Inyo National Forest and Cerro Coso Community College team up to offer Wildland Fire and Outdoor Recreation courses

BISHOP, Calif., March 13, 2025 – Registration is now open at Cerro Coso Community College for two different spring courses preparing students for careers in public lands.

For those already employed in these fields, there is also an opportunity for “Credit for Prior Learning” which earns the student college credit toward a degree.

“The Wildland Fire course provides an entry point in gaining official certifications for careers wildland fire by earning a Firefighter II qualification,” said Peter Fulks, professor at Cerro Coso Community College and coordinator of these courses. “Normally you would get hired first and then trained, but this helps fast-track your firefighting career in only a month while also earning college credit.”

Additionally, students will learn from the local professionals, some with decades of experience. This includes those leading the new Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Leadership course. Professor Josh Pighetti is teaching and coordinating with local leaders in recreation across several agencies and organizations in the Eastern Sierra region.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the college to offer this new course,” said Adam Barnett, Public Services Staff Officer for the Inyo National Forest. “Recreation is core to life here in the Eastern Sierra, and we are excited to offer internships this summer that will undoubtedly support the Inyo National Forest.”

 

Wildland Fire Training (NWCG* certified Type 2 Firefighter)

www.cerrocoso.edu/news/2025/late-start-classes-spring-2025.html

Members of the Inyo National Forest Hotshots and other forest wildland firefighters will instruct this course, which includes all five classes to earn Firefighter Type 2, and potential for job placement. Equipment and tools provided by the College. Challenge yourself with fieldwork and prepare for summer work experience.

Dates: March 15 – April 15 (Tuesdays from 6 – 10:00 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

Deadlines: Register by March 14 for the FFT 50-54 sequence of courses. This is a late start course.

Location: Eastern Sierra Campus Center Bishop: 4090 W Line Street

Contact: Patricia.Morland@cerrocoso.edu

 

Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Leadership

Webpage coming soon! Search for the course number below when registering.

There are 10 classes within this new pathway, including field-based courses and experiences, internship opportunities, career selection guidance, and work toward a capstone project. This is a spring course. The summer course includes a congruent internship opportunity with several public land agencies.

Dates: March 17 – May 16 (summer semester announcement coming soon, which will include internship opportunity)

Deadlines: Register by March 14, CRN #33250

Location: Online

Contact: Peter.fulks@cerrocoso.edu

 

About Cerro Coso Community College:
The mission of Cerro Coso Community College is to improve the life of every student it serves by prioritizing equity and supporting attainment of educational goals. Through innovative delivery methods, Cerro Coso Community College provides transfer preparation, workforce education, degree pathways, and comprehensive student support services to develop ethical and effective citizenry throughout our vast rural and online communities.

About the Inyo National Forest:

Established in 1907, the Inyo National Forest extends 165 miles near the California and Nevada border between Los Angeles and Reno, covering almost 2 million acres, mostly on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada. The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/inyo