Land Steward | West Valley College

Catalog 2026-2027

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Land Steward

Certificate of Achievement

The Land Steward Certificate includes a selection of classes from the Park Management Program and is intended for students either entering with an existing degree or those seeking a short-term certificate to begin a career in parks, public lands, and land stewardship. This certificate allows for flexibility in terms of course selection to tailor the certificate to an area of focus and equips students for seasonal, entry level careers or promotional opportunities in parks and public lands. Students would qualify for jobs such as: Seasonal Park Aid, Seasonal Park Maintenance, Seasonal Open Space Technician, Park Service Attendant, Seasonal Ranger Aid, Seasonal Park Interpreter/Naturalist, Forestry Aid, and Park Ranger.

Core Requirements (12 units)

Course NumberCourse TitleUnits
PMGT010Introduction to Park Management3 units
PMGT015ADuties of the Park Professional3 units
PMGT015BNatural and Cultural Resource Interpretation3 units
PMGT015CIntroduction to Park Maintenance3 units

Electives (9-12 units)

Course NumberCourse TitleUnits
PMGT011Park Communications3 units
PMGT012ABasic Outdoor Skills3 units
PMGT012BBackcountry Technical Rescue3 units
PMGT012CAdvanced Outdoor Skills and Survival3 units
PMGT012DIntroduction to Rock Climbing and Guiding3 units
PMGT013Wildland Fire Suppression2 units
PMGT014Conservation of Our Natural Resources3 units
PMGT017Basic Horticulture for Parks3 units
PMGT018Park Planning & Design2 units
PMGT019Wilderness First Responder5 units
PMGT019ATitle 22 Public Safety First Aid3 units
PMGT020AEmployment Preparation1 unit
PMGT020BInternship2 units
PMGT021Park Operations Laboratory1 unit
PMGT023Powersaws1 unit
PMGT024Wilderness Navigation1 unit
PMGT026Regenerative Agriculture for Parks3 units
GIST016AIntroduction to Geospatial Technology3 units
GIST016GIntroduction to Remote Sensing3 units

Total Certificate Units: 21-24 units

To be awarded a certificate, a student must:

  1. Complete all the program requirements.
  2. Earn a grade of “C” (or "P") or better for all required courses.

Upon successful completion of this program a student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate practical skills in park operations, maintenance, and visitor services for employment in parks and public lands.
  • Apply ecological principles and land management practices to support habitat restoration, resource protection, and sustainable land stewardship.
  • Interpret and communicate natural and cultural resource information to the public through education and outreach techniques used in parks and open space settings.
  • Identify and comply with safety, risk management, and environmental regulations relevant to park and open space operations.
  • Exhibit professional work habits and effective communication skills while collaborating with diverse teams and community partners to fulfill stewardship goals.
  • Analyze and utilize maps, geographic data, and inventory tools to support resource monitoring and planning decisions.
  • Integrate Indigenous perspectives and ecological knowledge in understanding land stewardship practices and the historical context of public lands.
Last Updated 6/30/26