From ecological foundations to advanced construction and maintenance strategies for sustainable water resources.
This six-hour course explores the design and construction of ponds, covering pond ecology, construction techniques, fish habitat creation, weed and algae control, and aeration methods. The course will focus on the chemical, biological, hydrologic, and physical interactions defining pond ecology, explaining environmental considerations for pond siting, identifying methods for creating fish habitat, and exploring techniques for controlling weed and algae growth.
The curriculum covers the entire lifecycle of pond creation, beginning with site evaluation, topography analysis, and conceptual design. It explores the critical technical components of construction, including excavation methods, liner installation, plumbing integration, and the selection of efficient filtration and pump systems to ensure optimal water quality. Beyond the structural and mechanical elements, the course emphasizes aesthetic landscaping, focusing on naturalistic edging, rock placement, and the seamless integration of aquatic plant life. Whether the vision is a serene water garden, a thriving koi habitat, or a natural wildlife sanctuary, this overview provides the foundational knowledge needed to successfully design, engineer, and build breathtaking aquatic environments from the ground up.
Online Courses for Engineers
HalfMoon Education is a nonprofit continuing education provider offering live webinars and on-demand courses for engineers, architects, landscape architects, land surveyors, attorneys, paralegals, accountants and others. Since 1996, we’ve helped thousands of professionals nationwide stay current with industry standards and codes, earn CE hours, and advance their expertise through practical, expert-led learning experiences. Learn more about us at: www.halfmoonseminars.org
Owner of Clean Waters Consulting, LLC, New Jersey
Dr. Souza is the founding partner of Princeton Hydro, LLC. From its inception in 1998 through 2018, he served as president of Princeton Hydro, retiring from the company in 2019. Over the past 35 years he has dedicated his career to the management and restoration of aquatic ecosystems, in particular lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Dr. Souza received his B.S. degree in 1974 from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, his M.S. in 1976 from Rutgers University, and his Ph.D. in 1981 from the University of Connecticut. He has served over the past 25 years as an instructor and course coordinator for the Rutgers NJAES Office of Continuing Professional Education, developing and implementing multiple short courses focused on the management and restoration of aquatic ecosystems. Dr. Souza is also an adjunct professor at Temple University (Ambler Campus), teaching a graduate studies course in the Department of Landscape and Horticulture (Tyler School of Art and Agriculture). He also conducts a professional continuing education course focusing on green infrastructure stormwater management for CPES through Montclair State University
This portal is provided as a training and development resource for City of Markham employees. Every course is delivered by a qualified subject matter expert or learning organization, is quantifiable in hours, and is verifiable — you receive a documented certificate of completion for every course you finish, stored on LearnFormula indefinitely.
If you hold a professional designation (for example in engineering, accounting, human resources, or law), courses may be counted as professionally relevant, verifiable learning activities toward your continuing professional development. Individual practitioners are responsible for confirming that an activity meets the requirements of their professional body. For questions about the City of Markham's training and development policies, please speak with your people leader or Human Resources.
