Field Classes

Desert Institute

Desert Institute Fall 2021 Catalog

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Desert Institute COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Promises

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 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

Fall 2021

Wilderness Wellness

Date	Class	Instructor(s)
October 22 - 24, 2021	CampingHiking My Feelings: Stepping into the Healing Power of Nature	Sydney Williams
November 19 - 21, 2021	CampingHiking My Feelings: Blaze your own trail to self-love: Tell your inner critic to take a hike	Sydney Williams
December 3 - 5, 2021	CampingHiking My Feelings: Using mindful movement to open the flow of creativity	Sydney Williams

"How-To" Courses

Date	Class	Instructor(s)
September 20, 2021	“How-To” Identify Animal Burrows	Candice Weber
November 6-7, 2021	CampingWomen’s “Get-Away” Weekend	Pam Kersey Robin Balch
November 13-14, 2021	CampingWilderness Cooking School: Campsite Cooking	Alexis Grinbold Scott Klinger Lew Kingman

Natural Science Courses

2020

Date	Class	Instructor(s)
September 26, 2021	CreditDesert Snakes: Mystery & Intrigue	William Hayes
September 28, October 2 - 3, 2021	NewCreditBirds of the Mojave	Kurt Leuschner
October 8 - 10, 2021	CreditInsects and Arthropods of the Morongo Basin	Kurt Leuschner
October 16 - 17, 2021	CreditDesert Invertebrates, Diversity Great and Small A Macro Photography and Microscopy Primer	Paul De Ley
October 19 and 23-24, 2021	CreditCampingBirds of Anza Borrego	Kurt Leuschner
October 23, 2021	Geology of Amboy Crater	Alessandro Grippo
November 5 - 6, 2021	CreditGeology: Creation of the Joshua Tree Landscape	Tor Lacy
November 20, 2021	Geology of the San Andreas Fault	Ted Reeves
December 4, 2021	Geology & Cultural History of Cottonwood Spring	Ted Reeves
January 7, 2022	CreditCampingGeology and Geomorphology of Death Valley	Alessandro Grippo

Cultural History Courses

Date	Class	Instructor(s)	Outline
November 14, 2021	Contemporary Art of Joshua Tree	Bernard Leibov

Guided Hikes in JTNP

Date	Class	Instructor(s)
September 25, 2021	NewHike the Indian Trail Loop	Travis Puglisi
October 30, 2021	NewHike the Covington Coaster	Travis Puglisi
November 13, 2021	Summit Queen Mountain	Travis Puglisi
December 11, 2021	NewHiking in the Shadow of Quail Mountain	Travis Puglisi
December 18, 2021	NewHike the Boundary Lands	Travis Puglisi

Creative Arts Courses

Date	Class	Instructor(s)
July 17-18, 2021	Online Landscape Painting Class: Painting Joshua Tree National Park	Jessica Schiffman
August 7, 2021	Keys Ranch Nightscape Photography Workshop	Scott Klinger
September 4, 2021	Keys Ranch Nightscape Photography Workshop	Scott Klinger
September 24-26, 2021	Mastering Landscape Photography	Ralph Nordstrom
October 9, 2021	Keys Ranch Nightscape Photography Workshop	Scott Klinger
October 16, 2021	Capturing Joshua Tree Landscapes with Acrylics Beginning to Intermediate Skill Levels	Janis Commentz
November 6, 2021	Photographing the Hi-Desert	Craig Fucile
November 19, 2021	Photographing Joshua Tree by Moonlight	Craig Fucile
December 4, 2021	Winter Light: Photographing Desert Preserves	Craig Fucile

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
Cancelled	A class that has been cancelled and will no longer take place

Field Classes

Desert Institute

Desert Institute Fall 2021 Catalog

Sign Up for Desert Institute Emails

Desert Institute COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Promises

Choosing a Field Class

Fall 2021

Wilderness Wellness

"How-To" Courses

Natural Science Courses

Cultural History Courses

Guided Hikes in JTNP

Creative Arts Courses

Cancellation Policy

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