Online Reef-Friendly Landscaping certification course offered by Maui Nui Marine Resource Council

The Maui Nui Marine Resource Council will host its Reef-Friendly Landscaping certification course from Sept. 4 to Oct. 2, 2024. The course will be completely online and will teach professional landscapers, property managers, and agricultural businesses how to move away from synthetic products and transition to reef-friendly land-care practices. 

Enrollment is open now until Sept. 3, 2024, and the course will run from Sept. 4 through Oct. 2, 2024. The cost is $400 per person. Discounted group rates are available for those who are interested in having a group of employees certified.

“As a community, we know that implementing sustainable practices and reducing land-based sources of pollution is key to protecting our nearshore marine ecosystems,” said Program Director, Jill Wirt. “This course aims to make it easier for industry professionals to adopt land-care practices that are better for both our land and our reefs.”

The 10-subject curriculum is taught by local experts in reef-friendly landscaping and expertise from the Northeast Organic Farming Association’s Organic Land Care program. Subject topics will include site analysis, design, and management; native, exotic, and invasive plants; wetlands and Hawaiian land care; and energy, pollution and climate change. 

In June, 5 students completed the inaugural course, including Joseph Pittsenberger, Director of Engineering of Marriott Maui Ocean Club. “The knowledge I’ve gotten from soil sampling, from planting, from all of the native plants on this island has been great,” said Pittsenberger.

MNMRC will offer the online course throughout the year and a hybrid in-person option again in October 2024. 

Before launching its certification course, MNMRC partnered with 12 local properties to test reef-friendly landscaping practices over three months in 2023. Early results showed positive results at each property, with many seeing an increase in plant growth and a decrease in pests and diseases.

“The results from our pilot program were exciting because they demonstrate how the landscaping industry could create a positive, lasting impact on our land and reefs if professionals adapt natural products and reef-friendly practices,” said Wirt. “It is encouraging to see that a thriving landscaping industry can also mean healthy land and reefs in Maui County.”

To enroll in the course, visit: www.mauireefs.org/rfl or email rfl@mauireefs.org.