Posts Tagged: sustainable

End of the Year Thank You!

As 2020 comes to a close, I'd like to express my deep appreciation and thanks to all of our UCCE San Bernardino County Master Gardener volunteers who have given the ‘gift of their time' to provide credible information to the gardening public. Even during COVID, they've found creative and safe means to continue reaching the public by converting face-to-face classes and workshops to online opportunities.They've gone above and beyond their expected volunteerism by helping those in need during these difficult times by working with our partners to distribute free seeds, trees, and wattles (for erosion control) and ensuring a happy holiday season for children and adults in need through a gift drive. Through COVID, the UCCE Master Gardeners have maintained their email and phone helplines to help county residents solve their gardening quandaries (linked here) mgsanber@ucanr.edu and (909)387-2182.

Master Gardener volunteers helped thousands of county residents landscape more sustainably, grow food in home, community, and school gardens, and deepen their appreciation of nature. They: 

• Taught classes on drought-resistant landscapes and growing food in home, school, and community gardens
• Hosted ‘Ask the Master Gardener' sessions
• Provided education to community and school gardeners
• Distributed gardening information and answered questions at Farmers' Markets, community fairs and other events
• Answered home gardening questions via email and phone helplines
• Shared gardening information through social media
• Helped promote planting trees to cool urban heat islands in underserved neighborhoods and communities
• Helped take research data on the 'trees for tomorrow' project
• Published the monthly Master Gardener newsletter (thanks Phoebe, Debbie, Maggie, Robin, Sue and contributing authors!)

A special ‘shout out' to our monthly 2020 ‘Spotlight' Master Gardener volunteers for their extraordinary service:

I'd also like to recognize our dozens of non-profit partners including Inland Empire Resource Conservation District and the County of San Bernardino. 

And, last but far from least, I'm forever thankful to UCCE San Bernardino County Master Gardener Coordinator Maggie O'Neill whose passion, heart, and expertise keeps the program thriving!

 

 

Happy Holidays to All! 

MG citizen scientists

New FREE Publication on Sustainable Landscaping in California Available for Master Gardeners

University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardeners have been at the forefront of promoting sustainable landscape practices.  UCCE Master Gardeners now have a new free powerful publication at their disposal, “Sustainable Landscaping in California: How to Conserve Resources and Beautify your Home Landscape” (ANR Publication 8504). 

This in-depth publication provides research based information for individuals interested in adopting sustainable landscape practices. These practices include: plant selection, water conservation, pest management and providing wildlife habitats.

The free publication contains helpful figures, photos, and references for individuals looking for detailed and more complex information. “Sustainable Landscaping in California” can be a powerful tool for new volunteers working at a helpdesk or for developing workshop content or use in a presentation.

The sustainable landscaping publication is available as a free downloadable Adobe PDF from the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Catalog.  Don't forget to check-out some of the other high-quality gardening publications available. Ask a local UCCE office about publication discounts for volunteers!

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