RCC Life Sciences Launches SPORES Lab to Advance Sustainability, Equity, and Student Success

In support of a renewed focus on equity and sustainability, the Riverside City College Life Sciences Department has announced the renaming of the food cultivation and greenhouse space adjacent to the Math and Science Building. Formerly known as the RCC Urban Farm and more recently the Outdoor Plant Lab, the area will now be called the Sustainable Plant Operations, Research, and Environmental Stewardship (SPORES) Lab.

Since spring 2024, the Life Sciences Department has reimagined the role of this space for both academic learning and community engagement. SPORES now hosts hands-on learning for multiple courses, including General Biology (BIO-1), which serves more than 2,500 students annually. The lab also offers open volunteer sessions twice weekly, providing opportunities to learn food cultivation, support organic produce distribution to RCC’s Basic Needs Center, and combat student food insecurity. Over the past year, more than 546 volunteer and work-study hours have supported the production of 480 kilograms of food, directly benefiting students in need.

Beyond academics, SPORES supports wellness and belonging on campus. The space is open during daylight hours for quiet study, meditation, and de-stressing, with a weekly silent reading meetup on Wednesdays. Community partnerships have also flourished, including visits from Cub Scout Pack 1887, AVID students from Sherman Indian High School, and an upcoming Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) gardening workshop.

To celebrate its first year, SPORES will host a Fall Equinox Party on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 5:30 p.m., featuring an open house, activities and a homegrown veggie taco bar. The event is free and open to all, as RCC honors volunteers and looks ahead to another year of growth and innovation.

If you’d like to get involved, we welcome you to volunteer at the SPORES Lab, an opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with others. Join us on Wednesdays from 5:30–7 p.m. or Sundays from 8–9:30 a.m.