The California Native Plant Landscaper Certification (CNPLC) is a 20-hour vocational training program, developed by the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants in partnership with the California Native Plant Society. This course provides landscape professionals with the skills and knowledge to successfully care for Southern California native plants and ecologically sustainable horticultural landscapes. Delivered in either a hybrid format (online and in-person) or fully in-person, the program includes eight comprehensive lessons and two in-person practicums for hands-on training.

Who is This Course For?

This course is designed for:

Individuals currently employed in or pursuing a career in landscape or garden maintenance, care, design, or education in Southern California.
Professionals looking to expand their expertise in sustainable landscaping and native plants.

Course Details

Instruction Language: English
Time Commitment: 20 hours over 4 weeks. This includes two 2-hour Zoom sessions per week and one 4-hour in-person practicum. Participants must attend the in-person practicum at Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego.
Dates: July 13 - August 8, 2026
Location: Online via Zoom and in-person at Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego

Course Schedule

Week 1

Monday, July 13, 6:00–8:00 PM — Online
Wednesday, July 15, 6:00–8:00 PM — Online

Week 2

Monday, July 20, 6:00–8:00 PM — Online
Wednesday, July 22, 6:00–8:00 PM — Online

Week 3

Monday, July 27, 6:00–8:00 PM — Online
Wednesday, July 29, 6:00–8:00 PM — Online

Week 4

Monday, August 3, 6:00–8:00 PM — Online
Wednesday, August 5, 6:00–8:00 PM — Online
Saturday, August 8, 8 AM - 12:30 PM — In-person at Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor and Interpretive Center in San Diego

Certification Requirements

A minimum attendance of 80% of the course (16 out of 20 hours) is required to receive certification. You may miss up to 4 hours of online instruction only. Participants must attend the in-person practicum on August 8 at Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor and Interpretive Center in San Diego.

Completion of 8 quizzes and 4 online assignments is also required.

There are no make-up options for missed classes.

Course Materials

Included with the course:

Student Handbook – Printed and digital.
Native Plant Flashcards – A comprehensive, portable reference tool featuring visual guides, growth patterns, landscape uses, and water needs. (No digital option)
Access to the Professional Education Portal – An online resource continually updated with educational materials, learning opportunities, and networking events.

Course Objectives

By completing this course, participants will:

Understand the ecological importance of native plants and their role in sustainable landscaping.
Identify and care for a variety of Southern California native plants, considering their environmental and aesthetic applications.
Apply sustainable practices in soil management, irrigation, pest control, and pruning tailored to native plants.
Gain greater familiarity with resource-efficient, low-maintenance, and ecologically sound landscape design and implementation principles.
Knowledgeably communicate the value of native plant landscaping within professional networks and to clients/crews/managers/organizations.
Apply new skills to career advancement and landscaping best practices and advocate for sustainable landscaping practices.

Learn More About Mission Trails Regional Park

Spanning more than 8,000 acres, Mission Trails is one of the largest urban parks in the United States and offers miles of hiking trails, native habitats, cultural history, and scenic views of the San Diego region. The Visitor Center features educational exhibits on local plants, wildlife, geology, and the cultural history of the area.

To learn more about the park, trail maps, events, and visitor information, visit:

Mission Trails Regional Park Website

Follow Mission Trails Regional Park on Instagram for trail updates, wildlife sightings, and upcoming events:

Instagram: @missiontrails_regionalpark

Lessons

Lesson 1 - Introduction
Lesson 2 - Plants
Lesson 3 - Soils
Lesson 4 - Irrigation
Lesson 5 - Design
Lesson 6 - Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Lesson 7 - Pruning
Lesson 8 - Implementation
Practicums - Irrigation & Pruning

Refund Policy

Due to limited availability and program requirements, registrations are non-refundable and non-transferable. Please ensure you are able to commit to the full schedule and certification requirements before registering. We appreciate your understanding.

Please contact professional-ed@theodorepayne.org for any questions.

Please note that the TPF Member Discount is not applicable to professional education programing.

Contact the host of CA Native Plant Landscaper Certification (San Diego) — Jul/Aug Cohort (26CNPLC TPF09)

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