Introduction to the Mojave Desert Tortoise
We are planning to offer the full introductory course including two half days of online lectures (Friday PM October 25 and Saturday AM October 26, 2024), a brief online quiz, and a full day of fieldwork in Ridgecrest CA on EITHER Friday November 1 or Saturday November 2. Completion of all parts plus an online course evaluation will be required to receive certification.
Those who completed a lecture series without a field experience will need to register for the whole course; there would be no difference in price, there are updates, and the review will support the field experience.
- The lectures will be on Zoom, Oct 25, 12 to 5 PM and October 26 from 9 AM to 2 PM, PDT.
- There will be a brief, online quiz to complete before attending a field workshop.
- A Field Workshop is required to complete the course and will be given in the field in Ridgecrest CA for one day, EITHER Nov 1 or 2.
- There will be an online evaluation to prepare prior to receiving the certification letters.
Each person will register for the lecture series plus the field day of their choice along with the lectures. There will be 4 choices for registration for the full course and an early and late registration period with different fees. Please be sure you select the correct one.
The online lecture course will be available to audit for personal information without any certification or other recognition of attendance.
Details will follow.
Online Lecture Course
The lectures will be on two half days (not available individually) online via Zoom.
This online lecture course includes specific information about the biology, ecology, habitat preferences, life history, and health of the Mojave Desert Tortoise as well as presentation of the threats this species faces today. We will introduce how we do field surveys and tortoise handling and discuss the permits and authorizations that are required from various agencies. This course is designed for wildlife biologists, zoologists, natural resource specialists, wildlife managers, land managers and recreation specialists and may be useful for teachers, students, professionals working with the public, and the general public.
Please be prepared to use Zoom for the lectures and, be sure you use your full name and stay logged in during the entire session. Be sure you have a good internet connection and use a computer, not a phone or tablet. Chrome and Microsoft Edge are excellent. Safari and Firefox are usually OK. Do not use Internet Explorer. Download the free Zoom app ahead of time. By registering you agree not to share your course access code with anyone else. Be prepared to remain online for the entire program, we will be checking.
Field Workshop – Ridgecrest, CA
Duplicate registrations will be cancelled.
Prerequisites: Completion of the online lecture course and the online quiz.
The morning demonstrations will cover identification of sign of desert tortoise and other desert species, and types and construction of tortoise-proof fencing. There will be a brief lunch break on site. The first afternoon demonstration will be how to process a desert tortoise. The final activity will be to walk a 1-kilometer transect, learning how to detect and record tortoises and sign. We hope for interactive sessions with many questions.
This workshop will be held in the field, outdoors only, with appropriate CDC recommended protocols for masking and social distancing. By registering you agree to comply with all COVID protocols — specific protocols will be determined according to the CDC advice available at the time. All instructors will be fully vaccinated.
You will need:
- to be well. Anyone arriving and showing signs of illness will be required to leave the workshop and their fees will be forfeited. Vaccinations are strongly advised but we will not be checking COVID vaccination status.
- appropriate clothing for outdoor work and for walking transects. The weather is unpredictable in early November and could be hot and dry or cold, windy, and rainy. We recommend layers.
- sturdy shoes or hiking boots, a hat, and sunscreen.
- your own water bottle, snacks, and a sack lunch.
- the map to the site, and all of the other handouts and data sheets that will be sent to you as pdf files prior to the workshop. Please print them out and bring them.
- a clipboard, pencil and pen.
- to complete an online course evaluation prior to receiving certification by US Mail.
- to arrange for lodging and meals — Ridgecrest has many inexpensive motels and restaurants.
Thank you for reading carefully. Email us at email hidden; JavaScript is required with any questions or concerns.