Everyone knows how to plant a tree, right? Wrong! Trees can provide economic, environmental, and social impacts as they mature; however, these impacts aren't realized until around 17 years of growth. Learn about root structure and planting to ensure a tree is planted with the root flare at the right level. Proper planting leads to…
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Emergency management and first aid protocols are necessary components for any signature outreach event. In Safety First, Stephen will provide a planning document that includes steps for first aid and fire preparedness, missing child protocols, and festival site mapping. This seminar explores a collaborative planning process between Extension personnel and Extension Master Gardener leadership. Stephen…
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The environment seems to be changing faster than human ability to educate residents about sustainable practices through traditional means. To address this issue, Master Gardeners from New York will share how they were able to expand their reach by developing a podcast. Now in its fourth year, Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley has…
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This session will cover how the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Plant Hardiness Zones came to be, what they mean to gardeners and why they are still in use almost a hundred years after the first hardiness maps were developed. The presentation will include a review of early colorful, hand-drawn maps from the archives…
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One of the most precious resources in an urban ecosystem is space. Multi-purpose landscapes, often referred to as foodscapes or edible landscapes, are a powerful tool for making the most of limited home landscapes and urban greenspaces. Vikram will discuss best management practices for integrating fruits and vegetables into landscape design ideas, as gardeners strive…
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Adaptive gardening is a new and evolving topic. Its simplest definition is adapting one's garden and gardening to their changing physical capabilities. The presentation begins with such basics as joint protection and fall protection and progresses to the often difficult decision to downsize, including how to downsize in place. Preventive adaptation for younger gardeners will…
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Over the past decade, there has been mounting evidence for the effect of nature on health and wellbeing. Time spent in greenspaces have significant positive effects on mental health and stress reduction. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people rediscovered nature as a way to cope with the stress of the lockdowns. However, most Americans still…
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More and more homeowners are looking to make a difference from their own yards by creating landscapes that not only look good, but DO good by supporting insects and wildlife, saving precious water resources, and reducing pesticides and herbicides. Our native plants are the perfect solution, and the Native Plant Society of Texas wants to…
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The Texas Master Naturalist Program engages volunteers in meaningful conservation, education, and stewardship projects that enhance natural resource management and connect communities with nature throughout Texas. With 49 chapters statewide, the program empowers individuals to restore habitats, promote biodiversity, and share knowledge through outreach and citizen science. This presentation highlights the program’s far-reaching impacts, demonstrating…
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Have you heard? Micro-credentials are all the rage! Micro-credentials are short, flexible learning opportunities designed for learners to gain knowledge in a particular skill set. This presentation will introduce participants to a new micro-credential that offers an introduction to volunteer management. Completely online and self-paced, this micro-credential can increase the knowledge, skill sets and confidence…
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