Center for Sonoran Desert Studies

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Naturalist Certificate Program

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Naturalist Certificate program is designed to help students better understand the ecological connections among the living residents of our region, and between the living and non-living world. The core course, Natural History of the Sonoran Desert, is required as an introduction to further studies. In addition, you must take a minimum of two courses from each of the six elective categories shown below. When an elective course is listed under more than one category, you will have to choose one for which it will be counted. The total number of required credits is 20, and in order to receive credit you must pass the accompanying test for each class.

The dates in parenthesis denote when the classes are scheduled for the 2008-2009 season. Occasionally the dates may change slightly from those shown below and new classes may be added. If you plan to take the course for credit, call Sonya Norman at 520-883-3030 when you register.

Core Course

  • Natural History of the Sonoran Desert (October 18-19, 2008) 2 credits

Electives

BOTANY

  • Colonial Alamos (February 22 28, 2009) 3 credits
  • Best of Baja Whale Watching (late February 2009) 3 credits
  • Wildflower Walk (March 13, or March 14, or March 17, 2009) ½ credit
  • Trees & Shrubs of the Sonoran Desert (April 4, 2009) ½ credit
  • Cholla Bud Harvest (April 19, 2009) 1 credit
  • Tree Ring Tales (June 6, 2009) ½ credit
  • Saguaro Fruit Harvest (June 27, 2009) 1 credit

FAUNA

  • Sandhill Cranes, Raptors, Waterfowl (January 24 or February 7, 2009) 1 credit
  • Alamos (February 22 -28, 2009) 3 credits
  • Hummingbirds of Southeastern Arizona (April 16 & 18, 2009) 1½ credits
  • Kino Springs Birding (May 9, 2009) 1 credit
  • Going Bats (July 25, 2009) ½ credit
  • Galapagos (October 10 - 20, 2009) 3 credits

GEOLOGY

  • Bisbee (October 25 - 26, 2008) 2 credits
  • Arrastra Wash Geology Hike (November 8, 2008) ½ credit
  • Mountains, Mines & Minerals (January 17 or February 14, 2009) 1 credit
  • Geology Hike (January 31, 2009) ½ credit
  • Sierra Ancha Tonto Ruins (March 28 - 29, 2009) 2 credits
  • Land of the Hopi & Navajo (late April 2009) 3 credits

WATER

  • Rainwater Harvesting (November 1 or December 6, 2008) 1 credit
  • Graywater Harvesting (November 2, 2008) ½ credit
  • Galapagos (October 10 - 20, 2009) 3 credits

SUSTAINABILITY

  • Rainwater Harvesting (November 1 or December 6, 2008) 1 credit
  • Graywater Harvesting (November 2, 2008) ½ credit
  • A Taste of Place (September 20, 2008) 1 credit
  • Solar Odyssey (August 23 or 30, 2008) 1 credit

CULTURE

  • Oaxaca: Los Días de los Muertos (October 26 - November 2) 3 credits
  • Culture and Flavors of the Río Sonora (November 15 - 18) 2 credits
  • Padre Kino's Sonora (December 3, 2008)
  • Colonial Alamos (February 22 -28, 2009) 3 credits
  • Best of Baja Whale Watching (late February 2009) 3 credits
  • Cholla Bud Harvest (April 11, 2009) 1 credit
  • Saguaro Fruit Harvest (June 27, 2009) 1 credit
  • Mata Ortiz Celebration (September 13 - 17, 2008) 2 credits
  • Land of the Hopi & Navajo (late April 2009) 3 credits
  • Chaco Canyon Archeology (October 19 - 23, 2009) 3 credits