California Naturalist in the Coachella Valley

Nuestro Desierto

Nuestro Desierto (“Our Desert”) is a four-month California Naturalist certification course based in the Coachella Valley and adapted to the unique conditions of the California Desert.

  • The course is designed for people who want to know more about the natural world and are passionate about making a difference in their community.

  • Students will learn about ecology, geology, botany, zoology, climate change, traditional ecological knowledge, and environmental justice.

  • They will also gain experience in community science research, outdoor recreation, environmental education, and advocacy.

Applications for the Summer 2024 course are closed! Sign up for our interest list to be notified of the next course.

Curriculum

Nuestro Desierto is adapted from the "Desert Sands & Sky Islands” California Naturalist course, in collaboration (“co-design”) with the UC Environmental Stewards program, Council of Mexican Federations (COFEM), and Coachella Valley community members.

  • The UC California Naturalist program is a science-based introduction to natural history emphasizing observation, discovery, communication, stewardship, and conservation.

  • We value hands-on learning combining classroom instruction, interactive group activities, field days, and an overnight camping trip.

  • Students will also complete a stewardship project to apply knowledge learned from the course to real-world challenges in our community.

Eligibility

The course consists of eight classroom and field sessions, totaling 60 hours of instruction time. This includes three single-day field trips and one multi-day camping trip, totaling 44 hours of outdoor instruction.

  • A college degree is not required; we welcome all applicants to the Nuestro Desierto program!

  • Instruction takes place in person. A reliable internet connection, as well as an active email account, are required to access course materials and stay in touch with instructors and fellow participants.

  • The course is particularly intended to benefit Coachella Valley youth (18-24 years old) from low-income or mixed-immigration status households in and around the City of Coachella.

  • Those interested in California Naturalist certification but are not eligible for Nuestro Desierto are encouraged to apply for the Desert Sands & Sky Islands course at the UCR Palm Desert Center - learn more here.

Timeline

1

We currently plan to offer the course once per year until (at least) 2026.

2

Timing each year depends on the outdoor trip destinations planned for the course. The schedule will be announced several months before the start of class.

3

Admittance to the program is competitive, and we have an application process to ensure prospective students are a good fit for the course. The application period generally opens two months before the start of the course.

4

Information sessions are held virtually and in person before the start of each course. It is highly recommended for anyone interested in taking the course to attend at least one info session.

5

During the course, we meet every other Saturday, alternating between class and field days.

6

The course culminates in an overnight camping trips to a National Park in California. Trips last four days; Thursday morning through Sunday evening.

Tuition and Fees

Nuestro Desierto is offered at no cost to participants. Tuition and textbooks, as well as transportation, snacks, meals, and camping gear for outdoor trips are provided.

  • Participants must arrange their own transportation to and from the Coachella Library, and bring basic outdoor gear for hikes and walks.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program will gain valuable experience and perspective benefiting continuing education and/or careers in natural sciences, environmental education, public policy, and conservation.

  • Many Nuestro Desierto participants are studying and/or finding work in environmental fields, including teaching, conservation corps, wildlife biology, community organizing, and local government.

  • No matter your interest, everyone finds personal growth, greater understanding, and a deeper connection to nature with Nuestro Desierto.

Program History

CactusToCloud Institute began in part due to our CoFounders’ shared experiences in the UC California Naturalist and UC Climate Stewards programs, and we personally felt the impact these courses could have on the community.

Yet we understood that some barriers to participation prevented the course we took from being truly available to all, such as cost, transportation, and conflicts with work and school schedules.

In this spirit, we sought out opportunities to make this program available free of cost for youth and low-income community members. This aligns with one of our goals of helping communities be better connected to their desert environment and more climate-resilient.

In October 2021 we approached our Nuestro Desierto partner, the Council of Mexican Federations (COFEM), and together developed a grant application for the highly competitive Outdoor Equity Grants Program from the California Department of Parks and Recreation. We were thrilled to be among the first 125 successfully funded proposals, and in the fall of 2022 held the first Nuestro Desierto course. The program is currently funded until at least 2026.

Interested in helping Nuestro Desierto grow beyond 2026? Make a donation to CactusToCloud Institute today.

Nuestro Desierto Class of 2022: Channel Islands National Park

Nuestro Desierto Class of 2023: Yosemite National Park

Nuestro Desierto is funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209 and administered by California State Parks, Office of Grants and Local Services.