Training 1

Native Plants, Soils & Habitat Features

Upcoming Training Dates

No additional offerings of this training are currently scheduled. If more offerings are scheduled, information can be found here.

About the Training

This one-day training on native plants, soils, and habitat features is aimed at practitioners and professionals who design, install, and plan for nature-based projects (including, but not limited to, designers, landscape architects, engineers, and planners). This training seeks to enhance participants’ base knowledge of the living components of nature-based design. Using a whole-systems approach, lessons explore best practices for plant, soil, and habitat feature selection, design, construction, management, and maintenance. Case studies supplement ecological theory, preparing participants with the tools needed to execute their own nature-based projects.

During this training, participants will:

  • Gain a greater understanding of a planting community approach to design.

  • Learn to characterize and evaluate soils to support native plant communities.

  • Learn how to create habitat enhancement features to support focal species.

  • Understand the importance of conserving existing soils and plant communities and how they contribute to habitat.

  • Get up close with some of the species and habitats discussed in the classroom through a guided garden tour.

Past Training Dates

SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 | Cypress Gardens, Moncks Corner, SC

  • Agenda

  • Course Instructors: Keith Bowers (Biohabitats), Erin Stevens (Surculus)

  • Continuing Education Credit Information

  • Held at Cypress Gardens in Moncks Corner, SC, participants experienced classroom learning and a tour around Cypress Gardens, led by a naturalist.

  • This training was supported by funding from the Therblig Foundation.

APRIL 25, 2024 | Moore Farms Botanical Garden, Lake City, SC

  • Agenda

  • Course Instructors: Keith Bowers (Biohabitats), Erin Stevens (Surculus), and Joshua Robinson (Robinson Design Engineers)

  • Continuing Education Credit Information

  • Held at the beautiful Moore Farms Botanical Garden in Lake City, SC, participants experienced classroom learning followed by an optional tour of the gardens, led by a horticulturist.

  • This training was supported by funding from Honda.