Environmental Horticulture (EH) teaches students the skills and knowledge required for success in the professions of landscape maintenance, landscape design, permaculture, nursery and greenhouse work, and ecological restoration. The program encourages professional standards, a strong work ethic and environmentally sound practices. Horticulture industry professionals from the local community serve as members of the EH Department’s Advisory Committee, providing guidance and expertise in enhancing the EH program’s curriculum to ensure students are receiving up-to-date knowledge and skills needed to garner positions in the industry. Through field trips and professional guest speakers, students have a chance to meet actual horticulture businesses and meet industry professionals. This helps prepare the student for future work and lays the groundwork for student’s professional horticulture contacts--many landscape industry employers, in search of energetic and skilled apprentices, contact the department when looking for new apprentices, interns and employees.

Learning Outcomes: Identify common native and ornamental landscape plants; Conduct a landscape assessment for ecological and economic sustainability; Trouble-shoot pest, water, soil and location problems of landscape plants and plantings; Provide recommendations for enhancing health of landscape trees, shrubs, other plants and soils; Describe and implement both conventional and organic methods of landscape maintenance and care; Design, plan and install basic irrigation systems; Design, plan and install basic hardscape elements; Utilize basic propagation methods to produce landscape plants; Demonstrate a strong work and personal ethic through care of horticultural tools and facilities, and through care of personal health during horticultural practices; Experience supervised, hands-on horticultural work; Demonstrate proficiency in native plant ecology and restoration; Demonstrate basic skills in landscape design.