Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon successful completion of the course students should be able to:

1. Assess site for the task(s) necessary to meet established landscape management goals.
2. Select proper management solutions to landscape and garden situations.
3. Select and use proper tools and techniques to safely complete landscape management tasks according to industry standards.
4. Identify and assess alternative solutions (including redesign/rebuild) to common landscape challenges.
5. Select and use personal protective equipment (PPE) to complete landscape management tasks.
6. Plan and prepare for working safely and comfortably outside in seasonal weather.

Help students build experience and confidence in their use of contemporary landscape management tools, equipment and techniques.

Rotating crew lead:  Each week, before class ends, we will determine as a class what we are doing (generally) the following week, and we will divide into two crews of 3-5 people per crew to do the next week’s work.  Each crew will be assigned a crew leader.  The crew leader is responsible for:

• Preparing to explain the tasks (methods, tools goals) to their crew
• Working with the instructor to make sure necessary equipment is ready and safe
• Checking each crew member’s PPE
• Monitoring and managing the crew during the class period
• Adapting and communicating changes

Crew leader responsibility will rotate each week, and each student in the class will serve as crew leader at least twice during the term.

Food for thought: (1-page paper, hand written):  As a landscape practitioner, you will participate in and need to discuss tools, techniques and practices that you may have a strong opinion about (e.g. fertilizer use, pesticide use, mowing, robot mowers, electric equipment).  We are all really good at forming opinions, but not as good at defending those opinions with facts and seeing the other side.  We’re gonna practice.  To do this, you’ll pick a topic of interest and then write a 1-page, handwritten paper based on the prompt phrase, “I think we should/should not (your topic) in landscape management because (2 reasons with reputable references); however, I can see why the opposition feels differently because (1 reason from the opposition with a reputable reference).  Students will sign up for a class period to turn in their paper and read it to the class before the workday for discussion.

Tool or technique demonstration:  Each student will be asked to do a 2-4 minute hands-on demonstration of a common landscape tool or technique to the entire class.  These will take place during the last 4 class meetings and students will sign up ahead of time and have their topic approved by the instructor.  Some examples might include: How to start a string trimmer.  How to edge a turf area.  Proper selection of PPE for a task.

Class/Lab performance:  This portion of your grade most closely resembles what you will experience in a real job situation i.e. periodic job performance.  Your grade will be based on attendance records and my observations of your, participation, attitude, helpfulness and teamwork demonstrated during class/lab.  Not having proper PPE to participate in class counts as a missed class.  There are no makeups.  Class attendance will be scored as follows:

First class/lab missed (or equivalent) – minus 10 points

Next class/lab missed (or equivalent) – minus 20 points

Next class/lab missed (or equivalent) – minus 30 points

Next class/lab missed (or equivalent) – minus 40 points

Reference Course Activities above:

1) Crew leaders will be assessed based on their organization, communication, knowledge and preparedness. Primarily maps to outcomes 1,2,3,5 and 6.

2) Food for thought (debate) paper and presentation.  Primarily maps to outcome 4.

3) Tool or technique demonstration. Primarily maps to outcomes 3 and 5.

4) Class lab performance.  Maps to all 6 outcomes.