CHAPARRAL NATURALISTS

"... the type, and extent, of attention we pay changes the nature of the world that we experience." - Iain McGilchrist

Our 2025 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 have created 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. We'll explore the fabulous geology underfoot, the plants that grow out of the rocks and soil, the animals that scurry on and below it, the birds that fly above, the natural processes that shape them all, and how to help our minds grasp the fascinating nature of Nature. Here's a sample of the topics we cover in class. WHEN? Eight Saturday mornings from 9AM to 1PM beginning March 15, 2025. This includes an extended all day, final field trip and a graduation dinner. Our 2024 class was a wonderful success and we are eager to begin a new class for 2025, our tenth year!
WHERE? Our classes are held at the Owl's Nest, our retreat center 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 curiosity. Part of this journey is to regain control of your attention, and your mind in an increasing distractive world.
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.
Our 2025 class is closed. If you would like to apply for our class next year (spring 2026), please 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.
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.

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.
The video below will give you a good idea about our philosophy, our mission, and why connecting with Nature is so important.

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
Act
Please listen to this special podcast with Roy Ben-Tzvi This interview provides an excellent overview of all things chaparral including what we do, what chaparral is, the best way to deal with wildfire risk, and the role Nature can play to create better lives and a more positive society.
Contact
California Chaparral Institute P.O. Box 545 Escondido, CA 92033
Regain control of your time and your humanity. Think, create for yourself. Visit Nature with friends.