Graduation Requirements Successful completion of the series is based on full participation, not academic CERTIFICATE IN proficiency. Therefore exams will not be administered. Series instructors will be drawn from area universities, The Gardens staff and other sources. NATIVE PLANT STUDIES About Birmingham Botanical Gardens Birmingham Botanical Gardens is Alabama’s largest living museum with more than 10,000 different plants in its living collections. The Gardens’ 67.5 acres contains 25+ unique gardens, 30+ works of original outdoor sculpture and miles of serene paths. The Gardens features the largest public horticulture library in the U.S., conservatories, a wildflower garden, two rose gardens, the Southern Living garden, and Japanese Gardens with a traditionally Conservatory crafted tea house. Education programs run year round and over 10,000 school children enjoy free science-curriculum based field trips annually. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the most visited free attraction in Alabama, is open daily, offering free admission to more than 350,000 yearly visitors. To register, visit www.bbgardens.org or call 205.414.3958. Symphyotrichum oblongifolium enhancing life with plants 2612 Lane Park Road enhancing life with plants Birmingham, Alabama 35223 205.414.3950 www.bbgardens.org www.bbgardens.org CURRICULUM CErtIFICATE IN NatIVE PLANT STUDIES 5 Core Courses - 8 hours each Members $80; Non-members $90 (all are required) • Introduction to the Study of Native Plants General Program Information • Introduction to Botany Birmingham Botanical Gardens, in cooperation with Ruffner Mountain Nature • Introduction to Taxonomy/Plant Classification Preserve, Alabama Plant Conservation Alliance and Aldridge Botanical Gardens • Ecology of Alabama Native Plants presents their Certificate in Native Plant Studies program. The curriculum • Native Plant Conservation combines core courses, electives, field trips and volunteer service to provide a well-rounded education balanced among the taxonomy, ecology, conservation and 6 Elective Courses - 4 hours each uses of native southeastern flora. Members $40; Non-members $45 Participants choose six courses from a wide range of possible/probable electives. Knowledge and skills may be applied to professional • Non-Native Invasive Plants Workshop and volunteer services in the fields of conservation, • Native Woody Plants in Summer: Trees, Shrubs, Vines horticulture, landscape design, land management and • Native Ferns and Their Relatives environmental education. The certificate may be a • Introduction to Soil Science valuable addition to resumes for those pursuing public • Native Plants for Pollinators and private employment in the preservation of natural • Understanding Botanical Names habitats of native flora. • Rare, Threatened and Endangered Plants of Georgia • Medicinal and Edible Native Plants Classes will be held at The Gardens and cooperating • Native Plants of Wetlands organizations, including Ruffner Mountain Nature • Native Woody Plants in Winter: Trees, Shrubs, Vines Preserve, Aldridge Botanical Gardens, and sites • Propagating Native Plants from Seeds managed by Alabama Plant Conservation Alliance. • Digital Plant Photography Erythronium americanum • Native Grasses, Sedges, Reeds and Rushes Core courses and electives will be offered throughout • Native Mosses and Lichens the year. Students may begin earning their certificates • Native Spring Ephemeral Wildflowers with any course, but we suggest starting with • Native Fall Wildflowers Introduction to the Study of Native Plants to gain a • Botanical Illustration basic understanding of the program’s scope. Rhododendron austrinum This particular program may be offered twice yearly, Two Field Trips (cost variable) depending on demand. Certificates will be awarded to those who fulfill the Participants complete two relevant half-day field trips of- requirements within three years, but everyone is welcome to attend any of the fered by The Gardens, cooperating organizations, or other approved organizations. courses at an time in any order. 40 Hours of Volunteer Service Registration Participants complete 40 hours of volunteer service with a native plant or plant Registration and further information about conservation-oriented organization. Approved volunteer opportunities will be the program, including course descriptions, posted on Birmingham Botanical Gardens website at www.bbgardens.org/plant- instructor bios and certificate requirements studies. can be found at www.bbgardens.org/plant- studies or call 205.414.3958. CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS Members Non-members 5 Core Courses (8 hours each) 40 hours $400 $450 Contact Kaul Wildflower Garden Curator, 6 Electives (4 hours each) 24 hours $240 $270 John Manion, at 205.414.3985 or 2 Field Trips (4 hours each) 8 hours variable variable [email protected] for program Trillium decumbens Volunteer Service 40 hours details. TOTAL 112 hours $640 $720.