Program Overview

Master Pond Manager Program

The Master Pond Manager (MPM) course is designed to teach participants a wide range of pond management knowledge and skills. As a "hybrid" course combining online and face-to-face learning, it will incorporate self-paced lectures, discussions, quizzes, and other web-based methods of participant-instructor interaction, along with hands-on participation activities in the field.

About the Course

Depending on the track, the course may include seven parts:

• Recreational Pond Design, Permitting, and Management Strategies
• Stormwater Pond Design, Inspection, and Maintenance
• Water Quality for Stormwater Ponds
• Water Quality for Recreational Ponds
• Integrated Aquatic Plant Management
• Best Management Practices for Stormwater Ponds
• Fish Management for Recreational Ponds

Intended Audience

The intended audience for the Master Pond Manager program includes:

• Pond owners
• Pond management professionals
• Community staff
• Stormwater managers
• Landscapers
• Contractors
• Property managers
• Parks staff
• Planners
• Developers

Course Structure

The course curriculum is offered through three tracks:

• Full Certificate Track ($500): Participants can choose to complete the full, nine-week online, two in-person field day curriculum and exam to obtain the marketable Master Pond Manager recognition.
• Letter of Completion in Management ($250): Alternatively, participants can complete an abbreviated five-week online and one in-person field curriculum to gain a "Letter of Completion" in Recreational Pond Management or Stormwater Pond Management.
• Letter of Online Completion in Management ($200): This course includes the traditional online course content of the traditional Letter of Completion for recreational or stormwater pond owners but does not have an associated field day component.

Course Prerequisites

To be recognized as a Master Pond Manager, participants must maintain a commercial or non-commercial pesticide license in Category 5, Aquatic Pest Control, or a non-commercial or private license. There are no prerequisites to participate in the "Letter of Completion" track.

Format

The course will be offered through Clemson Extension and includes online and in-person curriculum. The online classroom will feature:

• Learn from home or work using computer or tablet/iPad
• Complete coursework on your schedule and at your pace
• Earn certification and professional development hours
• Learn from local experts with material specific to South Carolina's conditions, soils, regulations, experiences, and practices

Each track of the course will also include a field day component to get hands-on training with experts.

Computer Requirements

• A desktop computer, a laptop, or a tablet (iPad, Android) is required.
• A computer that is 5 years old or newer is strongly recommended.
• At least 1GB of RAM is required.
• A broadband (DSL, Cable, etc) internet service is required to access learning content.
• The course content is accessed via your web browser, so no special software is required.
• Adobe Flash is NOT required, though it may enhance your experience on a computer.
• On a tablet (iPad and Android), a free mobile application is offered for ease of use.

Course Instructors

The course instructors include:

• Lance Beecher, Ph.D.
• Tancey Belken
• Katie Collins
• W. Cory Heaton, Ph.D.
• Chuck Jarman, P.E.
• Mallory Maher
• Derrick Phinney
• Amy Scaroni, Ph.D.
• Catherine Watts
• Jack Whetstone

Program Coordinator

Katie Collins, Water Resources Agent, Clemson Extension.