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Certificate Program Overview
Customers increasingly want a greener option, and now you can help supply it. As part of the Environmental Stewardship Initiative, the NJDEP will issue this certification acknowledging a basic capacity to conduct Natural Turf and Landscape Management. This certification is in addition to the pesticide recertification credits provided for the successful completion of any of these courses.
For more information about the NJDEP’s Environmental Stewardship Initiative, please visit http://www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/stewardship.
Key Features of this Certificate
- Easy to Complete – Take just three classes to complete this program.
- Flexible Schedule – Do it all in one winter or take a few courses each season until you’ve completed the requirements!
- Total Cost – $765 (*Price is based upon early registration fee for each class.)
Certificate Program Requirements
Complete the following three classes to earn the Natural Turf and Landscape Management Certificate!
Organic Turfgrass Management
Learn the science behind a sound organic turf program. Topics include soil health management, selecting the proper plant species, cultural management techniques, and pest control strategies.
The date of the next offering of this course is TBD. Join our email list to be notified when registration opens!
Landscape Integrated Pest Management (IPM)*
Learn about the philosophy of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a common sense approach to pest control that reduces reliance on chemical pesticides as the sole method of controlling pests.
The next offering of this course is tentatively planned for January 2024. Join our email list to be notified when registration opens!
*ALL three days of IPM are required for this certificate.
Natural and Integrated Pest Management Strategies for Sports Turf
Learn how to implement organic techniques and lower synthetic pesticide inputs. IPM, soil management, turfgrass selection, and more will be discussed.
Next offering TBD. Join our email list to be notified when the next offering is scheduled!
Certificate Program Instructors
The instructors for this program include distinguished Rutgers faculty from the Departments of Entomology and Plant Biology, as well as Extension Specialists from Rutgers Cooperative Extension. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn from industry experts who own and manage successful landscape and nursery businesses. Visit each course page for details on the instructor’s background and qualifications.
Who Should Attend the Natural Turf and Landscape Management Certificate Program?
This certificate program is recommended for individuals who are interested in learning environmentally friendly practices for managing turf and landscapes. Implementing the approaches taught in this programs can help to promote healthy soil, enhance biodiversity, minimize pesticide inputs, and reduce polluted runoff from managed landscapes. Past participants have included:
- Athletic Facility Managers
- Environmental Commissioners
- Groundskeepers
- Professional Landscapers
- Property Managers
- Public Works Employees
Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need to apply for a certificate program?
A. No. You just register for the individual classes.
Q. How do I register for a certificate program?
A. You sign up for each class individually. The best way is to do it right here on our website.
Q. Do I need to take all of the classes within a certificate in one year?
A. No. Do it all in one winter, or take a few courses each season until you’ve completed the requirements!
Q. How is certificate completion tracked?
A. You will need to keep track of your courses taken.
When you think you’ve completed the certificate requirements, please email program coordinator Joe Canzano to tell him you have completed it and include the name of the certificate. He will check your attendance and confirm whether or not you have successful fulfilled the certificate requirements.
If you have not fulfilled the requirements, Joe will provide you a list of courses you still need to take.
If you have fulfilled the requirements, Joe will email your certificate to you within 3-5 business days.
If you have any questions about the Natural Turf and Landscape Management Certificate Program, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Program Coordinator: Joe Canzano
848-932-7317
joe.canzano@rutgers.edu
