Your environmental
career starts here.
This program is made for passionate humans who want to positively impact our local ecosystems, biodiversity, environmental justice, and collective future.
The mission of the Natural History and Sustainability Program is to provide locally-focused, interdisciplinary preparation for employment in the growing environmental industry. This preparation includes theoretical knowledge; practical skills; networking with industry partners; hands-on training and job experience; and the opportunity to join a community of solution-focused environmental practitioners.
Our Mission
Our community is forged through doing; whether it’s putting hands in the dirt, attending workshops, volunteering in our local open space, or simply sitting together in the garden and sharing a salad, we believe that working and being together cements us in a common goal.
This program has also nurtured relationships with local conservation groups, environmentalists, activists, and farmers across the Bay Area. This allows our students to connect with industry leaders and learn about opportunities for further collaboration.
Our Community
The Natural History & Sustainability Program is ideal for students interested in the natural sciences and the interactions between nature and society. Are you interested in promoting environmental justice? Do you want to improve your community? Are you concerned about food access? Are you passionate about conservation and ecosystem health? Do you want to create a just and healthy world? If your answer to any of these questions is ‘yes,’ this program is for you.
Who is this program for?
NHS Program Alumni
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Kerstin Fermin
Regional Park Foundation
“The hands-on learning opportunities, quality of instruction, mentorship, and exposure to different green career pathways were exactly what I needed to find my niche – and, more importantly, hope and confidence in my abilities to contribute to a greener future!”
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Nick Clark
Alemany Farm
“The Natural History & Sustainability program at Merritt College helped me turn my interests and passions into a super enjoyable and fulfilling career by showing me what kind of opportunities were possible and how to get there.”
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Alejandro Gomez Morales
Alchemist CDC
“The curriculum and practical experience from the Natural History & Sustainability program allowed me to find my role, where I promote an inclusive food system that increases wellness and self-sufficiency of vulnerable communities in the multicultural city of Sacramento.”
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Chloe Novak
California Botanic Garden
"Before joining the Natural History and Sustainability program, my passion for conservation botany seemed permanently relegated to an amateur hobby in my spare time -- I didn't have the four-year biology or environmental science degree required for the jobs I wanted. The education, peer community, and professional network I gained through NHS enabled me to break through that barrier and begin a meaningful and impactful career doing exactly what I love most."
How do I get started?
It’s easy –- Merritt is a community college, so all you have to do is fill out an application and then sign up for a class. If you decide you want to pursue one of our certificates of achievement, see more information below. Our classes are listed under Environmental Management & Tech (ENVMT) within the Merritt Course Catalog.
Upcoming Events
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Open House
Annual Open House and Graduation Ceremony May 2025. Details to come!
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Leona Canyon Restoration
March 22, 2025 Lunch Provided
“I'm very grateful for the internship opportunity! It accomplished exactly what I needed, which was to gain enough experience to get my foot in the door. ”
— K.R., former NHS student