CSU continues to grow green industry programs Email
Written by Colorado State University   
Tuesday, October 08, 2024 12:00 AM

Colorado Green Now

The Landscape Design and Contracting program at Colorado State University continues to grow and prepare students for roles across the Green Industry. Student experiences and industry partnerships have helped the program enrollment increase by more than 135 percent during the last two years. Industry partnerships have resulted in 8 named spaces that have not only recognized generous individuals and companies investing in the Landscape Design and Contracting program but have provided financial resources for students to experience academic opportunities never previously realized. One of the greatest initiatives has been to develop an outdoor learning lab for students and reinforce classroom and studio experiences. The outdoor learning center is a four-acre site located at ARDEC South, the old Hort Farm just north of Fort Collins. In this space, students have opportunities to operate equipment, build scaled-down projects, install irrigation systems, and practice project layouts. Important research in water conservation and native revegetation is also being completed on this site.

In addition to financial gifts, numerous manufacturers have provided equipment ranging from excavators, and skid steers, to a comprehensive fleet of battery-operated maintenance and construction tools. Students are learning firsthand about the true capabilities of battery-powered equipment and how they will play a significant role in the future of the profession.

Students continue to be recognized locally and nationally through scholarships to fund their education. This year nearly 20 percent of students received scholarships from numerous sources, including ALCC. 

In March, students competed at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition at Brigham Young University. Students compete in events ranging from landscape design, estimating plant identification and hands-on events such as hardscape installation. 

The Colorado State University team finished 3rd among more than 60 colleges and universities. Numerous students placed in the top 5 of their events, with some even winning their events. Colorado State University is excited to be the host University this spring for the 49th annual National Collegiate Landscape Competition. CSU expects more than 60 schools to compete and over 120 companies to participate in the career fair portion.

As the Landscape Design and Contracting program continually evaluates its curriculum, its required internships provide students with opportunities to explore career paths and companies. This year, over 25 students completed internships in more than 10 states and 2 countries. Students completed internships in design, construction, estimating and landscape management, as well as sustainable agriculture.

To ensure continual improvements, the program continues to be guided by an industry advisory committee. The advisory committee is comprised of roughly 15 industry professionals representing companies, including manufacturers and suppliers, of all sizes and disciplines from across the country. This committee meets each fall and spring, acting as the board of directors. This year's fall meeting is the most comprehensive, held over two days on our campus. The committee helps CSU ensure that classes, teaching content and student experiences are unparalleled. 

As the Landscape Design and Contracting program continues to grow and meet the future leadership, CSU looks forward to continued partnerships within the industry to ensure that everyone gets both the guidance and resources required to deliver a world-class program.

 

Read more in this issue of Colorado Green Now: 

Join us! Water Conservation Workshop

 
2024 ALCC Platinum Sponsors