ESY: Environmentally Sustainable Yards
ESY as 1,2,3!
Learn how to practice sustainability in your own yard with this new program.
ESY combines leading edge sustainability principles with lessons learned over
Olds College’s long history of horticultural education, all with a science-based approach offered with Olds College faculty-led instruction.
Join our instructor and friends and plan the transformation. Learn the steps to prepare your own yard resulting in a garden of tomorrow.
The course will cover:
- Soils, Composting and Fertilizers
- Water Management
- Hardscape Selection
- Plant Selection
- Landscape Design
- Maintenance
What is an Environmentally Sustainable Yard?
It is a beautiful, healthy, easy-to-maintain yard that employs the practices of environmental sustainability and embodies the principle of living within the natural limits of our planet. Change the way you approach planning, planting, and maintaining your landscape to give yourself a yard where less is more: less water, time, effort and manufactured inputs, giving you more enjoyment, and satisfaction. An ESY yard is a yard in harmony with the natural environment.
Take all 3 levels and you can be the envy of your neighborhood, and have the ultimate peace of mind for having an ESY yard! Join the movement - it's ESY!
ESY Level I
Begin your journey to achieving an environmentally sustainable yard that can work for you and for the environment.
- Learn the principles of ESY landscape design and tree and shrub selection
- Discover the amazing properties of your soil
- Learn simple means of water and beneficial insect conservation
ESY Level II
Continue your journey to a yard that supports the natural environment through a wider range of practices. Add ESY perennials, turf and ground covers.
Learn how to:
- attract beneficial insects
- make the most of your soil
- utilize water efficiently
Prerequisite: ESY Level I
ESY Level III
Look to the future of your yard and of environmental sustainability beyond your fence.
- Develop and adopt a long-term planting and maintenance plan to create a yard that embodies the concepts of living within our planet’s limits.
- Explore ESY hardscaping choices and sustainable technology.
- Enjoy success stories and learn from hands-on projects.
- Discover where your journey to environmental sustainability can take you, your community and your city.
Prerequisite: ESY Level II
Fees & Dates
TBD - Please phone to receive updated information as it becomes available.
For More Information
Call 403-556-8339 or 1-800-661-6537 (ext. 8339)
