Ashleigh Hough, Sarah A. White, Dara M. Park, Ellen A. Vincent
Clemson University
Developing an Online
Environmental Landscape
Certification Program for
South Carolina: Stakeholder
Survey Results
Introduction
*Increase BMP knowledge and skill set for landscape professionals*maximizing urban landscape aesthetics*protect and conserve natural resources
*Benefits*increase plant success in landscapes*become stewards of the environment*increase revenue for landscape professionals
Nature of Work*Currently no experience required for SC landscape professionals *Potential for improper management by untrained professionals*Conservation-based management practices*Plant success in the urban landscape
Nature of Work* Identify and target stakeholders* landscape contractors* municipalities* companies with in-house landscape maintenance
* Model strategic areas* Greenville-Spartanburg* Florence* Charleston
* Modes of gaining stakeholder input* comparison of other programs* survey* regional workshops
Results: Program Comparison ELC GGIA PLANET UGA NCNLA
Participant Cost $165 $700 $379 $225How Long to
Complete 2 yrs 3 yrs 1 yrWritten Exam yes yes yes yes yes
Hands-on Exam yes yes yes no yesCEUs 15 12 PLANET
Retest Fee (hands-on/writte
n) $45 $50 $30 $25Online Testing yes no no
Survey Results: Importance of Earning Certification1
6% 28%
318%
437%
531%
1. Not Important2. Somewhat Important3. Moderately Important4. Very Important5. Extremely Important
Professional110%
210%
327%4
22%
531%
Personal
Survey Results: Value of Online ELC administered by CU
1. Not Important2. Somewhat Important3. Moderately Important4. Very Important5. Extremely Important
Increasing Importance
16%
24%
314%
422%
553%
Survey Results: Access to a Computer & the Web?
a b
c
a. Nob. Possiblyc. Yes
6% 2%
92%
Survey Results: Preference of Location
a
b
c
a. Home – 65%b. Office – 34%c. Other: hand held
device – 2%
Learning Test Taking
a. Home – 60%b. Office – 35%c. Other: field,
proctored room – 5%
a
b
c
Survey Results: How do You Prefer to Learn Online?
a24%
b 21%
c5%
d44%
e2%
f5%
a. Reading PowerPoint slides
b. Reading PowerPoint slides while listening to a narrator/speaker
c. Viewing a video with no sound
d. Viewing a video while listening to a narrator/speaker
e. None of the abovef. Other: N/A
Results: Learning Module Organization* General information* Turfgrass* Landscape plantings* Tree management* Water* Low impact development strategies* Plant identification* Integrate pest management* Equipment maintenance & calibration
* General information* Turfgrass* Landscape plantings* Tree management* Water* Low impact development strategies* Plant identification, * Integrate pest management,* Equipment maintenance & calibration
Results: Learning Module Organization
Significance to Industry
* Potential for enhancing landscape contractor marketability* competitive edge through knowledge gain
* Success of plant survival in landscape increase * long term investment profitability
* Conservation and protection of natural resources
Acknowledgements The authors acknowledge the support of
Clemson University – Public Service and Agriculture Frank Lever Initiative grant “Development of a Certified Environmental Landscape Professional Program” for funding this project.