Nature & the Environment
NATURE & THE ENVIRONMENT – GO NATIVE U CORE COURSES
Call 914-606-6830 and press 1, to register.
Fall 2024
Classes and Certificate Program in Gardening with Native Plants. Go Native U at SUNY Westchester Community College offered 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. To register for these courses, please call 914-606-6830
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. Meet at the Native Plant Center cottage. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide is required. CE-GRDN 2023, 1 Thurs., Oct. 10, 10:00 am–12:00 noon, NPC, $57. J Schuler. #91993
Native Perennials: Summer/Fall
Discover the many lovely herbaceous plants that will enhance your garden while providing food and shelter for native bees, butterflies, and more. CE-GRDN 2008, 1 Fri., Nov. 8, 1:00-3:00 pm, GTW-135, $57. P Butter. #97997
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. CE-GRDN 2010, 2 Sat., Nov. 16 & 23, 10:30 am-2:00 pm (includes a 30-minute break), KNC-4, $133. C Summers. #98000
GO NATIVE U ELECTIVES
Identifying and Supporting Local Wild Bees
Explore the different groups of wild bees that make their homes in the New York metropolitan area. Learn about their identifying features, nesting habits, and more. CE-GRDN 2120, 1 Sat., Sept. 28, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-2, $57. S Kornbluth. #98001
The Native Garden in Fall and Winter
Learn which native plants extend the showiness and textural interest of your garden through fall and winter with beautiful foliage, colorful branches, striking structure, berries, and seed pods. CE-GRDN 2118, 1 Wed., Oct. 2, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, $82. K Eierman. #98002
Native Plants and People
Experience native plants from Indigenous worldview through evolutionary history, ethnobotany, and ecology within Indigenous traditional narrative, TEK (Traditional Ecological Knowledge), TNAM (Traditional Native American Medicine), and how these paths can inform native plant horticulture. Indoor and outdoor learning. Participants encouraged to bring a leaf from their favorite native plant. CE-GRDN 2149, 1 Tues., Oct. 1, 1:00–4:00 pm, KNC-5, $82.N. Cachat-Schilling. #98094
Native Herbals: Their History and Uses
Learn the history and medicinal uses of our native flora, including goldenrod, spicebush, and boneset. Students will make their own remedy to take home. Meet in the Lady Bird Johnson Demonstration Garden on campus; park in Lot #1. CE-GRDN 2082, 1 Thur., Oct. 3, 11:00 am–12:30 pm, $41. C. Pierson. #98003
Native Plant Center Garden Tour
Explore the collections of The Native Plant Center on a guided tour of its demonstration gardens in their fall glory. Discover the range of styles and functions – come away with inspiration for your own garden. Meet in the Lady Bird Johnson Garden on campus; park in Lot #1. CE-GRDN 2136, 1 Fri., Oct. 4, 1:00-3:00 pm, $57. P Butter. #98004
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. CE-GRDN 2134, 1 Sat., Oct. 5, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, KNC-5, $82. D Himmelman. #98005
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 Thurs., Oct. 17, 10:00 am–12:00 noon, $57 (+ textbook). J Schuler. #98006
Designing Native Plant Gardens
Learn how to assess and analyze an existing site and how to develop a beautiful, beneficial design plan that encourages birds and pollinators and incorporates sustainable principles. CE-GRDN 2015, 2 Tues., Oct. 8 & 15, 7:00–8:30 pm, GTW-135, $82. L Becker. #98007
Meadowscaping at Home
Consider turning part of your lawn into a beautiful, low maintenance, and ecologically beneficial haven. Learn how to create a native meadow or a meadow-like garden using the best native plants for pollinators. CE-GRDN 2041, 1 Wed., Oct. 9, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, $82. K Eierman. #98008
Unlocking the Mysteries of Native Plant Selection
When choosing native plants, you need to ask the right questions to get the best results. Let’s sort out the mysteries and complexities of native plant selection including: Are native cultivars OK to use? Am I buying a genetic clone? What are local ecotypes? Are dwarf nativars ecologically useful? What’s the tradeoff with double flowers? Which native plants require pollination partners? …and much more. CE-GRDN 2135 1 Tues., Oct. 16, 10:00 am–1:00 pm, $82. K Eierman. #98009
In the Field: Become a Community Scientist
Everyday people across the country are recording their observations of plants and animals in the name of science. You can, too. Learn about “Citizen” or “Community” Science and how to use identification and reporting apps such as SEEK and iNaturalist to help learn more about local flora and fauna, their habitats, seasonal changes and to advance research. The class will spend time in the field for hands-on experience. A smartphone is required. CE-SCI 2062 1 Fri., Oct. 18, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, CLA-203, $57. R Finkelstein. #98010
Gardening for Hummingbirds
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are amazing creatures and always a wonder to see. Make your yard a haven for these tiny flying jewels with a great selection of native plants that provide food sources and nesting sites all season long. CE-GRDN 2132, 1 Sat., Oct. 19, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-5, $57. D Himmelman. #98011
Effortless and Evergreen—Deer-Resistant Native Groundcovers
Move over pachysandra, myrtle, and mulch. Discover the many native groundcovers that are easy to grow, shunned by deer, and offer year-round interest. Create a living mulch that provides seasonal beauty, is beneficial to wildlife, and moderates soil temperature and moisture. CE-GRDN 2119, 1 Tue., Oct. 22, 9:30 am–10:30 am, KNC-5, $36. M Fabel. #98012
Gardening Strategies for the Climate Crisis
The urgency of the climate crisis has never been greater—more severe and erratic weather, record losses of native species, and an increase of invasive species. Discover gardening strategies to reduce the impacts of climate change and improve your surrounding environment. CE-GRDN 2126, 1 Wed., Oct. 23, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, $82. K Eierman. #98013
Landscaping for Higher Ecosystem Function
A landscape may be beautiful but have little ecological value. Find out how to leverage the ecosystem function in your landscape to support wildlife and people. CE-GRDN 2064, 2 Wed., Oct. 30-Nov. 6, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, $133. K Eierman. #98015
A Sight for Sori: Identifying Ferns of the Northeast
Discover the anatomy, basic identification characteristics, and reproductive cycle of common native ferns. Plant your own container of fern spores to take home. Become a frond flipper as the class moves outdoors to examine a few fern species in The Native Plant Center demonstration gardens. Bring a pint-sized plastic container with a clear lid. CE-GRDN 2143, 1 Fri., Oct. 25, 1:00-3:30 pm, GTW-135, $67. (+ $5 materials fee, payable to instructor). P Butter. #98014
Pressing Plants for Art and Science
From the field to the herbarium and studio, explore the essentials of making museum-quality preserved plant specimens suitable for research, education and the arts. Students will mount and label five prepared specimens. CE-SCI 2064, 1 Fri., Nov. 1, & 1 Sat., Nov. 2, 10:00 am–1:00 pm, CLA-203, $133 (+ $10 materials fee, payable to instructor). D. Atha. #98095