Certificate in Native Plant Studies Program

Adult & Family Classes | Discovery Field Trips | Children's Summer Camps

The Certificate in Native Plant Studies program has as its goal, to raise awareness of the importance of native plants and their value to our environment. Its curriculum consists of core classes, electives, field trips and volunteer service, which together provide a well-rounded education balanced among botany, taxonomy, ecology, conservation and uses of our native Southeastern flora. Classes are held at The Gardens and at other appropriate locations

Program events will be offered throughout the year. Students may begin their earning their certificate at any time, with any course. Certificates will be awarded to those who fulfill requirements within three years, however – anyone is welcome to register for any of the classes.

Click here for a PDF of brochure.

Click here to view some of the past class offerings in the program.

For more information about registration:

Contact 205.414.3950

For more information about the program:
Contact Kaul Wildflower Garden Curator John Manion at 205.414.3985 or jmanion@bbgardens.org.

Current Students: Volunteer Service Hours Form

Upcoming Classes, Field Trips and Volunteer Opportunities

NOTE: If you are unable to register using one of the Register Online buttons below, the class may be full,

contact Phyllis Sutton at 205.414.3958 or psutton@bbgardens.org.

Due to high call and email volume you should expect a response within 24-48 hours.

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Bibb County Glades (field trip)
Trip Leaders: Fred Spicer & John Manion
Saturday, June 1 | 9 - 4 p.m.
Location: Bibb County, AL
$60 Members | $70 Non-Members
Enrollment limited to 16
Called "a botanical lost world," partly due to eight new species of plants having been discovered there, this unique relictual landscape contains a number of Alabama endemic plant species and others rare, unusual and particularly adapted to life in a limestone glade. This is a moderate walking trip on natural, uneven and rocky terrain, held outdoors regardless of temperature. This year we have timed this trip to be able to observe many plants in flower. Time (and weather) permitting, we will include a foray to see the Cahaba lilies in flower

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Ethnobotany (elective)
Instructor: Francine Hutchinson
Saturday, June 8 | 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Birmingham Botanical Gardens
$40 Members | $45 Non-Members

This course will explore the heritage uses of the southeast's native plants. We will observe many of them in The Gardens' collections and discuss their uses by both ancient and modern cultures. Participants will acquire hands-on experience making and using plant preparations such as sumac tea, smilax farina meal, jewelweed ointment, cane shafts, and a wild salad. Plants and preparations may vary depending on weather and plant availability.

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Fantastic Fossils (field trip)
Trip Leaders: Ashley Allen & John Manion
Saturday, June 15 | 8:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Steven C. Minkin Paleozoic Footprint Site, Union Chapel, AL
$50 Members | $60 Non-Members

Travel back to a time in Alabama's history before the dinosaurs. During the Carboniferous Period, lush tropical forests dominated our local landscape. Amphibians and some of the earliest reptiles shared this forest with many invertebrates as the supercontinent Pangea was beginning to form, about 300 million years ago. Most ferns of this time were seed-producing and tree-like club mosses were as large as the pines and hardwoods of today. This expedition is for the participants to search for and collect evidence of this ancient scenario. This site, which has attracted international attention, has been featured on Absolutely Alabama and been preserved for education and research.

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Basics of Sustainable Design (elective)
Instructor: Andy Portera
Saturday, June 22 | 8:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Birmingham Botanical Gardens
$80 Members | $90 Non-Members

Interested in creating a sustainable landscape design and management plan for your yard or garden? This class will take you from start to finish through the sustainable design process with an emphasis on site analysis; plant selection and the use of Native plants; basic drainage and irrigation solutions; installation tips from a pro and best management practices that includes organic land care. You will leave this one day class with all the information you need to create and implement an environmentally friendly plan in your yard.

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The Ancient Forests of Alabama (elective)
Instructor: Brian Axsmith, Ph.D.
Saturday, June 29 | 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Birmingham Botanical Gardens
$40 Members | $45 Non-Members

Alabama forests were once dominated by giant club mosses and horsetails; this class will address varied topics such as the fact that the first and only fossil of a Begonia was found in Mobile, and that a close relative of Australia’s Bunja conifer tree inhabited Russell County. We will consider the rich and significant paleobotanical record of Alabama including examination of some actual fossil specimens, and discuss what they reveal about the history of our state and its amazing flora. We will also consider how studying plant fossils can help reconstruct ancient climates and carbon dioxide levels. Studying these records provides insight into what the future may hold.

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Native Ferns & Their Relatives (elective)
Instructor: Dan Jones, Ph.D.
Saturday, July 13 | 8:30 - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Birmingham Botanical Gardens
$40 Members | $45 Non-Members

Ferns dominated Earth's flora 350 million years ago. Today, 11,000 diverse descendants exist and approximately 90 fascinating ones reside in Alabama. This course will examine the life cycle of ferns that befuddled botanists for centuries and highlight typical characteristics of major fern families. Common Alabama ferns will be spotlighted with special focus on their identification, ecology, culture, and landscape uses.

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Bats and Plants (field trip)
Trip Leaders: Michael Gilbert & John Manion
Saturday, July 27 | 1:30 - 8 p.m.
Location: Scottsboro, AL
$50 Members | $60 Non-Members

After departing from Birmingham, we will visit some distinctive botanical sites en route to our final destination. After dining in Scottsboro (dinner not included) we will gather at the 264 acre Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge, whose cave is home to federally endangered gray and Indiana bats. After a briefing by Michael Gilbert - we will witness what may be the most significant bat flights (emergences) in the Southeast. Recent estimates of bats emerging were 300,000-400,000! After viewing this spectacle, we will conclude the evening by observing a colony of resident glow worms.

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The Fascinating World of Moths (elective)
Instructor: Peter Van Zandt, Ph.D.
Saturday, August 3 | 5 - 7 p.m. & 8 - 10 p.m.
Location: Birmingham Botanical Gardens
$40 Members | $45 Non-Members

Everyone loves butterflies, understandably - but did you know that the number of moth species outnumbers that of butterflies by 15 to 1? This class will explore the fascinating world of moths and the many important roles they play in nature, including that of herbivores, detritivores and as food for predators. Moth caterpillars have greatly influenced the defensive chemicals that can be found in plants, many of which have been studied and used by humans. We have structured this class differently than others; it will take place in the evening and the classroom portion will be from 5-7 p.m. After an hour break for dinner, and for darkness to descend, we will re-commence out in The Gardens where we will have special apparatuses set-up to attract moths for closer inspection.

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Plant-Animal Interactions (elective)
Instructor: Bob Boyd, Ph.D.
Saturday, August 24 | 9 - 1 p.m.
Location: Birmingham Botanical Gardens
$40 Members | $45 Non-Members

Plants have important relationships with animals that affect plants both negatively and positively. This course examines four key plant-animal interactions: herbivory, pollination, seed dispersal and plant carnivory. We will build an appreciation for how plants can be affected by the animals with which they interact, focusing on local examples where possible as we explore the fascinating adaptations that these interactions have created in both the plants and the animals involved. If weather permits, we will spend a part of the class time visiting areas of The Gardens to see examples of the concepts discussed in the class.

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Introduction to Mycology (elective)
Instructor: Juan Luis Mata, Ph.D.
Saturday, September 7 | 8:30 - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Birmingham Botanical Garden

$40 Members | $45 Non-Members

The study of fungi is an immense field. This class will focus on the macrofungi, which include any type of fungal reproductive structure that is evident to the naked eye. Recognition of the major groups of macrofungi will be taught, and after an introductory lecture - participants will collect specimens in The Gardens for detailed examination and hands-on learning. Final remarks on macrofungal ecology, diversity and importance, and useful tips - will conclude the class.

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Alabama's Geological History (elective)
Instructor: Jim Lacefield, Ph.D.
Saturday, September 21 | 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Birmingham Botanical Gardens
$40 Members | $45 Non-Members

Plant communities vary by soil type and soil types are influenced by geology. To emphasize this important underpinning, this class will offer a guided tour through Alabama's major geologic events and environments of the past half-billion years. You will learn how these "lost worlds" of the past have helped set the character of present-day plant communities of the state.

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Native Plants of Wetlands (elective & fieldtrip)
Trip Leaders: Fred Nation, Curtis Hansen, Fred Spicer and John Manion
Location: Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center, Andalusia, AL
Friday & Saturday, October 25 & 26
$200 Members | $225 Non-Members
Based on the wonderful experience we had at this location last spring, we decided to repeat the trip - but in autumn, so we can study a very different pallete of plants. This is the perfect location to be able to offer this half day elective, followed the next day by a field trip. The elective on wetland plants will take place Friday afternoon, and be comprised of classroom instruction and field work covering many aspects of various types of wetland characteristics, their importance, flora, delineation and conservation. After breakfast the following morning, we will leave for a field trip to explore the many diverse habitats of Solon Dixon's 5,300 acres, ranging from lakes and streams that appear turquoise in color and pitcher plant bogs, to cypress ponds, longleaf pine habitats and sand hills. The event fee includes the cost of your room, the class, the field trip, one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner. Transportation to and from the site is not included. Particulars will be provided once participants have registered.
Limited to 14 participants.