0109 | Natural Communities of Georgia

This course covers Georgia’s natural communities and their plants, including our iconic oak-pine forests, precious mountain coves, prairies, high mountain summits, pitcher-plant bogs, granite outcrops and fire-dependent longleaf pine woodlands. We will discuss the environmental factors that influence the vegetation of natural communities and their ecology. Natural communities across the state – what makes them special and how to identify them – will be covered as part of this class. This class will be taught virtually over a period of several sessions.

This class is a core course in the Certificate in Native Plants.

Course Structure

This course consists of four elements: three live, online programs and a set of self-paced review exercises.

• Part 1 - Online Class Session: Foundations of Natural Communities (2 hours) Jul. 15; 6 – 8 p.m.
• Part 2 - Online Class Session: Exploring Natural Communities (2 hours) Jul. 17; 6 – 8 p.m.
• Part 3 - Self-Paced Learning Exercises (1-2 hours of content)
• Part 4 - Online Class Session: Follow-up Q&A Session (1 hour) Jul. 21; 6 – 8 p.m.

Course Outline

• Ecoregions of Georgia
• Natural communities – what makes them unique
• Environmental factors that affect ecosystems
• Human impacts on natural systems
• Forested natural communities
• Open natural communities

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

• Certificate in Native Plants : Certificate in Native Plants Core Courses