Become an ACS-OC Certified Naturalist
Love whales? This is a great chance to learn more about whales, dolphins, and other cetaceans!
2024 ACS-OC Naturalist Certification Course
Registration is now closed.
The American Cetacean Society is the first non-profit conservation group anywhere devoted to cetaceans - whales, dolphins, and porpoises. By completing our certification course, naturalists can represent ACS-OC aboard whale-watching vessels, at schools, special events, and other venues.
The 11-session class will take place as a hybrid model on Thursdays, January 4th - March 14th, 2024, from 7-9 p.m. In-person sessions will occur at Orange Coast College (OCC) in the Lewis Center. All other sessions will meet virtually via Zoom.
The American Cetacean Society is the first non-profit conservation group anywhere devoted to cetaceans - whales, dolphins, and porpoises. By completing our certification course, naturalists can represent ACS-OC aboard whale-watching vessels, at schools, special events, and other venues.
The 11-session class will take place as a hybrid model on Thursdays, January 4th - March 14th, 2024, from 7-9 p.m. In-person sessions will occur at Orange Coast College (OCC) in the Lewis Center. All other sessions will meet virtually via Zoom.
Class dates:
- January 4th Defining Our Whales (In-person @ OCC)
- January 11th Cetacean Behaviors (In-person @ OCC)
- January 18th Baleen Whale Recognition (In-person @ OCC)
- January 25th General ACS Chapter Meeting (On Zoom)
- February 1st Toothed Whale Recognition (In-person @ OCC)
- February 8th Gray Whales (In-person @ OCC)
- February 15th Pinnipeds (In-person @ OCC)
- February 22nd General ACS Chapter Meeting (On Zoom)
- February 29th Seabirds and Coastal History (In-person @ OCC)
- March 7th Humans and Whales (In-person @ OCC)
- March 14th Becoming a Naturalist & Final Test (In-person @ OCC)
- March 16th POSSIBLE Graduation Celebratory Whale Watch Trip!
ACS-OC Graduating Classes
Congratulations to our Certified Naturalists!
Spring 2024
Fall/Winter 2023
Fall 2022
Fall 2021
Fall 2019
Spring 2019
Spring 2018
Summer 2017
