Naturalist Training -Jan.7-12 class series about the Santa Susana Mountains and Simi Hills.

Organized by Foundation for the Preservation of the Santa Susana Mountains

P.O. Box 4831 Chatsworth,CA 91313 FPSSM.org

These Classes are required only if you want to become a Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park Volunteer Docent or a Hike Leader, but you do not have to become one you may just want to learn about our hills.

HOW MUCH: $50 for entire series; $15 per class (drop-ins)

HOW OFTEN: 12 session series-Saturdays

WHAT TIME: Each session runs from 9:00 AM – 1:00PM

WHERE:Depends upon the session (see below)

January 7.Basics of Interpretation: held at Rockpointe

This session corresponds to the current session taught by State Park Ranger Jennifer Dandurand

January 21. Native Americans – A Day in the Life in the Santa Susanas:

Presenter will be Alan Salazar Native American -Tatavian elder held at Rockpointe

January 28. -Plants in the Santa Susanas: held at Rockpointe
Presenters will be local native plant specialists Teena Takata and Ann Vincent

February 4. - Archaeology and Geology of the Santa Susanas:
will be held 1/2 at Rockpointe & 1/2 in the State Park-SSPSHP

Presenter will be Barbara Tejada- California State Park Archeologist

February 18. All Aboard! The Stagecoach Trail. held at Rockpointe

Take a ride on the Butterfield Line past the De la Osa swing station and
on up the Devil’s Slide and right on through every western you (or your
parents) ever saw as a kid:

Presenters will be Bob Dager and Ray Vincent

February 25. - Oak Trees of the Santa Susanas: held at Rockpointe & SSPSHP

Presenter will be Rosi Dagit Oak tree Expert

March 4. - Birds of the Santa Susanas: held at Rockpointe

Presenters
will be Frank Hoffman (Placerita Canyon Nature Center)

and Art Langton (San Fernando Valley Audubon Society)

March 11. - Critters of the Santa Susanas: held at Rockpointe

Presenters
will be Sharon Shingai (Southwest herpetology society), and

Cathy Schoonmaker from the National Park Service .

March 18. - Hike Leading Basics: The first part will be at
Rockpointe and the second part will be in the SSPSHP Presenters will be Jennifer Dandurand, Dr.Elizabeth Harris and John Luker. John will demonstrate Hike Leading 101 provide on-the-spot interpretation.

March 25 - Hike Leading Practice Part I: Andora entrance to the SSPSHP.

SSPSHP Hike leaders will take students on the first half of the Andora Welcome Walk Loop and stop at each interpretive “talking point.” Students will have ample time to take notes.

April 1 - Hike Leading Practice Part II: Andora entrance to the SSPSHP

SSPSHP hike leaders will take students on the second half of Andora
Welcome Walk Loop and stop at each interpretive “talking point.”

Students will have ample time to takenotes.

April 8 - Practice/Graduation:Andora entrance to the SSPHP

Students will get to demonstrate their interpretive skill of choice

(e.g.,roving interpreter, ed center demo, hike leader story) out in the
SSPSHP.

A California DPR designate will provide feedback.

Afterwards,graduation will be held at the Andora entrance to SSPSHP.