Registration open for 2025 master rain gardener courses

Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District, Chagrin River Watershed Partners and Lake County Soil & Water Conservation District are offering five Master Rain Gardener courses in 2025.

Participants will learn how to design, install and maintain residential rain gardens. Rain gardens are saucer-shaped gardens filled with native, wet-tolerant plants that are designed to collect, filter and soak up stormwater runoff from roofs, driveways and lawns that would otherwise flow untreated into storm drains and streams.

Rain gardens can help improve localized flooding issues, reduce pollution and increase wildlife habitat. When replicated across the region, they can make a significant impact in protecting the water quality of our local streams and Lake Erie.

Class options are as follows:

Winter online course: Jan. 27-March 8, 2025. Recorded online content is provided each week with optional live Q&A sessions held virtually once a week. Five classes are held over a six-week period. An optional final in-person class is offered Saturday, March 8, from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Watershed Stewardship Center in Parma. The residential track fee is $60 and the professional certification track is $85.

Late-winter in-person course: March 14, 21, 28, and April 4, 2025, Fridays 2-4 p.m., location TBD. Four classes are held over a four-week period. The residential track is the only option, costing $75.

Self-paced online course: For those that need flexibility, a recorded self-paced option is available with feedback provided virtually at your own pace. Available year-round. Only the residential track is available for $50. Income-based scholarships are available. Based on need, courses can be offered for as low as $10 for online, and $20 for in-person. Contact course instructors for more information. To register, visit neomasterraingardener.org