Nature & the Environment
NATURE & THE ENVIRONMENT
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GO NATIVE U CORE COURSES
Introduction to Native Plants and Landscapes
Gain a comprehensive foundation for garden design using native plants. Learn about the importance of native plants, showy substitutes for non-native plants, and sustainable design concepts. Recommended as a first class to the other courses.
In-Person: At SUNY Westchester Valhalla: CE-GRDN 2010, 2 Sat., Dec. 2-9, 10:30-2:00 pm, (includes a 30-minute break), KNC-5, $133. C Summers. #92002
Spring 2024
GO NATIVE U — GARDENING WITH NATIVE PLANTS
Offered in collaboration with The Native Plant Center. A percentage of tuition supports the work of 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.
Go Native U Core Courses
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, Wed., Jan. 24, 10:00 am–12:00 noon, $57. Kim Eierman. #27100
Native Trees and Shrubs
Explore the best native trees and shrubs for this region and Native Perennials: Spring/Summer. Learn about the many herbaceous native plants that will how to establish them in a landscape. CE-GRDN 2009, 2 Sat., Feb. 3 & Feb. 10, 1:00–3:00 pm, KNC-4, $93. Carolyn Summers.
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, Fri., March 22, 10:00 am–12:00 noon, KNC-5, $57. Patty Butter.
Go Native U Electives
Native Wildflower Seed-Sowing Workshop
Learn hands-on how to grow native wildflowers from seed. Become familiar with winter dormancy, how to coax the seeds to life, and concepts such as stratification. Bring two, 2-quart size plastic containers with clear lids, and take home potted-up seeds planted in class. (+$5 materials fee, payable to instructor) At SUNY Westchester Valhalla: CE-GRDN 2140, Fri., Jan. 26, 11:00 am–1:00 pm, KNC-5, $57. Patty Butter. #27103
Winter Garden Field Walk
Learn to identify herbaceous and woody plants in winter on a tour of The Native Plant Center’s gardens. Class meets outdoors in the Lady Bird Johnson demonstration garden. Park in Lot #1. Dress appropriately for the weather. At SUNY Westchester Valhalla: CE-GRDN 2142, Fri., Feb. 2 (snow date, Fri., Feb. 9), 11:00 am–1:00 pm, $57. Patty Butter. #27103
The Plants of the Native Plant Center Pre-Sale
Wondering about the great plants offered in The Native Plant Center’s Pre-Sale and which ones are right for your landscape? Take a deep dive exploring the available plants, the landscape conditions they thrive in and the ecological benefits they provide. CE-GRDN 2146, 1 Fri., Feb. 9, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, $57. K Eierman. #27272
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, Wed., Feb. 28, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, $82. K Eierman. #27105
Shade Gardening Basics
Face the challenge of what to grow in the shaded parts of your yard by learning to identify the degrees of shade you have and selecting the best native plants for those conditions. From colorful perennials to texturally unique shrubs, bring those shaded spots out of the shadows and into the limelight. At SUNY Westchester Valhalla: CE-GRDN 2133 Thur., Feb. 29, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-5, $57. D Himmelman. #27106
Best Practices for Garden Maintenance
Discover how to maintain a chemical-free, thriving native plant garden with best practices for weeding and invasive plant control, basic plant identification, and suggestions for equipment that will make the job easier. At SUNY Westchester Valhalla: CE-GRDN 2074, Sat. March 9, 1:00-3:00 pm, KNC-4, $57. C Summers. #27108
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, Wed., March 27, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, $82. K Eierman. #27109
Get the “Dirt” on Soil
Soil is alive with microorganisms that help provide garden plants all-important nutrients. Learn the basics of soil science (texture, structure), how to foster and maintain soil health, and why a soil test is a good starting point. Create a living soil and reap its benefits for years to come. At SUNY Westchester Valhalla: CE-GRDN 2134, Sat., Mar. 30, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, KNC-5, $82. D Himmelman. #27110
Weeds 101
Weeds! Lurking as seeds or underground stems, they perpetually aggravate gardeners of all skill levels. Learn some of the most common spring weeds and how to manage them before they get out of hand. Bring a weed to class to identify and discuss. At SUNY Westchester Valhalla: CE-GRDN 2141, Sat., April 6, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-5, $57. D Himmelman. #27114
Habitat for Herps
Herpetofauna, or “herps”—amphibians and reptiles—have endured hundreds of millions of years. However, their populations are in decline due to environmental stresses. Explore the differences between amphibians and reptiles and how to identify common species of the Northeast. Discover the habitats they need to survive and how you can create welcoming environments with native plants. At SUNY Westchester Valhalla: CE-SCI 2063, 1 Sun., Apr. 21, 10:00 am–12:30 pm, KNC-4, $67. J DiPaola. #27115
Introduction to Botanical Latin Plant Names
Discover why botanical Latin terms are the preferred way of describing plants. Learn how to properly use, pronounce, and punctuate the names of native plants. At SUNY Westchester Valhalla: CE-GRDN 2139, Fri. March 1, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-4, $57. P Butter. #27107
Wilderness Survival Skills
Introduction to the basics of wilderness survival techniques. Learn how to build survival shelters, gather water, and find edibles in the wilderness. More importantly, find out which of these options should take priority in a survival situation. What tools can you make using natural materials instead? The program can also show the basics of fire building and the variety of uses of fire in the wild. At SUNY Westchester Valhalla: CE-TRVL 2050, 1 Sat., May 4, 2:00-4:00 pm, CLA-100, $30. S Sciame #27137
Camping 101
This introduction to camping includes an overview of different group and personal equipment to pack, how to set up a campsite, hands-on demonstration to put up a tent, and much more. What items are vital and what are optional? How do you build a campfire? These questions and more are answered in this program, great for beginning campers or as a refresher. At SUNY Westchester Valhalla: CE-TRVL 2049, 1 Sat., Apr. 13, 2:00-4:00 pm, CLA-100, $30. S Sciame #27138
Summer 2024
Wilderness Survival Skills
Introduction to the basics of wilderness survival techniques. Learn how to build survival shelters, gather water, and find edibles in the wilderness. More importantly, find out which of these options should take priority in a survival situation. What tools can you make using natural materials instead? The program can also show the basics of fire building and the variety of uses of fire in the wild. At SUNY Westchester Valhalla: CE-TRVL 2050, 1 Sun., June 16, 1:30- 3:30 pm, CLA-100, $30. S Sciame #3063
IN-PERSON
Camping 101
This introduction to camping includes an overview of different group and personal equipment to pack, how to set up a campsite, hands-on demonstration to put up a tent, and much more.
What items are vital and what are optional? How do you build a campfire? These questions and more are answered in this program, great for beginning campers or as a refresher.
At SUNY Westchester Valhalla: CE-TRVL 2049, 1 Sun., June 30, 1:30- 3:30 pm, CLA-100, $30. S Sciame #3064
IN-PERSON