Online Certificate In Organic Landscape Management

Note: Past students can get access to our online campus and huge array of resources for only /year. Contact us if you are interested.

The Certificate Program in Organic Landscape Management consists of 10 courses, which must be studied in sequence:

1. Ecology - The Web of Life
2. Plant Structure & Processes
3. The Soil Ecosystem
4. Plant Identification & Culture
5. Soil Management
6. Water Management & Hardscape Maintenance
7. Plant Maintenance
8. Landscape Installation
9. Landscape Health Management
10. Landscape Design

The program integrates knowledge from many different disciplines, and enables students to make complex landscape management decisions in diverse situations.

All instructional material is presented on-line in the required text "Organic Land Care - Working with Nature".

The program prepares landscape professionals to respond to the rapidly growing market for ecologically sound land management. For instance, as of May 2002 over 60 Canadian municipalities had already banned pesticide use for cosmetic purposes, and hundreds more are in the process of drafting such bylaws.

Opportunities to apply the knowledge from this program abound in professions such as:

• Ornamental landscape installation and maintenance
• Landscape architecture and design
• Housing development and urban planning
• Property management
• Parks and recreational greenspace management
• Education at every level
• Horticulture therapy
• Market gardening / small scale food production
• Permaculture design.

Whether you are already working in the field or just making a career choice, there is no better time to position yourself at the leading edge of your profession.

Student Comment

The course has given me a larger vision: the ability to stand back and assess those practical aspects of drainage, soil structure, irrigation needs, compaction concerns, site features and utilization, plant health and landscape protection. These practical aspects must continuously be related to the ever-present consideration of nature's need to strive towards a more balanced approach.Working with nature has more meaning for me, and, I hope, for those students with whom I interact.
Laurie Hardy, College Instructor

Payment Options

By Mail				On-line
Cheque drawn on a Canadian bank
Money order in Canadian funds

Incidental Expenses

Students may incur additional expenses of about 0.00 for recommended reading material.

Computer / Internet Recommendations

A high speed Internet connection is highly recommended.

There are no exams. Student evaluations are based exclusively on the assignments submitted.

Review questions at the end of each course are designed to be a critical review of the material. They are not meant to test the student's memory, but to reinforce understanding of the material. They are not marked, and there are no answer sheets, as students are encouraged to help each other resolve areas of unclarity via the discussion forum. The instructor monitors the discussions and helps where required.

Student Comments

I am thrilled to have taken this course and felt myself challenged beyond expectation. It was an incredible learning experience for me, and also a huge lesson in self-motivation, time management, internet and computer skills, and general perseverance.
Alexanda von Rosen, Organic Landscaper

This course has taught me to look at the whole picture and realize that I'm not just raising food but caring for and managing an ecosystem."
Don LaCroix, Organic Farmer

In order to graduate with the Certificate in Organic Landscape Management students must complete an acceptable assignment for each of the required courses.

The assignments are meant to challenge students to apply the knowledge gained in each course, and integrate it with the information from previous courses. The courses must be studied, and assignments submitted, in the prescribed sequence.

All assignments must be posted to the course website. Upon submission of the assignment the student must formally request the assignment evaluation and submit the evaluation fee.

Assignments are evaluated on an "acceptable / unacceptable" basis. The instructor may accept an assignment on the condition that specific corrections are made.

Students who have presented an unacceptable assignment may submit a new one, together with an additional evaluation fee.

Student Comment

Finding out about SOUL and Gaia college was like an answer to a major question. I am now enrolled in this unique class that helps me recap and expand my knowledge, meet lots of friendly soulmates, and better my chances for making a living in the industry in a meaningful way. Already I had numerous "a-ha!" moments. Those "How is this important?" links are fantastic!
Christina Nikolic, Landscape Architect

Time Management

Students study independently and at their own pace. There are no time constraints or deadlines. Those studying 8 - 12 hours per week should be able to complete one course per month.

Communications

Class discussions and communications with the instructor occur over a normal, closed web based e-mail forum. Students may also join the college-wide discussion forum.

Student Comment

Thank you for starting this course. Since graduating university and realizing aviation was not for me, I had spent over a year trying to find something I was more interested in. It is amazing that I was looking for a conventional landscape design course and not really thinking 'organic' until I stumbled on your website. Now, I finally have found something I am passionate about.
Phil Nauta, Organic Gardener

A message from the instructor

Heide Hermary

• Master's degree in Sustainable Agriculture
• Diploma in Horticulture (Landscape Design, Installation & Maintenance)
• Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture
• SOUL Certified Organic Land Care Professional
• CNLA Certified Horticultural Technician
• ISA Certified Arborist
• IIABC Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor
• Landscape Inspection Certificate
• Provincial Instructor Diploma with Post-Secondary Endorsement
• BC Landscape & Nursery Association Educator of the Year, 2007
• Master Gardener
• Master Woodland Manager
• Naturescape Ambassador
• Author of
  Working with Nature - Shifting Paradigms (book)
  The Essence of Organic Gardening - Seeing and Doing Things Differently (book)
  What pesticides really do in your garden (DVD)

"Organic Land Care - Working with Nature" is the synthesis of information from many different specialties, and the knowledge gained through years of practice and careful observation. It is an introduction into the science of holistic horticulture, and how it applies to our everyday work. As far as I know this is the first comprehensive program in purely organic ornamental land care in North America.

This program is geared towards professionals and others who are serious about organic land care practices. It will challenge you. You are the pioneers, the leaders of the organic horticulture movement, examples to future generations of gardeners. You need to be able to stand up to skeptics, naysayers, and fear mongers: you need to know this stuff.

It is my hope that this program will also lead to long term relationships, so that we can all continue to share experiences and learn from each other as we embark on our new adventures in many different parts of this beautiful planet.

Here is some information about myself:

As a self employed organic landscaper living on Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada, I have a diverse practice in Landscape Design, Installation, Consultation, Maintenance and Education.

In my landscape practice I design and install gardens as small as postage stamp sized urban backyards and as big as 10 acre rural estates. Two of "my" gardens were featured on the CBC "Canadian Gardener" television show with David Tarrant (a Canadian gardening celebrity). I also advise homeowners and private and public organizations on plant and landscape health issues.

As an educator I have developed and teach seminars, short courses, and comprehensive professional development programs in all aspects of horticulture. My audience includes landscape professionals and arborists from the private and public sector, horticulture students, master gardeners, high school students, and the general public. I continue to work with the Burnaby School Board, Royal Roads University, North Islands College, City of Surrey, and many other organizations.

I am one of the founders and past chair of the Society of Organic Urban Land Care Professionals ( SOUL), and - although I recently retired from the board - continue to support the society's important work.

The landscape industry is entering a period of intense change as we adapt our practices to new pesticide legislation. My challenge and passion as an educator is to provide the educational support to enable landscapers to meet the future with confidence and professionalism.

What prerequisites do I need to take this program?
This program is open to everyone with a strong interest in organic land care. Students without a high school education and a working proficiency in reading and writing English may require more time to complete the program.

I already have a good grasp of organic horticultural practices. Can I take only certain courses?
The information provided in all courses of this program is closely integrated, and is presented in a logical progression. Consequently the courses are not available individually.

Why is this program offered over the Internet?
There is an urgent need for formal education in organic practices around the world. On-line training makes this knowledge available to anyone, anywhere, anytime. It is the most economical and convenient way for students to obtain this information.

Currently we offer several classroom courses in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. In the future we hope to enter into partnerships with more educational institutes and other organizations to deliver our programs in other parts of the continent.

If you have any further questions please contact us.