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PROGRAMS / COURSE DESCRIPTION
management leaders present guest lectures on the
economic, political, social, and environmental pressures
that must be balanced in providing sustainable water
supplies. The scientific principles are presented that
must underlie sound water management decisions.
Cutting-edge technologies like Geospatial Analysis are
used to present the study of groundwater, local
watershed health, soil erosion, water quality and water
distribution issues.
AGNR 74 CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY
PRACTICES
Units: 6.0 - 96-108 hours lecture. (No prerequisite.
Grade Option)
This course introduces students to the exciting and
rapidly expanding practice of the conservation and
sustainable use of our natural resources. Students use
case studies and high-tech tools to learn how we can
live comfortably while ensuring that we sustain the
environment for future generations. Students explore
the social, economic, environmental, technological,
scientific, conservation practices and career fields that
support this new frontier in societal development.
AGNR 74A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
Units: 1.0 - 16-18 hours lecture. (No prerequisite.
Grade Option) Maybe taken three times.
Students learn to plan and implement sustainable
development practices; development that meets the
needs of the present generation without compromising
the ability of future generations to meeting their own
needs. It is also often described as development that
considers multiple, sometimes competing values
grouped into three general categories; environmental,
social and economic. Extensive use is made of case
studies and practical on-site experiences. Class may be
taught in the Mojave Desert, Costa Rica, Namibia, New
Zealand, etc.
AGNR 74B BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT AND
CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGY
Units: 1.0 - 16-18 hours lecture. (No prerequisite.
Grade Option) May be taken three times.
The reduction of species diversity is a major indicator of
the health of a complete ecosystem. This class explores
the science, tools and practice of conserving species
diversity. Students learn to implement the exciting tools
of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global
Positioning Systems (GPS), Satellite Imaging and
Database Management, along with an understanding of
the unlimited career opportunities in these fields. An
example case study is on the viability of the Lucerne
Valley Big Horn Sheep population. Class may be taught
in Mojave Desert, Costa Rica, Namibia, New Zealand,
etc.
AGNR 74C WATER AND SOIL CONSERVATION
Units: 1.0 - 16-18 hours lecture. (No prerequisite.
Grade Option) Maybe taken three times.
Students discover the tenuous nature of many of the
world’s water supplies. Tools like GIS are used to study
watershed health. The fantastic chemistry of water and
methods of water quality testing are presented.
Students study the relationships between soil and water,
soil mapping, soil analysis and soil erosion using realworld
examples. Class may be taught in the Mojave
Desert, Costa Rica, Namibia, New Zealand, etc.
AGNR 74D ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION
Units: 1.0 - 16-18 hours lecture. (No prerequisite.
Grade Option) Maybe taken three times.
Students learn to design an ecological restoration plan
that effectively balances environmental mitigation with
local community social and economic needs. The
methodologies appropriate to a particular situation are
presented. Topics include: native seed banking,
Mycorrhizal relationships, seed stratification and
scarification, nutrient requirements, water requirements,
transplanting protocols, watershed restoration, soil
evaluation and rehabilitation. Class may be taught in
the Mojave Desert, Costa Rica, Namibia, New Zealand,
etc.
AGNR 74E SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
PRACTICES
Units: 1.0 - 16-18 hours lecture. (No prerequisite.
Grade Option) Maybe taken three times.
Tremendous progress has been made towards farming
with nature and restoring ranches to be part of the
natural ecosystem. This “farming with the wild” is not
only producing more food but enhancing the
environment. Students study sustainable practices like
rotational grazing, organic farming, hedgerows and
natural pollination in the United States and overseas.
Class may be taught in the Mojave Desert, Costa Rica,
Namibia, New Zealand, etc.
AGNR 74F SUSTAINABLE BUILDING AND ENERGY
PRACTICES
Units: 1.0 - 16-18 hours lecture. (No prerequisite. Grade
Option) Maybe taken three times.
The technology to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels by
producing energy alternately and building in a sustainable
manner is very well represented in the Western
Mojave Desert. Students study the latest technology to
produce energy from the sun, wind, animal waste and
plant matter. The “smart” building practices of strawbale,
Super Adobe, Cob, grey-water and radiant heating
are explored.
AGRICULTURE • NATURAL RESOURCES
2012-2013 Victor Valley College Catalog 103