Evolution shapes the diverse forms, functions, and processes that naturalists admire. In this short seminar-style online course, Dr. Dan Levitis (naturalist, zoologist, and evolutionary biologist) will teach what evolution is, how it operates, why it leads to the patterns we observe, and how naturalists can improve their skills by thinking about evolution.
Naturalists founded evolutionary biology to understand the bewildering diversity they encountered. In online lectures and discussions similar to Sonoma Ecology Center’s California Naturalist course, we will learn about phylogeny, natural selection, hybridization, and other key evolutionary processes. We will review how naturalists use evolutionary thinking and how evolutionary biologists can use naturalists' participatory science data.
Instructor: Dr. Dan Levitis is the Community Science Coordinator for Sonoma Ecology Center. He studied zoology at the University of California, Berkeley, and has taught zoology, ecology, evolutionary biology, demography, and conservation biology at the university level. At the Sonoma Ecology Center, he has previously taught New Ecological Scientist Training, California Naturalist Training, the Climate Stewardship program, as well as other leading initiatives to document the biodiversity of Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and the Sonoma Developmental Center.
SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL THOSE WHO NEED ONE TO ENROLL. PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM AND WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY. Please contact Tony at tony@sonomaecologycenter.org for questions.
Class schedule:
Thursdays 6:00-8:30 pm over Zoom
Week 1: What is evolution, how does it work?
Week 2: Popular misconceptions and mis-framings of evolution.
Week 3: Why naturalists should think in terms of evolution.
Scholarships are available for those in need of financial assistance.
For questions, contact Dan or Tony at Danl@sonomaecologycenter.org and Tony@sonomaecologycenter.org.
Sonoma Ecology Center works to address challenges related to water supply and quality, open space, rural character, biodiversity, energy, climate change, and a better quality of life for all residents.
Since 1990, we’ve worked to increase appreciation and stewardship of Sonoma Valley’s natural heritage and create measurable benefits in areas of land, water, climate change, and biodiversity.
Vision
We envision a future where people, land, water, and wildlife thrive.
Mission
Our mission is to work with our community to identify and lead actions that achieve and sustain ecological health in Sonoma Valley.
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