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Educational Certificate Programs
The Center for Teaching California Ecology at the Botanic Garden is committed to educating the public about the native flora and its horticultural significance. The Garden offers six Certificate Programs to help accomplish this mission. Each certificate offers a comprehensive curriculum that leads to understanding of specific disciplines in the plant sciences. Volunteer Training Certificate Programs are designed for lay audiences, whereas Personal Development Certificate Programs are suitable for both professional and lay audiences.
Volunteer Training Certificate Programs
Master Gardener Certificate
Master Gardeners of Santa Barbara County provide volunteer services to the community. The University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener program is co-sponsored by the Garden. Applications are accepted July-September and an orientation is held the last week of September. Interviews occur the first week of October and are required before acceptance into the program. Class subjects range from modern horticultural techniques, irrigation, soils, and landscaping, to pruning, propagating, and composting and run from mid-October through March. Trainees take a final examination and present a group project. Graduation occurs in December. Trainees are required to volunteer a total of 80 hours on Master Gardener Board approved projects during the training year. Space is limited. Contact Barry Tanowitz, Director of Science Education, at 682-4726 ext. 109, for further details and applications.
Docent Education Certificate
The Garden holds an annual volunteer Docent training course February-June. The course trains volunteers to lead tours for both children and adults and to present outreach programs in the schools. Classes meet 3-4 hours one weekday morning each week. Training focuses on California's diverse flora and the ecology of our state. Subjects include California plant communities, local fauna, history and geology of the Mission Canyon area and Native American uses of plants. New Docents are expected to lead Botanic Garden tours and/or school outreach programs for a minimum of three hours per week for at least two years. Contact Sally Isaacson, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, at 682-4726 ext. 111, for further details and applications.
Garden Growers Certificate
Garden Growers are volunteers who grow and sell an assortment of plants in our retail nursery. They promote the use of native and other regionally appropriate plants and raise funds for the Garden through daily sales and the spring and fall plant sales. A comprehensive, eight-week training program, taught by expert staff, volunteers, and local professionals, involves hands-on activities and lectures that teach the essentials of operating a successful nursery. Curriculum includes propagation techniques, plant care, basic botany, landscaping with California native plants, and customer service. All participants are required to serve at least one year as a Garden Grower volunteer. Contact Mary Sheahan at extension ext. 126 or msheahan@sbbg.org.
Personal Development Certificate Programs
Certificate in California Plant Diversity
This one- to two-year Certificate Program is designed to introduce the participant to the remarkable biodiversity found in California's flora. Participants will be offered the opportunity to enroll in lecture and field courses covering a broad range of California plant communities, fundamentals of botany, emphasis on plant family identification, and special topics relating to the role of plants in California ecosystems.
Certificate in California Horticulture
The Certificate in California Horticulture is designed to introduce the participant to the successful practices of growing plants in our Mediterranean climate. The one- to two-year program emphasizes techniques in plant propagation, fundamentals of identification and cultivation for the home gardener, various aspects of gardening, and special topics relating to landscape design.
Certificate in Sustainable Landscape
The Certificate in Sustainable Landscape is designed to introduce the participant to the principles of sustainable landscape design. This 10-week course is offered once yearly in partnership with the Santa Barbara Public Works Department and the Santa Barbara County Water Agency. Participants become familiar with sustainable practices and principles of soil, water, and pest management, the proper use of fertilizers and composting, and landscape design.
How to Apply
Enrollment can occur at anytime during the year for any Personal Development Certificate. Individuals must complete a series of required and elective Botanic Garden courses, including an independent study project. Information about currently scheduled programs is available in the Calendar of Classes.
For enrollment information and application materials, contact the Registrar at (805) 682-4726 ext. 102 or registrations@sbbg.org.
By submitting transcripts or other written official verification of completed coursework, applicants may be able to apply coursework taken at other institutions toward credit for Personal Development Certificates.
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