Learn how to create a healthy, beautiful, water-wise landscape that is fire-safe as well. Gene Twaronite, Defensible Space Educator at the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension for Yavapai County, will be teaching a fire-resistive landscaping course, geared especially for homeowners. It will be offered through the Community Education program at Yavapai College in cooperation with the U of A Cooperative Extension.

Wildfire Defensible Landscaping for Homeowners is an 8-hour course offered in two 2-hour evening sessions (Monday/Wednesday, September 24 and 26, 6:30-8:30 PM) and a 4-hour morning field session on Friday, September 28, 8:30AM-12:30 (locations to be announced). Considerable time will be devoted to field exercises and interactive learning activities. Students will learn to: identify our local ecosystems and the historical role of fire; visualize wildfire behavior; recognize basic elements of wildfire hazard and how they are assessed; apply defensible space zoning criteria; prune trees properly; use hardscape elements to break up fuel continuity; identify fire-resistive plants; control weeds and woody sprouts; and recognize practices that promote forest health.

Twaronite is an Arizona Certified Landscape Professional and former Horticultural Specialist at the Arboretum at ASU. He also has an educational background in natural resources management and is an avid native plant gardener on his 5 acres in west Chino Valley. The cost is $45 and is payable at time of registration by calling Yavapai College at (928) 717-7755. Mention course ID# 075150. Each student will receive a comprehensive student manual.