-30 participants were admitted to the course: 17 CPC employees (one auditor), 9 CPC volunteers, 2 NYC Dept. of Parks and Recreation employees from other parks in NYC, and 2 Madison Square Park Conservancy employees.
-26 participants attended regularly to the end. The average attendance rate was 96%.
-The average weekly exam score was 86%. There was a 36% increase in the average score on the benchmark assessment at the end of the course, as compared to at the start of the course.
-13 expert and experienced instructors from Cornell, CPC and external institutions, were recruited and prepared to teach 16 sessions. Instruction for 8 of the sessions was delivered collaboratively by 2 lead instructors
-1 regular course participant (a Parks staff member) and 11 CPC staff members, who sat in, received NYSDEC pesticide applicator recertification credits in categories 1a, 3a, 3b, and 25 for commercial and residential ornamental horticulture through 3 pest management related sessions (Plant Diseases and Insects, Turf Management, and Weeds: Ecology, Identification and Management).
-Evaluative responses (from written assessments, one-on-one communication, and written testimonials) indicated that participants valued the opportunity for horticultural training, professional development, and interaction with colleagues. Comments from participants included:
-“I am very pleased to have taken this course. I learned a great deal and I feel more confident when I have to do my job. All instructors were great knowledge contributors. Thank you for the opportunity to learn.”
-“The efforts of you and the rest of the faculty to open our minds to so many attributes of urban horticulture was and will be a lasting gift to me.”
-“The class has been excellent, providing practical and interesting information. I am sorry to have it end.”
-“This was a rare opportunity for me, to be instructed by excited and exciting experts. Thanks a lot!”
As a result of this effort, CUCE-NYC has further enhanced its collaborative relationship with Central Park Conservancy administrators, as well as with the network of instructors recruited and/or employed to support this program. The foundation created by this partnership enabled CUCE-NYC to expand its landscape horticulture training program to work with other diverse partner organizations in New York City.
impact statement issue
Staff and volunteers of City parks, such as Central Park in Manhattan, often do not have a comprehensive understanding of horticultural and ecological science concepts that are directly applicable to their jobs. As a result, Parks staff may not perform job tasks as required for effective and sustainable management of urban parks landscapes. Parks personnel and administrators have expressed the need for hands-on professional development of staff and volunteers to improve knowledge, skills and abilities related to urban horticulture and ecology applicable to urban park landscapes.
impact statement response
CUCE-NYC's Urban Environment Program Area developed, planned, and coordinated delivery of an academically rigorous professional development training course, focused on horticulture and ecology appropriate to urban park landscapes, to 26 adults working in Central Park. These employees and volunteers were admitted to the course through a selective application process. The course was delivered in a series of weekly, full-day sessions, from January 13 through April 28, 2010. The program covered a comprehensive range of relevant horticultural and ecological topics, such as soils, geology, woody and herbaceous plant identification and use, turf management, plant pests, and ecosystem management, designed to enable effective learning for participants with diverse educational backgrounds and work experiences. The course also included a session designed to help adult learners prepare for and achieve positive learning outcomes. This session was conducted by a volunteer working with CUCE-NYC, who had previously graduated from the course and has had a professional career in adult education. Sessions were participatory and hands-on, combining classroom instruction and discussion with field and lab instruction and practice. In bringing together staff from different parks along with volunteers, some of whom have had academic training and professional experiences in areas other than horticulture, the course served as a forum in which personnel that had not otherwise interacted could learn from each other and develop fruitful links and working relationships.
impact statement summary
Cornell University Cooperative Extension-NYC (CUCE-NYC), in partnership with Central Park Conservancy, planned, delivered and evaluated an intensive 16-session certification course for staff and volunteers of Central Park and other City parks through interactive and hands-on classroom/lab and field instruction in soils, plants, pest management, and other subjects related to managing urban landscapes sustainably.
Other private funding
partial support from Central Park Conservancy/JP Morgan Chase
