How-To Identify Animal Burrows (UCRX, 1 unit)

 Become a desert detective! This course reveals the animals who use burrows — from holes to mounds — to weather climatic extremes, hide from predators, and hunt for food. 

• This class is held at Black Rock, with the classroom portion taking place in the Black Rock Nature Center education room.
• Anyone may attend! No expertise or experience is required.
• No park pass is required.
• Participants earn 1 unit toward a Desert Ecology & Conservation Certificate (see below).
• No meals or equipment are provided.

This class is leisurely. It requires less than 2 miles of walking with shade, seating, consistent terrain, and little to no elevation gain.

Participants earn 1 unit toward a Desert Ecology & Conservation Certificate. Eligible Desert Institute classes can be taken for fun or for credit toward a certificate. To earn the certificate, you must complete 12 units of eligible classes within three years. We offer a variety of classes each season! The certificate is available through UCR Extension. You do not need to be a current student in any academic program to earn the certificate. Units do not contribute to any academic degree.

Instructor Candice Weber: 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 Costa Rica.  Raised in rural Ohio, she lived and worked in a sanctuary for rescued animals.  She majored in environmental studies and had extensive experience working with animals of all kinds (wild and domestic), including many years as a zookeeper and animal trainer at the Living Desert, the Long Beach Aquarium, and other marine parks.  For the past 15 years she has resided in the Coachella Valley and now considers the desert her home.

Instructor Kurt Leuschner: Kurt Leuschner, M.S., Wildlife Ecology, is a Professor of Natural Resources at 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.

Photo credit: NPS/Carmen Aurrecoechea