Certification Training Program

When does the class start?
New Paleontology Society members must participate in a certification training program. The program meets every Friday from November through April and includes 160 hours of instruction. 

What does the class cover?
During the program you will learn how to find and recover fossils from the field, and how to prepare fossils so that they can be entered into the ABDSP Paleontology Collection. In addition to this practical training, you will attend classroom lectures on geology and paleontology. 

We also do GIS mapping, drone flight surveys, and photogrammetry to make and print 3D models.

And after the class is completed?
You will earn a State-sponsored certificate upon successful completion of the program. This free program provides a unique opportunity to learn about the local geology in one of the most geologically active regions of the country, and to study the astounding fossil treasures of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. 

You will also have the opportunity to meet and work with people from all over the country who have a common interest in the natural history of ABDSP.  Many new and enduring friendships are formed among Paleontology Society volunteers.

What does it cost?
The only thing that is asked in return for this valuable experience is that you volunteer at least eighty hours each year to the Colorado Desert District Paleontology program.

How do I enroll in the Certification Program?

​​Here is what you need to do:
1. You must first become a volunteer for California Parks, and for that you have to fill out some paperwork, the Volunteer Application Forms . Clicking the link takes you to the CA Parks Volunteer Portal which looks like this: 
2. You can and should fill out the Volunteer Application Forms in advance before the first class meeting. 
3.  Attend the first class meeting at the Borrego Springs Branch of the San Diego County Public Library, 2580 Country Club Road, Borrego Springs, CA 92004. See location map below.
4. First class for the 2026-2027 season starts on: November 13, 2026. This is the expected date, subject to change.
​
​For more info, contact us: 
 [email protected] 
(or use contact form below)
What Happens During the First Certification Class?
The first meeting of the 2026-27 Certification Class
is expected to be November 13, 2026 (subject to change), at the
Borrego Springs branch of the San Diego County Public Library,
​2580 Country Club Road, Borrego Springs, CA 92004  
​(location maps below)

​Program for the First Meeting of Certification Class:
9am - Welcome New Volunteers and Monthly Meeting
​10am - Lecture entitled 
TBD (The Big Ditch): A Ten Million Year Marine and Terrestrial Sedimentary Record of the Western Salton Trough 
by 
​Dr. Lyndon K. Murray, District Paleontologist, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

11:30 - New Volunteer paperwork
Lunch Break
After lunch break, meet at the Stout Research Center
​(location maps below)

1:15 - Library and Reading List, Keeping Track of your Hours
2:15 - Introduction to the Paleo Lab
​3:00 - Tour of the Collections
What about the rest of the classes in the program? 
The paleontology and geology lectures, fossil curation and laboratory preparation workshops, as well as field surveys, are held each Friday, November thru April. 

MEETING LOCATIONS

Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center
Borrego Springs Public Library
The Borrego Springs County Library is located at 2580 Country Club Road.
Some meetings can be attended via ZOOM.
Stout Research Center
And at the Stout Research Center, located at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Headquarters, 200 Palm Canyon Drive.
Enter Colorado Desert District Headquarters driveway and drive all the way around the buildings. Do not park in covered parking spaces. Stout Research Center is the last building on the left - park in the last set of covered or open parking spaces. Do not block the driveway.

    Questions? Contact Us