Continuing Education

Home & Garden

GO NATIVE U at Westchester Community College:
A Certificate Program in Sustainable Gardening with Northeast Flora

Sustainable gardens are beautiful and are part of the larger interdependent whole of our local environment. Learning about the beauty, importance and benefits of our regional flora will enhance your gardening experience and help support your community landscape.

Modeled on the successful "Go Native U" course of study run by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, located in Austin, Texas, this program focuses on the northeastern region. Go Native U at Westchester Community College offers a schedule of courses that are designed to be of benefit to business owners as well as garden enthusiasts. If you are a landscaper, landscape architect or landscape designer, run a nursery or garden center, love working in your own garden, or seek to improve your home and community environment, this program is for you. Upon completion, participants will gain an understanding of regional ecology and sustainable practices that will serve to guide gardening, landscape design, land and grounds management, selection, sales, and marketing decisions.

The certificate consists of 50 contact hours offered over the period of the year which includes core courses (18 hrs.), electives (17 hrs.) plus community service (15 hrs.). Some classes will have LA-CES approved credit hours. All courses taught by highly qualified, experienced professionals.

To register for these courses, please call 914-606-6830 and press 1 or register online at sunywcc.edu/CE

Core Classes:
Northeastern Native Plants in Our Landscapes
This course is a prerequisite for the remaining courses. For design professionals, master gardeners and gardening enthusiasts, this provides a comprehensive foundation for garden design using regionally native plants. Issues covered include wildlife benefits, harmful invasives and sustainable design. Students will learn to apply basic ecological and design principles in their own and clients’ gardens. Topics include why use natives?, the garden as wildlife habitat, principles of safe sex in the garden, showy native substitutes for popular plants, basic design concepts and styles, and shopping for native plants.
CE-GRDN 2010, 3 Thurs., Feb. 2-16, 6:30-8:30 pm, CLA-100, $120. C Summers. #13311

New! Native Plant Communities
This class will introduce you to the various plant communities found in the Northeast and our metropolitan region.
CE-GRDN 2013, 1 Tues., Feb. 7, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, CLA-100, $45. E Katoni. #13315

Native Herbaceous Plants: Part II
Native plants are the first sign of warm weather to come. Learn about the many lovely herbaceous plants that will not only enhance your garden but will also provide important food and shelter for native bees, butterflies, birds and more.
CE-GRDN 2016, 1 Sat., Feb. 25, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, CLA-100, $30. B Fischer. #13313

New! Plant Identification in the Field
What is the name of that plant? This practical course will take you outside the classroom to show you how to identify plants using a taxonomic identification key. The outdoor session will use the Native Plant Center’s demonstration gardens and other parts of the college campus in Valhalla.
CE-GRDN 2023, 1 Sat., May 12, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, CLA-100, $45. C Summers. #13316

Elective Classes:
Principles of Sustainable Landscape Design
In addition to naturalistic planting schemes, native plants may be used in a variety of landscape settings, including formal and contemporary. Find out how to use these plants in ways that compliment distinct and unique architectural and personal styles.
CE-GRDN 2015, 1 Sat., Jan. 21, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, CLA-100, $45. J Johnsen. #13322

New! Ecological Design
An introduction to a different design approach using native plants appropriate to the ecological system of your site. Re-imagine 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 the native plants suitable for the different plant communities in creating or restoring a natural landscape.
CE-GRDN 2029, 1 Tues., Mar. 6, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, CLA-100, $45. E Katoni. #13552

Composting for the Gardener, Homeowner, and Environmentally Concerned Citizen
Ah, the joys of turning something you think you don’t need, don’t want, and can’t wait to get rid of into something you don’t know how you managed without. The biological byproducts of our gardening and living are only waste when we fail to recognize their value and throw them away. Stop and learn a few simple principles and practices and become skilled at transmuting waste into a rich resource for gardens, houseplants, lawns, and wildlife habitats. Learn the basics of composting garden materials and household food scraps, the techniques used, materials employed, and the powerful benefits of the end products produced.
CE-GRDN 2018, 1 Sat., Mar. 24, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, CLA-100, $60. MJ Wilson. #13321

Northeastern Native Ferns for Your Gardens
Explore a fantastic group of plants that offers a wide diversity of form and design applications. Ferns range from delicate to bold and are not just for shady and moist areas – many will withstand full sun and drought conditions. The instructor will provide information that will assist you with selection and use for a variety of landscape situations.
CE-GRDN 2017, 1 Thurs., May 3, 1:30-3:30 pm, CLA-100, $30. T Stewart. #13319

The Go Native U Certificate Program is a collaborative effort between Westchester Community College and The Native Plant Center. A percentage of tuition fees will be donated to help support the work of The Native Plant Center.

New! Floral Arrangement 101
Learn the basic principles of flower arranging including everything you need to produce creative floral arrangements for your home, office, and friends. Learn how to utilize color intensity, shape, and form to design breathtaking floral arrangements. No prior knowledge of floral arrangement principles required. Materials list (estimated fee: $85) will be given out the first day of class; everything can be obtained from the instructor or any arts and crafts store.
CE-CRAFT 2029, 7 Fri., Jan. 20-Mar. 9 (skip 2/17), 6:00-8:00 pm, Room TBD, $150. M Desire. #13305

Interior Design 101
Learn the basic tools to create an artful home including creating a floorplan, the use of color, and window treatments. The principal elements of design will be discussed: balance, proportion and color. Address design as an artist approaches a canvas, with the room as the composition. Email instructor at mt.design@verizon.net for a list of supplies at least one week prior to class.
CE-ART 2062, 3 Wed., Jan. 18-Feb. 1, 6:00-9:00 pm, Room TBD, $115. M Tallerico. #13308

Home Repair and Remodeling
A basic home how to course! Learn everything you need to know about how to choose tools and contractors, how to paint like Michelangelo, basic electrical and plumbing repairs, repair and installation of new walls, and how to put up wallpaper and paneling.
CE-HOME 2000, 5 Sat., Jan. 14-Feb. 11, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, Room TBD, $110 (+ $5 materials fee, payable to instructor). L Sussels. #13310

AutoCAD for Landscape Design 1
Learn basic AutoCAD concepts as they apply to landscape design. Topics include the graphical interface, basic drawing and editing commands. We use Windows; the program is also available for recent Macs. Please bring a USB flash drive to copy files for homework. Prerequisite: Essential Computer Skills 1 & 2 or equivalent experience. No computer graphics experience is needed, but file management skills are required.
CE-COMP 2085, 8 Sun., Jan. 22-Mar. 11, 1:00-4:00 pm, Room TBD, $450. #13251