The Tulsa Garden Center is thrilled to be launching a Native Plant Certification Program, with a goal of expanding participants knowledge of local and regional flora, as well as enabling them to contribute to the conservation efforts of the community in which they reside.

The Native Plant Certification Program will appeal to both avid home gardeners looking to deepen their knowledge of native plants, as well as anyone in the horticultural industry wanting to use the certification as a merit on their resume. The Program not only fulfills our horticultural education mission, but also provides chance for deeper collaboration with our affiliated plant societies, the Woodward Park campus, and knowledgeable horticultural educators both inside and outside of the Tulsa Garden Center community. Additionally, the program gives participants a chance to grow an appreciation for the original Muscogee Creek allotment land upon which Woodward Park was built, as well as grow their knowledge of the contributions that our plant societies make in both the park and the community as a whole.

Completion of the Native Plant Certification Course requires four (4) core classes at eight (8) hours each, six (6) elective courses at four (4) hours each, participation in two (2) field trips, and completion of 16 hours of volunteer service, eight (8) of which will need to be completed within the Woodward Park campus.

Beginning in January 2020, the inaugural class will be Intro to the Study of Native Plants, taught by former 40-year botany professor and current Secretary of the Oklahoma Native Plant Society, Connie Murray. Following Intro to the Study of Native Plants will be Intro to Botany, taught by City of Tulsa and Woodward Park Gardener, Paul Stratton. Classes will have a maximum capacity of 20 students and will be held during weekdays, evenings, and weekends in an effort to and increase accessibility. More classes are still to be announced.

The field trips needed for certification must be organized by the Tulsa Garden Center, or alternatively, approved field trips organized by one of our affiliated Plant Societies. Likewise, all 16 required volunteer hours can be completed within Woodward Park, and/or with one of our plant societies, such as the Tulsa Perennial Club, the Oklahoma Native Plant Society, the Tulsa Audubon Society, the Cacti and Succulent Society of Tulsa, or others.

Please note that there is not one overall price for the Program. Rather, each class is priced individually. Certification is reached once a student has finished all of the required core classes and electives in addition to volunteer hours and field trips. Individuals looking to take classes without pursuing Native Plant Certification are also welcome.

For more information, contact Education and Training Manager, Meredith Jones, at 918-576-5154 or mjones@tulsagardencenter.org.