Choosing a Field Class

The Desert Institute offers classes for adult learners in cultural history, natural science, survival skills, desert naturalist studies, citizen science, and creative arts. All programs are taught by expert instructors who provide a personal and fun learning experience on these educational adventures.

We offer family programs as well, and invite you to connect with your family and Joshua Tree National Park by participating in one of these new courses. Activities range from navigation and tracking to spring hikes among the wildflowers. Desert Institute family programs are half-day sessions designed for pre-teens and their parents, grandparents or guardians. Field trip material correlates with grade level science standards (grades 4-6) and will support your child’s science education. Our program instructors are naturalists and educators seeking to combine teaching with fun activities. In each program, there will be two volunteer assistants with the instructor. Volunteers carry a radio at all times and are trained in First Aid, CPR, and emergency response techniques.

Family Programs

Poop and Paws: Tracking for Families
October 5, 2013 – Theresa Walsh, educator: backpacking, rock climbing, and mountaineering

Map and Compass for Families
October 26, 2013 – Theresa Walsh, educator: backpacking, rock climbing, and mountaineering

Desert Discovery Quest for Families
November 3, 2013 – Pat Flanagan, natural science educator

Creative Arts

Fine Art Photography in Joshua Tree National Park
September 20 – 22, 2013 – Ralph Nordstrom, Photography Instructor

Desert Haiku Writing in Joshua Tree National Park
September 28, 2013 – Ruth Nolan and Deborah P. Kolodji, Award Winning Poets

Botanical Drawing with Ink on Clayboard
September 28, 2013 – Cynthia King, Artist, Instructor

Watercolor Painting in Joshua Tree National Park
October 6, 2013 – Anahita King, Artist

Night Sky Photography
October 12 – 13, 2013 – Dennis Mammana, M.S. Astronomy

Advanced Photography Workshop
November 9 – 10, 2013 – David Jesse McChesney, Photography Instructor

Photographing the High Desert
November 23, 2013 – Craig Fucile, Photography Instructor, UCR Extension

Light & Color: Oil Painting in JTNP
November 24, 2013 – Diane McClary, Artist, Instructor

Cultural History

Archaeology of Joshua Tree National Park*
November 9 – 10, 2013 – Joan Schneider, Ph.D, Archaeology, Claude Warren, Ph.D., Anthropology
(UCR Credit: Anthropology x490, 1 unit)

Desert Queen Ranch and the Keys Family
October 20, 2013 – Laureen Lentz, retired NPS Interpretive Ranger and Jim Smart, Photography Instructor

Desert Naturalist

Discover the Wonderland of Rocks
October 12, 2013 – Mark Wheeler, M. S., Education, Desert Naturalist, Outdoor Guide

Walk Lucky Boy Vista to Split Rock
October 13, 2013 – Pat Flanagan, Naturalist, Educator

Explore the Eagle Cliff Mine
October 19, 2013 – Mark Wheeler, M. S., Education, Desert Naturalist, Outdoor Guide

Hike Wall Street Mill to Barker Dam
October 26, 2013 – Chris Metzger, Educator and Desert Historian

Hike Lost Horse Loop
November 16, 2013 – Chris Metzger, Educator and Desert Historian

Trekking to Lost Palms/Victory Palms
November 17, 2013 – Mark Wheeler, M. S., Education, Desert Naturalist, Outdoor Guide

Desert Survival

Navigating with Map & Compass
October 4 - 5, 2013 – Thomas Coyne, Navigation and Desert Survival Specialist

Desert Survival
October 6, 2013 – Thomas Coyne, Navigation and Desert Survival Specialist

GPS Navigation Techniques
October 26 – 27, 2013 – David Pylman, Joshua Tree Search and Rescue Co-Captain and Instructor

Campfire Cuisine, Gourmet Cooking in Joshua Tree National Park
November 2 - 3, 2013 – Michael Moura, Campfire Chef and Lew Kingman, Hike Leader

Natural Science

Insects and Arthropods of the Morongo Basin*
September 20 – 22, 2013 – Kurt Leuschner, Professor, College of the Desert
(UCR Credit: Entomology x405.1, 1.5 unit)

Desert Snakes:  Fangs, Rattle and More*
September 29, 2013 – William Hayes, Pd.D, Professor, Loma Linda University
(UCR Credit: Biology x414.51, 0.5 unit)

Cryptobiotic Soils and Lichens of JTNP*
October 19 - 20, 2013 – Nicole Pietrasiak, Ph.D, and Kerry Knudson, curator of the Lichen Herbarium at the UCR Herbarium
(UCR Credit: BIOLOGY X412.28  1.0 unit)

Geology of the San Andreas Fault
November 2, 2013 – Ted Reeves, Professor, University of the Pacific

The Trickster: Coyotes of Joshua Tree National Park
November 16, 2013 – Liz Hile, MS, Animal Curator, The Living Desert

Geology: Creation of the Joshua Tree Landscape*
November 23 - 24, 2013 – D. D. Trent, Ph.D., Geology,  Professor Emeritus Citrus College, Author
(UCR Credit: Geosciences x460.4, 1 unit)

Faults In and Around Joshua Tree National Park
December 7, 2013 – Ted Reeves, Professor, University of the Pacific

* ACADEMIC CREDIT
Credit is available from University of California, Riverside Extension. Optional credit courses are marked by the symbol *. The number of units are listed with each class. Credit fees are listed separately from noncredit fees.