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Course Status Notice – Not Scheduled
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Course Details
Course Name: Outdoor Entertainment Spaces: Kitchens, Fire Pits, and More
Course Code: AL0207CA24
Date of Most Recent Offering: February 28, 2024
Course Overview
This class is part of the Landscape Management II Certificate Program.
From opulent outdoor kitchens to expansive fire pits and fireplaces, outdoor living spaces offer a rare growth opportunity in the landscape market. Designing and installing them, however, requires a diverse set of skills – from weatherproof appliance and material selection to lighting and electrical work – that can challenge even experienced landscapers.
In this class, you’ll learn to create the kinds of outdoor entertainment spaces high-end clients want. Alex Burke will cover the planning, installation, and estimating processes you need to produce a quality job at a profitable price. Learn invaluable tips and tricks from an experienced contractor and expand your customer base into a more lucrative area.
Optional Outdoor Construction Day
If you attend this class, you can also participate in the optional construction day on April 1, 2024 on the Rutgers New Brunswick campus where you will build an actual paver project. Come and learn by doing, and get real hands-on experience!
Who Should Attend?
If you want to learn how to design and install beautiful and functional outdoor entertainment spaces, this class is for you! Past participants have included:
- Landscape Company Owners
- Landscape Designers
- Landscape Estimators
- Landscape Foremen
- Mason Contractors
- Project Managers
Meet Your Instructor
Alex Burke, Burke Environmental
Alex is a third generation horticulturalist. When he was in high school he started his first business, Burke Lawn Services, mainly doing lawn maintenance. While still in high school, Alex became one of the youngest people ever to get his pesticide license from the State of New Jersey. After high school, Alex went on to Rutgers University, Cook College, where he received a degree in Environmental Planning and Design, with a concentration on seashore environments. After Alex graduated in 2000, he incorporated his business under a new name, Burke Environmental. Burke Environmental was founded as a landscape design, installation, maintenance company with a focus on Jersey Shore properties.
As Burke Environmental grew, so did the services it began to offer. Alex got his irrigation license and became certified in concrete pavers and retaining wall construction. In 2008, Alex began co-teaching the installation of concrete pavers course for Rutgers University. Alex now teaches several continuing education courses for Rutgers and guest lectures for the Department of Landscape Architecture. He is also a certified instructor for the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI). ICPI helps set the national standards for concrete pavers and is viewed as a nationally recognized certification. Alex is one of less than 75 ICPI instructors in all of North America.
Student Reviews
“Alex [Burke] is incredibly knowledgeable about the design and build process and the landscape industry as a whole. His teaching method is very effective. Take this class if you want to master custom outdoor entertainment spaces!”
– Past Participant
“Very well-rounded coverage of topics.”
– Past Participant
On instructor Alex Burke: “Great teacher. Very knowledgeable and able to answer any questions.”
– Past Participant
Continuing Education Credits
The most recent offering of Outdoor Entertainment Spaces: Kitchens, Fire Pits, and More (5.5 contact hours) 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 Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 5 Technical CEUs (course #DLGS-RUCPE23-30)
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 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 Outdoor Entertainment Spaces: Kitchens, Fire Pits, and More, 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.