Pasadena City College’s Noncredit Division is offering a new certificate program that will provide an opportunity for both gardeners and homeowners to improve their English communication skills, while introducing them to the concepts and techniques of eco-friendly and water-efficient landscaping and gardening, especially using native plants.
Although thousands of area residents are trying to save water by turning their traditional lawns into more drought-tolerant landscapes, many of their gardeners do not have the experience necessary to plan and maintain these new gardens. Those that do have the knowledge may not speak English fluently and face language barriers in communicating with their homeowner clients.
The class features guest speakers from public agencies, community-based nonprofits, and local landscaping businesses, including Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants, Pasadena Water and Power, the City of South Pasadena, and the Chino Basin Water Conservation District.
The students will take field trips to Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden and Huntington Gardens, and a tour of local model native plant gardens will be sponsored by the Theodore Payne Foundation.
The current class includes students from Mexico, China, Korea and Indonesia.
This free class meets twice a week, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. at the PCC Community Education Center. Enrollment is ongoing, and students may register at any time, as long as space is available.
For more information, contact instructor Carolyn Corrie at (626) 585-3207 or email cjcorrie@pasadena.edu.