SmartScape Professional Certification
The Smartscape Professional Certificate Series consists of nine 2½-hour workshops designed to encourage consistent horticultural practices compatible with the urban Sonoran Desert. The classes are designed for Green Industry personnel including property managers, landscape maintenance and installation personnel, nursery personnel, landscape architects and designers, and other allied professionals who are responsible for urban landscapes. Successful completion of the series will entitle the participant to receive a Certificate of Completion, an achievement which demonstrates an adherence to Green Industry’s Best Management Practices. This FREE workshop series is offered twice a year. Se habla Espanol? Please ask about our Spanish language classes.
2010 Class Schedule - Certified Landscape Professional Training Series (190 Kb pdf).
In 2010, Tucson Water has sponsored 48 certificate recipients (201 Kb pdf).
In 2009, Tucson Water sponsored 82 certificate recipients (202 Kb pdf).
In 2008, Tucson Water sponsored 75 certificate recipients (252 Kb pdf).
Workshop Topics: (you may click on the course title to learn more about each class)
- Soils, Plants, and Water
- Desert-Adapted Plants
- Irrigation Systems
- Integrated Pest Management
- Designing and Renovating Smartscapes
- Plant Selection and Installation
- Maintaining Desert-Adapted Plants
- Plant Disorders
- Landscape Water Management
The series is offered twice per year, once beginning mid-January and once again beginning mid-August. Classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday for 9 consecutive classes (5 weeks). A half-hour orientation is held on the first date classes begin (3:00 p.m.). All lectures are from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. Class size is limited. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Class location:
Pima County Natural Resources Parks & Recreation
3500 W. River Road, Tucson, Arizona 85741
(between Shannon and Orange Grove, on N side)
Visit the SmartScape Website for more detailed information, or call (520) 626-5161.
(http://cals.arizona.edu/pima/smartscape/workshops.html)
Course Descriptions
- Soils, Plants, and Water
This class is basic to understanding the dynamic relationships of soils, plants, and water and is the foundation course of the SmartScape Professional Series. Instruction focuses on soil texture and structure and how it affects water movement, infiltration rates and water holding capacity. Mechanisms that plants use to regulate water use are also discussed.
Instructor: Dr. Ursula Schuch - University of Arizona Extension Specialist, Arid Ornamentals
(http://ag.arizona.edu/pls/faculty/schuch.htm) - Desert-Adapted Plants
This class identifies many of Tucson's common desert landscape plants and provides basic discussion of their traits that make them suitable for the urban and suburban landscape. Specific characteristics such as flower color, seasonality, size, and hardiness, as well as maintenance specifications and other considerations are also presented.
Instructor: Greg Starr - Owner of Starr Nursery
(http://www.starr-nursery.com/) - Irrigation Systems
This class discusses various common irrigation systems and components and focuses on design, installation, and programming an automated irrigation system for effectively distributing landscape water.
Instructor: Steve Mallgren - Irrigation Supervisor for Horizons West Landscape Contractors - Integrated Pest Management
Participants will learn about some of the common insects and weeds associated with urban landscapes and management strategies for their control.
Instructors: Dr. Carl Olson - University of Arizona Associate Curator, Entomology (http://ag.arizona.edu/ento/faculty/olson.htm)
Dr. David Kopec - University of Arizona Extension Turf Specialist
(http://cals.arizona.edu/pls/faculty/kopec.html) - Designing and Renovating Smartscapes
This class focuses on the principles and concepts of designing and installing a landscape. Special attention is given to Xeriscape landscaping and renovating an existing landscape from high-water use to low-water use. Participants also learn how to interpret a landscape design blueprint.
Instructor: Paul Connolly - APLD Certified Landscape Designer, Sundréa Design Studio (http://sundreadesignstudio.com/index.html) - Plant Selection and Installation
This workshop is divided into two classes, each focusing on factors that should be considered when selecting plants and planting landscape plants. Plant Selection teaches participants how to best choose healthy plants for the landscape. Plant Installation teaches participants correct procedures for planting, mulching, and staking.
Instructors: Marcus White - Casa Blanca Horticultural Services
(http://www.cbhort.com/);
Elizabeth Davison - University of Arizona Lecturer and Director of the Campus Arboretum (http://cals.arizona.edu/pls/faculty/davison.html) - Maintaining Desert-Adapted Plants
This workshop divides desert-plant maintenance into two categories - pruning and fertilizing. All pruning instruction is based on International Society of Arboriculture guidelines and uses pictorial slides and actual samples to illustrate the speaker's main points. The fertilizing portion of the workshop focuses on plant needs for macro- and micronutrients, determining correct fertilizers to use and calculating the appropriate quantities of fertilizers to purchase and apply.
Instructor: Jack Kelly - Pima County Cooperative Extension Commercial Horticulturist
(http://cals-cf.calsnet.arizona.edu/exact/roster/biodisplay.cfm?RN=273) - Plant Disorders
This class focuses on common plant diseases and problems associated with cultural care.
Instructor: Dr. Mary Olsen - University of Arizona Extension Specialist, Plant Pathology (http://cals.arizona.edu/plp/faculty/pages/olsen.html) - Landscape Water Management
This class focuses on reducing water waste through efficient irrigation. Participants learn about irrigation scheduling, irrigation techniques and proper cultural practices and reiterates factors taught throughout the series that influence plant water use in landscape.
Instructor: Dr. David Kopec - University of Arizona Extension Turf Specialist (http://cals.arizona.edu/pls/faculty/kopec.html)
