CHAPARRAL NATURALISTS
"... the type, and extent, of attention we pay changes the nature of the world that we experience."
- Iain McGilchrist
Our 2024 Chaparral Naturalist Certification Course
WHO? Those who love Nature, want to discover the natural wonders of the chaparral biome, and have a passion for learning. For 16-years-old and over (if you're younger, please send us a note and we can discuss your possible enrollment further).
WHAT? We will be creating an interactive naturalist training adventure different from any other you have encountered. Instead of the traditional "sit and get" (sitting at a desk and passively listening), Chaparral Naturalists will actively engage in learning about links and patterns between all living things and the earth we all share. Here's the topic outline for our 2022 class.
WHEN? Eight Saturday mornings from 9AM to 1PM, beginning early March, 2024. This includes an extended all day, final field trip and a graduation dinner mid April.
WHERE? Our classes are held at our retreat center, the Owl's Nest, in Escondido, California. WHY? As a Chaparral Naturalist you will discover how to enhance your life through Nature, reconnect with your wild, inner self, and excite your natural curiousity. Part of this journey is to regain control of your attention, your mind. Consequently, we dethrone the silicon idol in your pocket or purse and ask that it be properly sequestered during your time with us.
HOW MUCH? We ask for a $175 donation to help us cover course materials (including our inspiring textbook), hot beverages to kick start your morning, and other expenses. If this is beyond your budget, please let us know. Scholarships are available. QUESTIONS? Please ask us any questions you may have about our program by sending us an email. We'd love to hear from you.
WHERE? Our classes are held at our retreat center, the Owl's Nest, in Escondido, California. WHY? As a Chaparral Naturalist you will discover how to enhance your life through Nature, reconnect with your wild, inner self, and excite your natural curiousity. Part of this journey is to regain control of your attention, your mind. Consequently, we dethrone the silicon idol in your pocket or purse and ask that it be properly sequestered during your time with us.
HOW MUCH? We ask for a $175 donation to help us cover course materials (including our inspiring textbook), hot beverages to kick start your morning, and other expenses. If this is beyond your budget, please let us know. Scholarships are available. QUESTIONS? Please ask us any questions you may have about our program by sending us an email. We'd love to hear from you.
If you would like to apply for our 2024, please fill our the application form here.
If you have any questions, please feel free to send us an email.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
The California Chaparral Institute's Chaparral Naturalist Certification program strives to inspire a love for Nature. Our program is unique in that it focuses on the chaparral and enhancing your own personal connection with Nature.
Rather than passively listening to experts, our course is organized in small, interactive groups that participate in collaborative learning experiences designed to enhance the learning process and foster friendships.
A significant part of the journey to love Nature is rediscovering your wild, innocent self. Research has confirmed what we have known intuitively for a very long time - connecting with Nature is not only essential for our physical health, but our mental health as well. Nature provides us the tools necessary to develop meaningful connections with ourselves and the world around us. Many of the social and personal conflicts we experience in our lives are directly related to ignoring and repressing our true, inner selves, as well as distancing ourselves from Nature.
Rather than passively listening to experts, our course is organized in small, interactive groups that participate in collaborative learning experiences designed to enhance the learning process and foster friendships.
A significant part of the journey to love Nature is rediscovering your wild, innocent self. Research has confirmed what we have known intuitively for a very long time - connecting with Nature is not only essential for our physical health, but our mental health as well. Nature provides us the tools necessary to develop meaningful connections with ourselves and the world around us. Many of the social and personal conflicts we experience in our lives are directly related to ignoring and repressing our true, inner selves, as well as distancing ourselves from Nature.
Therefore, we will spend a significant amount of time increasing your connection with Nature and expanding the innate love of the natural world we expressed so willingly as children. As psychologist Carl Jung explained, Nature is an incomparable guide if you know how to follow her.
We strongly believe that those who do the teaching, do the learning. So be prepared to actively participate in the adventure. Repeated, active participation allows the development of new neural pathways that can eventually replace old patterns. Wilfred Arlan Peterson said it best in his The Art of Living, Day by Day:
"As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thought we wish to dominate our lives." The outdoors is non-judgmental, unconditional, immediate. There are no expectations, obligations. Nature allows you the freedom to be you. We help Nature share that wisdom.
"As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thought we wish to dominate our lives." The outdoors is non-judgmental, unconditional, immediate. There are no expectations, obligations. Nature allows you the freedom to be you. We help Nature share that wisdom.
Our vision is to create an engaging naturalist program that will help you to:
1. Reconnect. Helping our youthful innocence and innate love for Nature speak again.
2. Discover. Exploring the chaparral ecosystem and meeting the species that call it home.3. Care. Reestablishing personal connections and a sense of care for Nature.4. Engage. Encouraging the development of engaging, meaningful conversations.5. Share. Using compassion and logical thought to help others understand the natural world.
The following resources will help further explain the foundation of our mission.
The Two-Million-Year-Old Self, by Anthony Stevens.
Rediscovering the Magic in Nature.
Rediscovering the Magic in Nature.
The Green Chaparral Marble
An essential part of our program is to create lifelong Nature Advocates who strive to inspire others to love and help protect nature as well. As a symbol or talisman of that effort, Chaparral Naturalists pass along a #greenchaparral marble to those they meet who also express a sincere passion for the natural environment and the creative spirit it fosters. The marble is shared with the understanding that the recipient will pass it along to another who communicates a willingness to become a yet another Nature Advocate.
Discover
Connect
