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Training & Certification for Landscape Professionals

Sustainable landscaping is a growing market. Green Gardening training puts you in the lead. Check this page regularly for upcoming professional trainings, or view Past Workshop Presentations. For training materials in other languages see Translations.

Upcoming training opportunities

Register now for the Feb. 14 webinar of the 2023 City of Seattle IPM and Recertification Webinar Series

Registered attendees can earn up to 2.75 ISA credits and 3 WSDA pesticide license recertification credits for this webinar.  

Agenda: Feb. 14, 8 am – 11:30 am

  • Planning for Emerald Ash Borer in the Pacific Northwest,  Alison Herrell, Rainbow Ecoscience
    Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is the most destructive, costliest pest to ever invade North America. It is responsible for the death of over 100 million trees across the Midwest and East Coast. It has been in North America for over 20 years, but was just discovered in Forest Grove, OR in July of 2022. This iridescent green borer was a huge mystery when it arrived in the early 2000s and devastated all ash trees while scientists worked to find a solution to save trees. Luckily, we now have highly efficacious and relatively inexpensive treatment options to preventatively treat trees. This talk will review the biology and life cycle of EAB, signs and symptoms and how to diagnose/report sighting, treatment options, lessons learned from the Midwest, and some steps that arborists and municipalities can take to be proactive to preserve the trees they manage.
  • Compost for Plant Disease Suppression,  Dr. Deborah Neher, University of Vermont
    In this presentation, you will learn how compost can be used as a tool for plant disease suppression.  Dr. Neher is a soil ecologist, and her recent research focuses on biological communities in compost and their role in disease suppression by natural mechanisms.
  • How Pollinators are Affected by the Plants You Buy—and the Treatments You Choose for Emerald Ash Borer,  Sharon Selvaggio and Aaron Anderson, Xerces Society

    The Xerces Society and University of Nevada researchers recently sampled milkweeds from 33 retail nurseries across 15 states, finding an average of 12 pesticides per plant. Milkweed is the primary food for the caterpillars of monarch butterflies, which have dramatically declined and are the focus of intensive restoration efforts. This study was the first to examine pesticide residues in commercially produced nursery plants from the perspective of monarchs.  Join Sharon Selvaggio with the Xerces Society to learn why the milkweed study findings raise concerns, what you can do to increase your probability of buying pollinator-safe plants.

    Meanwhile the Pacific Northwest is facing the establishment of the emerald ash borer, an insect that has devastated ash forests across the U.S. Yet the pesticides most often used to ensure the trees’ survival are toxic to Lepidopterans (butterflies and moths).  Aaron Anderson discusses the risks of the insecticides used to fight EAB, and some solutions that may slow the EAB spread while minimizing harm to butterflies and other insects that use ash trees.  

This webinar is open to all. Feel free to forward or share this information.

FAQ

Cost: Free (pre-registration required)

Credits: Up to 3 WSDA credits and up to 3 ISA credits per webinar

How do I obtain WSDA or ISA credit?
Event organizers will be collecting license information and verifying attendance during the event, so be sure to have your license number handy during the webinar.

What if I’m sharing a screen with multiple people?
If you need to share a screen, please email Bridget Kelsh at Bridget.Kelsh@seattle.gov ASAP. Bridget will need to pre-approve you to share screens and make sure you have the appropriate sign-in sheet.

What if I’m still confused or have more questions?
Contact Bridget Kelsh at Bridget.Kelsh@seattle.gov

Coming soon! The next webinars is scheduled March 2, 8 am – 11:30 am.

Training and certification resources:

Landscape professionals can learn more and be recognized through:

Community college horticulture, landscape, and urban agriculture professional training:

Professional organizations offering training:

 

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Mailing Address: PO Box 34018, Seattle, WA, 98124-5177
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