Registration is open for the Jefferson County Conservation District spring natural landscaping courses.

Because of high demand, two courses are being offered — one in Port Townsend, focused on small lots, and one in Port Hadlock, focused on large lots.

The interactive three-classroom, two-field trip course emphasizes native plants and sustainable landscape design and maintenance practices.

Course participants will learn how to analyze the unique ecological conditions of their properties and develop site-specific landscape plans that are in harmony with the environment while also meeting homeowner needs.

The course is taught by conservation district manager Joe Holtrop, who has been teaching about sustainable landscaping on the Olympic Peninsula for more than 30 years. He also draws on his permaculture design training and experience, emphasizing the core principle of working with rather than against nature.

The Port Hadlock course classroom sessions will be held 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, starting April 9. Field trips will be 4-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, and Thursday, April 18.

The Port Townsend course classroom sessions will be held on 4-5:30 p.m. on Mondays, starting April 15. Field trips will be 4-5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17, and Wednesday, April 24.

A $15 registration fee covers the cost of facility rental and handouts.

Register online at tinyurl.com/SEQlandscaping.

The registration deadline is April 5, but space is limited so early registration is highly recommended.

Get more details about each course can be found on the district website, or by contacting Holtrop at jholtrop@jeffersoncd.org.