Environmental Horticulture

Do You Want to Improve the Sustainability of our Natural Environment?

Environmental horticulturists provide solutions necessary to achieve aesthetically pleasing, functional, and environmentally sound outdoor spaces. They also design and manage private and public landscapes, such as golf courses, botanical gardens, and parks. In addition, they may develop the entrepreneurial skills necessary to successfully operate a nursery, garden center, tree care, landscape design, and build or landscape management firm. Three concentrations are offered in the Environmental Horticulture major— Landscape Design and Contracting, Nursery and Landscape Management, and Turf Management.

Students will be provided with frequent opportunities for gaining hands-on learning experiences. Students in the program are either required or encouraged to have student internships or apprenticeships. Many students are engaged in independent studies with faculty in lab and field research, and work study/hourly jobs in the field or greenhouse.

what you’ll learn

Management and leadership skills necessary for a successful career in the green industry
Technical competencies in their understanding of growth and development of horticultural plants and landscapes, including development as influenced by manipulation of horticulture technologies, such as fertility and water management, and integrated pest management for all aspects of landscape horticulture
Skills to assess site issues, provide creative environmentally sound solutions and manage designed and built landscapes
Analytical and problem-solving skills that allow identification of problems related to the management or production of horticultural crops and landscapes, as well as strategies to solve them