When: July 21 from 1:00pm - 1:00pm
Rain gardens work with nature to collect and filter rainwater that runs off impervious surfaces like rooftops and driveways. Impervious surfaces lead to increases in surface runoff and often result in increased flooding and stream bank erosion. As water travels over impervious surfaces it also has the potential to pick up pollutants. Polluted stormwater runoff enters our rivers and lakes and is one of the leading threats to water quality in the U.S.
This Master Rain Gardener Program will teach you how to manage rainwater in your own yard. Rain gardens naturally manage stormwater by infiltrating precipitation and allowing it to soak into the ground rather than sending it directly to storm sewers and nearby streams untreated. Experienced instructors will provide customized feedback which will enable you to design and install a rain garden. Topics will include site assessment, soil analysis, design, construction, plant selection, mulching, and maintenance.
This 5-week course is open to residents of Northeast Ohio. The in-person course will be held at the Holden Arboretum located at 9550 Sperry Rd, Kirtland, OH 44094. The course will include optional field trips. All participants will be required to complete all course content, hands-on assignments, and weekly quizzes. Graduates of the course will receive a certificate, Master Rain Gardener T-shirt, and a yard sign upon course completion. *
The Residential Certification is geared toward homeowners who would like to install a rain garden in their own yard and serve as the neighborhood expert on rain gardens. This is a great educational extension program for Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists as well. To earn this certification, participants must complete the online or in-person 5-week course and install their own rain garden or adopt a public rain garden.
The Professional Certification is geared toward landscape professionals and contractors looking to install rain gardens professionally on residential properties. To earn this certification, participants are required to complete the online or in-person 5-week course, pass an exam, attend a field day at which participants will install a public rain garden from start to finish, and install at least one residential rain garden. Upon course completion, participants will be awarded a Professional Rain Gardener Certification, which can be used to promote your expertise and as a selling point for your business.
*After the certification is earned, participants can either pick up graduation items at the offices of Chagrin River Watershed Partners in Downtown Willoughby or have them mailed at an additional cost (standard shipping rates + a $20 processing fee).
Registration: https://crwp.org/master-rain-gardener/
Wednesday, July 21 – Wednesday, August 25
- Class 1: Wednesday, July 21, 2021. 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
- Class 2: Wednesday, July 28, 2021. 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
- Class 3: Wednesday, August 4, 2021. 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
- Class 4: Wednesday, August 11, 2021. 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
- Class 5: Wednesday, August 25, 2021. 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
- Multiple field day options available (required for professional certification only)
Location: Holden Arboretum - 9550 Sperry Rd, Kirtland, OH 44094
Cost:
- $75 for Residential Certification (scholarships available)
- Register for the In-person Residential Certification Course here.
- $100 for Professional Certification
- Register for the In-Person Professional Certification Course here.
Questions? Contact Laura Bonnell at lbonnell@crwp.org or 440-975-3870 ext. 1002, Madison Wisniewski at mwisniewski@crwp.org or 440-975-3870 ext. 1005, or Kaylee Acres at kacres@crwp.org.