Workshops
Download YardScaping Workshop materials below:
Are you enjoying your yard as much as you’d like too? This class will provide you with ways to reduce your lawn and associated maintenance by swapping it for pollinator gardens, edible landscapes, rain gardens, vegetative buffers, groundcovers, wildflower meadows, and other natural landscapes you can pick and choose from to make your yard work for you.
Bring a layout of your yard (copy of tax map, drawings, satellite image, pictures) to start designing your landscaping changes at the end of the workshop with free technical assistance from the instructor. Additional free site visits may be available to workshop participants.
Do you want a lawn that’s safe for families, pets, and the environment while saving time and money? Learn how to build healthy soil for healthy lawn with tips on fertilizing, weed and pest management, watering, renovating an unhealthy lawn, and more. Whether you maintain your lawn or hire a professional, round up your neighbors and join us! This class is compatible with Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Portland, and South Portland ordinances.
Wednesday, April 9 | 5:00-7:00 PM | Hybrid | Register with Windham Public Library
Thursday, May 15 | 6:30-7:45 PM | Thomas Memorial Library, Cape Elizabeth
Thursday, March 27, 2025
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cumberland County SWCD
35 Main Street, Windham
Snacks and lunch provided.
This course is necessary to become a Contractor Certified in Erosion and Sedimentation Control Practices by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. In the 8-hour course, participants will learn why erosion control practices are important, be exposed to the principles of erosion and sedimentation, learn how to properly install and maintain Erosion & Sedimentation Control (‘ESC’) Best Management Practices (‘BMPs’), regulations requiring ESC, using the Department’s Permit By Rule process, in-water work procedures, and ESC planning. Participants are provided with information on the proper selection, installation, and maintenance of ESC practices using Maine DEP’s Erosion and Sediment Control Practices Field Guide for Contractors.
The course is of primary interest to contractors and inspectors interested in pursuing DEP Certification in Erosion Control Practices, but is also relevant to municipal code enforcement officers, municipal planning & appeals board members, consultants, engineers, and public works employees.
This class qualifies for 6 hours of Continuing Education Credit for individuals certified in Erosion Control Practices by Maine DEP.
This class is approved for 4 Credits for Certified Tank Installers by the Board of Underground Storage Tank Installers (BUSTI). Certificates must be sent directly to BUSTI.
Tuesday, April 29th
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District | 35 Main Street, Windham, Maine
Are you interested in turning your front yard, back yard, or ANY yard into a safe and environmentally-friendly space for your family, friends, and pets? Join us for an informative workshop covering the benefits of implementing raised beds at your own home or workplace. A raised bed garden has soil that is positioned above ground level, typically in a box-like frame that is made of a food-safe material.
Raised beds provide a variety of benefits, including:
Better soil quality
Ability to create custom soil mix for each plant type
Drainage improvement
Reduction of weed growth
Longer growing season
This workshop will last two hours with the first half spent inside learning about the benefits of raised beds and the second half spent outside in our demonstration garden. Gardening tools and materials will be provided.
Bring your favorite pair of gardening gloves and prepare to get your hands dirty!