Choose Native workshops open to professional landscapers & water gardeners
Register by February 5, 2024!
Professional landscapers and water gardeners are invited to register for one of four regional workshops focused on replacing invasive species with those native to Pennsylvania, in landscaping and water gardens. The March 2024 “Choose Native” workshops will be held in Erie, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh, are free, and continuing education credits are available.
Landscaping and water gardening activities often lead to the unintended introduction and spread of invasive plant species to our land and waterways. Once established, invasive species can degrade natural habitats by outcompeting native species for space, light, and nutrients. Invasive species can impact the food web by altering the plant community and decreasing the diversity of plants available for food sources, habitat, and shelter.
Preventing invasive plant introductions by utilizing native alternatives in landscaping and water gardening is a viable solution. The Choose Native workshops will introduce participants to the native species options, creative ways to include native species, management strategies for existing invasive species, and creating a management plan for native species in landscapes and water gardens.
The workshops are hosted by Pennsylvania Sea Grant, Penn State Extension, and regional partners, with funding from the Richard King Mellon Foundation.
Continuing education units with be offered for each workshop; see the full list below.
Register by February 5 to claim your space!
- Erie Workshop:
- March 5, Tom Ridge Environmental Center, contact Amber Stilwell for questions (ars26@psu.edu)
- Register here: https://forms.gle/dBqkEiuRvCJLkdp49
- Philadelphia Workshop:
- March 7, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, contact Zach Nemec for questions (zmn5053@psu.edu)
- Register here: https://forms.gle/qzH37BL6CgM5sgj38
- Pittsburgh Workshop:
- March 8, Buffalo Inn, South Park, contact Justin Mansberger for questions (jxm5608@psu.edu)
- Register here: https://forms.gle/KF7wJAAKRdLdiGBD7
Attendees are eligible for:
- 15% discount for Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Level 1 Course
- International Society of Arboriculture Credits
- PDA Certified Pesticide Applicator Recertification Credits
- Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional CEUs
- Sustainable Landscape Certification CEUs
- Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist CEUs
- Copy of the Choose Native: Pennsylvania publication coming soon in 2024
**Please Note: capacity is limited. Preference will be given to the professional landscaping audience. All other applicants will be placed on a waiting list**
