Native Plant Studies with New England Wild Flower Society

Students enrolled in the Certificate in Native Plant Studies program gain a greater appreciation and understanding of native plant habitats, common and rare species, conservation issues, and uses of native plants in horticulture and design. Certificate students engage in ongoing public and private efforts to preserve and restore native New England flora.

We offer four opportunities for concentrated study:

1) Certificate in Field Botany

2) Advanced Certificate in Field Botany

3) Certificate in Native Plant Horticulture and Design

4) Advanced Certificate in Native Plant Horticulture and Design

Each certificate requires completion of core courses, elective courses, field trips, and community service. Details below.  Please note that you do not need to be enrolled in the Certificate program to register for classes.  Our courses, workshops, and field trips are open to everyone.

An introduction and orientation program is offered free of charge to anyone interested in learning more about the Certificate programs. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Certificate in Field Botany

Core Courses —6 required:

• Wildflowers of New England  
• New England Native Shrubs
• Framework Trees of New England
• New England Plant Communities
• Botanic Inventory Methods  
• Introduction to Plant Families
• Field Identification Techniques
• Plant Form & Function

Electives —choose 4

Botanical Field Trips —choose 5

Native Plant Community Service — at least 15 hours of documented service:

• as a Plant Conservation Volunteer (PCV)
• as a New England Wild Flower Society Sanctuary volunteer, or
• on a local service project of your choice

Advanced Certificate in Field Botany - contact the Registrar for details

Certificate in Native Plant Horticulture & Design

Core Courses —6 required:

• Wildflowers of New England
• New England Native Shrubs
• Native Herbaceous Plants I & II
• Native Woody Plant Materials
• Horticultural Techniques
• Residential Landscape Design
• Plant Form & Function
• Ecological Landscaping Conference 

Electives —choose 4

Horticultural & Design Field Trips —choose 5

Native Plant Community Service — at least 15 hours of documented service:

• as a volunteer at Garden in the Woods
• as a volunteer at Nasami Farm, or
• on a local service project of your choice

Advanced Certificate in Native Plant Horticulture and Design - contact the Registrar for details

Certificate Program Orientation

Join Greg Lowenberg, Education Director of New England Wild Flower Society, for an illustrated talk that will include some of the fascinating stories that native plants have to tell, along with a description of the Society’s efforts to conserve native flora, and why it is important to “learn the wildflowers.” Greg will explain the Society’s Certificate in Native Plant Studies program and answer your questions.

Everyone is welcome at this FREE presentation. Preregistration is requested, but not required.

Wednesday, April 16, 7-9 p.m.

Garden in the Woods, Framingham, MA

Course Code: CER8000

Enroll now!

CLICK HERE to download and complete the certificate registration form. Direct questions to Registrar at 508-877-7630, ext. 3303, or lreed@newenglandWILD.org. There is a one-time certificate enrollment fee of $30.

Classes in the course catalog are open to all adults , regardless of certificate enrollment. Society members receive a discount.

CERTIFICATE CREDIT DESIGNATIONS

FB =Field Botany; Adv. FB = Advanced Field Botany

HD =Native Plant Horticulture & Design; Adv. HD =Advanced Native Plant Horticulture & Design

Some courses satisfy more than one requirement: Elective-FB; Core-Adv. FB can be used as an elective for a certificate in Field Botany or as a Core requirement for a certificate in Advanced Field Botany.

To enroll in a certificate program, please complete the CERTIFICATE REGISTRATION FORM (PDF format).