Become an ACS-OC Certified Naturalist

Love whales? This is a great chance to learn more about whales, dolphins, and other cetaceans!  

ACS-OC Naturalist
Certification Course

The American Cetacean Society Orange County Chapter (ACS-OC) will not be offering its naturalist course for 2026/2027. Our sponsor at Orange Coast College is on sabbatical this year and we are taking the opportunity to do the same. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to returning for the 2027/2028 season!
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In the meantime, please check out these courses offered by our ACS sister chapters:
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Local/In-Person:
ACS Los Angeles Chapter
Cabrillo Whalewatch Training Program
Tuesday evenings | October 6, 2026 – March 2027
Register here: acs-la.org/whale-watching
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Online:
ACS San Francisco Bay Chapter
The Marine Wildlife of the Gulf of the Farallones
Wednesday evenings | September 9 – October 21, 2026
Register here: acs-sfbay.org/online-course
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Stay up to date on our future lecture series and naturalist courses by joining our mailing list here.

Help represent ACS-OC
Certified Naturalists can represent ACS-OC on board whale-watching vessels, at schools and at other venues.
Next sessions begin January 2024
  • 11 week hybrid course (alternating Zoom / in-person at Orange Coast College)
  • Thursday evenings @ 7 PM
  • Required national ACS membership fee: $35 (naturalist student price)
  • Course fee is waived for Orange Coast College students and discounted for whale watch company employees! Fee for current naturalists wishing to complete a refresher course is $50.
  • Course fee: $175 includes:
    • ACS-OC Marine Mammal Naturalist Certification after successful completion of final exam.
    • Official ACS-OC badge with name and naturalist title.
    • Unlimited access to lecture recordings and course materials.
    • Celebratory graduation whale watch trip with all your new ACS-OC friends! Free for you with option to bring friends and family!
Contact us below for more info and get started.
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group of ACS-OC naturalists on a boat next to dolphins

ACS-OC Graduating Classes

Congratulations to our Certified Naturalists!

Class of 2026

Naturalist graduating class of 2024

Spring 2025

Naturalist graduating class of 2024

Spring 2024

ACS-OC Fall/Winter 2023 Naturalist Program Graduates

Fall/Winter 2023

ACS-OC Fall/Winter 2023 Naturalist Program Graduates

Fall 2022

Group photo of ACS-OC Naturalist Graduates, Class of Fall 2021

Fall 2021

Group photo of ACS-OC Naturalist Graduates, Class of Fall 2019

Fall 2019

Group photo of ACS-OC Naturalist Graduates, Class of Spring 2019

Spring 2019

Group photo of ACS-OC Naturalist Graduates, Class of Spring 2018

Spring 2018

Group photo of ACS-OC Naturalist Graduates, Class of Summer 2017

Summer 2017

Group photo of the 2016 Spring class, ACS-OC Naturalists

Spring 2016

Join and support the mission of ACS-OC to protect cetaceans.

Join an elite organization that consists of marine biologists, conservationists, and citizens scientists that support the efforts of the world first cetacean conservation organization.

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