Nature & the Environment
To register please call 914-606-6830 and press option 1
Spring 2023
Environmental Education and Conservation
A Partnership between the 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, Westmoreland Sanctuary’s 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’s a place where wild bird and animal life flourish; a place where native flowers, shrubs, plants and trees are cherished, protected and preserved. It’s 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, Westmorland staff also conducts programs for adults that are both wide and varied.
To learn more, please visit: www.WestmorelandSanctuary.org.
All classes below are held onsite at Westmoreland Sanctuary, 260 Chestnut Ridge Road, Mount Kisco
Bird Banding
A unique learning activity in our bird banding program. 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. 8, 9:00-11:00 am, $25. S Ricker. #20202
Winter Tree Identification
Learn how to identify trees without leaves using habitat, bark, branching, and more. We’ll join the instructor for a hike on trails to practice identifying 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. 14, 2:00-4:00 pm, $25. S Ricker. #20203
Winter Animal Tracking
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 the way 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 Sat., Feb. 11, 2:00-4:00 pm, $25. S Ricker. #20211
GO NATIVE U SPRING 2023 CLASSES
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 and press 1 or register online at www.sunywcc.edu/wdce
Go Native U Core Courses
Northeastern Native Trees and Shrubs
Explore the best native trees and shrubs for this region and how to establish them in a landscape.
CE-GRDN 2009, 2 Sat., Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 12:00-2:00 pm, KNC-3, $93. C Summers. #20081
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., Mar. 4, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-4, $57. P Butter. #20080
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., Jan. 25, 10:00 am–12:00 noon, $57. K Eierman. #20056
Go Native U Electives
Introduction to Landscape Design
Learn the introductory steps to site analysis and approaches to landscape design. Use sketching to engage your imagination and to communicate design options. Evaluate the strengths of each design. Students are required to bring to the first session a project idea or an unfinished project. Design options, completed by students at home, will be reviewed in the second session. Contact Sandra@inklandscapearchitects.com for supply list.
CE-GRDN 2124, 2 Wed., Feb. 1 & 8, 9:00 am–12:00 noon, $133. S Cioffi. #20220
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 approximately two quart sized plastic containers with clear lids, and take home potted-up seeds planted in class.
CE-GRDN 2140, 1 Sat., Feb. 11, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-4, $57. P Butter. #20389
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 gardens. Park in Lot #1. Dress appropriately for the weather. Meet at the Native Plant Center sign on the east side of Parking Lot 1. Snow date Feb. 24th.
CE-GRDN 2142, 1 Fri., Feb. 17, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, $57. P Butter. #20388
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.
CE-GRDN 2074, 1 Sat., Feb. 25, 12:00 noon-2:00 pm, KNC-4, $57. C Summers. #20082
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 Thurs., Mar. 2, 10:00 am–1:00 pm, $82. K Eierman. #20057
Intro 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.
CE-GRDN 2139, 1 Fri., Mar. 17, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-4, $57. P Butter. #20404
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 Thurs., Mar. 23, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, $82. K Eierman. #20058
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 for us to identify and/or discuss!
CE-GRDN 2141, 1 Thurs., Mar. 23, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-4, $57. D Himmelman. #20405
The Pollinator Victory Garden
Many pollinator species have suffered serious declines, and many landscapes offer little in the way of appropriate habitat. With simple strategies, you can attract and support an array of pollinators and help reverse their decline.
CE-GRDN 2088, 1 Wed., Apr. 19, 10:00 am–1:00 pm, $82. K Eierman. #20078
Get the “Dirt” on Soil
Soil is alive, interacting with plants to provide them the all-important nutrients and water they need. Discover the differences between soil structure and texture; how to interpret a soil test report; and how you can modify your garden soil to improve its qualities. Leave class with the ability to create a living soil that you will reap the benefits of for years to come.
CE-GRDN 2134, 1 Sat., Apr. 1, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, KNC-4, $82. D Himmelman. #20055
Shade Gardening Basics
Wondering what to grow in the shaded parts of your yard? This class addresses the challenge, from identifying the degrees of shade you have to 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.
CE-GRDN 2133, 1 Thurs., Mar. 16, 10:00 am–12:00 noon, KNC-4, $57. D Himmelman. #20079
The Go Native U Certificate Program is a collaborative effort between SUNY Westchester Community College and The Native Plant Center. A percentage of tuition supports the work of The Native Plant Center.