Ecological Landscape Design

Since 2003, Gaia College has been offering holistic horticulture education to students all over the world. Our courses integrate essential knowledge of ecology, permaculture and organic gardening to build a solid ecological foundation for your career and/or personal life.

Course Overview

Overview

Please note: This course has pre-requisites

This is a very comprehensive course, beginning with an overview of historical garden design perspectives and include examinations of art, statuary, wildlife, water, and native ecosystems in the design process. The principles of landscape design and how the various elements are used in softscaping and hardscaping will be examined in detail on how to achieve particular aesthetics and function. Design terminology and drafting skills will be applied when following the steps of the design process. Through case studies and project work, the topics of site analysis, hardscape construction and grading, estimating and landscape supplies, drainage and water solutions, site remediation and special needs will be covered. Throughout, presentation skills will be emphasized.

Student Comment

I am over the top impressed with the ELD course which should not have surprised me after the courses I've enjoyed and learned so much coming from Gaia College.
Chris Morrison, Toronto

Outline

Please download the course outline here: Ecological Landscape Design Course Outline.

Time Expectations

Students can expect to dedicate 8-10 hours per week to successfully complete this course.

As well, our courses are offered in the continuing education realm and are designed so students can complete them according to their own schedule. The work is divided up into 14 weekly topics and students are expected to complete their assigned work and quizzes by the given deadlines.

Our courses do not use online meetings, so we are not using Google Meet, Zoom or other online meeting applications.

If you have any questions about studying online with Gaia College please see our FAQs page

Prerequisites

The successful completion of the following course is pre-requisite for the online Ecological Landscape Design course:

Landscape Design Basics with Sketchup Pro (formerly Sketchup Pro for Landscape Design)

(Sketchup Pro maybe taken as a co-requisite.)

Additionally, it is strongly recommended that students have previously completed (or intend to take concurrently), or otherwise have extensive knowledge in the topics covered in the following:

Organic Master Gardener course (classroom or online) or the Organic Horticulture Specialist course (classroom or online);
Ecological Plant Knowledge 1 - Natives Online course (or the Ecological Plant Knowledge for Organic Gardeners classroom course).

Also, students must

be proficient in English (written)
be comfortable with current computer and internet technology, including spreadsheets and word processing programs
have an email account capable of receiving a large number of messages for the duration of the course
have access to high-speed internet
have access to a computer capable of running a current version of FireFox or Chrome. Tablets and phones are not supported at this time.

Student Comment

Thanks for putting together such a great program, and you have awesome teachers!
Liz Nienaber, Victoria

Evaluations

There are no formal exams in this course, as the emphasis is on developing practical skills and the ability to synthesize information.

To receive a Certificate of Completion students must contribute to all on-line discussions and satisfactorily complete all assignments.

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

Texts

Recommended Text

For using hand-drawn graphics:
Reid, Grant W., Landscape Graphics, 2002 Edition, Whitney Library of Design, New York. Available through Amazon.ca.

For ecological design and plant choices:
Rainer, Thomas and West, Claudia, Planting in a Post-wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes, 2015 Edition, Timber Press. Available through Amazon.ca.

Access to our extensive online resource library is included in the tuition.

Credits

This program is eligible for Continuing Education Credits (CECs) with the following:

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA)
Also applies to B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association (BCLNA) and Landscape Ontario
Pre-approved: 24 Credits

National Association of Landcare Professionals - American (NALP)
Pre-approved: 24 Credits

International Society of Arboriculture: Certified Arborist
Pre-approved: 10 Credits

International Society of Arboriculture: Board Certified Management Arborist
Pre-approved: 10 Credits (Practice)

International Society of Arboriculture: Municipal Specialist
Pre-approved: 10 Credits

International Society of Arboriculture: Tree Worker/Aerial Lift
Pre-approved: 1.5 Credits

B.C. Society of Landscape Architects
As per certification renewal guidelines - eligibility of this program has been confirmed

Master Gardeners of Ontario Inc. (MGOI)
Pre-approved: 24 Credits

Canadian Society for Organic Urban Land Care (SOUL)
Pre-approved: 6 Credits

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Canada
Pre-approved: 1.76 Credits

Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA)
Pre-approved: 4 Credits

Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC)
Pre-approved: 56 Core LUs

This course partially satisfies the requirements of:

Gaia College: Core course for Diploma in Organic Land Care
CLD designation offered through CNLA. Successful completion of the course may be used toward the achievement of the requirements for the Education component of the recertification process.