Part of our Mission is to help educate our communities to value and sustain outdoor living spaces. We work to fulfill this mission by promoting certification opportunities for members, providing educational opportunities that focus on new and effective practices, and offering scholarship programs.

The Association offers academic scholarships to qualified college and university students.

• Who qualifies? MNLA Members, their employees, and family.
  
• Not an MNLA member? Read about our membership opportunities to see which category would be the best fit for you.
  

We also offer short course scholarships as a member benefit for continuing education. What counts as continuing education? Nearly any course that will advance your industry knowledge. We believe supporting the education of our members will strengthen the industry as a whole, so we encourage members to apply for this scholarship program. Past awards have included courses like:

• Master Gardener Program
• Paver Installation Course
• Urban IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Course
• ISA (Internation Society of Arboriculture) Rocky Mountain Tree School
• Pesticide Applicator Training
  

Our certification program, the Certified Plant Professional program, recognizes horticulture professionals across the state of Montana as industry experts. The program tests the professional's knowledge both in written exam and detailed plant identification. After successfully completing the certification course, they earn the designation of Certified Plant Professional (CPP). This distinction is renewed every 5 years with a requirement that the CPP participates in training, attends relevant seminars, and/or participates in community service programs that help advance the profession.

Ongoing continuing education programs are offered through the Association often in conjugation with a major Montana university or state agency program.