The South Carolina Native Plant Certificate
The South Carolina Botanical Garden (SCBG), in partnership with the South Carolina Native Plant Society (SCNPS), is excited to offer a Certificate in Native Plant Studies based on South Carolina’s rich botanical heritage.
Through hands-on field-based classes, students learn about the diversity of native plants, plant communities, and the habitats that define South Carolina from the mountains to the sea. Participants will learn about the significant role that native plants play in ensuring biodiversity and how they improve soil, water, and air quality.
In addition, participants will discover the importance of sustainable and appropriate development, become aware of conservation issues facing native plants and plant communities, and become educated environmental stewards.
In elective classes, students are able to travel outside of the Upstate to explore the ecology of other areas in South Carolina. Classes are taught by qualified professionals in the field of botany and native plants, including university professors or experts in a particular field.
Course Structure
Courses are open to any interested parties who would like to participate and learn more about native plants and are not limited to those pursuing a Certificate.
The Certificate in Native Plant Studies program is composed of 7 core courses and 4 electives (depending on their length, some electives are counted as 2 classes).
Upon the completion of all core and elective components, participants receive a Certificate endorsed by the South Carolina Botanical Garden and the South Carolina Native Plant Society.
Requirements
7 core courses + 4 electives* = 11 courses total
* Costs & hours of off-site electives/field trips vary.
Electives
- Mountain Ecology
- Piedmont Ecology
- Pests & Disease
- Invasives & Exotics
- Propagation of Native Plants
- Native Grasses
- Rain Gardens
- Soil Basics
- Native Plant Container Gardens
- Shoreline Buffers
- Ferns and Fern Allies
- Coastal Plain Ecology
- Sandhills Ecology
Hours & costs vary
Upcoming Certificate Courses
Courses appear below when dates are scheduled and registration is established
Core Classes
Basic Botany
This introductory course develops a foundation of knowledge and a working vocabulary for all other courses by exploring the basics of plants - their classification, structure, functions, lifecycle, reproduction strategies, and communities through classroom readings and hands-on activities. As part of the class materials, you will receive the following books: Brian Capon, Botany for Gardeners and James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, Plant Terminology: An Illustrated Guide. Basic botany is required for all other courses.
Basic Horticulture
Discover how and why native plants have the potential to transform traditional horticultural practices with Jon Fritz, owner of Bluestem Landscape Design. Subjects include what is native, the importance of soil, the basics of plant health, the methods of planting and maintaining native plants, and eco-friendly horticulture practices. Learn how to attract beneficial wildlife like birds, bees, and butterflies while balancing design elements. Prerequisite: Basic Botany.
Tree Identification
Enter the forest to explore the world with Dan Whitten, former president of the Upstate Chapter of the SCNPS. Become familiar with our native trees, shrubs and woody vines by learning to recognize their bark, leaves, twigs, fruit, and form. Deepen your knowledge by using a dichotomous key and learning to recognize plant communities. Participants will also learn how woody plants are useful as tools, medicines, and shelter for humans and other animals. As part of the class materials, you will receive Kirkman et al., Native Trees of the Southeast, and Ron Lance. Woody Plants of the Blue Ridge. Prerequisite: Basic Botany
Spring Herbaceous Plant Identification
In this field-identification course, learn about the foliage and flowers of mostly herbaceous plants. Join Allison Kelly, Natural Heritage Trail Manager, to explore the many habitats along the Natural Heritage Trail. Learn how to use a key to help with plant identification. For certification, both spring and fall classes are required. You will receive the following books in the first herbaceous class: Porcher and Ranier, Wildflowers of South Carolina, Elpel, Botany in a Day. Pre-requisite: Basic Botany
Natural Plant Communities
Join expert naturalist Tim Lee to build your knowledge base of major conceptual issues and areas of current research in plant ecology. Explore the biotic and abiotic factors that affect the distribution and abundance of plant species in South Carolina. Explore the SCBG's Natural Heritage Trail to discover the basic ecology of various South Carolina habitats. Prerequisite: Basic Botany.
Sustainable Landscaping
Join instructor Rick Huffman, ASLA, Earth Design, SCNPS, to explore how to design with nature and how native plants are essential characters in functioning ecological landscapes. The course provides a holistic perspective of land ethic values that will frame how and why native plants work in our landscapes. The course will connect time, geology, soils, water, and plant communities to designed landscapes that work together with nature. Participants will learn how designing with nature begins by reviewing applications of native plants in parks, streetscapes, museums, and specifically residential landscapes that are beautiful and low maintenance. Importantly, the wildlife values such as pollinators and invasive plants and alternatives will be covered. Prerequisite: Basic Botany.
Fall Herbaceous Plant Identification
In this field-identification course learn about the foliage and flowers of mostly herbaceous plants. Join Allison Kelly, Natural Heritage Trail Manager, to explore the many habitats along the Natural Heritage Trail. Learn how to use a key to help with plant identification. For certification, both spring and fall classes are required. You will receive the following books in the herbaceous class you take first: Porcher and Ranier, Wildflowers of South Carolina, Elpel, Botany in a Day. Pre-requisite: Basic Botany
