Nature & the Environment
To register please call 914-606-6830 and press option 1
GO NATIVE U CLASSES
Classes and Certificate Program in Gardeningwith Native Plants
Go Native U at Westchester Community College
in collaboration with The Native Plant Center
Discover how to plant and grow a beautiful and beneficial landscape using plants native to the Northeast.Gardening enthusiasts, landscape architects, and designers will learn from experienced instructors about the importance of native plants, regional ecology, and the sustainable practices that can be used to enhance home and community environments.Students can enroll in single classes or pursue a certificate in Sustainable Gardening with Native Plants, which consists of 50 contact hours (18 hours/core courses, 17 hours/electives, and 15 hours/community service) plus a final exam. Most classes offer LA-CES approved credit hours; some offer ISA-approved credit.
To register for these courses, please call 914-606-6830 and press 1 or
register online at www.sunywcc.edu/wdce All classes are held in the Classroom Building, Room 100, Park in Lot #4, unless otherwise noted.
Lichens Workshop
More than splotches on rocks and trees, lichens are amazing examples of cross-kingdom collaboration in which a fungus and its partners have conquered the elements and predators for millions of years. Learn about these fascinating organisms and how to recognize the common lichens of the area. Class moves outdoors; dress appropriately for weather.
CE-GRDN 2109, 1 Sat., Dec. 15, 9:30-11:30 am, KNC-4, $55. T Ietaka. #83485
Colonial Candle Making
Hop in the time machine as we go back to the colonial days and discover how candles were made then. Every participant will have the opportunity to make his own hand-dipped candle to take home. Please dress for the weather.
CE-CRAFT 2055, 1 Sat., Dec. 8, 2:00-4:00 pm, $25 (+ $2 for candle wax and wick, payable to instructor). S Ricker. #83508
This class held onsite at Westmoreland Sanctuary, 260 Chestnut Ridge Road, Mount Kisco
Spring 2019
Grow “Ugly” Heirloom Tomatoes
Take the first steps toward an August harvest of your own crop of “ugly” tomatoes, those old-fashioned heirlooms with strange names such as “Mortgage Lifter.” Plant six varieties of hard-to-find tomato seeds to take home, learn their history and importance, and take in techniques for transplanting them and growing a spectacular crop of multicolored, unusually shaped luscious tomatoes. If you do not have a place to germinate and grow the seedlings, the instructor can provide greenhouse space for a nominal fee. Meets at the Greenhouse at the Hart’s Brook Nature Preserve in Greenburgh, NY.
CE-GRDN 2077, 1 Sat., Apr. 13, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, $30 ($15 materials fee for handouts, seeds, and planting materials, payable to instructor). A Kish. #13089
Starting a Vegetable Garden
Eat healthy, save money, and reduce stress. Learn everything you need to start a vegetable garden. Site selection, soil preparation, deciding what to grow and when and how to plant it will all be explained and demonstrated in this workshop. Additional seedlings may be available for purchase. Meets at the Greenhouse at the Hart’s Brook Nature Preserve in Greenburgh, NY.
CE-GRDN 2076, 1 Sat., May 4, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, $30 ($5 materials fee for handouts and seedling samples, payable in cash to instructor at class). A Kish. #13090
GO NATIVE U Spring 2019 CLASSES
Classes and Certificate Program in Gardening with Native Plants
Go Native U at Westchester Community College
in collaboration with The Native Plant Center
Discover how to plant and grow a beautiful and beneficial landscape using plants native to the Northeast.
Gardening enthusiasts, landscape architects, and designers will learn from experienced instructors about the importance of native plants, regional ecology, and the sustainable practices that can be used to enhance home and community environments.
Students can enroll in single classes or pursue a certificate in Sustainable Gardening with Native Plants, which consists of 50 contact hours (18 hours/core courses, 17 hours/electives, and 15 hours/community service) plus a final exam. Most classes offer LA-CES approved credit hours; some offer ISA-approved credit. To register for these courses, please call 914-606-6830 and press 1 or register online at www.sunywcc.edu/wdce. All classes are held in the Knollwood Center, unless otherwise noted. Park in Lot 6.
Go Native U Core Courses
Native Perennials: Spring/Summer
Learn about the many herbaceous native plants that will enhance your garden and also provide food and shelter for native bees, butterflies, birds, and other wildlife.
CE-GRDN 2016, 1 Sat., Jan. 26, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-4, $55. B Fischer. #13170
Introduction to Native Plant Communities
Examine the groups of native plants that grow together in the wild, and the ecological reasons for gardening with this approach. Learn about common plant communities, why they are important, and how to emulate them in your landscape.
CE-GRDN 2013, 1 Wed., Feb. 6, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-4, $55. K Eierman. #13171
Plant Identification in the Field
Move outside the classroom to learn how to identify plants using a taxonomic key. Try your skills in the field by exploring the demonstration gardens of The Native Plant Center and the grounds of the college campus. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide is required.
CE-GRDN 2023, 1 Tues., May 7, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-3, $55. J Schuler. #13172
Go Native U Elective Courses
Gardening with Native Grasses
Native grasses and sedges can add beauty, depth, and texture to the landscape while providing food and shelter for wildlife. Learn how to plant and use the best of these cold-hardy, low-maintenance plants in a wide variety of settings, from large meadows to native grass gardens and mixed borders.
CE-GRDN 2085, 1 Sat. Feb. 9, 1:00-3:00 pm, KNC-3, $55. M Hagen. #13173
Spring Awakening
Discover the beauty and ecology of northeastern spring blooming wildflowers and their pollinators. Find out how to garden with trilliums, orchids, and other early perennials.
CE-GRDN 2117, 1 Sat., Feb. 23, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-2, $55 C Summers. #13285
Mosses and Lichens Workshop
Discover the basic evolution and biology of mosses and lichens, and how they are used by birds and other wildlife and in gardening. Learn to identify common species by creating a “living field guide.” Dress appropriately for weather; part of the class will be held outdoors on campus.
CE-GRDN 2099, 1 Sunday, March 3, 9:30 am-12:30 pm, KNC-5, $80. T Ietaka. #13174
Gardener’s Toolkit for Invasive Species
Learn to identify common invasive species. Find out the recommended management practices for monitoring and controlling these invasives as well as pertinent regulations.
CE-GRDN 2037, 2 Tues., March 19 & 26, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-2, $90. J Schuler. #13175
Creating a Bird-Friendly Garden
Attracting birds to your landscape requires an ecological approach–different species have different requirements. Learn the best landscaping techniques, and native plants that provide the food, shelter, and nesting sites birds depend on.
CE-GRDN 2116, 1 Wed., March 27, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, KNC-3, $80, K. Eierman. #13284
Seed Germination, Basic and Advanced
Germinating seeds can be exciting and frustrating. Whether beginner or advanced, explore the basics of seed germination and transplanting–from proper temperatures and the best seed-starting soils to how to avoid common pitfalls. Learn about the more complicated techniques that many native perennial seeds require. Find out the difference between stratification and scarification and what a code such as C-60 means.
CE-GRDN 2115, 1 Sat., March 30, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-3, $55, A Megaro. #13283
Ecological Design
Reimagine a new landscape design for small or large sites or a restoration of an existing site using the concept of native plant communities. Learn how to select suitable native plants to create a natural landscape.
CE-GRDN 2029, 1 Wed., Apr. 10, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, CLA-100, $55. E Katoni. #13176
Identifying Ferns of the Northeast
Learn the distinguishing characteristics of the 30 most common ferns native to the region. Examine the shape of fronds, spore-bearing leaves, leaf veins, and margins. Ferns will be illustrated by use of a herbarium, which allows for up-close views.
CE-GRDN 2053, 1 Wed., Apr. 17, 7:00-9:30 pm, KNC-3, $65 (+ $5 materials fee, payable to instructor). M Penziner. #13177
Great Native Plants for Containers
Invite nature to your yard, patio, or balcony with container plantings. Learn which native plants grow successfully in containers and attract butterflies, beneficial insects, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.
CE-GRDN 2057, 1 Wed., May 1, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, CLA-100, $80. K Eierman. #13179
Introduction to Insect Identification
Become familiar with the common insects that can be found in native plant gardens and how they relate to the surrounding ecosystem. Learn the basics of invertebrate taxonomy and how to distinguish insects from other arthropods. Examine their habits, life cycles, and habitat preferences.
CE-GRDN 2046, 1 Mon., May 6, 7:00-9:30 pm, KNC-3, $65. L Forcella. #13180
Advanced Insect Identification
Move on to a more in-depth discussion of native insects of the Northeast. Featured species will be discussed in detail, particularly those associated with a healthy hardwood forest. Learn about the region’s ecosystems and how to create habitat niches in your own yard to attract beneficial insects, including native bee species. Prerequisite: Introduction to Insect Identification
CE-GRDN 2063, W/Th/F, May, 8-10, 7:00-9:00 pm, KNC-2, $130. L Forcella. #13084
Advanced Plant Identification in the Field
Spend the class outdoors practicing the use of field guides and taxonomic plant identification keys. Prerequisite: Plant Identification in the Field or equivalent coursework in botany. Meet in the Stone Cottage Garden on the college campus. Dress appropriately for the weather. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide required.
CE-GRDN 2050, 1 Tues., May 14, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-4, $55. J Schuler. #13181
The Go Native U Certificate Program is a collaborative effort between Westchester Community College and The Native Plant Center. A percentage of tuition supports the work of The Native Plant Center.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION
A Partnership between Westchester Community College
and Westmoreland Sanctuary
Westmoreland Sanctuary is a nature center and wildlife preserve located in Mt. Kisco, serving the Westchester community and beyond. Founded almost 60 years ago, its ever-expanding tracts of land now consist of 640 acres of year-round beauty and 7.5 miles of the finest hiking trails in Westchester. It is a place where wild bird and animal life flourish; a place where native flowers, shrubs, plants and trees are cherished, protected and preserved. It is also a place to simply come, enjoy and reconnect with nature, and maybe even yourself.
The health of our environment and natural world depends on a committed generation of today to pass the torch of appreciation, understanding, and respect of the natural world to future generations. Central to Westmoreland Sanctuary’s mission is offering environmental education and conservation programs to all. While touching the lives of 12,000 young students each year with certified environmental programming, the Westmoreland staff also conducts programs for adults that are both wide and varied. To learn more, please visit: www.WestmorelandSanctuary.org.
All 6 classes below are held onsite at Westmoreland Sanctuary, 260 Chestnut Ridge Road, Mount Kisco
Winter Tree Identification
Learn how to identify trees without leaves using habitat, bark, branching, and more. We will join the instructor for a hike on trails to practice identification techniques. The benefits of each species will be explored, and the pros and cons of different field guides will be discussed. Please dress for the outdoors; binoculars are helpful, but not required.
CE-SCI 2043, 1 Sat., Jan. 19, 2:00-4:00 pm, $25. S Ricker. #13165
Guided Hike: Animal Tracks and Signs
One of the easiest ways to know what is going on in the woods and your neighborhood is to take advantage of the tracks left in snow or mud and other signs animals leave behind. Learn to tell a rabbit track from that of a squirrel, and a coyote from a dog. Everyone will also get the opportunity to make a plaster cast of a local animal’s tracks. Please dress for the weather.
CE-SCI 2036, 1 Sun., Feb. 3, 2:00-4:00 pm, $25 (+ $2 plaster track fee, payable to instructor). S Ricker. #13169
Hiking 101
A great way to get started with this growing pastime. There are so many places to explore in our area. Maybe you want to start exploring more remote areas or just hike in a local nature area. This class will introduce you to the basics and the do’s and don’ts of hiking including, safety, what to wear, where to go depending on your level and interests, how to plan, basic map and compass reading skills, long hikes and day hikes and much more. We will then take a short hike along Westmoreland Sanctuary’s beautiful trail system so dress for the weather!
CE-TRVL 2047, 1 Sat., Mar. 16, 2:00-4:00 pm, $25. C Martin. #13277
Salamander Study
This class occurs during the normal season for salamander migrations and during the time when they begin to lay eggs. Learn about amphibian characteristics in general and salamanders specifically through a short presentation and hands-on experience at our vernal pools and surrounding woodland area.
CE-ANIML 2008, 1 Sat., Mar. 30, 2:00-4:00 pm, $25. C Martin. #13279
Bird Banding
A unique learning activity! Participate as staff use mist nets and other techniques to safely capture wild birds, then assist as they identify each bird, record its age and sex, and carefully place a numbered band on the bird before it is released. Allows participants to see what scientists do to study birds. Please dress for the weather.
CE-SCI 2035, 1 Sat., Apr. 13, 9:00-11:00 am, $25. S Ricker. #13164
Snake Study
Join us for a hands-on, interactive experience that utilizes both live snakes and snake dissection specimens. Study snake behaviors and traits as well as their interior and exterior appearance.
CE-ANIML 2007, 1 Sat., Apr. 20, 2:00-3:30 pm, $20. C Martin. #13278
All 6 classes above are held onsite at Westmoreland Sanctuary, 260 Chestnut Ridge Road, Mount Kisco