Become an ACS-OC Certified Naturalist

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

2025 ACS-OC Naturalist Certification Course

We are thrilled to announce the 2025 American Cetacean Society-Orange County Marine Mammal Naturalist Certification Course dates!
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 SoCal whale-watching vessels, schools, special events, and other venues.
The 11-session class will be held on Thursdays from January 9th to March 20th, 2025, from 7 to 9 p.m. All courses will be held at Orange Coast College in the Lewis Center.
The ACS Naturalist course has started and registration is closed.

Class dates:

  • January 9: Defining Our Whales
  • January 16: Cetacean Behaviors
  • January 23: General ACS Chapter Meeting (TBD in person/on ZOOM)
  • January 30: Baleen Whale Recognition
  • February 6: Toothed Whale Recognition
  • February 13: Gray Whales
  • February 20: Pinnipeds
  • February 27: General ACS Chapter Meeting (TBD in person/on ZOOM)
  • March 6: Seabirds and Coastal History
  • March 13: Humans & Whales
  • March 20: Becoming a Naturalist & Final Test
  • March 22/23: POSSIBLE graduation celebratory whale watch
group on ACS-OC certified Naturalists on a boat with the ocean and shore in the background
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!

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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