Late Summer 2026 In-Person Residential Certification
2026-08-06 10:00 - 2026-09-03 13:00 UTC | Willoughby Public Library, 30 Public Square, Willoughby, 44094, United States
The Residential Certification is geared toward homeowners who would like to install a rain garden in their own yard and serve as the neighborhood expert on rain gardens.
2026 Late Summer In-person Class Dates:
The Master Rain Gardener (MRG) course includes five (5) classes over a five-week period. All classes will be held at the Willoughby Public Library on Thursdays from 10:00am – 1:00pm.*

August 6, 2026: Class 1 – Watersheds, Stormwater, and Site Selection
August 13, 2026: Class 2 – Sizing and Soils
August 20, 2026: Class 3 – Digging and Planning
August 27, 2026: Class 4 – Plant Section and Design
September 3, 2026: Class 5 – Final Design Student Presentations

*Participants will have the opportunity to attend optional field trips to local rain gardens and nurseries after each class! Light refreshments will be provided.
Unable to make all the classes? A hybrid option is available!
We offer an online course that follows the same content as the in-person course. If you need to miss any classes, you can watch the online portion to keep up to date.
Need-based scholarships are available!
We are committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive program that is accessible to all Ohio residents. Please reach out to Laura Bonnell (lbonnell@crwp.org) to learn more about our need-based scholarship opportunities. Based on need, the course can be available for as low as $20.
Completing your Master Rain Gardener Certification
This course will provide you with the information and experience to build your own rain garden and become a Certified Master Rain Gardener. We recognize that not everyone can build a rain garden on their own property though, so you can also become certified by participating in a public rain garden installation or volunteering at a public rain garden.
Upon certification, you’ll receive a Master Rain Gardener t-shirt, sign, and certificate (included in the cost of registration).
What is a rain garden?
Rain gardens work with nature to collect and filter rainwater that runs off impervious surfaces like rooftops and driveways. Impervious surfaces lead to increases in surface runoff and often result in increased flooding and stream bank erosion. As water travels over impervious surfaces it also has the potential to pick up pollutants. Polluted stormwater runoff enters our rivers and lakes and is one of the leading threats to water quality in the U.S. Rain gardens naturally manage stormwater by infiltrating precipitation and allowing it to soak into the ground rather than sending it directly to storm sewers and nearby streams untreated.

Late Summer 2026 In-Person Professional Certification
2026-08-06 10:00 - 2026-09-03 13:00
The Professional Certification is geared toward landscape professionals and contractors looking to install rain gardens professionally on residential properties. Your Professional Rain Gardener Certification can be used to promote your expertise and as a selling point for your business.
2026 Late Summer In-person Class Dates:
The Master Rain Gardener (MRG) course includes five (5) classes over a five-week period. All classes will be held at the Willoughby Public Library on Thursdays from 10:00am – 1:00pm.*

August 6, 2026: Class 1 – Watersheds, Stormwater, and Site Selection
August 13, 2026: Class 2 – Sizing and Soils
August 20, 2026: Class 3 – Digging and Planning
August 27, 2026: Class 4 – Plant Section and Design
September 3, 2026: Class 5 – Final Design Student Presentations

*Participants will have the opportunity to attend optional field trips to local rain gardens and nurseries after each class! Light refreshments will be provided.
Unable to make all the classes? A hybrid option is available!
We offer an online course that follows the same content as the in-person course. If you need to miss any classes, you can watch the online portion to keep up to date.
Need-based scholarships are available!
We are committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive program that is accessible to all Ohio residents. Please reach out to Laura Bonnell (lbonnell@crwp.org) to learn more about our need-based scholarship opportunities. Based on need, the course can be available for as low as $30.
Completing your Professional Rain Gardener Certification
This course will provide you with the information and experience to design, install, and maintain rain gardens professionally and become a Certified Professional Rain Gardener. Participants in the professional certification track will be required to pass a final exam and either participate in a field day (public rain garden installation) or install a residential rain garden.
Graduates will receive a Master Rain Gardener t-shirt, yard sign, and a certificate of completion (included in the cost of registration). Professionals will also have to option to be listed on a public website of Northeast Ohio Professional Rain Gardeners that will be maintained by and held on partner websites.
What is a rain garden?
Rain gardens work with nature to collect and filter rainwater that runs off impervious surfaces like rooftops and driveways. Impervious surfaces lead to increases in surface runoff and often result in increased flooding and stream bank erosion. As water travels over impervious surfaces it also has the potential to pick up pollutants. Polluted stormwater runoff enters our rivers and lakes and is one of the leading threats to water quality in the U.S. Rain gardens naturally manage stormwater by infiltrating precipitation and allowing it to soak into the ground rather than sending it directly to storm sewers and nearby streams untreated.
