Ecoliteracy Site Analysis Practicums

What is a practicum?

A practicum allows workshop graduates the opportunity to practice hands on site analysis and problem solving within a context of applied ecological design. When it comes to landscaping and gardening, remember to meet the optimal health needs of the plants first. Determine what your site provides and then match the needs of the plants with what the site provides. It’s simple but not necessarily easy. Practicum participants develop and hone site analysis, observational, site assessment, and problem solving skills through exposure to a wide range of site conditions and locations. The more practicums students attend, the more guided practice they will receive. The best way to reinforce material learned at an Urban/Suburban Ecoliteracy workshop is to experience its application consistently and concretely.

Where are practicums held?

Practicums are primarily hosted by students who have attended an Urban/Suburban Ecoliteracy workshop. Hosts and hostesses benefit from having many perspectives that contribute to a fuller understanding of their own site conditions while those who attend practicums develop their skills. Steve and I encourage everyone to carpool and to help facilitate communication, we have created a private Yahoo group.

How long is a practicum session?

Practicums do not require the all-day commitment of a workshop. Set aside 90 minutes, not including the commute time to and from the site.

Points to bear in mind:

A practicum is not a design brainstorm session. To create sustainable garden and landscape designs effectively, keen observational skills and site analysis are must-haves and both precede design sequentially.
A practicum is not an obligatory workday. If you want to contribute to a host or hostess’ garden or landscaping project by rolling up your sleeves and working, that’s up to you. Please coordinate directly with the host or hostess.
A practicum is not to be used as an opportunity to pick Steve’s and Wendy’s brains for garden design ideas or for recommendations on how to solve garden problems that are particular to your own site. If you want either of us to help you professionally, we would be happy to set an appointment for a private consultation. During a practicum, we are there to guide students through the inquiry process so that they learn what questions to ask themselves and the property owner(s), but if truth be told, the less Steve and I talk, the more students will learn.

Urban/Suburban Ecoliteracy