Ecological Restoration

This certificate provides a broad overview of the concepts and technologies that support ecological restoration, of the ecological and physical processes and biological components to an environmentally damaged site. This program also focuses on reclamation to minimize adverse effects of surface-mining and return lands to beneficial end-use. Skills attained include: native plant propagation;plant material selection and planting; soil analysis and management; soil erosion control; and performance standards and monitoring. This certificate prepares the student for entry-level positions within the nursery,recreational, restoration and land-use planning industry.

15 to 20 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. These are workforce trends are driven by land use changes, particularly fires, drought, renewable energy and urban development have dramatically increased the need for wise land management, GIS and ecological/habitat restoration

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 60 Horticulture Laboratory                                           1

AGNR 74 D Ecological Restoration                                          1

AGNR 121 Introduction to Environmental Horticulture          3

AGNR 140 Plant Material and Usage II                                    3

AGNR 172 Natural Resource Remote Sensing & GIS             3

AGNR 173 Watershed Management and Restoration             3

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

AGNR 120 Integrated Pest Management                                 3

AGNR 122 Plant Propagation and Greenhouse Prod              3

AGNR 123 Introduction to Plant Science                                3

AGNR 131 Introduction to Soil Science                                 4

AGNR-COOP 138 Cooperative Education Agriculture           3

AGNR 140 Plant Materials and Usage I                                   3

AGNR 150 Landscape Design                                                  3

AGNR 152 Irrigation and Water Management                       3

AGNR 153 Natural Landscape Maintenance                          3

AGNR 170 Environmental Science and Sustainability          4

AGNR 171 Introduction to GIS in Natural Resources           3

AGNR 177 Principles of Wild life Management                   3

Program Learning Outcomes:1. Apply the scientific concepts and technological skills that support restoration of environmentally damaged sites.

2. Implement ecological restoration best practices to restore ecological, physical and biological processes to ecosystems.

Total Units 17 or 18