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Workshops
For information: Workshops@thewildlifeproject.com
Upcoming, current, and recent workshops!
Introductory-level California Red-legged Frog workshop
(We are currently accepting names for the waiting list for the 2025 season)
This new workshop will include a web-based lecture from Jeff Alvarez and Jeff Wilcox (co-leaders of CRLF workshop - level II). It is designed to be an introductory workshop that will cover basic natural history and allow participants to gain new insight into this frog's behavior. A separate field component will include at least 4 hours of field time in occupied habitat where participants will be able to observe and handle California Red-legged Frogs.
Master-level California Red-legged Frog workshop
(Contact us to be placed on the waiting list for 2025)
------Contact: workshops@thewildlifeproject.com to be placed on the waiting list------
This is an on-going workshop (you can join any time) and was developed to expose biologists to a large number of California Red-legged Frogs in at least 3 different counties in California. The workshop is field-based and requires participants to meet at 4 locations in the State over a 12-month period. Participants should expect to handle at least 20 frogs of various life stages and also observe California Red-legged Frog egg masses in the field.
This workshop has been approved by The Wildlife Society to receive 1 Continuing Education Unit (Category I) toward the Certified Wildlife Biologist® Program.
A syllabus and schedule can be obtained by emailing Workshops@thewildlifeproject.com. Our next scheduled meeting date should be mid-February 2021 (frog behavior dependent).
Special-status Herps from California, in Baja California
(SOLD OUT for 2025 and waiting list for 2026 - request to be placed on the list for 2027)
This is a field-oriented workshop that is designed to allow you to see, collect, and handle special-status herps from California, but we conduct it in Baja California. The workshop is offered as a partnership between The Wildlife Project and Conservación de Fauna del Noroeste (a non-profit supporting herps in Baja).
The workshop leaders, both of whom are extremely accomplished herpetologists and great people, will guide you around to see dozens of species of wildlife, most of which are rare in California, but can be handled in Baja. California Red-legged Frogs, Arroyo Toads, Two-striped Garter Snake and many others are common and will be observed.
Accommodations are available at the Meling Ranch and range from camping to cabins. Food can be self-prepared or ordered from the kitchen (authentic Mexican food cooked on a wood stove).
For those that rarely or who have never travelled into Mexico, the group leaders meet in front of Starbucks in Ensenada and will guide you to the site. We will offer you hints on getting through the border (very easy), getting a tourist Visa (very easy), renting a car from Avis (approved to take into Mexico) or taking your own car, or even car-pooling. This is a very safe and easy trip.
In 2021 we found: (*special-status) California Red-legged Frog*, Arroyo Toad*, Western Spadefoot*, Pacific Treefrog, California Treefrog, Western Toad, Black-tailed Brush Lizard, Coast Horned Lizard*, Legless Lizard*, Orange-throated Whiptail*, California Glossy Snake*, Red Diamond Rattlesnake*, Baja California Coachwhip*, Two-striped Garter Snake*, Granite Night Lizard, Baja California Spiny Lizard, and even California Condor*. We had a really great group of attendees; this workshop should not be missed! This workshop is a fund-raiser for Fauno.
Bullfrog control measures in California Red-legged Frog habitat
(We are currently accepting names for the waiting list for the 2025 season)
------includes an overnight, with dinner and breakfast included------
In our recent workshop in 2019, we offered hands-on techniques and experience for removing Bullfrogs from creeks and ponds. The workshop included discussions on permitting, pellet rifle selection and use, gig techniques, and use of a Hawaiian sling. Bullfrogs were removed during the workshop. Likely location: Santa Clara County, and Tecate, Baja California, Mexico (for those in Southern California). If you have a third location that we should consider, let us know.
This workshop has been approved by The Wildlife Society to receieve 1 Continuing Education Unit (Category I) toward the Certified Wildlife Biologist® Program.
This workshop fills very fast.
San Francisco Bay Area Amphibians (co-led by David Cook)
------ (COMPLETED for 2023 - Will be offered in Winter 2025) ------
In the past, the lecture portion focused on natural history, habitat associations, and microhabitat components. The field portion focused on visiting habitats with species present, and finding, identifying, and photographing all of the specimens that we find.
Master-level Foothill Yellow legged frog workshop
(We are currently accepting names for the waiting list for the 2025 season)
This new and on-going workshop (you can join any time) was developed to expose biologists to a large number of Foothill Yellow-legged Frogs and their occupied habitat, in at least 3 different counties in California. The workshop will be field-based and will require participants to meet at 4 locations in the State over a 12-month period. Participants should expect to handle at least 10 frogs of various life stages and also observe Foothill Yellow-legged Frog egg masses in the field.
California Tiger Salamander Terrestrial Ecology workshop
(Completed for 2023, next workshop March 2025)
The focus is on the techniques used for terrestrial surveys for CTS. A pitfall fence and traps will be installed on site with your participation. We'll also visit field sites with pitfall arrays, tunnel crossings, and more. Classes generally fill fast, so sign up early through The Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation website.
Rare Pond Species Survey Techniques Workshop
(Completed for 2023, next workshop March 2025)
The focus is on California Tiger Salamander, California Red-legged Frog, and Northwestern and Southwestern pond turtles; field component with handling opportunities is half the workshop; classes generally fill fast, so sign up early through The Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation website.
Central Coast Special-status Herps
(This workshop was completed for 2024, watch for it in April 2025)
Lecture portion focused on natural history, habitat associations, microhabitat components of each special-status amphibian and reptile in the central California coast region. Field portion is focused on visiting habitats with species present and finding, identifying, and photographing all of the specimens that we find.
In 2019 we found: California Red-legged Frog (adults and larvae), Coast Range Newt (and their eggs and larvae), Monterey Ensatina, Black-bellied Slender Salamander, Pacific Treefrog (or chorus frog), Southwestern Pond Turtle, Western Fence Lizard, Western Skink, California Kingsnake, Western Terrestrial Garter Snake. This workshop was co-led by Sam Sweet, PhD, whose experience along the central coast is invaluable. We had a really great group of attendees in previous years; you should catch the next one! Contact the Central Coast Chapter of The Wildlife Society to get on their workshops email list: cccctws@gmail.com. Hint: being a chapter member will help your chances of getting into this workshop.
(Will be offered through the Laguna Foundation in fall 2024)
Our focus includes a lecture portion that discusses select aspects of the natural history of the species, as well as the regulatory context in which we find this species currently. Permits and permitting are discussed. The field component includes all participants walking along an occupied creek where we found, collected, and handled numerous Foothill Yellow-legged Frogs, as well as California Giant Salamander larvae. so sign up early through The Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation website
Pond Turtle Nesting Workshop
(This workshop was completed for 2024; ask to be added to the 2025 list)
Our focus includes a lecture portion that discusses select aspects of the natural history of the species, as well as the regulatory context in which we find this species currently. Permits and permitting are discussed. The field component includes all participants walking along occupied ponds at the Mt View Sanitary District in Martinez, CA, where we will look for and find pond turtle nests, predated nests, incomplete nests, and nesting turtles. We will also discuss the futility of conducting nesting surveys in occupied areas.
Western Spadefoot:
This dedicated workshop will focus on habitat use, general ecology, and natural history. There will be a lecture and field component. This introductory level will be held by The Western Section of The Wildlife Society.
An advanced level workshop is being planned that will be field based. It will include visiting sites in different parts of California to see each life stage of Western Spadefoot.
Rattlesnake Handling:
We planned to offer a Rattlesnake Handling for Biologists, Ranchers, and Outdoor Workers Workshop. However, in support of the Save the Snakes non-profit organization, we would like to recommend their workshop for the safe handling of venomous snakes. Currently they have a level I workshop and are developing a level II. I (Jeff Alvarez) did take the level I workshop and feels that it does offer VERY safe handling techniques for venomous snakes. Additionally, the workshop funds support the goals of the non-profit. To reach their workshop sign up information page, click here (snakes).
For more information and questions about these workshops, or a workshop you would like designed, send email to Workshops@thewildlifeproject.com
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