Field Classes

Desert Institute

Spring 2019 Catalog

Desert Institute Class on South Astrodome | Photo by NPS/Robb Hannawacker | Public Domain | Source

Choosing a Field Class

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

Before registering, please take the time to review our General Class Info and download the Enrollment Attachments, that contain pertinent information about your class and Joshua Tree National Park. Please print and fill out the Participant Agreement. You can bring the completed form to the class.

If you are a member of JTNPA, OSHER, or PINE you will get a $10 discount off every Desert Institute class. If you are not a member you can become one here.

Spring 2019

Spring 2019 Catalog

Teachers Workshops

Date	Class	Instructor(s)	Outline
April 12 - 14	Demystifying the Park: Student Agency & the Joshua Tree National Park	Mary Borobia Walls + Jennifer May
June 7 - 9	STEAM Creativity Inspired by Joshua Tree National Park	Mary Borobia Walls + Linda Braatz Brown

Camping Programs

Date	Class	Instructor(s)	Outline
March 30 - 31	CampingWomen’s “Get Away” Weekend	Pam Kersey + Robin Balch

Creative Arts

Date	Class	Instructor(s)
February 2	Salton Sea Photography Workshop	Sandi Wheaton
February 9	Route 66 Photography Workshop	Sandi Wheaton
February 16	FullNewWinter Light: Photographing Desert Preserves - Waiting List Available	Craig Fucile
February 23	HDR Photography in Joshua Tree National Park	Scott Klinger
March 2	Joshua Tree Through the Lens	Craig Fucile
March 2	Capturing Joshua Tree Landscapes with Acrylics - Beginning to Intermediate Skill	Janis Commentz
March 9 - 10	Night Sky Photography	Dennis Mammana
March 22 - 24	CampingFine Art Photography in Joshua Tree National Park	Ralph Nordstrom
May 4	Keys Ranch Nightscape Photography Workshop	Scott Klinger
May 4	NewField Sketching for Non-Artists	Fran Calvert

Hikes with a Naturalist

Date	Class	Instructor(s)
February 16	Summit Monument Peak	Kevin Powell
March 2	Explore Ruby Lee Mill	Kevin Powell
March 16	NewExplore the Pinto Basin Sand Dunes	Kevin Powell
March 24	Discover Pine City	De Karlen
April 7	CancelledHike Murray Canyon in Palm Springs	De Karlen

Cultural History

Date	Class	Instructor(s)
February 17	Rock Art of Southern California: From Palms to Pines	Daniel McCarthy
March 9	Intaglios Along the Colorado River	Daniel McCarthy
March 16	FullNewCitizen Science: Rock Art Recording Workshops - Waiting List Available	Daniel McCarthy
March 17	Native American Plant Uses	Daniel McCarthy
March 23 - 24	NewCitizen Science: Rock Art Recording Workshops	Daniel McCarthy
March 30 - 31	CancelledCitizen Science: Rock Art Recording Workshops	Daniel McCarthy
April 20 - 21	CancelledCitizen Science: Rock Art Recording Workshops	Daniel McCarthy
May 4 - 5	NewCitizen Science: Rock Art Recording Workshops	Daniel McCarthy

Natural Science

Date	Class	Instructor(s)
March 1 - 3	CreditRocks and Minerals of Joshua Tree National Park	Dee Trent
March 8 - 10	CreditFlora of Joshua Tree National Park	Kurt Leuschner
March 9	Wildflower Wanderings	Darrell Shade
March 16	cancelledGeology of Amboy Crater	Alessandro Grippo
March 23	CreditDesert Tortoise Conservation Biology - Schedule [pdf]	Kristin H. Berry + Edward L. LaRue Jr. + Michael Vamstad + Scott Hoffman + Paul M. Delaney
March 23 - 24	CreditEcology of Joshua Tree National Park	Allan Schoenherr
March 30	Geology of the Marble Mountains	Alessandro Grippo
March 30 - 31	CreditDesert Invertebrates: A Macro Photography and Microscopy Primer	Paul De Ley
April 6 - 7	CampingGeology of the Mojave National Preserve	Ted Reeves
April 13 - 14	CampingMammal Tracking in Joshua Tree National Park	Jim Lowery
April 26 - 28	CreditBirds of Joshua Tree National Park	Kurt Leuschner
April 27	Desert Night Sky: Planets to Galaxies	David Chappell
May 4 - 5	CreditCitizen Science: Phenological Monitoring in Joshua Tree National Park	Monica Gorman

"How-To" Courses

Date	Class	Instructor(s)
February 17	“How-To” Survive in the Desert	Kelly Crawford
March 9 - 10	“How-To” Navigate with Map and Compass	Misha Askren
March 30 - 31	Women’s “Get Away” Weekend	Pam Kersey + Robin Balch
April 13 - 14	CampingMammal Tracking in Joshua Tree National Park	Jim Lowery

Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel, contact the Desert Institute at (760) 367-5539(760) 367-5539 or desertinstitute@joshuatree.org at least seven days prior to the start of the course and we will process your request minus a $25 cancellation fee. No refunds, transfers, or credits will be granted if cancellation occurs within the seven day period. Please note that we cannot make any exceptions to this refund policy for any reason, including but not limited to medical reasons, illness, travel delays, personal situations, emergencies, or weather. This program depends on registration for its funding. While inconvenient, please understand that this policy enables us to sustain our programs even with last minute cancellations.

Legend

Label	Description
Credit	An academic credit is available from University of California, Riverside Extension. Optional credit courses are marked by the green label. The number of units are listed with each class in the catalog. Credit fees are listed separately from non-credit fees in the catalog.
New	A brand new class that has been added to the current season
Full	A class that has reached capacity. Any new registrations will be added to a waiting list.
Camping	A class that includes a camping option
Cancelled	A class that has been cancelled and will no longer take place

Field Classes

Desert Institute

Choosing a Field Class

Spring 2019

Teachers Workshops

Camping Programs

Creative Arts

Hikes with a Naturalist

Cultural History

Natural Science

"How-To" Courses

Cancellation Policy

Legend

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