ROOKERY BAY RESERVE RELEASES LANDSCAPER TRAINING SCHEDULE

Florida DEP Banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 23, 2014

CONTACT: Renee Wilson, 239-530-5958, Renee.Wilson@dep.state.fl.us

ROOKERY BAY RESERVE RELEASES LANDSCAPER TRAINING SCHEDULE

~Project Greenscape to host six trainings from January to June~

Greenscape
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NAPLES – Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve's Coastal Training Program has released the Project Greenscape training schedule for winter/spring 2015. Project Greenscape is a partnership program between the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Collier County, University of Florida/IFAS Collier County Extension Office, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and the cities of Naples and Marco Island. The program promotes sustainable landscaping practices through strategic, science-based education for both English- and Spanish-speaking professionals.

The following trainings take place at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center located at 300 Tower Rd., just south of the intersection of U.S. 41 and Collier Boulevard (CR951).

WHAT: Best Management Practices for the Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries
WHEN: Feb. 5, 2015 (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

This training covers landscape maintenance, including pruning, mulching, fertilizers, irrigation and pesticides, and is required for all landscape professionals who apply fertilizers commercially in Florida. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) provided as follows: 4 FDACS, 4 FNGLA, 4.5 CFE, 4.75 APA and up to 5.75 ISA. Cost is $30, includes materials, light breakfast and lunch.

WHAT: Best Management Practices for the Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries (Spanish)
WHEN: Feb. 17, 2015 (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

This training covers landscape maintenance, including pruning, mulching, fertilizers, irrigation and pesticides, and is required for all landscape professionals who apply fertilizers commercially in Florida. CEUs provided as follows: 4 FDACS, 4 FNGLA, 4.5 CFE, 4.75 APA and up to 5.75 ISA. Cost: $30, includes materials, light breakfast and lunch.

WHAT: Interacting with Wildlife for Landscape Professionals
WHEN: Feb. 27, 2015 (8 a.m. to noon)

Southwest Florida is home to some of the world’s most unique species. This course is designed to provide Green Industry professionals with “best management practices” while encountering all wildlife interactions. By the end of this workshop participants will understand the different laws protecting animals and be able to take appropriate measures to ensure human safety during or following an interaction with wildlife. This workshop will cover identification of commonly encountered wildlife in southwest Florida, Integrated Pest Management and Florida Friendly Landscaping. This program provides the following CEU's: city of Naples refresher requirement, others TBD.

WHAT: Fertilizer Calibration (Spanish)
WHEN: March 17, 2015 (8 a.m. to noon)

This training provides a review of fertilizer handling and spreader calibration, and satisfies the city of Naples' certification renewal requirement. CEUs provided as follows: 2 FDACS, 4 FNGLA, 3 city of Naples, 2 Category 1 CF and up to 6 ISA. Cost is $15, includes class materials and light breakfast.

WHAT: Mangrove Trimming & Regulations
WHEN: March 24, 2015 (8 a.m. to noon)

This half-day course will provide landscape professionals with knowledge and skills related to mangrove maintenance. Upon completion of the course, attendees will understand the role and value of mangroves, understand the rules and laws that govern mangrove trimming, and learn mangrove pruning techniques. Attendees will also learn basic mangrove biology and identification. The course will consist of a combination of demonstrations, hands-on learning, discussion and lecture. Class satisfies the city of Naples certification renewal requirement. CEUs provided as follows: FNGLA 4, ISA up to 13, CFE Cat 1 CF 3.0. Cost is $15, includes class materials and light breakfast.

WHAT: Best Management Practices for the Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries
WHEN: June 10, 2015 (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

This training covers landscape maintenance, including pruning, mulching, fertilizers, irrigation and pesticides, and is required for all landscape professionals who apply fertilizers commercially in Florida. CEUs provided as follows: 4 FDACS, 4 FNGLA, 4.5 CFE, 4.75 APA and up to 5.75 ISA. Cost is $30, includes materials, light breakfast and lunch.

For more information about landscaper trainings, contact Project Greenscape at 239-530-5953 (English) or 239-530-5951 (Spanish), or visit www.rookerybay.org/greenscape.