Habitat Advocate Classes

Are you interested in learning about wildlife habitat for your property and community? Lancaster Conservancy is excited to offer a series of classes that will equip you with conservation landscaping tools; key solutions to solving our water, climate, and habitat crises.

ABOUT THE HABITAT ADVOCATE CLASSES & CERTIFICATION

Who are these classes and certification for?

Whether you’re a homeowner hoping to learn skills to transform your own property, a seasoned landscaper or groundskeeper looking to advance your professional knowledge, or a passionate community member that wants to learn how they can help transform their neighborhood, school, or place of worship into a thriving space for wildlife – these classes are for you!

Do I need to take the prerequisite to take the other classes?

The first class, Habitat Advocates: Building Biodiversity in our Community, is required before taking most of the other classes, whether you wish to complete the certificate or just take individual classes. Having the shared experience of this first class will help to build common language and essential baseline knowledge for all future classes whether you’re an expert or new to ecological gardening. There are two classes that do not require the prerequisite: Native Garden Design for Stormwater Management and Green Mulch – Using Native Plants as Groundcovers.

How does the certification work?

Anyone completing all 10 classes and the final Native Garden Design and Build class qualifies to be a certified Habitat Advocate. The 10 classes will be offered each year so that you can slowly work towards completing the certification over time if you do not wish to sign up for all of the classes in one season.

Can I sign up for individual classes?

Yes! Participation in individual classes is welcome with the exception of the Native Garden Design and Build class, which is a final demonstration of skills and experience for the certification.

How old do you need to be to participate?

Attendees ages 16 and over are invited but must be accompanied by an adult if younger than 18.

Do you need continuing education for this certification?

It is highly recommended that certified habitat advocates attend additional classes annually upon completion of the certificate. To expand knowledge and experience in this field, additional habitat advocate classes will be offered in the future as a supplement to these initial classes.

 

Still have questions? Please reach out to Linda Ferich at LFerich@lancasterconservancy.org. 

Upcoming Classes

Fall 2024 Session at Tec Centro

[Prereq]

Habitat Advocate: Building Biodiversity in our Community

The introductory course, “Habitat Advocates: Building Biodiversity in our Community” is required as a prerequisite before taking many of the other following classes to ensure all students have a shared baseline of understanding on the topic of wildlife habitat and conservation landscaping. All future classes will build on the information learned in this class.

[Plant & Insect ID]

Powerhouse Native Plants for Wildlife

Thursday, September 19 from 6-8 p.m.

Nature Journaling & Navigating Citizen Science Apps

Saturday, September 28 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Lepidoptera ID & Host Plants

Thursday, October 10 from 6-8 p.m.

Invasive Species ID & Mitigation

Saturday, November 16 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Native Plants for Winter Interest and Wildlife

Thursday, December 5 from 6-8 p.m.

[ECOLOGICAL DESIGN]

Native Garden Design for Stormwater Management

Saturday, October 26 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Site Assessment 101 – Sit-Spots to Soil Analysis

Thursday, November 7 from 6-8 p.m.

Green Mulch – Using Native Plants as Groundcovers

Saturday, November 30 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

[CERTIFICATION CAPSTONE PROJECT]

Native Garden Design/Build/Steward Workshop (CERTIFICATE STUDENTS ONLY)

EDUCATIONAL PARTNER