A Natural Innovation at VVC

VICTORVILLE, Calif. — The Victor Valley is at the epicenter of Natural Resource Management in California. The California Water Project runs through and terminates in our valley along with major energy transmission corridors for electricity. Subsequently, we have become a focus area for renewable energy development. Victor Valley is located within a major transportation hub in addition to being a major recreational destination for approximately 20 million people who live in the LA Basin.

Victor Valley’s growth has put tremendous pressure on land use planning and natural resource management. Wise, informed managers and technicians are needed to balance our Economic, Social and Environmental resources towards a sustainable future. Consequently, tremendous opportunities have emerged for technicians and managers in these so-called “green” jobs. The skills needed for these jobs include the applied sciences- Environmental Science, Soil Science, Plant Science and Animal Science. Technology skills are in demand for resource jobs that include Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), water distribution, testing and treatment; soil rehabilitation; ecological restoration; sustainable agriculture practices, along with a good understanding of the policy that drives natural resource management.

Victor Valley College’s Agriculture and Natural Sciences Department actively collaborates with several other departments, local and government partners including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on The National Seed Strategy project. Utilizing our recently refurbished, state-of-the-art Seed Lab, students conserve important vegetable/food, and native plant seed biodiversity, in the face of wild-land fire and other natural and man-made disasters. Victor Valley College students are also engaged in applied research in Ecological Restoration and plan to present their findings on native plant propagation and seed at the Annual SERCAL Conference in May.

VVC is also excited to introduce a series of hands-on workshops titled “Living like a Desert Native” that includes:

1. AGNR 74F (one unit, section # 68529) Sustainable Building and Energy Practices class, two Friday Workshops, 4/27/18 and 5/4/18, from 9:00 am-2:00 pm. Introducing the passive and active use of home solar technologies and the principles of sustainable design, including the use Straw-Bale, Super Adobe, and Cob building materials.
2. AGNR 74A (one unit, section #65228) Sustainable Community Development class is an
   8-week class that begins 4/17/18 and meets on Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12.20 p.m. The principles and practice of Sustainable Development are explored while highlighting local exemplary case studies.
3. AGNR 141 (three units, section # 65224) Plant Materials and Usage II, is an 8-week class that begins 4/17/18 and meets on Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Students explore the beauty and value of native plants that thrive in our Mojave- considered the most biodiverse semi-desert in the world. Major focus on native seed saving and production.
4. AGNR 60- (one unit, section # 65226) Environmental Horticulture Lab, is an 8-week class that begins 4/18/18 and meets on Tuesday and Wednesdays from 5:00 p.m. – 8:10 p.m. Learn to grow your own healthy, organic food in this Urban Gardening class.
   Register and enroll online at https://www.vvc.edu, via WebAdvisor at https://webadvisor.vvc.edu
   Community members can register on the first of the class.