Certificate In Ecological Landscape Design
- Overview
- Locations
- Fees
- Prerequisites
- Evaluations
- Texts
- Supplies
- CECs
Yes, a garden can be stunning and low maintenance, a haven for wildlife in urban environments, a self-sustaining ecosystem - all at the same time.
Landscape health starts with intelligent design. In this course you will explore the intricate relationships within ecosystems, and how you can work with them to create vibrantly beautiful and healthy gardens. Be prepared for an eye-opening experience that will challenge some commonly held beliefs, and will leave you empowered with a new understanding of how a garden works.
This course would be of interest to:
- Those considering a career in landscape design
- Landscapers wishing to offer more professional design services
- Homeowners wishing to design their gardens in a professional manner.
Landscape professionals earn generous pre-approved Continuing Education Credits to maintain industry certifications (ISA, CNLA, BCSLA, SOUL).
Please note: these courses fill up very fast. If you would like to be put on the waiting list, please email us - and be sure to let us know your preferred location.
This program partially satisfies the requirements of the Diploma in Organic Land Care
Student Comment
Yes it is working. Our challenge as students is to listen to what you are delivering through the absence of filters. Those filters that are woven from past accumulation of teachings into the fabric of our belief systems... then not thoroughly questioned until challenged. There is much resistance inherited in this process. What is it...mistrust? Or feeling the shakiness of the poor foundation we have constructed for ourselves...watching that fabric loosen in readiness, erode and crumble to fall away? Yikes! Oh but to open ourselves like a vessel and let your words pour through like welcomed, fresh, pure water...It is so inspiring!
In my questioning to how am I to take notes to learn this the best, I saw that what you are telling us is so simple that a four year old could understand. Then it dawned on me that I could write my notes for that type of audience. Then the hilarious, inspirational thought came to me; that if I followed this idea/inspiration, even my agnostic, PHD candidate, biologist father would get it. And that is something I could aspire to.
I am the editor and co-founder of a parent/child newsletter at my son's elementary school and want to start a column on ecological landscaping and care. Our school prides itself on its active organic gardening and ecosystem "stewardship" so is willing and open to learning and observing. But mostly I am interested in creating a curriculum in this for the primary ages. What do you think? (about both ideas. in the newsletter, can I quote you or use you as a reference? Pass on course information?) I realize that I have no idea just what I am committing myself to, (considering your story about creating the curriculum we are following!) but it only feels perfectly right.
Gratefully,
Nancy Brown, Victoria
Fees include 1-year access to our extensive on-line library, plant database, discussion forums, and comprehensive online handouts for each lecture. Fees do not include texts and supplies.
| Semester I | $ 550.00 |
| Semester II | $ 550.00 |
| Total | $ 1100.00 |
Fees are payable as follows:
| Semester I | At time of registration. Please note the registration deadline for the Victoria Course |
| Semester II | Before the start of the semester. |
You may register on-line or by mail.
Payment Options
| By Mail | On-line | ||||||
| Cheque drawn on a Canadian bank |  |
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| Money order in Canadian funds | |||||||
There are no prerequisites for this course, but please read on:
It is highly recommended that students have previously completed the Organic Master Gardener Course, or plan to take it following the Ecological Landscape Design Program, especially if they engage in professional practice. These courses are complementary - but while a normal gardener may not need extensive knowledge of design, it is essential that a professional designer have extensive knowledge of gardening.
Plant knowledge in the student's area of interest is an asset.
Student Comment
Thanks for putting together such a great program, and you have awesome teachers!
Liz Nienaber, Victoria
This is a very intensive course of study. Students are expected to:
- Attend at least 95% of all classes
- Satisfactorily complete all assignments
- Study and practice 6-8 hours / week
- Actively participate in class study groups and provide constructive feedback to fellow students
- Read beyond the assigned readings to acquire a solid understanding of organic horticulture.
There are no formal exams in this course, as the emphasis is on developing practical skills and the ability to synthesize information. Student evaluations are based on attendance, participation, and quality of assignments. Upon successful completion students will receive a Certificate in Ecological Landscape Design.
Student Comment
I am very grateful for the Gaia College courses because I can actually answer the questions that my clients have and sell them on things they didn't even know existed!
Elly Cruickshank, Organic Landscaper
Required Text
Reid, Grant W., Landscape Graphics, 2002 Edition, Whitney Library of Design, New York. Easily available through Amazon.com. This text will be available from the instructor at volume discount rates.
Optional Texts
The following are highly recommended additional texts. While some handouts will be provided in class, it is impossible to provide information to the detail and extent that you will find in these resources.
Hermary, Heide, Working with Nature - Shifting Paradigms, Gaia College. Similar to the online text below, yet presenting another approach. Particularly designed to lead the student through the paradigm shift that is necessary before he or she is capable of truly holistic thinking. Many students find it difficult to study on-line - so this is an alternative to the on-line program. This text will be available from the instructor at volume discount rates.
Hermary, Heide, The Essence of Organic Gardening - Seeing and Doing Things Differently, Gaia College. Shorter than the above book, easier to read, but of course without the same detail. An excellent introduction to organic gardening. This book will be available from the instructor at volume discount rates.
Access to our extensive online resource library is included in the tuition.
Required Supplies
Please note: Drafting supplies will be demonstrated in the first class. You are then better able to decide which tools and supplies will be most useful to you. It's okay to hold off your purchase until then, as all these tools are readily available at any drafting equipment or larger stationary store. Most of the other supplies are items one would have in a normal household.
Drafting Supplies
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Other
Optional
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Attendance at this program earns you the following Continuing Education Credits (CECs)
International Society of Arboriculture: Certified Arborist
Pre-approved:
Semester I - 22 Credits
Semester II -14 Credits
International Society of Arboriculture: Board Certified Management Arborist
Pre-approved:
Semester I - 22 Credits (Science 12.5, Practice 9.5)
Semester II - 14 Credits (Science 2.5, Practice 1, Management 10.5)
B.C. Society of Landscape Architects
As per Society guidelines - eligibility of this program has been confirmed
SOUL Certified Organic Land Care Professional
Full required credits for 3-year certification renewal
Canadian Horticultural Technician
Full required credits for yearly certification renewal
