Joshua Tree National Park in autumn

Joshua Tree National Park, November, 2008

The Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park--September field class schedule

September Field Class Schedule:
To register for classes please go to www.joshuatree.org or click here.

Discover the Milky Way
Warm September nights are a perfect time to explore the summer Milky Way. David Chappell will lead participants on a tour of the stars, clusters, and nebulae that reside along the galactic plane in this field class.
Dates/Times: Saturday, September 19, 2 pm - 10 pm
Meet at: Oasis Visitor Center, 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA
Fee: $60 ($50 for JTNPA/PINE members)

Summer Annual Wildflower Wanderings
Did you know that wildflowers can be abundant each fall? Summer annuals will bloom in September with enough rainfall. Desert Naturalist, Darrell Shade will saturate your senses with these unique fall blossoms that occur in Joshua Tree National Park in this one-day field class.
Dates/Times: Sunday, September 20, 7 am - 1:30 pm
Meet at: Oasis Visitor Center, 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA
Fee: $60 ($50 for JTNPA/PINE members)

Insects and Other Arthropods of the Morongo Basin
(UCR optional credit - Entomology x405, 1.5 units)
Did you know that insects can survive in temperatures of over 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade with little to no water? Kurt Leuschner will explore the lives of the largest group of animals in the world through an in-depth study of insect anatomy, survival traits, habitats, and behaviors.
Dates/Times: Friday, September 25, 7 pm - 9 pm;
Saturday, September 26, 8:30 am - 2:30 pm and 6 pm - 9 pm
Sunday, September 27, 8 am - 12 pm
Meet at: Black Rock Visitor Center, 9800 Black Rock Canyon Rd., Yucca Valley, CA
Credit Fee: $210 ($200 for JTNPA/PINE members)
Non-Credit Fee: $135 ($125 JTNPA/PINE members)

Night Sky Photography
If you enjoy photography and are fascinated by the desert night sky, this hands-on course is for you! Dennis Mammana, sky photographer, will teach participants the secret of capturing the desert sky at sunset and dusk, creating time-lapse exposures, moonlight shots, and more.
Dates/Times: Saturday, September 26, 1 pm - 9 pm
Meet at: Oasis Visitor Center, 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA
Fee: $60 ($50 for JTNPA/PINE members)

Old School House Lecture Series, Twentynine Palms
Become a subscriber and save $10 on all ten lectures in the Series. Contact the Desert Institute or visit www.joshuatree.org for more information.

Tales of the Mojave Road - the Military
Dennis Casebier, Historian, Author, Executive Director Mojave Heritage & Cultural History Association
Join historian Dennis Casebier to hear the story of the military men and women who built and manned the forts on the Mojave Road as well as the challenges the soldiers faced to support western migration to the coast.
Location: Old School House Museum, 6760 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Date/Time: September 11, 7 pm
Fee: $5.00 at the door.

The Desert Institute Fall Field Class schedule

Fall 2009 Field Class Schedule

The classes take place in Joshua Tree National Park and the surrounding area. The scenery is inspirational, the autumn weather beautiful and mild. To register click here.

September 19 - Discover the Milky Way
20 - Summer Annual Wildflower Wanderings - NEW!
25 - 27 - Insects & Other Arthropods of the Morongo Basin-NEW!
26 - Night Sky Photography

October 3 & 10 - Native American Style Pottery
4 - Desert Snakes: Fang, Rattle, and More
17 & 18 - Biological Soil Crusts of Joshua Tree National Park
18 - Bighorn Sheep of Joshua Tree National Park - NEW!
24 & 25 - Native American Basket Weaving
24 & 25 - Archaeology of Joshua Tree National Park
31 - Geology of Rattlesnake Canyon
31 & November 1 - Edible Plants of the Desert

November 1 - Native Californian Pigments & Paints

6 & 7 - Photographing the Joshua Tree Landscape
7 - Watercolor Painting in the Park
8 - Drawing the Desert with Pencil and Brush - NEW!
8 - Mystery of the Wonderland of Rocks
14 & 15 - Geology: Creation of the Joshua Tree Landscape
14 - Collage Monotypes in Joshua Tree National Park
20 & 21 - Basic Map & Compass
21 - Explore the Eagle Mountains
21 & 22 - Geology and Paleontology of the Pinto Basin
22 - Advanced Map & Compass

December 5 - Geology of the San Andreas Fault
5 - Basic Desert Survival
6 - Advanced Desert Survival - NEW!
6 - Journey to Cary’s Castle