National Garden Clubs, Inc. established a series of four

courses on landscape design in order to develop a

greater appreciation of the environment, both natural

and manmade, for its members. Course content is

established by National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC).

 

The Landscape Design Schools (LDS) are designed to:

• Develop a greater sense of appreciation, pride and

       knowledge about our private, public and historic

       gardens.

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• Promote positive changes in our surroundings to

       encourage beauty, utility, convenience, sound

       ecological practice and ease of maintenance.

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• Encourage better understanding of the landscape

       design process to promote landscapes that will

       sustain sound management

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• Stimulate interest in all phases of landscape design, including community planning.

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• Develop a contingent of qualified Landscape Design Consultants to serve in such decision-making areas of public life as providing leadership, educational programs, scholarships, awards & promoting better landscape design.

 

Courses may be taken in any order. Each course

consists of ten hours of instruction, which may include

field trips and tours to related locations. Open

book/open note exams are offered for those wishing to

become NGC Accredited Consultants. After passing

two Landscape Design School courses, a student

becomes a Provisional Consultant and may join a

Landscape Design Council -- a group that provides

programs and tours that further the education of its

members. Garden club members who complete all four

courses with a passing grade on every exam within

seven years become Landscape Design Consultants,

which is recognized as a special achievement among

NGC members... but does not convey professional

status. To remain in Good Standing, every five years

Landscape Design Consultants must continue their

education by attending a Refresher or a LD School

Course – no exam is required. After a Consultant’s

fourth refresher, the Consultant becomes a Master

Consultant. Consultants or Master Consultants may

earn refresher credit only once within a calendar year.