Ecosystem Restoration and Applied Fire Management

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in Ecosystem Restoration and Applied Fire will learn important skills in1) data and geospatial fields, 2) environmental policy and management planning,3) communication, and will learn 4) information about the historical and cultural context related to natural resources and ecosystem management in the West. Students will also gain applied training in 5) prescribed fire and fuels management techniques and receive National Wildfire Coordination Group (NWCG)certifications that are essential in this workforce. Finally, students will gain hands-on training in 6) forest ecosystem management and reforestation and7) watershed restoration. Upon completion of this degree, students will be prepared to work as land managers with specific skills in the application of fire on the landscape, as well as forest and stream restoration. The suite of coursework and experiences proposed in this application aims to prepare students to understand landscape-scale issues and engage in system-level responses to challenges.

Feather River College is submitting a submitting a proposal to begin offering a new bachelor’s program in the area of Ecosystem Restoration and Applied Fire Management after receiving formal approval from the CCCCO in February 2023. Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in Ecosystem Restoration and Applied Fire will learn important skills in1) data and geospatial fields, 2) environmental policy and management planning,3) communication, and will learn 4) information about the historical and cultural context related to natural resources and ecosystem management in the West. Students will also gain applied training in 5) prescribed fire and fuels management techniques and receive National Wildfire Coordination Group (NWCG)certifications that are essential in this workforce. Finally, students will gain hands-on training in 6) forest ecosystem management and reforestation and7) watershed restoration. Upon completion of this degree, students will be prepared to work as land managers with specific skills in the application of fire on the landscape, as well as forest and stream restoration. The suite of coursework and experiences proposed in this application aims to prepare students to understand landscape-scale issues and engage in system-level responses to challenges.

Adding this degree to the offerings at Feather River College will allow us to:

·        Increase and improve workforce development within forest management, ecosystem restoration and applied fire

·        Offer opportunities for professional development and upward mobility to regional individuals currently working in this industry who wish to return o school to receive a bachelor’s degree

·        Provide a local opportunity for residents within Plumas and surrounding countries to attain a bachelor’s degree, in a subject that matches regional workforce needs, with having to relocate across the state

·        Contribute to overall regional ecosystem health and economic stability

Students will complete lower and upper-division coursework as described below.

Lower Division Major Requirements (35-38Units)

Core Requirements – 11 units - ALL

ENVR 103 Seminar in Environmental Studies – 1 Unit

ENVR 280 Professional Development – 1 Unit

ENVR 180 Environmental Policy – 3 Units

ENVR 190 Principles of Indigenous Management, w/ Lab – 3 units

ENVR 205 Geospatial Concepts w/ Lab – 3 Units OR ENVR201 GIS w/Lab – 3 units

Science Fundamentals – 6-9 units – CHOOSE TWO

Environmental Science Core – ENVR 142/L Environmental Science + Lab (3 Units + 1 Unit lab)

Biology Core – CHOOSE BIO 106 Plant Biology – 4 Units OR BIO 104 Animal Biology – 4 Units

Physical Science Core – CHOOSE ENVR210 Soil Science – 3 Units ORGEOL Physical Geology – 4 Units ORCHEM 102 – 5 units

Natural Resource Management & Ecology –18 units – ALL

ENVR 120 Sierra Nevada Natural History w/ Lab – 3 Units

ENVR 160 Introduction to Watershed Protection and Restoration w/ Lab – 3 Units

ENVR 220 Introduction to Forestry w/ Lab – 3 Units

ENVR 230 Introduction to Fire Ecology and Management w/ Lab – 3 Units

ENVR 235 Prescribed Fire Fundamentals w/ Lab – 2 units 

National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Certificates – 4 Units Minimum

Upon successful completion of 1) lower division major requirements, 2) the CSU Breadth or IGETC general education pathway, and 3) sufficient electives such at the total number of units completed by the student totals at least 60, the student is eligible to earn an A.S. in Environmental Studies.

Once students have successfully completed at least 18 units of core ENVR lower division requirements, 30 total units, and college level Math and English while maintaining a 2.0 minimum GPA they are eligible to enroll in upper division courses. Note: several upper division courses also have specific lower division prerequisites.

Upper Division Major Requirements (33 units)

Ecosystem Restoration and Applied Fire – 27units – ALL

ENVR 305 Environmental Monitoring and Analysis w/ Lab – 3 Units

ENVR 380 Environmental Management, Policy, and Planning – 3 Units (prereq ENVR 180)

ENVR 410 Restoration Ecology w/ Lab – 3 Units

ENVR 420 Advanced Forest Ecology & Management w/ Lab – 3 Units (prereq ENVR 220)

ENVR 425 Forest Disturbance and Health w/ Lab – 3 Units (prereq ENVR 220)

ENVR 430 Advanced Fire Ecology and Management w/ Lab – 3 Units (prereq ENVR 230 + ENVR 235)

ENVR 460 Advanced Riparian Restoration & Management w/ Lab – 3 Units (prereq ENVR 160)

ENVR 480 Human Dimensions of Natural Resources – 3 Units

CWEE 370 Internship– 3 Units Minimum

Upper Division General Education – 6 units– CHOOSE TWO

ENGL 310Professional and Technical Composition – 3 Units

ENGL 416 Research Methods and Issues – 3 Units

HIST 400 History of the American West – 3 Units

AGAB 335Entrepreneurship – 3 Units

AGAB 410Leadership Seminar – 3 Units

AGPS 300Rangeland, Pasture, and Forage Management – 3 Units

Upon successful completion of 1) lower and upper division major requirements, 2) the CSU Breadth or IGETC general education pathway, 3) a minimum of 6 units of upper division general education breath courses, and 4) sufficient electives such that the total number of units completed by the student totals at least 120, the student is eligible to earn a B.S in Ecosystem Restoration and Applied Fire Management.