Field Ranger

Certificate of Achievement Natural Resources · College of the Desert · 2026-2027 Catalog

The Field Ranger Certificate prepares students for jobs as docents, volunteers, or paid employees working with a variety of local, state, federal and tribal agencies. Students successfully completing this certificate may find entry-level positions in various natural resources specializations, such as:

The Field Ranger Certificate is intended to prepare students to directly enter the conservation field in various capacities. Students who achieve this certificate will become familiar with a broad range of ranger skills and techniques as well as ecological topics that are applicable anywhere but are also pertinent to the Southwest and the local desert environment. There are no prerequisite skills or limitations on enrollment required for this certificate.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Upon satisfactory completion of this program students will be able to:

  1. Understand and demonstrate proper fire-fighting skills and techniques.
  2. Understand and explain the problems facing wildlife and ecosystem managers.
  3. Recognize and interpret wildlife violations and prepare reports.
  4. Describe, identify using a taxonomic key, and sketch local wildlife species.
  5. Apply GIS technology to solve conservation challenges.
  6. Utilize a GPS device for navigation in a wilderness setting.
  7. Gain an in-depth understanding of career opportunities in the field of natural resources.
  8. Write a research paper dealing with the subject of ecosystem management.

Program Requirements

Program Requirements

CourseTitleUnits
Required Courses
NR 001Conservation of Natural Resources3
NR 001LConservation of Natural Resources Lab1
NR 003Introduction to Wildlife Management3
orNR 004Introduction to Ecosystem Management
NR 017Natural Resources Law Enforcement3
or AJ 017
NR 020GPS and Map Use1
NR 021Introduction to GIS3
NR 095ANatural Resources Work Experience1-8
NR 041ANative Plants - Mountain1
orNR 041BNative Plants - Desert
NR 058Reptiles of the Coachella Valley1
NR 050Winter Birds1
orNR 051AMigrant Birds - Fall
orNR 051BMigrant Birds - Spring
orNR 051CBackyard Birds
NR 010Wildland Fire Technology3
orFIRE 010Wildland Fire Technology
KINE 001First Aid and Safety3
CERTIFICATE TOTAL24

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