A male Yellow Warbler singing from his perch amount spiky flowers.
Greenwich Explore

HELP: Habitat and Ecosystems Land Pro

A comprehensive education program to train landscape professionals in ecological and sustainable landscape practices.

The Greenwich Audubon Center offers an Ecological Landscaping course called HELP: Habitat and Ecosystems Land Pro, a comprehensive professional educational program to assist landscape and horticulture professionals in creating ecological landscapes, using sustainable landscape practices, and creating natural climate solutions.

Ecological landscaping makes it possible to create rich habitats in a variety of spaces that support birds and other wildlife. It also helps improve ecosystems services like clean water and clean air. This course will teach landscaping professionals the skills, strategies, and tools necessary to create habitat, as well as how to advertise, leverage, and monetize these highly-desired services.

Upcoming Programs

The HELP: Habitat and Ecosystems Land Pro program is a 15-hour, 3 session endorsement class. Registrants must attend all three classes to complete the course.

Winter 2026

  • Thursday, March 5 from 8:15 AM – 1:30 PM
    • Hybrid—In-person or via Zoom
  • Thursday, March 12 from 8:15 AM – 1:30 PM
    • Hybrid—In-person or via Zoom
  • Thursday, March 19 from 8:15 AM – 1:30 PM
    • In-person ONLY

Register here

Program Information

  • Native plants and ecosystems services, with site-specific cultural needs for our local native plants
  • How to create functional ecosystems in the managed landscape, known as reclamation ecology
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Specifically targeted pest management with OMRI and EPA 25b and organic principles
  • Ecological and habitat services design principles
  • Natural climate solutions
  • How to incentivize and monetize the ecological landscaping and land management model
  • Horticulturists and Nursery Professional interested in learning in depth about native plants, ecological landscape practices, and sustainable horticulture.
  • Landscape Professional or Landscape Architect with clients requesting native plantings, habitat gardens, chemical-free organic pest management, and more sustainable practices on their clients’ properties.
  • Parks / Municipality / D.O.T. Supervisor or employee who would like to gain extensive knowledge about which native trees and plants work best in specific situations.
  • Landscape Design/Install company interested in expanding their client base through native plant installations and ecological land practices.
  • Attaining a broader knowledge of ecological landscaping principles to address increasing requests for aesthetically pleasing native plantings and pet/child safe maintenance practices.
    • Learning the Ecological Landscaper Business Model
  • New clients from referrals
  • Professional CE credits:
    • LA CES HSW: 12 professional CE credits
    • CNLP (Certified Nursery Landscape Professionals—NY residents only): 12 professional CE credits
    • ISA: 6 professional CE credits