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.