"This course will help you to gain a broad overview of the use of horticultural practices and the effects it has on the environment, community and cultural issues. Very helpful to any person who is in a position of influence in the industry.- Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming,

Amenity horticulture is the fastest-growing area of horticulture, with excellent opportunities for employment or self-employment in different aspects of horticulture. Plan, design and manage land sites that are used for recreation, pleasure, visual enhancement, or environmental improvement rather than for the production of economic crops. This course will give you the skills and knowledge to ensure all relevant concerns are identified and appropriately considered when planning amenity sites.

There are 7 lessons in this course:

1. Adapting Amenity Horticulture to Changing needs
2. Macro Panning for Amenity Land Provision
3. Resources and Information.
4. Environmental impacts
5. Economic Impacts
6. Community Involvement
7. Developing a Management Plan

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

• Identify optional management approaches for amenity horticulture sites.
• Determine varying features of optional management approaches for amenity horticulture sites.
• Explain planning concepts and processes used for provision of amenity land.
• Identify and describe up to date information sources relating to changing influences on the amenity industry.
• Explain current social environmental issues as they evolve in a changing political climate, for example community involvement, sustainability, public/private partnerships.
• Explain current economic issues as they evolve in a changing political climate, for example community involvement, sustainability, public/private partnerships.
• Describe Methods of community involvement from user surveys and consultation exercises through to physical involvement using volunteer groups.
• Explain the relationship between the amenity industry, government policies and communities.