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Continuing Education

The NOFA Accreditation Course in Organic Land Care is the first step in organic training. The program is built on the expectation that land care professionals will continue to grow and develop their knowledge of the field as they continue in their careers. Continuing education is built into the process, with the requirement that AOLCPs attain at least four hours of continuing education credits every year.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) FAQ

Continuing Education Discounts with OLC Partners

The Ecological Landscape Alliance (ELA) and New Directions in the American Landscape (NDAL) are partnering with the Organic Land Care Program to support AOLCPs in advancing their learning and continuing their education in sustainable, organic land care practices.

    • ELA offers AOLCPs a 15% discount on ELA conferences.
    • NDAL offers AOLCPs a 10% discount to select NDAL-sponsored events.

Discount codes for these member benefits are available in the AOLCP portal.

CEU Opportunities for AOLCPs

Visit this section for up-to-date information about upcoming CEU opportunities from the Organic Landcare Program, OLC partner organizations, and elsewhere. 

These events are also announced in our monthly OLC News email newsletter, which you can join here..

If you are an expert interested in reaching the OLC audience, or if you are an AOLCP with an idea for a presenter or topic, please contact us!

Practical Soil Assessments for Ecological Landscaping

March 28 @ 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Garden in the Woods
180 Hemenway Rd.
Framingham, MA 01701 United States
$30 – $70

Organic and ecological landscaping is more than purchasing amendments or avoiding herbicides—it begins with building healthy soil. If you (or your clients) are concerned about weed pressure, erosion, drought stress, or long-term input costs, strengthening soil function is one of the most effective solutions. In this workshop, we’ll explore how soil health underpins successful landscapes, whether you’re managing properties professionally or stewarding a home garden. Facilitators will introduce practical tools and strategies to help you assess soil conditions and make more informed, site-specific decisions.

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Evenings with Experts: How to Grow a Better Bird Feeder

April 16 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
First Parish Church
7 Harrington Rd.
Lexington, MA United States

Bird populations are declining at an alarming rate due to habitat loss, climate change, and pesticides. Fortunately, there are simple actions you can take to restore critical bird habitat in your yards and gardens. In this talk, Desirée will share her research on the importance of native plants to food webs, why insects matter for bird conservation, and the practical steps you can take to support bird habitat throughout the year.

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Urban Tree Symposium: Beneath the Canopy: Roots, Soil, and City Life

April 17 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
11 French Dr.
Boylston, MA 01505 United States
$65 – $150

New England Botanic Garden’s annual Urban Tree Symposium is dedicated to exploring the importance of urban forests and ways we can improve our green spaces. Each symposium brings together experts in the fields of forestry, horticulture, biology, technology and more. You can expect to hear current and important information that will impact your work in our communities and your own home. The Urban Tree Symposium is geared towards current and aspiring professionals, studentsand tree enthusiasts. 

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Evenings with Experts: Explore the Nighttime World of Caterpillars & Moths

May 20 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
11 French Dr.
Boylston, MA 01505 United States

The Caterpillar Lab will present a photograph and video packed talk that explores the nighttime world of caterpillars, moths, and how to find them. Join us to learn how we can explore our own backyard habitats through the eyes of a moth, using UV and special light traps to uncover a whole new perspective. This special lecture will include time to meet a few special caterpillar specimens up close, and chat with Caterpillar Lab educators about all things local caterpillar. In-person attendees will also get to try out blacklight flashlights!

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2026 ELA Annual Conference & Eco-Marketplace

August 27 - August 28
OMNI Providence
1 West Exchange St.
Providence, RI 02903 United States
$225 – $520

The Ecological Landscape Alliance (ELA) is excited to announce the 2026 Annual Conference & Eco-Marketplace to be held on February 4 & 5, 2026, in Providence, Rhode Island. The Annual Conference brings together leaders in ecological landscape practices with a diverse range of professionals involved in landcare, including landscape architects, designers, growers, horticulturists, land stewards,  arborists, and installation/maintenance technicians.

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Partner Continuing Education

Partner organizations that offer pre-approved CEUs for their courses and events can be found below. Please visit their websites to see what courses and events are currently being offered. Pre-approved courses and events will generally show CEUs awarded for NOFA, NOFA OLC, or AOLCP.

Many other events and courses that are not pre-approved for CEUs are still suitable for AOLCP CEUs. Look to your local, state and national nursery and landscape professional associations; botanical gardens; community colleges and other institutions of higher learning; master gardener programs; etc.

ecological-landscaping

Ecological Landscape Alliance

Since its founding in 1992, the Ecological Landscape Alliance has been a leader in promoting sustainable approaches to landscape design, construction, and management. ELA's commitment to innovative ideas and evidence-based practices has made the organization both a trusted resource and a vibrant community of landscape professionals and devoted gardeners.

NDAL

New Directions in the American Landscape

New Directions in the American Landscape (NDAL) is an educational organization dedicated to the art, culture, and science of ecology-based landscape design and practice. NDAL has been a pioneering influence in this field since 1990, and continues to educate landscape architects, landscape designers, horticulturists, and the gardening public.

MtCuba

Mt. Cuba Center

Mt. Cuba's certificate classes are open to everyone, from beginners to experts. You can choose to complete all classes to earn a certificate, or take only the classes that interest you. Students seeking certification must pass an evaluation after each class.

Places-for-Pollinators-with-Deborah-Perkins-DSC01818-sm-1024x682

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

The mission of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is to inspire meaningful connections among people, plants, and nature through horticulture, education, and research.