Desert Instituteat Joshua Tree National Park

Course Catalog Fall 2016

Photography by Kevin Wong and credited photographers.

There are some truly wonderful things about the California Desert. The thunderclouds that dominate the landscape during the monsoon rains; the incredible quality of silence that envelopes you on a hot, sunny, dry afternoon; the ex-plosion of color that greets you in a desert wash on a spring morning - these are the lasting memories that we hold on to for the rest of our lives. We have been gifted with a truly remarkable landscape and it is right in our back yards here at Joshua Tree National Park.

Over 20 million people live within a three hour drive of what we like to call Southern California’s National Park.The beauty, rock climbing, and flowers called to over two million visitors to the park last year. But inspiration and solitude aside, Joshua Tree is also a world renown campus at the forefront of studies in global climate change, archaeological research on migration patterns, and the adaptability of threatened and endangered species in a changing environment. Students from around the globe use the intact ecosystem at the park as a laboratory to better understand the world we live in.

The Desert Institute offers a unique opportunity to use this classroom. With some of the best instructors in the field, thousands of students have taken Dessert Institute classes in order to learn about the desert and enrich their lives. The National Park Service is delighted to be able to partner with the institute and help new legions of visitors go beyond the views and really connect with the desert and park.

Superintendent David SmithJoshua Tree National Park

Nowhere else we’d rather be!

Welcome to Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park

Whether with Desert Institute instructors, with a park naturalist, or on you own with one of the written guides from one of our visitor centers, I look forward to seeing you exploring the trails in the coming year.

September 16 -18 Insects and Arthropods of the Morongo Basin*September 24 Bighorn Sheep in Joshua Tree Nati onal Park September 24 - 25 Explore Camping: A Workshop for WomenSeptember 24 - 25 Night Sky PhotographySeptember 25 Desert Snakes: Mystery & Intrigue*

October 1 October 1 October 1 - 2 October 2 October 2 October 8 - 9 October 15 October 15 October 16 October 16 October 22 October 22 -23 October 29 - 30

Keys Ranch Nightscape Photography Workshop Discover Pine CityWomen’s “Get-Away” Weekend“How-To” Identi fy Animal ScatDiscover the Wonderland of Rocks Creati ve Camp Cooking with Chef Tanya Petrovna “How-To” Identi fy Animal BurrowsPicture the Park in Black and WhiteWatercolor Painti ng in Joshua Tree Nati onal Park Explore the Coxcomb Inner BasinHike to Lost Horse Mine “How-To” Navigate with Map and Compass Archaeology in Joshua Tree Nati onal Park

November 5 Discover Cary’s Castle November 5 “How-To” Survive in the DesertNovember 5 Keys Ranch Nightscape Photography Workshop November 5 - 6 Geology: Creati on of the Joshua Tree Landscape*November 6 Light & Color: Oil Painti ng in Joshua Tree Nati onal ParkNovember 12 Desert Palm Oasis Ecology November 12 Geology of the San Andreas FaultNovember 12 -13 Pine Needle BasketryNovember 13 Smartphone and Point-and-Shoot Techniques to Make Your

Travel Photos “POP”November 13 Explore Queen Mountain WestNovember 18 - 20 Fine Art Photography in Joshua Tree Nati onal Park

December 3 Photographing the Hi-DesertDecember 4 Photographing the Hi-DesertDecember 4 Geology and Cultural History of Cott onwood Spring

Fall 2016 Calendar

* OFFERED FOR UNIVERSITY CREDIT 3 CAMPING OPTION

October 1 - 2 Women’s “Get-Away” Weekend

pg. 12pg. 12pg. 14pg. 7pg. 12

pg. 7pg. 11pg. 14pg. 5pg. 11pg. 6pg. 5pg. 7pg. 86pg. 11pg. 11pg. 6pg. 10

pg. 10pg. 6pg. 7pg. 12pg. 8pg. 13pg. 13pg. 8

pg. 9pg. 11pg. 9

pg. 9pg. 9pg. 13

Registration Information

RegistrationThe Desert Institute accepts registrations year round for special programming. Registrations for fall fi eld classes start in June and registrations for spring fi eld classes start in November. If you wish to enroll with the registration form on page 24, please enclose a check payable to “Joshua Tree National Park Association”. Of course, you can call the Desert institute for enrollment and for any questions about our programs:

Phone: (760) 367-5535

E-mail: desertinstitute@joshuatree.org

On-line: www.joshuatree.org

Mail: please use the form on page 24

EASY - Leisurely to moderate pace up to 3 miles per day through relatively fl at terrain with frequent stops.

MODERATE - Moderate steady pace up to 6 miles per day with some elevation gain and loss through some loose, rocky or uneven terrain.

STRENUOUS - Longer rigorous hikes at a moderate to brisk pace up to 12 miles per day with signifi cant elevation gain and loss up to 3,000 ft through steep terrain, with possible rock scrambling.

EXTREME - Course includes rock scrambling throughout a significant portion of route. Good balance, full range of motion, and three points of contact while scrambling are necessary.

All Desert Institute programs have been reviewed by the NPS for potential environmental impacts and approved as being compliant with National Park standards.

Please honestly assess your fi tness level by reviewing the hiking level descriptions on this page and in the course descriptions.

How to choose the right class. . .The Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park is an adult education program with courses in family programs, cultural history, natural science, survival skills, and the arts. Expert instructors provide a personal and fun learning experience on these educational adventures. All fi eld programs follow the principles of Leave No Trace. The physical demands of each class are as diff erent as the topics we off er. Most of our courses require some hiking during fi eld trips in the park which may be hot, dry, windy, and sometimes cold. In rating the diffi culty of each class we consider elevation gain and loss, distance, time of year, pace, and terrain. It is important for your enjoyment that you select the class that matches your fi tness level. We also want to ensure that your skills and abilities match those of your fellow participants. Please note that the ratings are guidelines. For a person who is very active, a class rated “strenuous” might not pose a challenge, or a “moderate” hike could be very diffi cult for someone not used to walking outside in the desert environment at moderate elevation.

4 760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

“How-To” CoursesHow-to’s and step-by-step advice from the experts. Taking a clue from our couse partici-pants for more classes on “how-to” explore and enjoy Joshua Tree National Park, we are off ering the following programs for those who want to develop new skills.

5

Explore Camping: A Workshop for Women

Date/Time:

Meet at: Fee:Instructor:Hike Level:

Saturday, September 24, 8:30 am - 9 pm Sunday, September 25, 8:30 am - 3 pm Joshua Tree Visitor Center$110 JTNPA member ($120 non member) Rebecca Lowry, Artist, Instructor Moderate

If you have a taste for adventure, a thirst for wild spaces or just want to improve your outdoor skills, sign up here! Learn how to thrive in the outdoors with camping basics and best practices, improve your knowledge of natural science and have fun with a bunch of other intrepid women. On this weekend camping workshop you’ll learn about the desert while hiking through it, share stories around a crackling campfi re, and acquire useful skills that will transform the great outdoors into your own spectacular backyard. No prior camping experience is necessary, though some basic equip-ment is required. Camping equipment can be rented locally from outfi tters. More experienced campers who’d like to brush up on their skills or just come to have a good time are also welcome. This weekend of classes will be held at the Lost Horse Campsite, a beau-tiful location that is perfect for this program! Girls 21+ only.

W�lc��� t� C���

Jo��u� T���

“How - To” Identify Animal Scat

Date/Time: Meet at: Fee: Instructor: Hike Level:

Sunday October 2, 9 am - 2 pmBlack Rock Ranger Station, Yucca Valley$35 JTNPA member ($45 non member) Stefanie Ritter, M.S., Zoology, Biology Easy

Scat is one of the most important signs to look for when track-ing animals. All animals leave scat in one form or another, even us (though we don’t tend to leave it on the ground!). Scats, faeces, or just plain poo - these digested wastes left behind by animals are universally avoided by all but the most dedicated animal lovers, vets and scientists. But for anyone interested in fi nding out more about the animal world, scats can be a useful tool. They can reveal a lot about the things animals eat, where they go and even how they live. Join naturalist, Stefanie Ritter as she takes you on a journey on “How-To” Identify Animal Scat in Joshua Tree National Park on this half-day fi eld class.

Suggested reading: “Scats and Tracks of the Desert Southwest” by James Halfpenny, Ph.D., found in the Visitor Centers or order at www.joshuatree.org/store

760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

SIGN UP ONLINEClick On Class Name

Campfi re Cuisine with Chef Tanya Petrovna

Date/Time: Saturday, October 8, 8:00 am - 5:30 pmSunday, October 9, 8:00 am - 2 pm

Meet at: Joshua Tree Visitor CenterFee: $150 JTNPA member, $160 non memberInstructor: Chef Tanya PetrovnaHike Level: Easy to Moderate

Join Chef Tanya Petrovna to learn easy, creative Plant Based camp cooking on this weekend class. We will share with you many successful recipes for fun, exciting eating while camping in Joshua Tree National Park. Recipes will range from Campsite Pizza, Bourgignon on Buttered Fire Pit Potatoes, Ash Roasted Vegetables Purses to Smores Dip. Fruity Fresh Dutch Oven bis-cuits and Dude Hash for breakfast, Trail Sandwiches and Wraps and Backpack Desserts. The course fee includes the meal in-gredients.

Chef Tanya will help you to be a good camp cook based on pre-trip preparations, packing your foods correctly (no one wants water soaked sandwiches), and cooking equipment and uten-sils checklists. To create a good appetite, hikes with Lew King-man are scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday.

Class size limited to 12!

6

“How-To” Survive in the Desert

Date/Time: Meet at: Fee: Instructor:

Hike Level:

Saturday, November 5, 9 am - 4 pm Joshua Tree Visitor Center$60 JTNPA member, $70 non member Laurie Green, Certified Interpretive Guide and First Aid TrainerEasy

Learn the essential “big five” skills needed to safely explore the sometimes harsh and often challenging desert landscape of Joshua Tree National Park. Laurie Green will teach the physical skills and mental processes that will prepare participants to discover some of the most beautiful and most dangerous habitats of the world. Some of the topics covered include survival kits, edible and dangerous plants, water location, signaling, as well as desert hazards. The class will combine outdoor hands-on practice with classroom lecture. This class is not to be missed if you plan on spending any time in the desert!

Smartphone and Point-and-Shoot Techniques to Make Your Travel Photos “POP”

Date/Time: Meet at: Fee: Instructor: Hike Level:

Sunday, November 13, 8:30 am - 5 pm Joshua Tree Visitor Center$60 JTNPA member, $70 non member Diana Shay-Diehl, Photographer, Educator Easy

Elevate your travel photography by understanding elements of good compelling images and the easiest camera you have with you - your smartphone or basic point-and-shoot. Professional photographer and teacher, Diana Shay-Diehl, who has spent over 30 years capturing images from film to digital, will focus on basic approaches to photography while making extraordinary images from the ordinary. You will learn how to overcome the limitations of cellphone and other modern cameras, and produce better images as prints and for sharing on the Internet, as well as learn how to “see” a frame. Composition, the rule of thirds, exposure, and shutter speed will be discussed, as well as how to post process your images in your own devices. Examples of post-printing options will also be shared. This course will include a trip into the park and walk about with Diana with over-the-shoulder counseling on how to improve your photography.

“How-To” Courses

Date/Time:

Meet at: Fee: Instructor: Hike Level:

Saturday, October 22, 8:00 am – 4:00pm Sunday, October 23, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm Black Rock Ranger Station, Yucca Valley$85 JTNPA member, $95 non member Misha Askren, Sierra Club Outings Leader Moderate

Do you want the confidence to explore the desert and n o t get lost? Outdoor specialist, Misha Askren will teach participants how to navigate using a map and compass in this two-day hands-on field class. Participants will learn the basics of topography, map reading, and the history of navigation during the Saturday classroom and field exercises, and then spend half day Sunday in the field. Misha will teach simple and straightforward map and compass skills separately and then combine them in a route-finding adventure in the wilderness of Joshua Tree National Park. These orientation techniques are potentially lifesaving skills that will allow participants to explore the wilderness and, most importantly, find their way back home. No previous experience with compass or topo maps is needed.

Suggested Reading: “Wilderness Navigation” by Mike and Bob Burns, found in the Visitor Centers or order at www.joshuatree.org/store

760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

SIGN UP ONLINEClick On Class Name

“How - To” Identify Animal Burrows

Date/Time: Meet at: Fee: Instructor:

Hike Level:

Saturday, October 15, 9 am - 1 pm Black Rock Ranger Station, Yucca Valley$35 JTNPA member ($45 non member) Candice Weber, Professor, College of the DesertEasy

Have you ever taken a walk and noticed a hole in the ground and wondered what animal made it? Holes abound in the des-ert as animals seek refuge from climatic extremes and preda-tors, or hunt for food. Candice Weber will shed light on ground holes, elevated holes, divots and mounds in this one-day field class. Participants will learn how to identify holes and what clues can help discern which animals are living in which holes in the classroom session, and then put their knowledge to the test in the field. Curious visitors as well as seasoned naturalists will enjoy peeking into the secret lives of these subterranean dwellers and discover who’s behind all of that digging!

Suggested reading: “A Field Guide to Desert Holes” by Pinau Merlin, found in the Visitor Centers or order at www.joshuatree.org/store

“How-To” Navigate with Map & Compass

Keys Ranch Nightscape & Light Painting Photography Workshop and Star Trails

Date/Time: Saturday, October 1, 7:00 pm - 2:00 amMeet at: Oasis Visitor CenterFee: $150 JTNPA member ($160 non member) Instructor: Don Chambers, Nightscape

Photography InstructorHike Level: Easy

Most photographers put their camera away after sunset but today’s digital camera technology makes it easier than ever for photographers to take photographs of the night sky. And the night sky in Joshua Tree is beautiful. With long exposures, the camera will gather light from thousands of stars not visible to the naked eye. When we add light painting techniques of interest-ing foregrounds, you have an incredible and unique photograph to be proud of. This workshop will include classroom instruction about the night sky, necessary camera equipment, camera set-tings, focusing at night, light painting, fi eld techniques, and an overview of post-processing. After everyone is comfortable with the concepts of night photography the class will go into the park and practice new skills during a unique private evening at Keys Ranch. This class is limited to 8 participants, so sign up early!

This class is for photographers of all abilities that are new to night photography and light painting techniques. Photogra-phers must be able to work their camera in full manual mode, in the dark!

Class will continue after shooting at Keys Ranch for those that want to camp with Don at Indian Cove campground. Once ev-eryone is settled-in, Don will provide an overview of how to take star trails and time-lapse videos, and help those interested set-up their cameras for a two hour series of pictures. Bring some drinks and snacks to share under the stars while your cameras are taking pictures, and Don provides an overview of post pro-cessing and how to create star trail pictures and time-lapse vid-eos. Please call 760-367-5535 for more information.

This class will repeat again on Saturday, November 5 with the same times and itinerary. Please be sure to enroll in the correct class date!

Creati ve Arts Courses

7760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

Picture the Park in Black and White

Date/Time: Saturday, October 15, 8:30 am -4 pmMeet at: Oasis Visitor CenterFee: $60 JTNPA member ($70 non member)Instructor: Jim Smart, Photographer, InstructorHike Level: Moderate

There was a time when black and white photography was all we had. Though color has brought us incredible opportunities that would have been envied long ago, the classic black and white photograph is still highly revered. Join professional photographer Jim Smart as he leads you through a unique and extensive workshop covering a variety of aspects of black and white photography. From digital capture to image processing and optimization, Jim Smart will help you master the digital world of black and white photography. Learn and explore the zone system, black and white visualization and other techniques to maximize your creativity while capturing black and white images. Class size limited to 12

photo by Don Chambers

Night Sky Photography

Date/Time: Saturday, September 24, 1 pm - 10 pmSunday, September 25, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

Meet at: Oasis Visitor CenterFee: $110 JTNPA member ($120 non member)Instructor: Dennis Mammana, M.S., Astronomy,

Sky Photographer, Syndicated ColumnistHike Level: Easy

If you enjoy photography and are fascinated by the desert night sky, this two-session, hands-on workshop is for you! Dennis Mammana will teach participants how to use even the simplest of cameras to create magnifi cent celestial portraits. The class will begin with tips for setting up and shooting the night sky. Saturday evening, participants will head into the park to try out their new knowledge under the real night sky. The next day, Mammana will show how the image taken the previous night can be altered in PhotoShop. Any camera, digital or fi lm, will work, as long as it can be adjusted manually, used with a tripod and remote control, and take exposures of 15, 30, or more seconds. Students should have a good working knowledge of their equipment prior to taking this class. Class size limited to 12 participants, so sign up early!.

SIGN UP ONLINEClick On Class Name

Watercolor Painting in Joshua Tree National Park

Date/Time: Sunday, October 16, 7 am - 4 pmMeet at: Joshua Tree Visitor CenterFee: $60 JTNPA member ($70 non member) Instructor: John Scahill, Artist and InstructorHike Level: Easy

Indulge your creativity with a day of painting in Joshua Tree National Park. Participants will be immersed in the desert landscape to inspire originality and learn the observational skills that are essential to painting nature. John Scahill, artist and instructor, will help students shift the desert scenery to paper with watercolor paint. Participants will learn basic methods for transforming nature into art through techniques that maintain color clarity and high quality value differences with glazes, washes, wet-on-wet, and dry brush. Learn how the characteristic transparency of watercolor painting brings landscapes to life by allowing light to pass through the film of paint and reflect back off the white paper to give brightness and sparkle to the artwork that matches the sunlit desert environment. This pleasant non-intimidating class provides ample time to relax, investigate and paint. Participants need to bring their own art supplies. To take advantage of the morning light, this class will meet at 7:00 am.

This class will be conducted at Lost Horse Campground, a reserved site for this class, that offers great views of Lost Horse Valley, rocks and Joshua trees.

Creative Arts Courses

Light & Color: Oil Painting in JTNP

Date/Time: Sunday, November 6, 8:30 am - 4 pmMeet at: Joshua Tree Visitor CenterFee: $60 JTNPA member ($70 non member)Instructor: Diane McClary, Artist, InstructorHike Level: Easy

Capture the vitality of a beautiful, and unique location in Joshua Tree National Park in this oil painting class with Diane McClary. McClary will teach fundamental plein air painting techniques while immersed in the beauty of Keys Ranch. She will demonstrate and explain the method behind her unique use of color and her approach to color harmony in the field. There will be plenty of time for individual instruction, questions, and review during this pleasant and easy-going class. No previous experience is required. Students will be responsible for providing their own painting supplies.

This class will have exclusive use of Keys Ranch, which is a National Historical Site.

8 760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

“Earlier this year I participated in a one-day workshop led by the master himself - David Muench. I left home at 3:00 AM to get to our sunrise meeting place by 5:30. I stayed pretty close to Da-vid during our morning and afternoon shoots and enjoyed his incredible photography in the presentation he gave us back at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center. On the drive home that evening I reflected on what I had learned from David that day. I pho-tographed things I would never notice, beautiful things. David sees so much more than I do. I learned two important lessons that day: Be open to the ideas and perspectives of others and you can find beauty in places you normally wouldn’t think to look.”

Ralph Nordstrom

Pine Needle Basketry

Date/Time: Saturday, November 12, 9:00 am - 4:00 pmSunday, November 13, 9:00 am - 4 pm

Meet at: Oasis Visitor CenterFee: $110 JTNPA member ($120 non member)Instructor: Kathi Klopfenstein , Artist, InstructorHike Level: Easy

The craft of coiled basketry is practiced world wide using a vari-ety of natural and man-made materials. Kathi Klopfenstein will teach you one of many techniques to start a coiled pine needle basket, basic stitching, how to shape your basket, and how to finish your basket. You will learn about responsible collecting of pine needles, preparation, and storage of your materials. A variety of coiled baskets will be available for the students to study. Kathi will provide the basketry materials. Students are asked to bring a small pair of scissors, small needle nosed pliers, and a notebook and pencil for taking notes. Bring a lunch and be ready to enjoy a weekend of basketry. Beginner and experi-enced coilers are welcome. This class will be offered to view the park’s Native American basket collection.

SIGN UP ONLINEClick On Class Name

Smartphone and Point-and-Shoot Techniques to Make Your Travel Photos “POP”

Date/Time: Sunday, November 13, 8:30 am - 5 pmMeet at: Joshua Tree Visitor CenterFee: $60 JTNPA member ($70 non member)Instructor: Diana Shay-Diehl, Photographer, EducatorHike Level: Easy

Elevate your travel photography by understanding elements of compelling images and the easiest camera you have with you - your smartphone or basic point-and-shoot. Professional photographer and teacher, Diana Shay-Diehl, who has spent over 30 years capturing images from fi lm to digital, will focus on basic approaches to photography while making extraordinary images from the ordinary. You will learn how to overcome the limitations of cellphone and other modern cameras, and produce better images as prints and for sharing on the Internet, as well as learn how to “see” a frame. Composition, the rule of thirds, exposure, and shutter speed will be discussed, as well as how to post process your images in your own devices. Examples of post-printing options will also be shared. This course will include a trip into the park and walk about with Diana with over-the-shoulder counseling on how to improve your photography.

9

Creati ve Arts Courses

760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

Photographing the High Desert

Date/Time: Saturday, December 3, 7:30 am - 5:00 pmMeet at: Big Morongo Canyon PreserveFee: $85 JTNPA member ($95 non member)Instructor: Craig Fucile, Photographer, InstructorHike Level: Moderate

This class is sponsored by the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

Grab your camera and put on your hiking boots for this intensive all-day photo shoot in Joshua Tree National Park! Craig Fucile will guide the class in seeing the natural beauty of the park through the camera lens. The class will begin with early morning light at the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve followed by a mid-morning instruc-tional program at Black Rock Canyon Visitor Center. The afternoon session will relocate to a special “photographers only” session at Keys Ranch, focusing on how to capture the buildings and historic remnants at this remarkable homestead. Fucile will share tips on how to record unique rock formations and vast views of the park. Participants are encouraged to bring a tripod with their camera(s).Class size limited to 12.

This class will repeat again on Sunday, December 4 with the same times and itinerary. Please be sure to enroll in the correct class date!

Fine Art Photography in JTNPDate/Time: Friday, November 18, 7 pm - 9 pm

Saturday, November 19, 5 am - 9 pm Sunday, November 20, 5 am - 3 pm

Meet at: Oasis Visitor CenterFee: $150 JTNPA member ($160 non member) Instructor: Ralph Nordstrom, Photographer, InstructorHike Level: Easy to Moderate

Immerse yourself in the wonders of Joshua Tree National Park and connect with the enchantment to be found there. This course features the relationship between photography and art. In it we will explore the artistic process and how to grow as an artist. It is not intended to be a basic photography class but rather an opportunity to expand your personal interpretation and creative expression which is the heart of the art. Our experience of this marvelous land will be enhanced by camping (optional) in the Lost Horse Campground, from Friday through Sunday. The weekend schedule includes two (2) sunrise shoots, two (2) morning shoots, one (1) sunset shoot, one (1) optional night sky shoot (conditions permitting). There will be classroom programs to provide an orientation, to discuss “The Essence of Fine Art” and photo sharing and constructive critiques. This is an “action packed” workshop, so, bring your camera equipment, camping equipment and enthusiasm and watch your creativity soar!

Call 760-367-5535 for more information on the camping option.

“I drove 3 hours to Chicago, fl ew to Los Angeles, and drove to Joshua Tree National Park to attend Ralph Nordstrom's class on Fine Art Pho-tography, sponsored by the Joshua Tree National Park Association (round trip was over 4,000 miles). The class was jam packed with infor-mation from our meeting on Friday night through Sunday afternoon. We were able to have two sunrise shoots, two morning photography sessions, one afternoon shoot, a sunset session, and a nighttime class to capture the Milky Way Galaxy. In between these fi eld sessions, Mr. Nordstrom led some great talks on his experience with fi ne art pho-tography and provided us with information to make us better photog-raphers of nature. The individual attention Ralph provided us both in the fi eld and in the classroom has signifi cantly improved my skills as a photographer. I highly recommend Mr. Nordstrom's class to anyone who would like to learn to make a strong landscape photograph. It was well worth the trip of over 4,000 miles to attend.”

Jim McEnerney

SIGN UP ONLINEClick On Class Name

Cultural History Courses

10

Military ScholarshipsThrough a grant provided by the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Officers’ Spouses’ Club, the Desert Institute offers a limited number of scholar-ships for our educational programs to active Ma-rines and their family members on the 29 Palms MCAGCC. For more information and qualifica-tion requirements, please call 760-367-5535.

Archaeology of Joshua Tree National Park

Date/Time: Saturday, October 29, 9 am - 5 pmSunday, October 30, 9 am - 2 pm

Meet at: Oasis Visitor CenterFee: $110 JTNPA member ($120 non member)Instructor: Daniel McCarthy, M.S. AnthropologyHike Level: Easy

Discover the ancient peoples who were defined by the arid land-scape of what is now Joshua Tree National Park. Daniel McCarthy will discuss how archaeologists study human culture through material remains and environmental landscapes. The class will begin with an archaeological overview including an exclusive visit to see the ar-tifacts and archival collections at the Park’s Research Museum. The field sessions will focus on the prehistoric and historic peoples who lived in this area and will provide students with new insights into the park’s cultural heritage. The class will only visit publicly interpreted sites.

Discover Cary’s Castle

Date/Time: Saturday, November 5, 9 am - late afternoonMeet at: Cottonwood Visitor CenterFee: $60 JTNPA member ($70 non member)Instructor: Jason Theuer, Ph.D., Anthropology,

Cultural Resources Branch Chief, JTNP Hike Level: Strenuous - 9 miles round trip

Cary’s Castle is deliciously remote and enigmatic. Little is known of the reclusive builder who appropriated a prehistoric Indian rock shelter and added rock and mortar walls, three windows and a door. We surmise that he was a miner from the nearby vertical shaft which shows extensive labor. From artifacts found in the cabin, including magazines, it appears that the shelter was built and inhabited in the late 1930’s to early 1940’s. This “Castle” was still fully furnished in 1945, and even today has a variety of historical artifacts on the shelves. Evidence of prehistoric habitation can be seen in the form of a bedrock mortar and several multi-color pictographs on the underside of the huge boulder which forms the roof. Lost Indian Tank, which is reputed to be in the vicinity, could have provided seasonal water for a small foraging family group. Join Jason Theuer for a great day of hiking into this wild place, and learn a little along the way how to better understand it’s nature.

Please note that public access to Cary’s Castle has been closed due to vandalism. Access to Cary’s Castle is limited to Desert Institute programs with park personnel.

760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

SIGN UP ONLINEClick On Class Name

Explore the Coxcomb Inner Basin

Date/Time: Sunday, October 16, 7 am - late afternoonMeet at: Oasis Visitor CenterFee: $35 JTNPA member ($45 non member)Instructor: Christian Delich, NPS RangerHike Level: Strenuous - 10 miles round trip

The Coxcombs are likely the most rugged and perpendicular mountains in Joshua Tree National Park, in its wildest and least-visited northeast corner. Their relative isolation alone, far from any services, makes their exploration a true wilderness experience. Ex-plore this little visited region of the park, the Coxcomb Mountains are located 39 miles east of Twentynine Palms. The inner basin of the Coxcomb Mountains is the “heart” of the most rugged and scenic mountain ranges in Joshua Tree National Park. Views of the Aqua Peaks (Tensor, Spectre and Dyadic) are truly spectacular!

Explore the Wonderland of Rocks

Date/Time: Sunday, October 2, 8 am - Late AfternoonMeet at: Joshua Tree Visitor CenterFee: $35 JTNPA member ($45 non member)Instructor: Christian Delich, NPS RangerHike Level: Moderate

Guided Hikes in JTNP

11760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

The Wonderland of Rocks is a large labyrinth of granite formations and meandering corridors. It’s an easy place to get lost, but it’s also full of secret, picture-postcard settings, wide-eyed views, and any number of natural surprises. We will park at Barker Dam and walk the nature trail to the lake bed and follow the wash into the Wonderland of Rocks where we will scramble up to the top of the South Astrodome (optional) where we will view the entire Won-derland of Rocks. The hike will loop through the Wonderland to Wall Street Mill and back to Barker Dam.

Hike to Lost Horse Mine

Date/Time: Saturday, October 22, 8 am - 1 pmMeet at: Joshua Tree Visitor CenterFee: $35 JTNPA member ($45 non member)Instructor: De Karlen, Naturalist, Desert GuideHike Level: Moderate - 4 miles round trip

The Lost Horse Mine hike is for people enthralled with, but a tad overwhelmed by Joshua Tree National Park’s many nooks, crannies, and aspects. The Lost Horse Mine, nominated for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, is a fine example of a smaller scale Western mine, and the hike will be an informative entre into Joshua Tree’s gold mining of yesteryear, along with its amazing cast of characters: some heroes and some, well, a little scallywag-ish. And along the way, we’ll talk about the Park’s signature plants and that big ‘ole fault to the south. After lunch at the mine, we’ll scramble a small side trail to a lookout point with a spectacular 360 degree view of the surrounding area, including Malapai Hill.

Explore Queen Mountain West

Date/Time: Sunday, November 13, 8 am - Late AfternoonMeet at: Joshua Tree Visitor CenterFee: $35 JTNPA member ($45 non member)Instructor: Kevin Powell, Guide Book AuthorHike Level: Strenuous - 8.5 miles round trip

This strenuous, 8.5-mile out and back hike will explore a remote and seldom visited area of Queen Mountain where you will be ex-posed to the power and creativity of water in the desert. The Oak Canyon Potholes are a collection of water sculpted and polished rock slabs intermittently spread out over a half-mile section of a progressively steepening canyon. These rock slabs are dotted with deep potholes and a unique, cascading sluice-like feature found in the center collection of potholes. This unique feature is located about half way between the upper and lower potholes. The area is similar to the upper rock slabs of Rattlesnake Canyon further downstream.

On our way to the potholes, participants will get a unique view of the expansive Wonderland of Rocks from above. The overlook will allow us to look down into, and out across much of this complex rocky playground. Other important geologic landmarks useful for navigating on further hikes within the park will be pointed out as well.

How Fit Do You Need To Be? If you take part in a Guided Hike in JTNP, you will need to carry a backpack - with food, clothing, water and other essentials - that generally weighs up to 15 pounds. You will be exercising with either heat or cold, typical of the Mojave desert and elevation gain. And, you may need to scramble over large boulders along the route. To help you decide on which course is best for you, please take into account the “Hike Level” ratings. Please note that these ratings are only guidelines. What is labeled “strenuous”might be routine for a very fit visitor. For the most precise information about each activity or the effects of the desert environment, please call us at 760-367-5535.

Discover Pine City

Date/Time: Saturday, October 1, 8 am - afternoonMeet at: Oasis Visitor CenterFee: $35 JTNPA member ($45 non member)Instructor: De Karlen, Naturalist, Desert GuideHike Level: Easy to Moderate - 4.3 miles round trip

This hike is just the hike for those still a little intimidated by Joshua Tree’s vastness: easy, informative, and just the right length. Begin-ning at the Pine City backcountry board, this trail is less traveled and one of Joshua Tree’s nicest “hidden” treasures. It’s an architec-tural confection of Joshua Tree’s famous high desert plants, its hu-man history, and monster artful boulders, leading to an expansive view of the low desert. We’ll have lunch in a nearby pinyon pine burst of greenery and shade, then take an additional side-foray to the Desert Queen Mine, with a tale of its dramatic mining past.

SIGN UP ONLINEClick On Class Name

Bighorn Sheep in Joshua Tree National Park

Date/Time: Saturday, September 24, 9 am - 4 pmMeet at: Black Rock Ranger StationFee: $60 JTNPA member ($70 non member)Instructor: Mark Jorgensen, ex-Superintendent of

Anza Borrego State ParkHike Level: Easy to Moderate

Desert bighorn sheep is the largest native animal in the desert southwest. Mark Jorgensen will discuss the natural history of desert bighorn sheep in the Southwest US and northern Mexico. He will discuss the bighorn’s amazing adaptations to the desert environment, including their physical characteristics, distribu-tion, behavior, predator relationships and diseases in this class. Participants will also learn about how the Park’s current preserva-tion efforts for the bighorn sheep corresponds with the unique physiological characteristics of these animals and the Park’s man-agement plan to preserve this magnificent animal, as a part of California’s heritage. During the session, the class will hike into bighorn habitat and learn the key elements important for big-horn sheep survival. The field trip will highlight the importance of vast wilderness habitats, steep terrain, diverse plant commu-nities, protection from human encroachment, and the threat of domestic livestock diseases on the native bighorn sheep.

12

Natural Science CoursesInsects and Arthropods of the Morongo Basin*(Entomology x405.1, 1.5 unit)

Date/Time: Friday, September 16, 6:30 pm - 9 pmSat., Sept. 17, 8:00 am - 1:30 pm; 6 pm - 9 pmSunday, September 18, 8 am - 12 pm

Meet at: Black Rock Ranger Station, Yucca ValleyNoncredit Fee: $135 JTNPA member ($145 non member)Credit Fee: $210 JTNPA member ($220 non member)Instructor: Kurt Leuschner, M. S., Wildlife EcologyHike Level: Easy to Moderate

This class is sponsored by the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

Did you know that insects can survive in temperatures over 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade with little or no water? Kurt Leuschner will explore the lives of the largest group of animals in the world through a study of insect anatomy, survival traits, habitats, and behaviors. Participants will learn to identify and distinguish insects from other arthropods and then practice their skills in the field. Field observations will include desert, dune, and riparian habitats, as well as a special night session with black lights at the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. Leuschner will share amazing stories of insects like the yucca moth, the ant lion, and the world they inhabit.

Desert Snakes: Mystery and Intrigue*(Biology x414.51, 0.5 unit)

Date/Time: Sunday, September 25, 9 am - 4 pmMeet at: Black Rock Ranger StationNoncredit Fee: $60 JTNPA member ($70 non member)Credit Fee: $85 JTNPA member ($95 non member)Instructor: William Hayes, Ph.D., Zoology, Physiology

Professor of Biology, Loma Linda University

Hike Level: Easy to Moderate

Feared and respected by many for their potential to inflict harm, snakes have long captured the fascination of humanity. William Hayes will introduce participants to a remarkable variety of venomous and non-venomous snakes that inhabit Southern California’s deserts in this all-day field class. Starting in the classroom, Dr. Hayes will discuss the many adaptations that are essential for snakes to survive in the desert ecosystem including unique morphological, physiological, behavioral, and ecological traits. Snake venom will also be discussed in detail providing answers to the following questions. What, exactly, is venom? How is it made and how is it delivered? Can venoms be beneficial? The class will explore the surrounding desert to identify reptile habitat and hopefully see some snakes!

Geology: Creation of Joshua Tree Landscape*(Geosciences x460.4, 1 unit)

Date/Time: Saturday, November 5, 8 am - 5 pmSunday, November 6, 9 am - 1 pm

Meet at: Oasis Visitor CenterNoncredit Fee: $110 JTNPA member ($120 non member)Credit Fee: $160 JTNPA member ($170 non member)Instructor: Tor Lacy, Geology, MS, Professor,

Cerritos CollegeHike Level: Easy to Moderate

Investigate the natural architecture and origin of Joshua Tree National Park’s landscape with Tor Lacy, geology professor, Cerritos College. Starting in the classroom participants will be introduced to basic geologic principles including major rock groups, plate tectonics, mountain building, and the impact of weathering. Lacy will discuss how these processes worked together to form the fantastic desert landscape of the park. The class will venture into the field on two excursions to observe and identify monzogranite, gneiss, aplite, and more. For those new to geology or experienced geologists, Lacy will make learning about this complex and unique landscape comprehensible and fun.Suggested Reading: “Joshua Tree National Park Geology” by Trent & Hazlett, found in the Visitor Centers or order at www.joshuatree.org/store

760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

SIGN UP ONLINEClick On Class Name

Desert Palm Oasis Ecology

Date/Time: Saturday, November 12, 8:30 am - 4 pmMeet at: Palm Desert Campus, CSUSBFee: $80 JTNPA member ($90 non member)Instructor: James Cornett, MS, BiologyHike Level: Moderate

13

Natural Science CoursesGeology of the San Andreas Fault

Date/Time: Saturday, November 12, 9 am - 4 pmMeet at: Coachella Valley PreserveFee: $60 JTNPA member ($70 non member)Instructor: Ted Reeves, BA, Professor of Earth

Sciences, University of the PacificHike Level: Moderate

California is a state defined by plate tectonics, motion, continental drift, and subduction zones. Join geologist Ted Reeves as he demystifies fault systems and their effects. Reeves will unfold the geologic story of the Southern Californian landscape in this all-day field class. Participants will travel a total of approximately six miles walking to Pushawalla Palms to see evidence of the folding and uplift that formed Pushawalla Canyon. Reeves will illuminate fault-related features in the field with special emphasis on physical deformations of the landscape. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to walk along the San Andreas fault zone and touch the San Andreas Fault!

760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

Our credit courses are designed to meet the professional development needs of educators for career and salary advancement. Come for a weekend of inspiration, education and fun in the Joshua Tree National Park! Course credit is offered through UC Riverside, Extension. Teachers may apply for Professional Career Development through their school district. Fall credit courses include:

Insects and Arthropods of the Morongo BasinDesert Snakes: Mystery & Intrigue

Geology: Creation of the Joshua Tree Landscape

Teachers

760-367-5535 joshuatree.org 13

Verdant, water-loving desert fan palms seem out of place in an arid environment. Yet five distinct palm oases occur within Joshua Tree National Park and more than 150 exist in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts of California and Baja California. The desert fan palm, Washingtonia filifera, anchors the oasis and is the only palm species native to the western U.S. It is the largest palm native to North America and one of the most widely planted ornamental trees in the world. The class examines unique aspects of the palm and its significance within rare desert spring environments where it occurs. Special emphasis is placed on interactions between palms and other oasis plant species, animals that utilize palms as a resource, role of fire in oasis ecology and the relationship between palms and Native Americans. The course includes new information on the impact of global warming on palm numbers and distribution.

The textbook, Desert Palm Oasis by James Cornett, is included in the course fee as well as the parking permit for the meeting site.

Geology & Cultural History of Cottonwood SpringDate/Time: Sunday, December 4, 9 am - 4 pmMeet at: Cottonwood Visitor CenterFee: $60 JTNPA member ($70 non member)Instructor: Ted Reeves, Instructor, University of the PacificHike Level: Moderate

Stretch your legs and enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Cottonwood Mountains with Ted Reeves in this all-day field class. Reeves will discuss the rocks and minerals of Cottonwood Mountains and tell stories of the people who eked out a living in the Cottonwood Spring area during the late 1800s. Participants will walk six miles through the rolling hills of the Colorado Desert to see mills, mines, and more. Along the trail, Reeves will share the history of the cowboys, miners, and teamsters who depended on Cottonwood Spring for their livelihood. The route will follow a portion of a prominent freight road built in the 1880s. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn how geology is connected to cultural history at Cottonwood Spring!

SIGN UP ONLINEClick On Class Name

Explore Camping: A Workshop for Women

Date/Time:

Meet at: Fee:Instructor:Hike Level:

Saturday, September 24, 8:30 am - 9 pm Sunday, September 25, 8:30 am - 3 pm Joshua Tree Visitor Center$110 JTNPA member ($120 non member)

Rebecca Lowry, Artist, Instructor Moderate

If you have a taste for adventure, a thirst for wild spaces or just want to improve your outdoor skills, sign up here! Learn how to thrive in the outdoors with camping basics and best practices, improve your knowledge of natural science and have fun with a bunch of other intrepid women. On this weekend camping workshop you’ll learn about the desert while hiking through it, share stories around a crackling campfi re, and acquire useful skills that will transform the great outdoors into your own spectacular backyard. No prior camping experience is necessary, though some basic equip-ment is required. Camping equipment can be rented locally from outfi tters. More experienced campers who’d like to brush up on their skills or just come to have a good time are also welcome. This weekend of classes will be held at the Lost Horse Campsite, a beau-tiful location that is perfect for this program! Girls 21+ only.

Women’s “Get Away” Weekend

Date/Time: Saturday, October 1, 8 am - 5 pm Sunday, October 2, 8 am - 4 pm

Meet at: Joshua Tree Visitor CenterFee: $110 JTNPA member ($120 non member)Instructors: Cynthia Anderson, Naturalist, NPS Ranger

Cassandra Davis, Yoga Instructor Hike Level: Moderate

Spend a weekend with the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park where you can go to unplug, to get away, to learn new skills and to enjoy the company of other course participants. Trade in your computer, cell phone, Instagrams, clocks, schedules and workplace jargon for an off -the-grid weekend with the girls - two days of pure unadulterated fun, excercise and education!Join Cynthia Anderson and Cassandra Davis on hikes, camping, yoga practice, journaling, basic navigation and desert survival. This weekend of classes will be held at the Lost Horse Campsite, a beautiful location that is perfect for this program!

Camping equipment can be rented from local outfi tters.

14

By popular request, a number of our classes are designed for women only. Each approaches the land-scape with a uniquely female point of view to inspire a deeper appreciation of Joshua Tree National Park.

Women’s Programs

760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

Photo by Pam Kersey

SIGN UP ONLINEClick On Class Name

IF YOU LOVE observing nature and learning about Joshua Tree, expand your knowledge through the Joshua Tree Master Naturalist Series. Eight com-prehensive courses on key Joshua Tree topics are designed to broaden your understanding of the ecology, plants, geology, wildlife, and history of the park. Through field-based excursions and lectures, you’ll cultivate observations skills that are the hall-mark of a good naturalist.

By documenting field observations through sketch-es, journaling, photography and more, you’ll learn how to make a deeper connection to nature. When you complete all eight courses, you will receive your “Joshua Tree Naturalist” certification and a Joshua Tree National Park hoodie. Courses will be offered yearly and certification may be completed over time. These eight courses in the Joshua Tree Mas-ter Naturalist Series are also approved for credit from U.C. Riverside, Extension.

2016 NATURALIST SERIES

Insects and Arthropods of the Morongo BasinSeptember 16 - 18

Desert Snakes: Mystery and IntriqueSeptember 25

Geology of Joshua Tree National ParkNovember 5 - 6

Rocks and Minerals of JTNPSpring 2017

Flora of Joshua Tree National ParkSpring 2017

Biological Soil Crusts of JTNPSpring 2017

Desert InvertebratesSpring 2017

Ecology of Joshua Tree National ParkSpring 2017

Birds of Joshua Tree National ParkSpring 2017

15760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

Joshua Tree National Park AssociationThe Joshua Tree National Park Association has been helping Joshua Tree National Park since 1962. Our most visible activity – and major source of revenue – is operating the educational bookstores at the park’s four visitor centers, as well as staffing many of these locations with Information Specialists who provide visitor services alongside the National Park Service Rangers.But the Joshua Tree National Park Association does much more! We also:

• Operate the Desert Institute, a weekend field program for adults and families that offers courses innatural science, natural and cultural history, creative arts, citizens science and desert survival

• Sponsor community lecture series in Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, Yucca Valley andTwentynine Palms

• Publish books and media specific to the park. Titles include Joshua Tree National Park Geology byD. D. Trent and Rick Hazlett, Desert Reflections by Stephen Trimble, and On Foot in Joshua Tree byPatty Knapp

• Support the Junior Ranger program with funds for program supplies that kids receive for free• Purchase books and materials for the park library and museum• Fund ranger training and orientation for new park staff• Provide environmental education materials to over 11,000 students in local communities• Support scientific research through administration and additional funding for the Robert Lee

Graduate Student Research Program (funded by the Lee Family Foundation)• Connect with the local arts community by sponsoring the annual Joshua Tree National Park Art

Festival• Celebrate environmental leadership with the Minerva Hoyt California Desert Conservation Award,

which recognizes individuals or organizations for their notable achievements• Provide administrative support for the Joshua Tree National Park Artist-in-Residence Program• Raise funds to support the park through community events, memberships and donations, and our

Legacy pottery collection

16

Joshua Tree Visitor Center Oasis of Mara Visitor Center

Black Rock Visitor CenterCottonwood Visitor Center

760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

Day with a Desert Naturalist Learn the secrets of Joshua Tree National Park in an all-day field class with a desert naturalist. Groups will explore the unique landscape of the park focusing on an area of interest to them. Common topics to be covered are: geology, cultural history, flora, and ecology found in the vast valleys, rock mazes, desert cactus gardens, and Joshua tree forests. Most programs cover eight miles at a moderate pace with uneven terrain and moderate elevation gain. A “sample” Day with a Desert Naturalist could Discover the Wonderland of Rocks: The Wonderland of Rocks is a large labyrinth of granite formations and meandering corridors. It’s an easy place to get lost, but it’s also full of secret, picture-postcard settings, wide-eyed views, and any number of natural surprises. Spend an enjoyable day hiking and scrambling through this rare place, feeling the rough texture of its timelessness underfoot and in the finger tips. More than just a day of out-door adventure, this Desert Institute hike includes introductory instruction in how the Wonderland formed, why it looks the way it does, and how this unique environment helps support a diverse and interesting community of plants and animals. Come prepared to hike seven to ten miles, depending on conditions, with occasional stops for rest, lunch and teachable moments. The route is cross-country and requires some scrambling and rock-hopping, none of it extended or technical.

Sunrise or Sunset Photographic Workshops with a Master PhotographerCustomized Photographic WorkshopsLet us show you where and how to take stunning sunrise or sunset images in Joshua Tree National Park! We can create a customized program to spend four hours in the morning or evening photographing the iconic boulders and Joshua trees. This workshop is perfect for those photographers looking to improve on composition and creating unique and original imagery. Working with our instructors will help you make sense of the landscape and begin to understand how to make effective images in this truly bizarre and wonderful terrain. If you’re just a beginner, no problem! This workshop will provide you with beginning instruction in landscape photography, filter use, and sunset or sunrise silhouettes.

PROGRAM COST

1 - 6 people Half Day $300

1 - 6 people Full Day $500

7 + people Please call for rates

Rates effective through December 2016

If your group, large or small, is searching for a special experience in Joshua Tree National Park tailored to your interests, the Desert Institute will design an educational class making sure that the expert instruction is just what you are looking for in the park. The activity level and optional field component will match your itinerary perfectly for one-day or multi-day excursions.

Special Programs

Photo Credit: Dion Wong

17760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

Step On Guides for Bus Tours

The Desert Institute can arrange for a professional, knowledgeable naturalist to join your bus tour for a visit to Joshua Tree National Park as a “step-on” guide. Our interpreters have specialized knowledge of the local geology, natural history, flora and fauna, archaeology and cultural history. Let us entertain and educate your guests which will make their experience of the Joshua Tree National Park a memo-rable event!

RATES: Effective May 1, 2016Our fees begin at $310 for any tour up to 4 hours in length and $40 per hour for each additional hour.

All rates are per naturalist. Large groups and multiple motor coaches may require more than one guide. To schedule a Motor Coach Tour, contact the Desert Institute at 760-367-5535 or desertinstitute@joshuatree.org.

Tour group operators pay park entrance fees. Please contact our office if you wish to include a guided hike or additional programs.

“On behalf of the Garden Conservancy, please accept our deepest thanks for all your help in making our trip to Joshua Tree National Park such a memorable experience! How lucky we were to visit the park when the blooms were so extraordinary.

We especially want to thank you for matching us with our guide extraordinaire, Darrell Shade. What can I say but WOW! Those fortunate enough to have experienced Joshua Tree with Darrell were impressed by his warm hospitality, his depth of knowledge, and his infectious enthusiasm for the park and its flora. Darrell thoroughly inspired and energized our group and made their trip to Joshua Tree one that will not be soon forgotten.

Again, Kevin, thank you for helping us make our trip to Joshua Tree a resounding success.”

18 760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

Black Rock Symposium at Copper Mountain College

Desert Instituteat Joshua Tree National Park

19

Watch for our 2016-2017 Seminar schedule on the Joshua Tree National Park website.

The partnership between Joshua Tree National Park (JOTR) and Copper Moun-tain College (CMC) has led to several successful programs, including the Black Rock Symposium lecture series co-sponsored with the Desert Institute, CMC student internships within JOTR, and Desert Institute field courses offered at CMC. The Black Rock Symposium (BRS) held monthly in the Bell Center at CMC, has expanded regional awareness of important conservation issues involving JOTR and its gateway communities. The BRS has served as a nexus for interaction of concerned citizens, students, scientists and policy-makers. The impacts of this partnership include increased public attendance at the Desert Institute semi-nars, expanded community awareness of important regional conservation is-sues, and valuable educational opportunities for students.The partnership has provided opportunities for citizen science, and allowed CMC faculty to integrate inquiry-based experiences into their curriculum. Edu-cational goals included attracting more students into STEM (science, technol-ogy, engineering and mathematics) careers, improving students’ research and technological skills, and enhancing successful transfer into university programs. Several projects by CMC student interns have provided data to help inform management of natural resources by JOTR staff.In summary, the CMC-Desert Institute partnership has been a valuable collabo-ration for Joshua Tree National Park and its gateway communities. It repre-sents an important symbiosis that should be nurtured and continued! Copper Mountain College is pleased to have the opportunity to partner with the Desert Institute on behalf of our students and the communities we serve.Jeff A. Cummings Superintendent/President

Paul M. Delaney PhDChair, Science and Mathematics Division

Copper Mountain College

Bringing Nature to our Community

The Desert Institute’s community outreach program brings cutting edge presentations on the cultural history, natural science and the arts pertaining to Joshua Tree National Park, to the Morongo Basin and the Coachella Valley with various partners.

The Desert Institute partners include Joshua Tree National Park, the Twentynine Palms Historical Soci-ety, the Palm Springs Public Library, U.C. Riverside, Extension, Copper Mountain College, the OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute, Palm Desert Campus and the Ace Hotel, Palm Springs.

Community Lectures

Old Schoolhouse Lecture Series:

September 9 “A Chemehuevi Song” with Clifford Trafzer, Professor of History, UC RiversideOctober 14 “Land of Little Rain” with Walter Feller, PhotographerNovember 11 “The Imaginal Desert” with Dr. Catherine Svehla, Storyteller, EducatorDecember 9 “The Hatch’s of Twentynine Palms” with Liz Meyer, daughter of Bill & Ada HatchJanuary 13 “Pioneering Women of the Morongo Basin” with Pat Rimmington, Historian & AuthorFebruary 10 “Virginia City” with Nick Clapp, Historian and AuthorMarch 10 “Marshal South Rides Again” with Diana Lindsay, Author April 14 “Henry Mockel, the Artist” with Tania Marien, founder/editor of ArtPlantae.com May 12 “The Adobes of 29 Palms” with Pat Rimmington, Historian & Author June 9 “The Military History of the Salton Sea” with Sid Burks, Historian

Palm Springs Public Library:

October 5 “Land of Little Rain” with Walter Feller, PhotographerJanuary 4 “A Chemehuevi Song” with Clifford Trafzer, Professor of History, UC RiversideFebruary 1 “Marshal South Rides Again” with Diana Lindsay, Author March 1April 5

20 760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

Ace Hotel, Palm Springs:

June 24 “Stories of Willie Boy: Through a Literary Lens” with Ruth NolanJuly 22 “Joshua Tree: Mystery and Myth” with Chris ClarkeAugust 26 “The Mojave Project” with Kim Stringfellow

"Birds of Ancient Lake Cahuilla" with Kurt Leuschner, Professor of Natural SciencesTBA

Meet Our New Instructors

21

When people ask Tanya Petrovna, “Are you a strict vegetarian?” she re-plies, “No, I’m a fun vegetarian!” The visionary behind the Native Foods chain of restaurants, Tanya is known for creating cuisine that is nutritious, organic, compassionate, and delicious.

Mark Jorgensen is a retired superintendent at Anza Borrego Desert State Park, and an authority on Desert Bighorn Sheep. His credentials also in-clude work with the Bighorn Institute, and The Desert Bighorn Council. Mark has recently released a book, along with Jeff Young (photographer), titled “Desert Bighorn Sheep: Wilderness Icon,” through Sunbelt Publish-ing.

Jim Cornett received B.A. and M.S. degrees in biology. He is the former curator of natural history for the Palm Springs Desert Museum. He has published over 150 scientific and popular articles, as well as over twenty books on a variety of desert subjects. He is the author of Desert Palm Oasis, Desert Bighorn Sheep, Desert Snakes, and Desert Lizards, among other books, published by Nature Trails Press.

Cassandra Davis is a certified Hatha instructor. Having practiced and studied for several years, including time in India as well as Peru, she has extensive experience in a wide variety of yoga styles. As a certified personal trainer working towards a PhD in Holistic nutrition, she has a well-rounded knowledge of physiology and yoga philosophy.

760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

De Karlen is a naturalist, hiking and desert guide with Desert Adventures. Previously, she worked as an Interpretive Park Ranger in Yosemite National Park so she truly enjoys sharing her knowledge about the wonders and processes of our natural world.

Christian Delich is a National Park Service Ranger who spends his “off time” crawling around the famed Wonderland of Rocks while honing skills as an amateur geologist.

Kevin Powell has spent forty-four years hiking, rock climbing, photographing and exploring within Joshua Tree National Park. His first book, Classic Day Hikes of Joshua Tree Park will be available this fall.

22

Desert Institute InstructorsCYNTHIA ANDERSON has a BA in Marine Mammal Biology form UC Santa Cruz and an MS in Natural Resources/Wildlife Biology from Humboldt State University and she has been working as a field biologist and environmental educator for more than 30 years. Her teaching experience includes students from a wide variety of ages and diverse backgrounds, from K-12 graders, community college students and CA Conservation Corps crew members.

MISHA ASKREN is an outings leader for the Sierra Club and is an instructor in the Wilderness Travel Course. He leads trips that are “off-trail” in the wilderness in the Sierras, the San Gabriels and in Joshua Tree.

DON CHAMBERS has been hiking, climbing and taking pictures in Joshua Tree and throughout the west for 45 years. His early interest in the outdoors led him to an MS in Geography. He was a naturalist in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest for the USFS, taught geology of the National Parks at Valley College and Cal Poly, and for the last 36 years has been the manager of consulting services at ESRI..

JIM CORNETT has been studying desert fan palm oases for 25 years with more than three dozen technical papers published on palm oasis ecology. For 30 years he was Curator and Director of Natural Sciences at the Palm Springs Desert Museum. He holds B.A. and M.S. degrees in biology and lives in Palm Springs, California.

CASSANDRA DAVIS is a certified Hatha instructor. Having practiced and studied for several years, including time in India as well as Peru, she has extensive experience in a wide variety of yoga styles. As a certified personal trainer working towards a PhD in Holistic nutrition, she has a well-rounded knowledge of physiology and yoga philosophy.

CHRISTIAN DELICH, B.S. Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Resources. In 2011, Christian accepted his first term position with the National Park Service at Joshua Tree National Park. Since then, Christian has spent his time crawling around the famed Wonderland of Rocks while honing skills as an amateur geologist.

CRAIG FUCILE, B.A., Physical Geography, teaches photography for University of California, Riverside Extension. A longtime instructor, Fucile has taught numerous photography workshops in western landscapes that he enjoys photographing including: Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Eastern Mojave, Owens Valley, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Anza-Borrego, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia.

LAURIE GREEN is a Certified Interpretive Guide and a First Aid Trainer for Riverside County Fire and she is the Desert Institute First Aid Trainer for the volunteer staff.

WILLIAM HAYES, PhD, Zoology and Physiology, Professor of Biology, Loma Linda University. Hayes specializes in the ecology of venoms and venomous animals, behavioral ecology

and conservation of lizards, and behavioral ecology, taxonomy, and conservation of birds. He has published numerous works, taught and organized conferences and workshops, and has given multiple television contributions. Hayes currently teaches classes in behavioral ecology, herpetology, ornithology, and conservation.

MARK JORGENSEN has been intrigued by desert bighorn sheep since he was 11 years old and has spent five decades studying and pursuing them throughout their range. He became a State Park Ranger for California State Parks after four summers studying desert bighorn for Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in southern California. He went on to become the last Park Naturalist for California State Parks at Anza-Borrego, as well as a Resource Ecologist, and he finished his 36-year park career as the Superintendent of Anza-Borrego. He is the author of the book “Desert Bighorn Sheep: Wilderness Icon”.

DE KARLEN is a naturalist, hiking and desert guide with Desert Adventures. Previously, De worked as an Interpretative Park Ranger in Yosemite National Park, so she truly enjoys sharing her knowledge about the wonders and processes of our natural world.

LEW KINGMAN is a retired fire fighter and worked for the Palm Springs Desert Museum as a hike leader for 8 years. He volunteers with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue for 25 years and Joshua Tree National Park as an archaeological site steward and a “lead” field class leader for the Desert Institute.

TOR LACY, M.S., Geology, is a tenured instructor at Cerritos College teaching Physical Geology, Introduction to Earth Science, Geology of the Western National Parks and Monuments, Natural History of Southern California and Field Methods of the Earth Sciences.

KURT LEUSCHNER, M.S., Wildlife Ecology, Professor of Natural Resources, College of the Desert. Leuschner’s specialties include ornithology, entomology, and desert ecology. He has led hundreds of field trips both locally and as far afield as Africa. He teaches natural history courses for the Bureau of Land Management, UCR Extension, the Desert Institute, the Living Desert, California State Parks, Riverside County Parks, and many other conservation organizations

REBECCA LOWRY, trained as an architect, has been pursuing an independent fine art practice since 2003. A native of Northern California, Rebecca lived nearly a decade in Boston, Massachusetts, where she earned degrees at Boston University and Harvard’s Design School. While living in Zurich, Switzerland, time spent working at the firm of Herzog & de Meuron strongly influenced her engagement in visual art. She now makes her home in Los Angeles. Her work has been shown throughout Los Angeles and abroad. Rebecca teaches periodically on art and architecture at a variety of Southern California institutions.

DIANE McCLARY graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington with a major in teaching and art and studied with the well-known impressionist artist Sergei Bongart.

760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

Her paintings are distinguished by her unique use of color. She has taught workshops nationally, in Washington, California, and Florida, as well as demonstrated for various art groups. Her studio and gallery is located in La Quinta, California.

DANIEL McCARTHY, M.S., Anthropology, has worked at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and throughout Southern California compiling photographic inventories of the rock art of this region. He is the Director of the Cultural Resources Management Department with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. His research interests include desert archaeology, aboriginal trail systems, and rock art.

DENNIS MAMMANA, M.S., Astronomy, has delivered the wonder and mystery of the cosmos to audiences for over three decades. A nationally syndicated newspaper columnist with Creators Syndicate and author of six books on popular astronomy, Mammana is also an accomplished night sky photographer and invited member of TWAN—an international team of the most highly acclaimed sky photographers on the planet. 

RALPH NORDSTROM has had several careers in education, along the way teaching the full gamut from pre-school to adult, and handicapped to gifted. Branching into photographic workshops was a very natural path for him. His philosophy on workshops is simple: They are successful when the attendees return home with a few great photographs and feeling that they have expanded what he likes to call their “Creative Vocabulary”, that is, their ability to express themselves through their photography.

TANYA PETROVNA was the visionary founder, chef, CEO of the all plant-based eatery, Native Foods Café. It all began in Palm Springs, California in 1994 and though she has not been with her company since 2012, her loyal patrons still stay in touch, visit her classes and follow her adventures! Chef Tanya currently resides in Palm Springs, California where she teaches Iyengar yoga, writes, saves cats, dogs and elephants, and is working on the next big thing.

KEVIN POWELL was intrigued at an early age by the quiet complexity of this desert playground. Local author and photographer, Kevin Powell has spent forty four years hiking, rock climbing, photographing and exploring within Joshua Tree National Park. His first book, Classic Day Hikes of Joshua Tree Park will be available this fall.

TED REEVES, B.A., Geology, taught sciences at Chaffey High School for 37 years. He is presently teaching for University of the Pacific and believes that a relevant Natural History class requires an outdoor experience. In 2000, he received the National Association of Geology Teachers Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award.

STEFANIE RITTER was awarded an M. S. degree from the Technical University in Braunschweig, Germany, specializing in zoology, botany, and genetics. She has taught Biology at Copper Mountain College and presently holds the position of Museum Coordinator for the Hi-Desert Nature Museum where she is responsible for all educational programs. Ritter has also taught geography, ecology, and botany for National University at the Twentynine Palms

Campus.

JOHN SCAHILL, M.F.A., Illustration. Art has always had a great influence on John’s life. He draws, paints, and creates any chance he gets. John earned a BFA with honors in illustration from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. After a brief stay at Norton Simon museum John gave teaching a try in a private art studio. He fell in love with it and has taught Beginning Drawing, Watercolor/ Mixed Media, and Painting 1 & 2 at Mount San Jacinto College. As a freelance illustrator the artist has earned an MFA through the Academy of Art in San Francisco.

DIANA SHAY-DIEHL, M.ED., has over 25 years of teaching experience from kindergarten to graduate level college education courses. Her love of using photography to capture the nuances of life has been a life-long adventure beginning with formal training in black and white film processing and continuing into digital work that uses alternative printing methods, such as cyanotypes, platinum, palladium, and digital film negative and polaroid transfers, all learned and practiced in Italy, all over California, and the Pacific Northwest.

JIM SMART developed an interest in photography some fifty years ago when he took a high school course and made a pinhole camera, shot with a Speed Graflex, and took surfing photographs in Hermosa Beach with a 35mm Pentax. Jim teaches university courses in Communication Studies and English, including basic and college-level English courses, journalism, journalistic photography and online journalism. www.jimsmartphotography.com

JASON THEUER, Ph.D., Anthropology, is the Cultural Resources Chief at Joshua Tree National Park. He attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX where he earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in Anthropology with a specialization in Archaeology. He has worked for the National Park Service in a variety of researcher, seasonal, temporary, and term positions since 2002 at Petrified Forest National Park, El Malpais National Monument, El Moro National Monument, and the Northeast Regional Archeology Program.

CANDICE WEBER, M.A., is an adjunct professor of natural resources at College of the Desert, teaching courses in Conservation and G.I.S. and leading students abroad to the cloud forests of CostaRica. She majored in environmental studies and has extensiveexperience working with animals of all kinds (wild and domestic),including many years as a zookeeper and animal trainer at theLiving Desert, the Long Beach Aquarium, and other marine parks.For the past 14 years she has resided in the Coachella Valley andnow considers the desert her home.

23

Desert Institute Instructors

760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

Class Registration FormYou may register for a course by phone, fax, mail, or online at www.joshuatree.org. Before participating in any of the field activities provided by the Desert Institute, and as a condition to being accepted for such activities, you must sign, for yourself and, if applicable, for your minor child who is a participant, a waiver and release of claims, including of negligence, arising from your or the minor’s enrollment or participation.

NAME(S)

ADDRESS

CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE

EMAIL ADDRESS

CELL PHONE

Check here if you would like to receive Desert Institute information and updates on merchandise, lec-tures, classes, and custom-designed programming via email. We do not share your contact information without your prior approval.

Membership InformationCurrent JTNPA/PINE/OSHER membership qualifies me for a $10 discount on every Desert Institute class

(please fill in organization name, see page 25 for PINE list)

I am a current member of JTNPA!

I would like to renew my membership or join

I am a member of a PINE or OSHER organization

PAYMENT BY: CHECK AMERICAN EXPRESS DISCOVER MASTERCARD VISA

Name on credit card

Authorized Signature

DATE CLASS NAME FEE CREDIT FEE TOTAL

Membership Fee

Material Fee(s)

Total Enclosed

Security V-Code

PHONE

How did you hear about us?

Credit card # Exp. date

24

Please make checks payable to: Joshua Tree National Park Association

760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

RegiStRationYou may register by phone, fax, mail, or on-line at www.joshuatree.org. Please register early, our classes have limited sizes. You may also register using the registration form found on page 24.

Course INformaTIoN PaCkeTUpon receipt of your registration, we will send you a course itinerary, map, enrollment confirmation/entrance fee waiver, and information on clothing and equipment needs. Local lodging and camping information is available upon request.

CaNCellaTIoN PolICyIf you need to cancel, please 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.

WaiveR anD ReLeaSe oF CLaiMSBefore participating in any of the field activities provided by the Desert Institute, and as a condition to being accepted for such activities, you must sign, for yourself and for your minor child who is a participant, a waiver and release of claims, including of negligence, arising from your or the minor’s enrollment or participation. Your information is confidential. Participants must provide their own health and accident insurance. Please obtain a doctor’s clearance if you have any condition that may impact your ability to participate in a class.

DiSCountSThere is a $10 discount per class for JTNPa, osHer or PINe members, including those who join when they register. PINE organizations are listed on this page. Discounts may not be combined.

safeTy, INsuraNCe, & PHysICal fITNessEvery effort is made to ensure safety on Desert Institute courses. However, participants are responsible for their own safety and accident insurance. JTNPA does not accept responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged property or any bodily injury incurred during the courses. You must sign a liability waiver in order to participate in the courses. Participants must be in good physical condition for courses/activities in a desert that may be hot, dry, windy, and sometimes surprisingly cold.

CHIlDreN aND PeTsOur courses are designed for adults. An adult must accompany children under 16; the minimum age is 14. The Family Programs are for children in grades 4, 5 and 6. Due to federal regulations, pets are not allowed on courses or waiting in unattended in vehicles.

aCaDeMiC CReDitCredit is available from University of California, Riverside Extension. Optional credit courses are marked by the symbol found on page 3. The number of units are listed with each class. Credit fees are listed separately from noncredit fees. Credit units are based on a quarter system. Credit students may be required to successfully complete assignments or exams. Teachers may apply for Professional Career Development through their school district.

CamPINg & Park INformaTIoNMost camping in the park is available on a first come, first serve basis. There are two campgrounds, Indian Cove and Black Rock Canyon, that are available for reservations. You may reserve campsites on your own by calling 1-877-444-6777, on-line at www.recreation.gov, or through the Desert Institute at 760-367-5535. Campground fees will apply. Participants are responsible for their own accommodations and food. Visit the park website at www.nps.gov/jotr or the JTNPA website at www.joshuatree.org for more information.

WeaTHer, CloTHINg, aND equIPmeNTCourses are held rain or shine. We reserve the right to change the course itinerary due to weather or other conditions. Students should be prepared for a variety of desert weather conditions, including cold and windy days. Appropriate clothing, footwear, and sun protection are very important. Clothing and equipment needs will be identified in the course outline. Be prepared - bring plenty of water!

General Information

Anza Borrego Desert Natural History AssociationDesert Institute at Joshua Tree National ParkHidden Valley Wildlife AreaHi-Desert Nature MuseumIdyllwild Nature CenterNatural Science Collaborative of the Desert RegionRancho Santa Ana Botanic GardenRim of the World Interpretive AssociationRiverside-Corona Resource Conservation DistrictSan Bernardino County Museum AssociationSan Bernardino National Forest AssociationSan Bernardino Valley Audubon SocietySan Gorgonio Wilderness AssociationSierra Club, San Gorgonio ChapterTheodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native PlantsVolunteers of the Angeles National Forest

25760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

From Los Angeles: Take Interstate 10 East to Highway 62 to Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree or Twentynine Palms. You may enter Joshua Tree National Park through the North Entrance, Utah Trail, Twentynine Palms (south from 62); West Entrance, Park Blvd., Joshua Tree (south from 62); or the South Entrance at Cottonwood (take Interstate 10, Exit 168 north.)

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, Morongo Valley: Turn southeast off Highway 62 onto East Drive. Turn left into the Preserve.

Black Rock Visitor Center, at Black Rock Canyon Campground, Yucca Valley: From Highway 62, take Joshua Lane going south, right turn at intersection onto San Marino Dr; turn left onto Black Rock Canyon Rd; turn right into the visitor center parking lot.

Cottonwood Visitor Center: Take Exit 168 north off Interstate 10 and turn right into the visitor center parking lot.

Joshua Tree Visitor Center, Joshua Tree: From Highway 62, take Park Blvd. south and turn right into visitor center.

Oasis Visitor Center, Twentynine Palms: Turn south off Highway 62 onto National Park Drive and turn right into visitor center.

Palm Desert Campus of CSUSB: exit Highway 10 at Cook Street, turn South, turn right on Berger Road to the campus.

26 760-367-5535 joshuatree.org

Photography by Kevin Wong and credited photographers.

Volunteer OpportunitiesCombine your passion for the Joshua Tree National Park and education by

joining the Desert Institute volunteer team. We are recruiting candidates for the following program:

Field Class Representatives - training to be held on August 26 - 28, 2016

Please call 760-367-5539 for more information on volunteer programs with the Desert Institute.

We offer one-day and multi-day programs in the park, and many of the multi-day classes offer a camp-ing option with the instructor and other participants. Look for the icon to take advantage of this option. If you would prefer to stay in a convenient motel or a “Bed and Breakfast”, please contact us for a complete list of lodging in the Joshua Tree Gateway Communities.

Photo by David Muench

Photo by Jim Jebbia

Photo by Richard Arnold

Welcome to Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park

Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park74485 National Park Dr.Twentynine Palms, CA 92277760-367-5535joshuatree.org

Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 5

29 PALMS, CA

Joshua Tree National Park Association is a not-for-profit organization formed to assist with preservation, education, historical, and scientific programs for the benefit of Joshua Tree National Park and its visitors.

Join The Adventure

Follow us and share images and ideas!

Address Service Requested