February 6-17, 2010

This course will be taught by Greg Corman of Gardening Insights and Paul Green and Kendall Kroesen of Tucson Audubon. Other great guest speakers, including Brad Lancaster, will participate as well.
Whether you are a landscape designer or a backyard do-it-yourselfer, you may be interested in Tucson Audubon’s “Landscaping for Wildlife and Sustainability” course. The course provides training to create landscapes that not only meet traditional landscaping goals, but also provide food, shelter and nesting opportunities for birds, and that provide for the needs of other small urban wildlife (arthropods, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals). Information is also provided on how landscapes can reduce use of potable water and energy, capture carbon, reduce pollution and cool our cities.
The course will help link you to native plant nurseries to ensure that we complete the circle between concept and installation.
Course Format
The next course will consist of four meetings: Saturday February 6, Wednesday February 10, Saturday February 13 and Wednesday February 17. Saturday meetings are 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (lunch provided). Wednesday meetings are 7 -9 p.m. The first meeting will be held at the Tucson Audubon Society Mason Center, and other meetings will be the Tucson Audubon office in the Historic YWCA, 738 N. 5th Ave., or at other locations.
A plant list, an optional reading list, and other useful materials will be provided as part of the cost of the course. The course will need a minimum of 8 students, but will be limited to a maximum of about 20.
Cost: $250
To sign up, please send a deposit of $50 by January 20, 2010 to hold your place. A considerable number of people have expressed an interest in the course. Please send deposits or full payment to Tucson Audubon, Attn. Jean Barchman, 300 E University Blvd, #120, Tucson, AZ 85705.
For more information about signing up, or to pay with a credit card, contact Jean Barchman at 622-5622. Call for an email address to prevent spam.
For more information about the class, contact Kendall Kroesen at (520) 206-9900 or (520) 971-2385 cell. Call for an email address to prevent spam.
Course Topics
What ecological issues can we address through landscaping? Which birds are in Tucson and what are their habitat needs? How do we go beyond just using native plants to provide habitat for birds? Tucson Audubon’s landscaping course will consider these issues and many others, including:
Problems of current Tucson landscapes and solutions
Local bird diversity and what birds need
Principles of sustainable design
The role of insects/arthropods
Rainwater harvesting and other hardscape issues
Native plant diversity, structure and density for wildlife
Native plant availability in the nursery trade
Irrigation strategies for plant establishment
Desert garden aesthetics
Tucson Audubon’s landscape recognition program