SDNHM Education Programs

[SDNHM Education Programs: Classes, Field Trips, Overnight Expeditions, Lectures, Films, Programs for Children]

Natural History of San Diego and Baja California

San Diego is an internationally recognized biodiversity hot spot. In this comprehensive overview of the county’s natural history, rediscover the place where you live through the lenses of geology, paleontology, botany, entomology, herpetology, ornithology, mammalogy, and marine life. Explore habitat zones from the coast to the desert. Meet Museum science curators and learn from their firsthand experience.

Graduate-level extension credit from the University of San Diego is available. Earn up to three credits with advance registration with both the Museum and the University of San Diego. Fee is $60/unit paid to the University of San Diego and membership rate for classes at the Museum. With consultation from the University of San Diego, participants can customize the course to earn 1-2 credits. Credit can be used by teachers for salary advancement and professional-growth requirements. Credit cannot be used for degree requirements without prior approval from the institution in question.

Wednesdays, September 24 through December 10, 2008; 6:30–8:30 PM
Register for individual classes or sign up for the entire series!

11-Class Course: Member $88; Nonmember $110
Per Class: Member $10; Nonmember $12

1. Introduction to Natural History & Evolution
     Presented By: Exequiel Ezcurra, Ph.D.
     Wednesday, September 24, 2008; 6:30–8:30 PM
      Register here

Class Summary: At present, the term “natural history” is an umbrella concept for a number of related scientific disciplines such as field biology, botany, zoology, paleontology, ecology, and evolution. The concept, however, was established in the 18th century during a period of dazzling scientific revolutions and bold exploration—the Enlightenment. As the name suggests, this was the first time in history in which scientists began to develop a deep understanding of the meaning of time and scale in nature and of their consequences in the process of biological evolution.

The explorers and naturalists of this period set the foundations of modern science, based on a series of simple principles that they used to understand the natural world, namely: Linnaeus’s comparative method used to understand both the living and the fossil world, the use of large scale “natural experiments” such as floods or volcano eruptions, and the search for biogeographic patterns and the use of new discoveries to test scientific hypotheses.

Our natural region, what we may call Peninsular California, had outstanding exponents and devoted followers of the Enlightenment both in Mexico and in the United States—brilliant scientists who devoted their life to exploration and discovery, and whose findings set the basis for the modern development of the natural sciences and for the understanding of the origins and evolution of our natural ecosystems. Starting with the Jesuit priests and the Mission system in the Californias, all the way to modern exploration in the 20th century, their legacy constitutes a precious heritage for institutions such as the Natural History Museum. Their philosophy and their passion for understanding still provides a guiding light for the resolution of critical global issues such as climate change and the extinction of biodiversity.

2. Geology of San Diego County and Baja California
     Presented By: Pat Abbott, Ph.D.
     Wednesday, October 1, 2008; 6:30–8:30 PM
      Register here

Class Summary: The geologic history of Baja California and Alta California, including San Diego, is a fascinating story with many changes in plot. The region once was part of mainland Mexico and hosted active volcanoes and a tropical climate. The volcanic mountains were worn down as big rivers flowed from the Mexican heartland to the Pacific Ocean. Then the western edge of North America was torn off, forming Baja California and California west of the San Andreas fault, and leaving a growing Gulf of California in its wake. And so began our modern interval of earthquakes radiating out from active faults that compressed and extended the land forming mountains and basins. Some of these fault-formed features familiar to San Diegans include Mt. Soledad, Mission Bay, Point Loma and San Diego Bay.

3. Paleontology
     Presented By: Tom Deméré, Ph.D.
     Wednesday, October 8, 2008; 6:30–8:30 PM
       Register here

Class Summary: This is an intensive study on the time period of the dinosaurs. Class discussion will focus on fossils found in San Diego and what kind of “dinosaurs” roamed San Diego.

4. Plant Diversity
     Presented By: Jon Rebman, Ph.D.
     Wednesday, October 15, 2008; 6:30–8:30 PM
       Register here

Class Summary: Because of the great variety of habitats in the region of San Diego County and Baja California, this area boasts a great diversity of plant species. Has everything been discovered? How would we know? How do we find new species? Dr. Rebman gives an overview of what we know and what we hope to discover in years to come.

5. Natural History—Habitats: Forests & Chaparral

     Part One: Chaparral
     Presented By: Rick Halsey
     Wednesday, October 22, 2008; 6:30–7:30 PM
       Register here

Class Summary: Of all the natural plant communities in California, chaparral can be considered the state’s most characteristic wildland. Yet despite its extensive distribution, few are able to recognize or appreciate its dynamic beauty. Join us as we explore the natural history of San Diego County’s chaparral environment and reveal the mysteries of the plants and animals found there.

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     Part Two: Forests—Ecology, Fire Regimes, and Health
     Presented By: Anne Fege, Ph.D.
     Wednesday, October 22, 2008; 7:30–8:30 PM

Class Summary: San Diego County has 100,000 acres of conifer forests and 140,000 acres of woodlands and canyon forests. This lecture will cover forest ecology, tree species, common pathogens, fire regimes, wildfire recovery, silviculture, private and public land management, and future conservation needs.

6. Reptiles
     Presented By: Brad Hollingsworth, Ph.D.
     Wednesday, October 29, 2008; 6:30–8:30 PM
       Register here

Class Summary: The reptiles of San Diego are influenced by a number of biotic and abiotic factors. Their regional diversity is closely tied to the landscape, climate, geological history, and their own survival strategies. Natural history incorporates diverse sets of information in an attempt to better understand each species in the context of the whole. Reptiles provide fascinating testaments of adaptation, survival, and diversity. This course will review examples from both lizards and snakes to focus on their ecological and evolutionary challenges.

7. Amphibians
     Presented By: Brad Hollingsworth, Ph.D.
     Wednesday, November 5, 2008; 6:30–8:30 PM
       Register here

Class Summary: The amphibians of San Diego are influenced by a number of biotic and abiotic factors. Their regional diversity is closely tied to the landscape, climate, geological history, and their own survival strategies. Natural history incorporates diverse sets of information in an attempt to better understand each species in the context of the whole. Amphibians provide fascinating testaments of adaptation, survival, and diversity. This course will review examples from both frogs and salamanders to focus on their ecological and evolutionary challenges.

8. Land Mammals
     Presented By: Scott Tremor
     Wednesday, November 12, 2008; 6:30–8:30 PM
       Register here

Class Summary: Get acquainted with the mammals of San Diego County, from cats to bats to rats and more. With zoologist Scott Tremor, investigate mammal habitat preferences, lifestyles, and protection status (e.g., endangered, threatened, etc.). Examine specimens from the Museum’s collections and learn how to identify these critters in the wild.

9. Birds of San Diego
     Presented By: Tony Mercieca
     Wednesday, November 19, 2008; 6:30–8:30 PM
       Register here

Class Summary: Learn about the birds of San Diego County. In this class, the story of local birds is uncovered through photographs. Topics include nesting, flying, feeding and especially, identification. There will be a long question and answer period as well.

10. Insects
     Presented By: Michael Wall, Ph.D.
     Wednesday, December 3, 2008; 6:30–8:30 PM
       Register here

Class Summary: This class includes an introduction to the class Insecta and their kin, features of major insect orders, and survey of selected local Arthropods.

11. Marine Mammals
     Presented By: Jim Stone
     Wednesday, December 10, 2008; 6:30–8:30 PM
       Register here

Class Summary: This lecture will begin with an overview of marine mammal evolution and classification. Then, focus on specific topics, including diving physiology, bioacoustics (sound production and use), feeding and energetics, and reproduction.

Questions? Email education@sdnhm.org
or call 619.255.0203