Desert Sands & Sky Islands
Are you passionate about nature?
Turn your passion into Knowledge and Stewardship of Our Desert.
The Desert Sands & Sky Islands California Naturalist course offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn about the rich natural history of Southern California's deserts, gain hands-on field experience with outdoor education and community science, and get involved in environmental stewardship.
Add your name to the interest list or contact us for more information.
This immersive program, offered by CactusToCloud Institute, provides a deep understanding of the diverse natural communities and ecological adaptations found from the lower elevations of the Colorado Desert to the higher Mojave Desert, including isolated sand dunes and the surrounding mountain "sky islands."
Hands-on Learning
Spend significant time in the field, exploring the unique wildlife, geology, and climate of the Coachella Valley, Colorado and Mojave Deserts.
Our science-based curriculum has been co-designed by the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, our certified California Naturalist Instructors, and the desert community.
Community Science
Engage in community science, also known as “participatory science”, projects, contributing valuable data to real-world conservation efforts, helping build a greater understanding of the challenges facing our community.
Using tools like iNaturalist will help grow our understanding and responses to climate change, invasive species, and animal interactions.
Expert Instruction
Learn from a team of specialists in various fields, including plant ecology, regional geology, butterflies, desert water, technological tools, and traditional ecological knowledge, led by Dr. Cameron Barrows, Conservation Ecologist Emeritus at the University of California Riverside Center for Conservation Biology.
Community & Service
Develop a strong understanding of environmental stewardship and become an active advocate for natural resource conservation, education, and restoration in your community.
Graduates will combine their individual interests, skills, and the knowledge they gain from the California Naturalist course into a stewardship project.
Sense of Place
Establish local ecological literacy - understand the mountains on the horizon, types of birds flying overhead, the plants growing in your garden, and even the water you drink.
Our California Naturalist course is deeply tied to a sense of place in our desert, from the curriculum, to the instructors, to the benefits we bring to our community.
Certification & Credits
Earn a prestigious California Naturalist certification from the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources and become part of an ongoing community of naturalists.
Optional college credits are also available to graduates through UC Davis Extension, which can be transferred to your institution.
The next Desert Sands & Sky Islands course begins in January 2026
The UC California Naturalist Program hosted by CactusToCloud Institute is designed to:
Develop an informed community of naturalists ready to take an active role in natural resource conservation, education, restoration, and science.
Provide training for staff and volunteers for regional conservation organizations, municipal governments, and outdoor recreation businesses.
Engage people in interactive learning to stimulate critical thinking and scientific literacy.
Provide a foundation from which to continue to learn about the world around us and to apply that knowledge to further studies, educating others, restoring landscapes, and building a better future for our desert.
Why Become a California Naturalist?
Course Highlights
Unique Desert Ecosystems
Explore the tapestry of Southern California deserts, from the Colorado Desert to the Mojave Desert, and discover the incredible biodiversity adapted to these extreme conditions.
Practical Skills
Learn to make and record natural history observations, apply knowledge of the local bioregion to environmental issues, and develop skills in communication and interpretation.
Impactful Projects
Participate in individual projects that allow you to apply your knowledge to real-world conservation challenges, such as participatory science, environmental education, or direct conservation actions.
Strong Community
Connect with fellow nature enthusiasts, instructors, and guest lecturers who share a passion for the natural world.
Baba Dioum
“In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.”
Contact us.
We will send updates on upcoming courses and applications to the Interest List as soon as they are announced. For additional questions or to learn more, contact us at education@cactustocloud.org or complete the form below.
