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Learn best management practices for growing and maintaining native plants in a landscaping or nursery operation.
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Course Details
Course Name: Native Plants for the Green Industry
Course Code: AL0284CA26
Date: January 29, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 3:15 pm (Check in at 8:30 am)
Location: Bioresource Engineering Laboratory (formerly ECC), 18 Ag Extension Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (Directions & Map)
Format: Classroom course
Registration Fee: $210 per person
Early Bird Discount Fee: $195 per person (expires January 22, 2026)
Registration Closes: January 27, 2026
Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.
Course Overview
This one-day class will provide instruction on best management practices for growing and maintaining native plants in a landscaping or nursery operation, including how to reduce pesticide use while maintaining high quality plants that provide important ecosystem services.
Featured Topics
- Fertility Requirements
- Pest and Disease Control
- Applying Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Principles
Who Should Attend?
This class is an excellent source of information for professionals in the landscaping and nursery industry interested in incorporating native plants into their work. Past participants include:
- Landscape Business Owners
- Licensed Tree Experts and Tree Care Operators (LTE/LTCO)
- Landscape Designers
- Master Gardeners
- Nursery Owners/Staff
- Tree Service Owners/Operators
Meet Your Instructors
Bill Errickson, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Bill Errickson is the Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent for Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County. Bill holds a Master’s degree in Soil Science from the University of New Hampshire and is completing a Doctoral degree in Plant Biology from Rutgers University. He has led courses focused on sustainable soil management for commercial growers, home gardeners, and college students throughout New Jersey and New England. His current programmatic areas include supporting the NJ nursery and landscape industries in their efforts to promote native plants and ecological landscaping practices.
Michele Bakacs, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Michele joined Rutgers Cooperative Extension in 2009 as a County Agent/Associate Professor for Middlesex and Union Counties. She has more than 22 years of experience in natural resource management and conducts research, education, and provides technical assistance in the areas of invasive species control and native plants, sustainable/environmentally friendly land care, and water quality protection. Part of Michele’s work focuses on teaching invasive species ID/ control and eradicating invasives from gardens and forest ecosystems while promoting increased use of native plants.
Steve Kristoph, Steven Kristoph Nursery
Steve Kristoph is widely known for his encyclopedic knowledge of plant material. He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in horticulture from Rutgers University, and he has been an adjunct instructor at Rutgers for more than 25 years. He also owns and operates Steven Kristoph Nursery in Monmouth County, NJ, where he grows many types of ornamental trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials. The landscaping division of his business, P. Steven Kristoph Garden Design, serves both residential and commercial customers and offers a full range of services, including design, installation, maintenance and seasonal color. Steve is passionate about plants and enjoys sharing his passion with others.
Steve Rettke, Rutgers University
Steven Rettke has been employed by Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) since 1996 and currently serves as the Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Associate for RCE of Monmouth County. His primary responsibilities include promoting the IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Philosophy to professionals working within the landscape, turf, nursery, and greenhouse industries. His areas of expertise include the key insect and disease pests of ornamental plants/crops. Each season, for 28 years, he has traveled extensively throughout New Jersey providing pest monitoring & consulting information to selected nursery/greenhouse growers & commercial landscape/turf managers participating in the Rutgers Greenhouse, Nursery, & Landscape IPM Programs.
Continuing Education Credits
The Native Plants for Landscape and Nursery Professionals course (5.5 contact hours) is approved for the following credits from professional organizations.
New Jersey
NJ / CT Pesticide Applicators: 02 units in CORE and 6B; 04 units in 3A, 8C, and PP2
NJ Certified Fertilizer Applicators: Pending
NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 3 Technical, 2 Management Contact Hours – DLGS-RUCPE23-28
NJ Licensed Tree Experts (LTE/LTCO): Pending
NJ Urban and Community Forestry (NJUCF): Pending
Meals
No breakfast will be provided. Lunch will be available for pre-registered attendees only.
NOTE: If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please alert us at least two (2) weeks in advance of the course start date so that we can make reasonable accommodations. We cannot guarantee accommodations for special requests made after that time.
Course Requirements and Policies
COVID-19 Policies for Face-to-Face Classes
Please visit our policies page for the latest information.
Pre-registration/Walk-Ins
Pre-registration is required. We’re sorry, but we cannot guarantee a seat, materials, or meals for walk-in registrants.
Location Changes
Location is subject to change; registrants will be notified in the event of a change.
Campus Parking Policy
All visitors must register their vehicles ONLINE to park on campus. Please follow the guidelines below. Failure to comply with these policies may result in a citation.
- A link to register your vehicle will be provided in your course confirmation email. Please be sure to complete this important step prior to traveling to campus.
- When you park on campus, be sure that your license plate is unobstructed and visible from the driving aisle.
- All Rutgers faculty/staff/students must use their regular Rutgers permit and park in the nearest lot assigned for their permit type.
Email Requirement
A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.
- If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
- If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
- Your full name
- The shared email address that needs to be changed
- Your unique email address
- A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions
Cancellations and Substitutions
A $35 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.
Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!
If you have any questions about Native Plants for Landscape and Nursery Professionals, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Program Coordinator: Joe Canzano
848-932-7317
joe.canzano@rutgers.edu
Administrative Assistant: Damiana Parada
848-932-7107
damiana.parada@rutgers.edu
For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.
