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Desert Institute

Desert Institute Class Hiking

Desert Institute Spring 2023 Catalog

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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 you will get a $10 discount off every Desert Institute class. If you are not a member you can become one here.

Eventbrite Registration & Schedule External Link

Spring 2023


Photography

Date Event Instructor(s) Outline
February 11 - SAT
5pm - 8pm
NewStar Trails Photography External Link PDF
February 12 - SUN
10am - Sunset
Salton Sea Photography Workshop External Link PDF
March 3 - FRI
6pm - 10pm
Photographing Joshua Tree by Moonlight External Link PDF
March 4 - SAT
7am - 11am
NewMorning Light In The Park External Link PDF
March 17 - FRI
5:00pm – 9:00pm
March 18 - SAT
7:00AM – 10:00PM
March 19 - SUN
5:00AM – 4:00PM
CampingFundamentals of Landscape Photography Workshop External Link PDF
April 14 - FRI
5:00pm – 9:00pm
April 15 - SAT
7:00am – 10:00pm
April 16 - SUN
5:00am – 4:00pm
CampingAdvanced Landscape Photography Workshop External Link PDF
Jun 10 - SAT
7pm - Midnight
NewMilky Way Photography - JTNP External Link PDF
Jly 8 - SAT
7pm - Midnight
NewMilky Way Photography - JTNP External Link PDF

Art in the Desert: A Trio of Tours

Date Event Instructor(s) Outline
February 11 - SAT
1pm - 5pm
NewThe Art and Culture of Bombay Beach External Link PDF
March 12 - SUN
12:30pm - 5pm
Contemporary Art of Joshua Tree External Link PDF
March 18 - SAT
9am - 1pm
NewWalking Coachella’s Pueblo Viejo External Link PDF

Community Wellness

Date Event Instructor(s) Outline
Sundays
1pm - 4:30pm

Feb 19
Mar 26
Apr 23
May 28
Jun 25
Jly 23
Aug 27
Sep 24
Oct 29
Nov 19
Dec 17
NewConnecting to Your Senses External Link

Amanda's class is designed for all humans. There are no fitness requirements and no experience in yoga or meditation is required. Our new Community Wellness Days are affordable, ongoing programs that bring people together in casual, but mindful, activities that celebrate the healing, grounding qualities of nature. We hope to build a stronger community by facilitating regular opportunities for wellness-minded people to meet in a safe, inclusive space that encourages personal growth, respect and appreciation for wild desert lands, and positive social interactions. We're starting 2023 off with a new monthly event, "connect to your senses." To learn about new activities as we develop this program, visit us on social: @jtdesertinstitute

PDF

Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx

Date Event Instructor(s) Outline
February 24 - FRI
7pm - 9pm
February 25 - SAT
8am - 5pm
February 26 - SUN
8am - 12pm
CreditThe Art and Science of Flintknapping External Link PDF
May 2 - TUE
7pm - 8:30pm
Zoom Meeting

May 6 - SAT
7am - 5pm
May 7 - SUN
7am - 12pm
CreditBirds of the Eastern Mojave: Spring Migration External Link PDF
May 16 - TUE
7pm - 8:30pm
Zoom Lecture

May 19 - FRI
5pm - 8pm
May 20 - SAT
7am - 4:30pm
May 21 - SUN
7am - 12pm
CreditInsects and Arthropods of the Eastern Mojave External Link PDF
May 16 - TUE
7pm - 8:30pm
Zoom Lecture

May 19 - FRI
7pm - 8:30pm
May 20 - SAT
7am - 4:30pm
May 21 - SUN
7am - 12pm
CreditLizards & Snakes of the East Mojave External Link PDF

Natural Science

Date Event Instructor(s) Outline
Feb 18 - SAT
9am - 5pm
Feb 19 - SUN
9am - 4pm
CreditMoss Ecology and Diversity External Link PDF
Feb 20 - MON
9am - 1pm
NewBiocrust Wonder Walk External Link PDF
March 7 - TUE
7pm - 8:30pm
Zoom Lecture

March 11 - SAT
7:30am - 3:30pm
March 12 - SUN
8:30am - 1pm
CreditFlora of Joshua Tree National Park External Link PDF
March 14 - TUE
7pm - 8:30pm
Zoom Lecture

March 18 - SAT
7:30am - 5pm
March 19 - SUN
7:30am - 12pm
CreditBirds of Anza Borrego External Link PDF
March 18 - SAT
8am - 2pm
NewWildflowers of the Mojave External Link PDF
April 15 - SAT
8am - 2pm
Wildflowers of the Mojave External Link PDF
April 22 - SAT
10am - 3pm
Fossils of the Marble Mountains External Link PDF
April 24 - MON
7pm - 8:30pm
Zoom Lecture

April 29 - SAT
7:30am - 4:30pm
April 30 - SUN
7:15am - 1:15pm
CreditBirds of Joshua Tree National Park External Link PDF
April 26 - SAT
6pm - 8pm
April 30 - SUN
7am - 1pm
May 14 - SUN
7am - 1pm
CreditAdvanced Bird Banding External Link PDF
May 6 - SAT
10am - 3pm
NewJT Rocks! External Link PDF

Wilderness Weekends

Date Event Instructor(s) Outline
March 11 - SAT
8am - 4pm
March 12 - SUN
8am - 1pm
How To Navigate with Map & Compass External Link PDF
March 25 - SAT
8am - 5pm
March 26 - SUN
8am - 4pm
CampingWomen’s “Get-Away” Weekend External Link PDF
April 1 - SAT
9:30am - 8pm?
April 2 - SUN
7:30am - 11pm
NewCampingFamily Camp-n-Cook Weekend External Link PDF
May 6 - SAT
8:15am - 5:30pm
May 7 - SUN
8:30am - 2pm
CampingMammal Tracking in Joshua Tree National Park External Link PDF

Guided Hikes

Date Event Instructor(s) Outline
March 4 - SAT
7am - 2pm
NewExplore The Golden Bee Mine External Link PDF
April 6 - THU
9am - Dark
April 7 - FRI
9:30am - Dark
April 8 - SAT
10am - 12pm
NewCampingBackpacking: Beyond the Boyscout Trail External Link PDF

Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel, notify us 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.

New Format

A class that has been altered into a brand new format.

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