Skill-building, knowledge-sharing, and leadership development are critical for empowering individuals to act on behalf of their communities and the planet. Historically, these opportunities have been limited to those with the financial means to participate. All Hands Ecology is committed to fostering a sense of belonging, and supporting diverse, high-quality staff and collaborators to strengthen conservation efforts.
By addressing systemic barriers and promoting equity, we aim to build a diverse, inclusive workforce that drives meaningful conservation and education outcomes.
Stewardship Apprenticeship
In 2026, we launched a new six-month pilot program — with housing included — that opens doors for young adults who may not otherwise have access to careers in conservation.
Viable career opportunities in conservation are essential for addressing the social, ecological, and economic challenges of our times. According to a 2023 California Natural Resources Agency report, California will need an estimated 100,000 new workers in nature-based careers by 2035.
Yet access to this growing sector is not equitable. People from communities historically underrepresented in conservation face barriers to entry, since much of the training and experience needed is unpaid and time intensive.
Training that includes compensation helps remove obstacles, opening pathways to people from all backgrounds. Our paid apprenticeships are an investment in people — restoring landscapes, responding to climate change, and building economic vitality along the way.
- See how in-depth training and mentorship defines the stewardship apprenticeship
Community Lion Ambassador training
Replacing fear with curiosity by sharing what we know about mountain lions
Many people in the San Francisco Bay Area might be unaware that they share territory with one of America’s top predators. Except for a rare sighting in car headlights or hearing about a neighbor losing a goat, understanding that mountain lions are our neighbors, albeit wild ones, can get lost in the shadows of misinformation and fear.
As part of the education component of the All Hands Ecology Living with Lions study, community lion ambassadors are educating the children and adults about the essential role these apex predators play in our North Bay food web, the survival challenges lions face, the importance and need for research, and the ways that we can coexist with our wild neighbors to ensure safety for domestic animals, livestock, and mountain lions.
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California Naturalist
The California Naturalist Certification Course is a welcoming, community-centered program designed to connect people from all backgrounds with California’s natural environments. Whether you’re reconnecting with a lifelong love of nature or just beginning to explore your curiosity about the natural world, this course is designed to be accessible and supportive for participants at all experience levels.
Our focus is on building core naturalist skills, nurturing curiosity, and strengthening relationships—with each other and the land. Rather than emphasizing the memorization of Latin names, we center storytelling, observation, and learning from both guest experts and the lived experiences of fellow participants.
This course is especially designed for those who may not yet identify as naturalists. If you are already highly experienced and seeking advanced or technical training, a different program may be a better fit.
- Learn more about CalNat courses at All Hands Ecology
