Become a Master Rain Gardener
The winter 2022 Master Rain Gardener course is happening now! If you missed out, please consider joining us in Fall of 2022 for our next course, or sign-up now for the free self-paced course.
If you’d like to make sure you get notified when registration opens for the next class, please sign up to receive updates below.
Can’t join on Thursday mornings? You can always take the free, self-paced version of the class instead.
PARTNERS

SPONSORS
Partners from across southeast Michigan have come together to offer the largest ever Master Rain Gardener Training Course, with capacity for over one hundred students drawn from across all of southeast Michigan. Students will be paired with expert instructors from their region, enjoying both one-on-one support and the friendly support of a small peer group of no more then ten fellow students.
ABOUT THE MASTER RAIN GARDENER TRAINING PROGRAM
The Master Rain Gardener Training Program began in Washtenaw County in 2010, developed by Susan Bryan, Harry Sheehan, and Shannan Gibb-Randall. Since that time, hundreds of gardeners have earned certification as a Master Rain Gardener and built beautiful rain gardens! Rain Gardens filter and cool stormwater so that our streams and rivers run clean. It is a nonpoint solution for nonpoint source pollution. During class, you will…
- Design your own rain garden step-by-step
- Receive friendly encouragement each step of the way from course instructors, past graduates, and fellow students
- Become your neighborhood’s expert on rain gardens!
WINTER 2022 COURSE DETAILS
TIME: 10am – Noon
DATES: Five Thursdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, and April 7
TOURS (OPTIONAL): Afternoons on…
- March 3 (Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County area),
- March 17 (Armada, Macomb County area), and
- March 24 (Plymouth, Wayne County area),
- Additional tour dates and locations TBD
LOCATION: VIRTUAL, with an in-person outdoor tour
COST: $89 Early Bird Rate ($380 value; sliding scale scholarships available, minimum fee of $20)
$145 for applications received after Feb 17th
SELF-PACED OPTION
Can’t make the live class fit into your schedule? Take the free self-paced version of the course, or simply watch the video recordings online. If you build a rain garden on your own after watching the recordings, contact us about getting your certification.
THANKS TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS
REQUIREMENTS
Participants must attend all five classes and plant (OR adopt) a rain garden to earn their Master Rain Gardener certificate, garden sign, and t-shirt.
NOTE: for students from outside the Rouge River Watershed, or outside sponsoring community geographies, once you earn your certification we will need to ask you to pay for your sign and t-shirt. Not sure whether you live in the Rouge? Check on the map!
TESTIMONIALS
I love this class! Every gardener should take it for background knowledge. The class is so well organized with visuals and field trips! Meeting more than my expectations.
I like everything about this class: the way it is taught, field trips, individual help, resources. Matthew and Ian are so knowledgeable.