AT: Houston Botanic Garden Land Care Institute Certification Course Series

Hybrid.  Course fee for 5-week program to achieve certification. See Land Care Institute Certification Program website for costs and schedule details here.   Course begins January 23rd with weekly webinars Tuesdays/Thursdays and in-person training Saturday February 17th, online exam February 20th.

Course requires pre-reading assignments and attendance to weekly online classes Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00p-8:30p,  with one all day in person class Feb 17th, and final online exam Feb 20th.

The Houston Botanic Garden Institute of Land Care Management is the first of its kind.  Local land care experts and regional professionals serve as instructors in this hybrid course featuring online and in person field experiences.  Experienced green industry practitioners and professionals from environmental organizations such as OHBA, San Jacinto Environmental Supply, University of Texas at Austin, Memorial Park Conservancy and Houston Botanic Garden share cutting edge sustainable landcare methods and techniques. The course covers content such as soil ecology; site analysis and design; organic pest, weed and disease control; rainwater management; native plants; invasive plants and more.  Through education about regional native plants, soil biology, inland wetlands, permacuture, and ways to mitigate and manage rainwater and erosion, participants will be able to design and support landscape function by creating balanced, well-designed systems that reduce waste, save costs, mitigate challenges, and connect us to nature.  The desired result is movement away from current landscaping trends that primarily promote mechanical and chemical approaches, relying on pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides that cause more harm than good.

Course Instructors include:

Mary Carol Edwards, Green Star Wetland Farm, and water wetland specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Texas Community Watershed Partners

Justin Hayes, Landscape Supervisor University of Texas, native plants and sustainable landscape program

Brad Phillips, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist

Carmelo Orellana, CEO Esrutura

Jarred McNabb, Restoration Organics

Blas Espinosa, Next Door Nursery

Courtney Hall, Memorial Park Conservancy

… and many more experts in conservation and ecological best practices for creating sustainable environments.

Log in VMS under AT: Skills Enhancement Courses.

Note: Credit hours for class attendance, reading and travel time excluded.