Programs that Make a Difference in Our Community

UCR Palm Desert sponsors a series of programs that unite the resources of the University of California, Riverside with the needs and interests of the people of the Coachella Valley, including these programs:

UC Master Gardener 

The UC Master Gardener program is open to individuals who wish to increase their knowledge and horticultural skills -- no previous experience necessary. Classes meet three times per month and run September through February. Topics include botany, composting, soils, water management, fruit/ornamental tree culture and sustainable landscape practices. 

UC California Naturalist 

The UC Riverside Palm Desert Center California Naturalist course is the first course in the program with a focus on desert ecosystems. The course builds on instructor Dr. Cameron Barrow's wealth of research experience working with reptiles in Joshua Tree National Park and throughout the region. Working with local partners, the course will provide a unique look at the arid lands in Southern California and provide strong connections to local opportunities for engagement in citizen science monitoring programs. (This course has been rescheduled for fall 2021, exact dates to be determined.) Follow the CalNat blog here!

UCR University Extension

UCR Extension is the continuing education branch of the University of California, Riverside. For more than 50 years UCR Extension has provided educational opportunities to people of all ages — with or without a college degree — seeking professional advancement, personal fulfillment or a new career.

UCR Nonprofit Management

Interested in getting your Nonprofit Management Certificate? In this 10-month program, students complete 140 hours of coursework, focusing on many facets of nonprofit management including fundraising, social media, communications, grant proposal writing, and case studies in the nonprofit sector.

UCR Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is designed to provide a stimulating learning experience at a modest cost that enriches the intellectual, social, and cultural lives of people over the age of 50. Courses are limited to OLLI members, so learning takes place in a peer environment.