Natural Science Classes
Click on the classes that interest you to learn more.
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A Prickly Proposition: The Survival of the Joshua Tree February 19, 20, & 21, 2010 Todd Esque Join Todd Esque to be a part of the current research on one of the Mojave Desert icons, the Joshua Tree. The class will hike up to six miles each day to survey Joshua trees. |
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Rocks & Minerals of Joshua Tree National Park February 26, 27 & 28, 2010 Bruce Bridenbecker Bruce Bridenbecker will explain the critical principles that shaped the rocks and minerals of this area into the blonde granite and pre-Cambrian gneiss which are iconic of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. |
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Flora of Joshua Tree National Park March 20 & 21, 2010 Allan Schoenherr Learn the secret of how plants survive in one of the harshest ecosystems in the world with Allan Schoenherr. Schoenherr will present a general overview of botany, desert plant identification, and explain how plants have adapted to survive in a land with little rain during this two-day field class. |
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Wildflower Wanderings March 27, 2010 Darrell Shade Saturate your senses with the beauty of a wildflower bloom in Joshua Tree National Park. Desert Naturalist, Darrell Shade will lead this all day field class on a tour through the colorful flowers of a desert spring. |
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Basic Skills for Desert Plant Identification March 28, 2010 Jane Cipra Jane Cipra will introduce desert plant identification and taxonomy focusing on 21 of the most common plant families of the park in this one-day field class. |
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Plant Ecology of Joshua Tree National Park April 9, 10 & 11, 2010 Stefanie Ritter, Mark Wheeler Discover the remarkable adaptations characteristic of plants found in one of the hottest deserts in the world. Stefanie Ritter and Mark Wheeler will unfold the story of plant resilience and perseverance in an environment of heat, wind, and sand in this three-day field class in Joshua Tree National Park. |
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Home Is Where the Hole Is April 11, 2010 Pinau Merlin Have you ever taken a walk and noticed a hole in the ground and wondered what animal made it? Merlin will shed light on ground holes, elevated holes, divots, and mounds in this one-day combination classroom and field class. |
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Desert Night Sky: Planets to Galaxies April 17, 2010 David Chappell Warm April nights are a perfect time to experience the newly emerging spring night sky. David Chappell will lead participants on a tour of the heavens starting with planets and ending with galaxies during this class. (Telescopes provided) |
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Reptiles & Amphibians of Joshua Tree National Park April 23, 24, & 25, 2010 Jeff Burkhart Jeff Burkhart will discuss the remarkable variety of lizards, and snakes in Joshua Tree National Park. General biology, identification, and, adaptation of the 42 species of amphibians and reptiles found in the Park will be emphasized. |
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Birds of Joshua Tree National Park April 30, May 1, & 2, 2010 Kurt Leuschner Over 240 species of birds have been sighted in the deceptively barren landscape of Joshua Tree National Park. Kurt Leuschner, Associate Professor of College of the Desert, Palm Desert, will guide a three-day field class through the Mojave Desert to identify common and rare birds and discuss their behavior. |