIILocation: PageCenter@SNARLStaff: Participants11:30–12:00:Coursewrap-up,evaluations12:00–1:00: Closinglunch1:00-2:00: Clean-up,pack,anddepartures

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