Course Overview

These courses have two main objectives:

1. To help participants identify key wetland plant species in and around the California region where each session takes place.
2. To teach the fundamentals of plant keying, a valuable skill that can be applied anywhere.

Across the three course locations, participants will become familiar with many common plant species found in or near California wetlands. You can register for a single course or receive a discount when signing up for two or more sessions.

Course Structure

Classroom Sessions
Participants will be introduced to the Families, Genera, and Species commonly found in the selected region. Instruction will also cover the use of web-based resources and floral keys for plant identification. Since keying plants requires an understanding of plant anatomy and specialized terminology, these topics will be a major focus of the classroom portion.

Field Sessions
Hands-on learning will take place in various wetland habitats, including vernal pools, seasonal and perennial freshwater marshes, and riparian areas. Additional habitats covered in each region include:

• San Diego – Salt marsh, sage scrub, and chaparral
• Folsom & Santa Rosa – Valley/foothill and coastal (Santa Rosa), grassland, and woodland

This course is highly relevant for wetland delineations, the California Rapid Assessment Method (CRAM), and other species-based field studies.

Each participant will receive California Plant Families West of the Sierran Crest and Deserts, along with other course materials. Additionally:

• San Diego participants will receive Wildflowers of Orange County and the Santa Ana Mountains and Environs.
• Folsom & Santa Rosa participants will receive Plants of Northern California: A Field Guide to Plants West of the Sierra Nevada.

24 contact hours / Instructors: Sward and Stringer

Single Region Tuition Cost:

$850.00

Course tuition when you take two course locations: $1,600

Course tuition when you take all three course locations: $2,400

COVID-19 Precautions

In light of state and national COVID-19 guidelines, WTI has developed plans to provide the safest possible course environment while adhering to social distancing recommendations.  All participants must read, sign, and return our Participant Guidelines and COVID-19 Liability Waiver Form before the start date of your course in order to participate. If you are unable to do this, you will not be allowed to participate in the field course. All WTI course dates will continue to be contingent on CDC and State recommendations related to COVID-19 and social distancing requirements.

Frequently asked Questions

Register Now by Course Location

Dates and Location for Plant Identification in California: