Chicago Botanic Garden

for immediate release

Garden Certifies Designers

School of the Chicago Botanic Garden Program
Offers Professional Development

 

Media Only:
Julie McCaffrey
(847) 835-8213
jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org

GLENCOE, Ill. (Nov. 6, 2008)—The Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden offers a certificate of merit program in Garden Design for aspiring professional garden designers, and for gardeners and garden designers seeking professional development.

This program features a solid foundation in plantsmanship and science based gardening techniques, both of which are essential to creating successful gardens. It develops and refines planting design abilities, focusing on the unique role of plants in shaping space, creating a sense of place and fostering well-being throughout the year and in a spectrum of settings from private residences and commercial properties to public gardens, municipal plantings and streetscapes.

“This unique curriculum provides the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a garden design professional,” said Amelia Simmons-Hurt, manager, certificate programs, Chicago Botanic Garden.

After completing Botany 1, all remaining core courses may be taken in any order, providing there are no further prerequisites. Required courses being offered this winter and spring include:

· “Botany 1” – Six Mondays, March 2 through April 6 and six Wednesdays, March 4 through April 8, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or six Mondays, March 2 through April 6 and six Wednesdays, March 4 through April 8, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $337. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $269. Class is in the Plant Science Lab in the Regenstein Center.

· “Botany 2” – Six Mondays, January 12 through February 16 and six Wednesdays, January 14 through February 18, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $337. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $269. Class is in the Plant Science Lab.

· “Early Garden History”—Ten Mondays, January 12 through March 16, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cost is $337. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $269. Class is in the Linnaeus Room in the Regenstein Center.

· “Plant Health 2” – Six Tuesdays, January 13 through February 17 and six Thursdays, January 15 through February 19, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cost is $337. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $269. Class is in the Plant Science Lab.

· “Graphics” – Ten Thursdays, January 15 through March 19, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cost is $312. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $269. Class is in the Design Studio.

· “Gardening Techniques: Session B” – Six Saturdays, January 17 through February 21, 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Cost is $312. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $249. Class is in Annex 1.

· “Garden Design Studio” – Nine Sundays, January 18 through March 8, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $374. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $299. Class is in the Design Studio.

· “Project Basics” – Eight Wednesdays, January 21 through March 11, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. or two Saturdays, February 21 and March 7, 100 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $337. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $269.

· “Planting Design” – Ten Tuesdays, March 17 through June 9, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. (no sessions April 14, May 12, 19) Cost is $337. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $269. Class is in the Linnaeus Room.

· “Gardening Techniques: Session C” – Six Saturdays, March 21 through April 25 (April 18 session is off-site), 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Cost is $312. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $249. Class is in Annex 1.

· “Discovering Design” – Eight Thursdays, march 26 through May 28, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and two Saturdays, May 9 & 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (no session April 18 & May 7) Cost is $337. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $269. Class is in the Design Studio.

· “Deciduous Flowering Shrubs” – Lecture: Seven Tuesdays, March 31 through May 19, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Garden Walks (select one): Six Thursdays, April 2 through May 14, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or six Saturdays, April 4 through May 16, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (no sessions April 14, 16 & 18) Cost is $287. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $229. Lecture is in the Alsdorf Auditorium.

· “Annuals and Biennials” – Lecture: Seven Tuesdays, May 26 through July 14, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Garden Walks (select one section): Six Thursdays, May 28 through July 9 or six Saturdays, May 30 through July 11, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Cost is $387. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $229. Lecture is in the Alsdorf Auditorium.

A grade of at least 70 percent must be earned for each course to obtain a certificate. All courses must be completed within seven years of the start date. Candidates can prove proficiency for up to 20 percent of the coursework by passing proficiency exams or providing college transcripts indicating grades of at least 70 percent for similar courses. There is no separate enrollment for the program. Just take your first course and you are on your way.

For more information about certificate programs, visit the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Web site at www.chicagobotanic.org/certificate. Or, contact Amelia Simmons-Hurt at (847) 835-8293 or at school@chicagobotanic.org.

Parking is free for program registrants. For information on professional development opportunities, request a School catalog by calling (847) 835-8261, or visit the Chicago Botanic Garden website at www.chicagobotanic.org/school.

###

Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $15; free for members. On Tuesdays, senior citizens age 62 and older pay just $7 for parking. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden's Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. The Garden is also breaking new ground in urban horticulture and jobs training through a 15-acre project in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago called Windy City Harvest. The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.