The Ecological landscaper Immersion at the Permaculture Skills center is a nine-month professional training in all aspects of ecological landscape design, installation, and maintenance. We will cover all you need to know to manage a landscaping firm, vineyard, farm or contracting business. The goal of this program is to train the next generation of professional land managers in the skills of ecological regeneration, good business practices and social equity.
Learn from local landscapers, business owners and experienced instructors and get prepared to:
- run a economically sound and thriving business,
- design an ecologically diverse landscape, tailored for your clients and their goals, that can enhance the fertility & abundance of the land and your pocketbook
- design landscapes for energy, water and soil conservation and efficiency
- understand your role in operating a land based business
- participate with a cohort of colleagues for ongoing support
- Classes and mentorships will be held at the Permaculture Skills Center and at local sites throughout Marin and Sonoma Counties.
Who is this for?
The Ecological Landscaper Program is for anyone ready to roll up their sleeves, put their hands in the earth, work with people, plants and animals, serve the health and well-being of their communities and engage in fully regenerative entrepreneurship. The program is designed for those ready to take the next step toward their vision of designing healthy, regenerative landscapes and stewarding the land in an economically successful way.
Three-month Sections that comprise the full 9-month Immersion
We’ve heard your feedback and we want to make this course possible to all who want to attend, so we’ve divided the 9-month Ecological Landscaper Immersion into three sections that can be attended individually.
2014 Program Details
(150 Hours per section)
Days: Thursday & Friday
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Section 1: Ecological Designer March to May
Section 2: Ecological Homesteader June to August
Section 3: Ecological Contractor September to November
Each Section can be taken individually. The Permaculture Design Consultant’s Certificate and the Ecological Landscaper Certificate of Training are only available to those participants who attend all three sections.
What it entails:
March – November: Nine months of classes, hands-on workshops, field-trips and guided study (2 days per week; Thursdays and Fridays)
Development of a business plan for either a new or existing project or a personal development plan
This course offers three qualifications:
1) Permaculture Design Consultant’s Certificate
2) QWEL, Qualified Water Efficient landscaper Certification
3) Ecological Landscaper Certificate of Training
The ELI program offers a wide range of topics, including:
Water |
Soil |
Plants |
Hardscapes |
| Irrigation systems design and install | Compost teas/Homemade liquid fertilizer | Organic methods for invasive plant management | Patios |
| Roof catchment systems | Mineral amendments | Plant selection | Rock walls |
| Storm water catchment and filtration | Cover cropping | Planting plans | Steps |
| Soil testing | Plant propagation | Pathways | |
| Greywater systems | Plant guilds | Tree care | Arbors |
| Erosion control | Soil rehabilitation | Ecological pest management | Fencing |
| Ponds | Composting | Edible landscapes |
Ecological Design |
Project management |
Business Admin |
| Permaculture principles | Crew management | Contractors licenses |
| Reading the landscape | Client relations | Insurance |
| Site analysis and assessment | Scheduling | Staff |
| Client intake | Estimation | Client contracts |
| Drafting | Facilitation | Cash flow |
| Computer software’s | How to be a foreman | Marketing |
| Making a contour map/surveyingPresentation | How to be a manger | Basic bookkeeping and accounting |
| Plan sets | Team building |
Registration and Tuition for Each Section
| Section 1: | March 1st, 2014 | $4,000 |
| Section 2: | May 21st, 2014 | $4,000 |
| Section 3: | August 21st, 2014 | $4,000 |
Registration & Tuition for Full Immersion
| Early Bird | February 1st, 2014 | $10,000 |
| Work Trade | March 15th, 2014 | $9,000 |
| Partner/Spouse | March 15th, 2014 | $10,000 |
| Scholarship | March 15th, 2014 | Variable |
| Standard | March 15th, 2014 | $11,000 |
Limited work-trade positions are available.
If you’d like to apply to our program, you can find more information about the application process at www.permacultureskillscenter.org/ELIapplication.html or email our Program Coordinator at adam@permacultureskillscenter.org
