Start Date
02/21/2026
End Date
02/21/2026
Description
Part of the Sustainable Landcare Accreditation Training. This session is not available separately.
Live Webinar: Jan. 29, Feb. 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 24, 26 |?6 – 9 pm
In-person Trainings:
Sat., Jan. 31 | 9 am?– 4:30 pm
(IN-PERSON, PHIPPS NATIVE PLANT CONFERENCE IN SPECIAL EVENTS HALL)?
SAT., FEB. 21 | 9 A.M. – 12:15 P.M.
(IN-PERSON, ORGANIC TREE CARE DEMO, PHIPPS GARDEN CENTER)?
For landscape and lawn care professionals looking to distinguish themselves as true sustainable practitioners, Phipps offers Sustainable Landcare Accreditation Training, modeled after the NOFA Organic Landcare Program in Connecticut. For more information and to register, visit phipps.conservatory.org/landcare.
The Sustainable Landcare Accreditation training is designed for landscape and lawn care professionals looking to distinguish themselves as true sustainable practitioners. Coordinated by Phipps Sustainable Landcare Staff, this program offers an in-depth look at landscaping sustainably. This intensive training is modeled after the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) Organic Land Care Program. Local landcare experts and regional professionals serve as instructors in this online course. Experienced green industry practitioners pair up with knowledgeable professionals from environmental organizations, such as Tree Pittsburgh, UpStream, Penn State Extension, Allegheny Land Trust and the Rodale Institute to share cutting edge sustainable landcare methods and techniques. The diverse faculty provide a depth of knowledge on the topic while sharing regional examples and solutions. The course covers content such as soil ecology; site analysis and design; organic pest, weed and disease control; rainwater management; invasive plants and more.
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Distance Learning
No
Course Equivalency
No
Subjects
Horticulture / Plants
Health, Safety and Welfare
Yes
Hours
3.25
Learning Outcomes
- Use proper planting techniques for healthy trees that have been carefully selected for the given location.
- Read over the preferred methods for organic tree care and evaluate their current practices. Describing the preferred methods that they are using well and those that they can improve upon.
- Define two basic approaches to preparing the soil in a planting bed and compare and contrast the two methods.
- Describe their approach to preparing a site for planting, including as many preferred planting methods as possible.
- List preferred and allowed methods for obtaining seeds and plants.
- Describe how to select, prepare and plant bare root, containerized and B&B plant materials.
- Follow Preferred and Allowed procedures for removing unwanted vegetation.
- Be able to prepare a planting bed based on soil test recommendation using organic materials, site conditions and types of plants.
- Name organic cultural practices used to maintain and enhance plantings.
- Describe the correct time and method of pruning woody plants.
- Name five preferred pruning techniques.
Instructors
Joe Stavish, Jake Milofsky
Course Codes
Provider
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens