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 2009-2010 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 883-3030 when you register.

Core Course

  • Natural History of the Sonoran Desert (October 17-18, 2009) 2 credits

Electives

BOTANY

  • 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 11, 2009) 1 credit
  • Tree Ring Tales (June 13, 2009) ½ credit
  • Saguaro Fruit Harvest (June 27, 2009) 1 credit
  • Prickly Pear Harvest (August 23, 2009) 1 credit

FAUNA

  • Sand hill Cranes, Raptors, Waterfowl (January 24 or February 7, 2009) 1 credit
  • 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

  • Mineral Treasures (May 14th, 2009) ½ credit
  • Geology Hike (November, 2009) ½ credit
  • Mountains, Mines & Minerals (January and February, 2010) 1 credit
  • Geology Hike (January, 2010) ½ credit

WATER

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

SUSTAINABILITY

  • Rainwater Harvesting (November or December, 2009) 1 credit
  • Graywater Harvesting (November, 2009) ½ credit
  • A Taste of Place (September 19, 2009) 1 credit

CULTURE

  • Cholla Bud Harvest (April 11, 2009) 1 credit
  • Saguaro Fruit Harvest (June 28, 2009) 1 credit
  • Prickly Pear Harvest (August 23, 2009) 1 credit
  • Weaving Desert Color and Culture (October 24, 2009) 1 credit