Expand Your Knowledge of Native Plants

The South Carolina Native Plant Society, in partnership with the South Carolina Botanical Garden, is excited to offer a Certificate in Native Plant Studies.

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.

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 the Certificate. SCNPS members receive a 10% discount on registration.

Courses may include:

• Basic Botany
• Spring Herbaceous Plant Identification
• Fall Herbaceous Plant Identification
• Tree Identification
• Natural Communities
• Principles of Sustainable Landscaping
• Basic Horticulture
• 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
• Mountain Ecology
• Piedmont Ecology