Boston Compost Certification Program

The City of Boston's Zero Waste Team partners with Mass Audubon to provide this certification course.

There will be two sessions during the spring of 2025. Both sessions last two days and registration is required.  

Session one: May 10 and May 17. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Register here, through Mass Audubon's website.

Session two: June 7 and June 14. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Register here, through Mass Audubon's website.

This program is open only to Boston residents. Adults only please. You may only register for one session.

Program description:

This two-day training, is designed to help you learn about the impact of food waste on the environment and its connection to climate change. Each module will include practical knowledge, hands-on activities, and guest speakers. This series will begin with a hands-on introduction to soil science at the Boston Nature Center, followed by field trips to Brick End Farm and The Urban Farming Institute.

Participants will experience hands-on composting and gardening techniques, and the program will conclude with an opportunity to explore individual and collective actions to support soil health and mitigate climate change.

Participants are asked to schedule community service hours with a related organization as part of this course.

Day 1 

Morning - Soil Science

• Location: Boston Nature Center
• Guest Speaker: Mass Audubon Teacher Naturalist
• What to expect: Explore the living and non-living components of healthy soil and learn about the important role soil plays as a carbon sink in the fight against climate change.

Afternoon - Composting 101

• Location: Urban Farming Institute
• Guest Speakers: Urban Farming Institute Farm Staff
• What to expect: Learn the benefits of different types of composting systems, including how to set up compost suitable for apartments, houses, community gardens, and farms! Participants will get the opportunity to set up their own vermicomposting bin that they can bring home!

Day 2

Morning - Large Scale compost

• Location: Brick End Farm
• Guest Speaker: Brick End Farm Staff
• What to expect: Discuss large-scale composting and its challenges and successes. Learn how it can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change

Afternoon - Climate Change and Compost

• Location: Boston Nature Center
• Guest Speaker: Mass Audubon Teacher Naturalist
• What to expect: Discuss the connections between climate change and composting. The teacher naturalist will lead a climate cafe discussion and provide an opportunity to brainstorm individual, collective, and systemic changes that support solutions to current climate change issues.

Please note:

Transportation is available for field trips

Please bring a bagged lunch, we will provide snacks.