You are invited to participate in the MCPLANT workshops - available by registration only.
Contact
Dana Glenn for the 2008 MCPLANT training classes.
Master Composters Piedmont Landscape and Naturescape Training (MCPLANT)
2008 Schedule
Our mission is to promote wise and sustainable management of natural resources through responsible stewardship at the local level, working in partnership with individuals, neighborhoods, schools and community organizations.
The training is available to eligible participants. The training is 40 hours total with several field trips and hands on projects. Potential participants must complete the registration form. In return for the training, we are asking for specific volunteer time to help with different projects like: troubleshooting with schools, neighborhood training projects, staffing a booth at the Southern Spring Show and others as needed.
The project will train 25 Master Composter volunteers. Drawing on successful master composter's training models from around the country, we are recruiting for volunteers based on their interests, commitment and level of experience. The trainees will come from throughout the community, so to reflect the cultural diversity of the Charlotte region. A local MC project will make a valuable contribution to reduce waste and improve environmental quality through home, neighborhood, business and school yardcare and composting. All trainees will complete a twelve-week training course.
The participants will learn how to teach and troubleshoot classes including:
- Compost - how to turn leaves, yard clippings & kitchen scraps into rich compost that is a cost savings & a valuable soil amendment for plants in the yard and garden.
- Home and Community Soil Stewardship - How and why to do a soil test, managing soils to improve fertility, decrease erosion and protect the environment.
- Toxicity Reduction - Water quality, chemical alternatives and natural methods, and proper use, storage and disposal of yard chemicals.
- Home Yard Care - Wise lawn care, types of grasses and how to best manage them, grasscycling, and lawn alternatives including ground covers, natural areas and proper mulching techniques.
- Piedmont Naturescaping - Landscaping for sustainability and easy, low-cost maintenance, (southern xeriscaping)using traditional and native plants and trees in the landscape, groundcovers and mulch, watersaving strategies and best irrigation practices and technologies. Prevention and eradication of invasive plants in our communities to improve property values.
- Habitat and Natural Gardening - natural landscaping techniques that allow for beneficial insects and plants, habitat for wildlife and low maintenance beautification of the landscape.
Contact: 704-336-5359 ext. 5 or
email
Mecklenburg County
Solid Waste - Waste Reduction
700 North Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28202
In 2000, we received funding for this project in part through a grant from the North Carolina Division of Pollution Prevention & Environmental Assistance, NC Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources.
