Terry Murphy, left, of Landscape Ontario, Niagara Parks Commission chairman Jim Williams, Christopher Bemke, the first student at the facility, Ed Nieuwestteeg, chair of the Niagara Catholic District School Board, and John Crocco, director of education for the board, cut the ribbon last Friday marking a new partnership agreement that will provide high school students with a Specialist High Skill Major in the field of Horticulture and Landscaping.

A new partnership will not only introduce students to the School of Horticulture and its program as an avenue for the future educational advancement, it will prepare them to be leaders in the green industry, says the chairman of the Niagara Parks Commission.

The parks commission has joined the Niagara Catholic District School Board to introduce the new educational partnership program for young people.

"These collaborations will provide high school students with an opportunity to study horticulture and landscaping here at our School of Horticulture and Botanical Gardens," said parks chairman Jim Williams.

Last Friday, the parks commission and the school board signed a new partnership agreement, one of the first of its kind in Canada, that will provide high school students with a Specialist High Skill Major in the field of Horticulture and Landscaping.

John Crocco, Niagara Catholic's director of education, said the innovative program, which is available to all students across the separate school board, is a shining example of the creative programs offered to students throughout the board.

"This unique partnership with industry leaders such as the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture provides students with practical opportunities to learn, observe and experience horticulture and landscaping at a world renown facility," said Crocco.

"The experience at Niagara Parks will provide student with a strong foundation to further their post-secondary studies or directly enter the world of work."

Williams added the program will assist students in their transition from secondary school to apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace.

"Where better to pursue and learn the benefits of a career in horticulture and landscaping than by studying on the grounds of Niagara Parks' School of Horticulture, an institution internationally recognized for its expertise in teaching horticulture."

The Catholic board has already installed a double portable classroom next to the Butterfly Conservatory to fulfill the academic requirements needed for this program.

Williams said it is "our hope the mutual benefit of this association will lead to the further development of a horticulture program for all secondary students throughout Niagara and will be a model for others throughout the country."