Westchester Community College, State University of New York

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/ce All classes are held in the Knollwood Center (KNC) or Classroom Building Room 100 (CLA-100).

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., Feb. 8, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-2, $55. B Fischer. #15252

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. 19, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-3, $55. K Eierman. #15253

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 Fri., May 8, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, CLA-100, $55. J Schuler. #15258

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 based on practical and helpful criteria. 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@plantmearainbow.com for supply list prior to first class.

CE-GRDN 2124, 2 Sat., Jan. 25 & Feb. 1, 10:00 am–1:00 pm, KNC-4, $130. S Nam Cioffi. #15512

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 Fri., Jan. 31, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-3, $55. C Summers. #15361

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 Fri., Feb. 7, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-3, $55. C Summers. #15359

Attracting birds to your landscape requires an ecological approach--different species have different requirements. Learn the best landscaping techniques, and discover native plants that provide food, shelter, and nesting sites birds depend on.

CE-GRDN 2116, 1 Wed., Mar. 18, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, KNC-3, $80. K Eierman. #15254

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 Fri., Mar. 20 & 27, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-3, $90. J Schuler. #15360

Explore the fundamentals of seed germination and transplanting- from proper temperatures and the best soils to how to avoid pitfalls! Learn the techniques native seeds require, the difference between stratification, and scarification and what a code such as C-60 means.

CE-GRDN 2115, 1 Sat., Mar. 28, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, KNC-3, $55, A Megaro. #15262

Learn the role fungi play in both a healthy garden and as pathogens in a less healthy landscape. Practical tips will be offered in using fungi as amendments, for growing edible mushrooms, and for recognizing common fungal diseases and parasites. Participants will inoculate and take home a shiitake log.

CE-GRDN 2123, 1 Sun., Apr. 5, 10:00 am–12:00 noon, KNC-4, $55. T Ietaka. #15511

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. 15, 7:00- 9:30 pm, KNC-3, $65 (+ $5 materials fee, payable to instructor). M Penziner. #15310

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 Sat., May 2, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, CLA-100, $80. K Eierman. #15255

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 Sat., May 2, 2:00-5:00 pm, KNC-4, $80. L Forcella. #15259

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, 1 Sun., May 3, 10:00 am-5:00 pm (1-hour lunch-break), KNC-4, $130. L Forcella. #15260

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., May 6, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, CLA-100, $55. E Katoni. #15261

Using the gardens of The Native Plant Center as classroom, learn through discussion and demonstration basic techniques such as cutting back, weeding, edging, mulching, planting, dividing, and planning your garden for the future. Class meets outdoors in the New American Cottage Garden, behind The Native Plant Center’s headquarters.

CE-GRDN 2122, 1 Wed., May 13, 10:00 am-12:30 pm, $65. J Lapsker. #15510

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. Class meets outdoors in the New American Cottage Garden behind the Native Plant Center headquarters. Dress appropriately for the weather. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide required.

CE-GRDN 2050, 1 Fri., May 15, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, $55. J Schuler. #15660

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. Come, enjoy and reconnect with nature, and maybe even yourself.

Central to Westmoreland Sanctuary’s mission, is providing environmental and conservation education about the health of our environment and natural world and how it depends on a committed generation of today to pass the torch of appreciation, understanding, and respect of the natural world to future generations. To learn more, visit: www.WestmorelandSanctuary.org.

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. 11, 9:00-11:00 am, $30. S Ricker. #15505

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 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., Feb. 1, 2:00-4:00 pm, $30. S Ricker. #15502

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. 4, 2:00-4:00 pm, $30. C Martin. #15504

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. 28, 2:00-4:00 pm, $30. C Martin. #15501

This course covers the importance of soil health in sustainable agriculture as well as practices to ensure soil health in gardening. Topics include basic soil science, tilling vs. no till, composting systems, soil testing, crop rotation, and soil amendments. Upon completion of the course, students will have a basic understanding of soil science and be able to complete and analyze a soil test.

CE-GRDN 2094, 4 Sat., Feb. 22-Mar. 14, 9:00 am-12:00 noon, Barn F, $300. #15637

This course covers various greenhouse structures and how to operate a greenhouse. Topics include types of greenhouses, design and construction, plant propagation, winter planting, and season extension. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to plan their own greenhouse operation and have an in-depth knowledge of plant propagation.

CE-GRDN 2095, 3 Sat., Apr. 4-18, 9:00 am-12:00 noon, Barn F, $225. #15638