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“I highly recommend taking any course through Gaia College! They are the leader in Organic Land Care and whether you take one course or pursue their Diploma program you will be thankful for their evidence based, in depth courses and the supportive expertise of their amazing teachers/facilitators." - Spencer Curran, Diploma in Organic Land Care
Our courses are offered asynchronously to fit flexibly into your schedule. Courses start in January, May and September and run for 14 weeks. For more information about course format and delivery, click here.
You may take any of our courses individually to earn a certificate upon passing. You may also choose to complete five courses to earn a Diploma in Organic Land Care.
Many of our courses qualify for professional or industry continuing education credits (CECs) through our partner organizations. Gaia College courses may also be applied towards Society for Urban Land Care (SOUL) Organic Land Care Practitioner and Certified Organic Land Care Professional qualifications. For more information about our continuing education program courses, click here.
Gaia College students receive lifetime access to the online learning resource and discussion forums.
Our courses are led by expert facilitators who guide you throughout the shared learning experience. Students from all over the world come to Gaia College to learn to care for the land organically.
Our CoursesIf you're a new student, please register before enroling in a course: Register. If you're a returning student please login in the top right corner with the same email you used on our previous site, your password can be reset there if necessary. Organic Master GardenerYou will see the world in a new way. Learn the connections between soil health, plant health, human health and environmental health. This is our foundational course, intended for the home gardener. Growing FoodThis is a comprehensive course for students wanting to grow their own food. You will learn organic gardening principles, applied permaculture, harvesting and food preservation. Successfully grow an abundance of healthy, nutritious and delicious fruits and vegetables. Ecological Plant Knowledge 1 - NativesWhy are native plants important for your garden? Are you looking to support native wildlife and pollinators? Join learners from diverse gardening backgrounds who are interested in incorporating native plants into designed landscapes. Landscape Design Basics with SketchUp ProThis is our introduction to the language and tools of landscape design. Students will learn the landscape design process, project modeling and presentation in 2D and 3D views, as well as some estimate and material specification. We use SketchUp Pro and Layout for the graphic design and presentation tools, and lessons progress through various levels of learning the software. Ecological Landscape DesignYou will learn the principles and practice of ecological landscape design. Students will explore how the various elements are used in softscaping and hardscaping. In particular, how to achieve aesthetic and functional goals while creating ecologically sound landscapes. This is our capstone course, integrating the knowledge and skills gained from the Organic Land Care Diploma courses. Organic Horticulture SpecialistYou will see the world in a new way. Learn the connections between soil health, plant health, human health and environmental health. This is our foundation course, intended for the professional gardener. Living Green InfrastructureThis course is designed to provide the knowledge and tools to professionals and practitioners for a solid understanding of living green infrastructure. Learn to implement technologies and best management practices throughout the planning, constructing and maintenance of sustainable land development. Rainwater Harvesting and ManagementUsing the concepts of rainwater management, and implementing key components of rainwater harvesting, professionals and trades practitioners will be able to design, create and manage quality systems in a sustainable and environmentally ethical manner. Business Skills for Land Care ProfessionalsThis is a practical introduction to common business solutions. You will build a framework addressing the administrative, operational and marketing requirements for your business. This course is designed for small landscaping businesses, however, it can be applied to many types of small businesses. Participants will develop their own marketing and business plans. Ecological Plant Knowledge 2 - OrnamentalsStudents learn to understand plants in the context of their ecosystem. Students are guided in conducting their own research to identify specific relationships for specific ornamental plants. This is particularly important so that ornamental plants will have the environmental support they need to thrive. |