Irrigation and Water Management

This Certificate prepares students with the best management practices, technology and skills to enter careers in the rapidly emerging fields of water management.Water is arguably California, the South West United States and the world's most critical resource. Water managers are required to sustainably manage and balance the water needs for agricultural, environmental, and urban needs.Agricultural irrigation is the largest user in California at 41%, and outdoor irrigation can represent up to 75% of urban use. Focus is on California’s sophisticated water storage, transportation and distribution infrastructure and progressive water legislation. Technologies introduced include: irrigation management systems; potable water distribution and treatment; Geospatial Technology; Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA); waste water treatment; water quality analysis and hydro-culture. This certificate prepares students to take the Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) and Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA) industry certification exams, and serves as a good crossover for students wishing to enter other natural resource management careers.

15 TO 25 Completers p/a

This certificate is an essential part of the Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resource (ASNR) Pathway that supports careers in natural resource management, land-use management, water management, geospatial and environmental technologies that are needed in our regional labor market. Focus will be on the implementation of industry- relevant classes, labs and technology.  The ASNR Pathway will prepare students with the education and workforce skills needed to enter rapidly evolving career fields in the many diverse careers in the sustainable management of our natural resources. The scope and type of these career  opportunities is driven by the fact that California, the United States and the world are rapidly reaching a crisis situation in the management and conservation of natural resources. The most important issues concern food,water, minerals, energy, air quality, land-use, biodiversity, climate change,and ecological stability.  Individuals that are trained in agriculture sciences, environmental technologies and natural resource management, will be perfectly positioned to address these issues and take advantage of emerging workforce trends. .  Serves as a good crossover for students wishing to enter a natural resource management career and is part of stack-able certificates in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management department at Victor Valley College. Careers opportunities include: Irrigation Water Managers;Water Management and Conservation Technicians; Water Distribution Technicians,Waste Water Management Technicians, Agriculture and Conservation Extension Officers; Farm, Ranch and Aquaculture Managers; Environmental Science/Natural Resource Management Technicians; Water Analysis and Treatment Lab Technicians

Students are required to take all classes in Group 1 and select one class from Group II

Group I-All of the following must be completed: 14 Units

AGNR 74 E Sustainable Agriculture Practices 1

AGNR 152 Irrigation and Water Management 3

AGNR 170 L Environmental Science and Sustainability Laboratory 1

AGNR 172 Natural Resource Remote Sensing & GIS 3

AGNR 173 Watershed Management and Restoration 3

AGNR 175 Sustainable Agriculture, Environment and Society 3

Group II-One of the following must be completed: 3 or 4 Units

AGNR 121 Introduction to Environmental Horticulture 3

AGNR 123 Introduction to Plant Science 3

AGNR 131 Introduction to Soil Science 4

AGNR 140 Plant Material and Usage I 3

AGNR 150 Landscape Design 3

AGNR 153 Natural Landscape Maintenance 3

AGNR 170 Environmental Science and Sustainability 4

AGNR 171 Introduction to GIS in Natural Resources 3

AGNR 176 Advanced Irrigation Technology 3

CTPW 116 A Water Distribution Systems I 3

CTPW 119 Wastewater Operations 3

POLS 206 Introduction to Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management 3

Total 17 or 18 Units

Program Learning Outcomes:

1. Apply the scientific concepts and technological skills that support sustainable water management

2. Implement natural resource management best practice and technology, to solve water and other natural resource management issues