Certificate in Native Plants - Soils & Water 

This course is a core course and provides 6 hours toward the completion of the Certificate in Native Plants program.

Over the course of this interactive class, participants will learn about the microscopic world that we cannot see, and how it is the basis of environmental resilience – both in our gardens, and on the planet.  The first portion of the course will look in-depth at soil biological communities, including the differences between degraded "urban" soils and healthy "living" soils (and why that matters), interactions between plants and microbiota, and what you can do to "kick-start" your soil's ecology.  Students will learn how to diagnose their soil texture, improve the physical/chemical/biological properties of their soil, and be introduced to easy/inexpensive methods of increasing soil carbon and soil biodiversity.  The second half of the class will focus on the impact that soil health has on the larger environment – with specific emphasis on water quality. 

Additionally, participants will learn how harnessing the resource of rain on their property can aid in building healthy and resilient ecological communities on their site.  Various rain management techniques will be discussed, as well as the City of Chattanooga's RainSmart program, which offers financial incentives for homeowners interested in managing rain on their properties.  Throughout the day, instruction style will emphasize hands-on activities to give participants real exposure to subjects being discussed.

Instructor:  Wyn Miller is a Landscape Architect and City of Chattanooga Water Quality Specialist.. In this role,  she develops policy and guidelines for vegetated green infrastructure practices, teaches homeowners about sustainable landscaping practices, and designs and implements rain gardens.  She has a Masters of Landscape Architecture, Water Resources, from the University of Tennessee.

Registration Policy:  As with all Certificate in Native Plants classes, class size is limited.  To give everyone the best opportunity to participate, there is a non-refundable cancellation fee of $10, with the balance refunded if you cancel at least 7 calendar days before the class will be held.  If the class is cancelled by the instructor or the CNP program, registrants will get a full refund.  

If you do not pay online, you will need to mail your check to TVWO, 4918 Marlow Drive, Red Bank, TN 37415.  Please put the date of the program in the memo line as well as the last name of the person you are registering.  You will not be registered until your payment is received.