Who are these classes and certification for?

Whether you’re a homeowner hoping to learn skills to transform your own property, a seasoned landscaper or groundskeeper looking to advance your professional knowledge, or a passionate community member that wants to learn how they can help transform their neighborhood, school, or place of worship into a thriving space for wildlife – these classes are for you!

Do I need to take the prerequisite to take the other classes?

The first class, Habitat Advocate: Building Biodiversity in our Community, is required before taking most of the other classes, whether you wish to complete the certificate or just take individual classes. Having the shared experience of this first class will help to build common language and essential baseline knowledge for all future classes whether you’re an expert or new to ecological gardening. There are several classes that do not require the prerequisite: Native Garden Design for Stormwater Management and Green Mulch – Native Plants for Layered Landscape Design as well as the three Art + Culture classes.

How does the certification work?

Anyone completing all 10 classes and the final Native Garden Design Capstone class qualifies to be a certified Habitat Advocate. They will be offered each year so that you can slowly work towards completing the certification over time if you do not wish to sign up for all of the classes in one season.

Can I sign up for individual classes?

Yes! Participation in individual classes is welcome with the exception of the Native Garden Design Capstone, which is a final demonstration of skills and experience for the certification.

How old do you need to be to participate?

Attendees ages 16 and over are invited but must be accompanied by an adult if younger than 18.

What are the new Art + Culture classes? And what is the role of these classes in the the Habitat Advocate series?

New in 2026, we will be offering three classes which explore our connection to place and deepen our connection with nature through art and culture. This practice is essential in sustaining the work of designing, building, and stewarding native habitats. Social and ecological benefits both need to work in tandem for a full picture of this work to be realized. Participants pursuing the Habitat Advocate Certification in 2026 will need to take at least one of the Art + Culture classes. All three of these classes will be open to the public (no prerequisite required).

Do you need continuing education for this certification?

It is highly recommended that certified habitat advocates attend additional classes annually upon completion of the certificate. To expand knowledge and experience in this field, additional habitat advocate classes will be offered in the future as a supplement to these initial classes.

Still have questions? Please reach out to Linda Ferich at LFerich@lancasterconservancy.org.