Travel   

We are back to our travels! However, many people will not travel unless they book a tour, take a cruise, or travel with a friend who knows the destination. Travel & tourism is the world’s fastest growing industry. Learn how to earn income as a tour director. Work part-time or full-time leading tours for major companies. Plus, learn how to get a FREE tour by promoting trips for tour companies or putting together trips on your own for friends, family or groups. Work for a company or learn how to start your own business. Instructor Gina Henry leads tours worldwide for major tour companies as well as her own tour business of 30 years. Tuition includes a digital book "Get Paid To Be a Tour Guide & Travel Free."

Age range: 18+

We will venture to Oakland Harbor Shoreline Park, a 38-acre park with a bay side tidal mudflat, to study and observe the spring shorebirds as they transition into breeding plumage prior to commencing spring migration to northern breeding grounds. This study is ideal for all levels of birding. Beginning birders: come and build your birding skills!

Age Range: These classes are designed for those 11+ (parents can accompany their children) and seniors.

Location: This course is held in-person, offsite at Middle Harbor Shoreline, Oakland CA. Specific meeting location information will be distributed to attendees prior to the start of class. Rain cancels the trip. No pets allowed.

About your guide: Rich Cimino was on the conservation chair for Ohlone Audubon and a past member of the California State stakeholder committee on permitting the Altamont Pass Wind Turbine Resource area. He also volunteered for the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory for twelve years. Moreover, Rich is the creator of the Eastern Alameda County Christmas Bird Count and the owner and field trip leader of Yellowbilledtours.com

Discover the rich natural and cultural heritage of the East Bay Hills and Mount Diablo Range in this California Naturalist course. Through a blend of online classes with guest lectures, and in-person field trips, participants explore the region’s diverse habitats—from oak woodlands and chaparral to serpentine grasslands—while learning about its geology, ecology, and deep cultural significance to Indigenous peoples. Participants who complete the course are certified as UC California Naturalists and are eligible for 4 undergraduate units through UC Davis.   

Within the framework of the UC Environmental Stewards, this course combines science, service and place-based learning.

You will engage in:

• Science curriculum exploring the geology, soils, hydrology, vegetation communities and wildlife of the East Bay Hills and Mount Diablo;

• Field trips and hands-on investigation at local natural areas in the East Bay hills and Mount Diablo to directly observe and document ecological patterns;

• Guest lectures and community science projects that link you to ongoing conservation, restoration and citizen-science efforts in the region;

• Project-based learning that empowers you to design or participate in stewardship activities—whether monitoring a sensitive species, mapping habitat change, or assisting a local land-trust initiative.
   

By the end of the course, you will not only have gained a strong foundation in the natural history and ecology of this unique California landscape, but you will also be prepared to take an active role in natural resource conservation, education, and restoration.

Age range: 14+

Working remotely is now the thing. Why not add travel into the mix? Join thousands of individuals taking their work with them and hitting the road. Be "location independent". Learn the “how to” of living on the road, remote jobs that can pay your way, where to stay, how to handle your finances, downsizing & more. Instructor Gina Henry has been a digital nomad for the last seven years and highly recommends the digital nomad lifestyle as remote work has become even more popular during and after COVID. Tuition includes a digital book "Work Remotely and Become a Digital Nomad" (valued at $39.95). 

Age range: 18+

The World Migratory Bird Day is held on the second Saturday in May of every year and inspires the community to celebrate and help protect our amazing birds. Celebrate this day with Rich at Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton; he will do a real-time, on-site tutorial of the eBird App by Cornell Lab; it is an easy and free way to record your field findings and allows the community to contribute to Cornell University’s annual species population survey. Also, Rich will help enter you observations in real-time into your eBird account so that you can contribute your findings on this important day.

What to Bring: Download the free eBird App in advance, binoculars, hat, layered clothing, comfortable shoes, insect repellant, sunscreen, and water.

• Apple eBird App Download Information
• Android eBird App Download Information

Age Range: These classes are designed for young adults 11 and over (parents can accompany their children) and seniors.    

Location: Shadow Cliffs East Bay Regional Park, Pleasanton CA. Parking lot directly behind the entry pay booth. Entry Fee for Shadow Cliffs is $6.00. Students are responsible for this fee. Specific meeting location to the field site will be distributed to attendees.