The School of the Chicago Botanic Garden is dedicated to providing quality educational programs for the adult learner. The school is very pleased to continue to expand the professional development opportunities for green industry and conservation professionals with our newest programs for professionals working to improve outdoor spaces at healthcare facilities.

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Unique Opportunities: Managing Exceptional Trees
Learn how to manage trees that are extremely large, very old, unusual or famous. Case studies will be used to illustrate what makes such trees special, how to evaluate them and how to care for them in the landscape. You will discuss balancing the value of such a tree against the economics of its preservation and the physical hazards it might pose; how to deal with public perceptions; how to promote the tree’s vigor and stability; and how to handle its eventual death or removal. Guy Sternberg, a certified arborist and landscape architect, specializes in working with ancient and historic trees. This class is designed for site administrators, professional arborists and landscape professionals responsible for stewardship of exceptional trees. APLD CEUs=4, INA CEUs=1, ILCA CEUs=4, ISA CEUs=4.5, GCSAA CEUs=0.3

Guy Sternberg, Arborist and Landscape Architect, Starhill Forest Arboretum
Fri., Jan. 21, 9 a.m.-noon
Alsdorf Auditorium
PRO2071 $49/$62

Creating Your Niche in the Market
Consider creating a “niche” identity for yourself and for your firm. Once defined, how do you go about alerting the public? This class will explore all aspects of creative marketing concepts from business cards, press releases, advertising, speaking engagements and newsletters to special events and much more. Bring your success stories to share. APLD CEUs=2

Debra Phillips, Scentimental Gardens, St. Charles, Illinois
Thurs., Jan. 27, 10 a.m.-noon
Linnaeus Room
PRO2081 $29/$37

Professional Writing Workshop
This writing workshop is designed for landscape, conservation, and other green industry professionals who need to communicate with the non-specialist, including the general public. Types of writing may include fact sheets, brochures and newsletters, Web sites, education materials, and articles and essays in consumer publications. Emphasis will be on writing clear, concise and jargon-free prose that both informs and engages the general reader. Lunch is on your own. Class size is limited to 12.

Carol LaChapelle, Teacher and Writer
Fri., Jan. 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Linnaeus Room
PRO2091 $165/$207

Invasive Insect Pest Species
What is an invasive species, anyway? In this session, discussion will focus on how arthropods become invasive species, why they thrive here in North America, what current management practices are being used to combat these economic pests, and the future outlook for their impact on horticulture. Examples will include both new arrivals and well-established invasives, among them the gypsy moth, Japanese beetle, Asian longhorned beetle and emerald ash borer. ICN Pro CEUs=0.5

Dr. Frederic Miller, Professor of Horticulture, Joliet Junior College
Fri., Feb. 11, 8:30 a.m.-noon
Linnaeus Room
PRO2061 $59/$74

Greenhouse Management
Learn basic greenhouse practices and plant production techniques that will promote plant health and bountiful growth all year round. Two staff members from the Chicago Botanic Garden Plant Production department will talk about soils, fertilizers and calculations, watering methods, and greenhouse environmental equipment and controls—in both English and Spanish. Scheduling greenhouse crops from start to finish and various propagation methods will also be covered. You will be taken on a complete tour of the Production greenhouses to reinforce the principles covered in class, as the greenhouses will be filling up with many of the early spring season crops. Questions and answers throughout the class will be welcomed.

Tim Pollak, Outdoor Floriculturist and Moshe Pinargote, Grower, Chicago Botanic Garden
Wed., Feb. 16, 9 a.m.-noon
Production Headhouse
PRO2051 $49/$62

Garden Graphics and Sketching
This workshop will explore the language and styles of garden graphics and sketching. Using hand graphics is a way to individualize your presentations and identity. Through slides of graphics, tracing and sketching, you can improve your presentation skills and style. APLD CEUs=4.5, ICN Pro CEUs=2, GCSAA CEUs=0.9

Greg Pierceall and Paul Siciliano, Professors, Landscape Architecture, Purdue University
Thurs., Feb. 17 & Fri., Feb. 18, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Linnaeus Room
PRO2011 $199/$249


Cuidado y Mantenimiento de Plantas Perennes en Español
Perennial Garden Care and Maintenance in Spanish
Esta clase cubrirá los métodos prácticos usados para mantener un jardín perenne en condiciones óptimas. Aprenda cómo y cuando desflorar, podar, estacar, sacar las malas hierbas, fertilízar, poner mulch y regar. También, aprenda a reconocer y controlar algunos parásitos y enfermedades comunes. Vestir apropiadamente para el tiempo ya que parte de la clase puede ser afuera.

This class will cover the practical methods used to keep a perennial garden in peak
condition. Learn how and when to deadhead, pinch back, stake, weed, fertilize, mulch and water. You will also learn how learn to recognize and deal with some common pests and diseases. Dress for the weather, as part of the class may be outdoors. ILCA CLT CEUs=3, ICN Pro CEUs=0.5

Jose Mercado, CLT Maintenance and Contracting, Maintenance Coordinator and Gabriel Mercado, Construction Foreman, Rosborough Partners, Inc.
Thurs., Feb. 24, 9 a.m.-noon
Gateway Annex
PRO2041 $49/$62

Non-Toxic Pest Control
Are you aware that a number of alternative management strategies are available to deal with pests in landscapes and gardens other than relying solely on chemical pesticides? This workshop will discuss in depth the non-toxic strategies that homeowners and professionals can implement to deal with insects, mites, diseases, and vertebrate pests. Topics highlighted for discussion include the use of biorational and botanical pesticides, repellents, barriers, resistant plants, cultural practices, physical methods, and biological control. Lunch is on your own. ICN Pro CEUs=1, GCSAA CEUs=0.45

Raymond A. Cloyd, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Extension Specialist in Ornamental Entomology/Integrated Pest Management, University of Illinois
Thurs., Mar. 3, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Gateway Annex
PRO2021 $79/$99

Soils, Fertilizers and Soil Amendments
This course will review principles of soils and plant growth, discuss different sources of fertilizers and their appropriate use, and cover types of soil amendments and their uses. Topics will include a brief review of soils and soil testing; a discussion of how fertilizers and soil amendments enhance plant growth and development; an exploration of sources of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers; and an overview of types and sources of soil amendments, as well as the proper use of fertilizers and soil amendments. Please bring a calculator. You are welcome to bring a soil or amendment sample to be tested. ICN Pro CEUs=0.5, GCSAA CEUs=0.3

Kim Polizotto, Ph.D., Chief Agronomist, Potash Corporation
Thurs., Apr. 7, 9 a.m.-noon
Gateway Annex
PRO2031 $39/$49

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