Main Content

Course Status: Not Currently Scheduled
The next offering of this course is tentatively planned for Fall 2023. Please join our email list to be notified when registration opens!
Jump to: Overview | Instructor | Reviews | CE Credits | Contact Us | Related Courses | Join Email List
Course Details
Course Name: Native Plants for Landscape and Nursery Professionals
Course Code: AL0284CA23
Date of Most Recent Offering: November 14, 2022
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
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.
Continuing Education Credits
The most recent offering of Native Plants for Landscape and Nursery Professionals was approved for the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.
New Jersey
NJ / CT Pesticide Applicators: 4 units in 3A, 8C, and PP2
NJ Certified Fertilizer Applicators: 1 credit towards ProFACT recertification
NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 3 Technical, 1.5 Management and 0.5 Government Contact Hours (DLGS Course #16227)
NJ Licensed Tree Experts (LTE/LTCO): 5.5 CEUs
NJ Urban and Community Forestry (NJUCF): 2.5 CEUs
International
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA): Certified Arborist: 6; BCMA – Management: 6
Meals
No breakfast will be provided. Box lunches will be available for pre-registered attendees only.
NOTE: If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please alert us at least one (1) week 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.
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
For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.