The Woods in Your Backyard online course logo
Updated: February 20, 2024
By Andrew Kling

Registration is now open for the Spring 2024 session of “The Woods in Your Backyard” online course!

Our course is designed primarily for small-acreage property owners who want to learn how to care for or expand existing woodlands, or to convert lawn space to woodlands.

The self-paced, non-credit online course runs for ten weeks, from April 8 to June 17. It is offered through the University of Maryland’s Electronic Learning Management System, and is accessible from any Internet connection and Web browser.

You have a terrific program that makes us better stewards of  nature. It is hard sometimes to feel like as an individual I can make an impact... Your course gives a little hope that acting individually can lead to systems-wide improvements.
 - Betsy M., Maryland

The course closely follows the published guide of the same name, but includes some important extras. Quizzes reinforce the important concepts of the text. Optional activities give participants the opportunity to share one or more of their stewardship journal entries, or photos or narratives of their woodland stewardship accomplishments. In addition, many of the course’s units are accompanied by short videos, created and produced by Woodland Stewardship Education staff. These 2- to 5-minute videos demonstrate essential skills and techniques (such as tree identification or crop tree release) and share the experiences of other woodland owners.

The course costs $95.00 and each session is limited to 25 participants. Each paid enrollment includes printed copies of “The Woods in Your Backyard” guide and workbook, plus a copy of Common Native Trees of Virginia. Visit our website page about the course at this link for more information, including frequently asked questions, updated registration information, and a way to preview the course at no charge.

Go to this Eventbrite link for participant comments, more information, and how to register.

If you are a Maryland Master Naturalist or a Maryland Master Gardener, participating in this course can contribute to your annual hours commitment. See this link for more details.