To: County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): University of California Cooperative Extension
Staff Name and Phone Number: Mimi Enright 707-565-2880
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Adopt a Gold Resolution recognizing the 40th anniversary of the UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County. (Countywide)
End
Executive Summary:
This item requests that the Board adopt a Gold Resolution recognizing the 40th anniversary of the UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County.
Discussion:
The UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County (UCMGSC) is a leader in sustainable gardening outreach that customizes curriculum to meet the needs of Sonoma County's residents and reaches a wide array of community members through their website, social media channels, free webinars, workshops & lectures, information tables, the centralized Help Desk and more. The year 2022 marks UCMGSC’s 40th anniversary; the first training class was held in 1982. From its’ beginnings forty years ago, UCMGSC has reached out to the home gardener in Sonoma County to deliver science-based solutions and education for horticultural concerns; providing a direct link between local communities and the University; fostering a local community connection to UC academics, resources, and research; and thus, bringing the latest, best sustainable landscape practices to our fellow community members.
Over 250 active UCMGSC volunteers are devoted to preserving Sonoma County’s precious resources: including mitigating impacts of climate change, educating on defensible space, conserving water, minimizing pesticide use, and reducing green waste in our landfills. During the COVID emergency UCMGSC pivoted to webinars and videos to reach our community, but also remained in contact with the community through the Help Desk, an important channel to answer gardener’s questions in “real time.” The award-winning Garden Sense Program, underwritten by Sonoma Water, has completed over 1500 home visits since its inception in 2013 and has resulted in, conservatively estimated, over 52 million gallons of water savings by educating on lawn removal, conversion to drip irrigation and utilization of low water use plants for a drought tolerant landscape. The efforts of UCMGSC volunteers make a positive difference in food security in Sonoma County; teaching residents how to grow edible plants, expand the type of varieties grown, and reducing produce loss in home and community gardens; and the UC Master Gardeners make available Spanish language content on food gardening. UCMGSC has been a leader in sustainable defensible space educational outreach since the 2017 wildfires, including being a founding member of the Resilient Landscapes Coalition.
People in communities across Sonoma County are applying more sustainable landscaping practices in their yards, schools, and community gardens because of the impactful outreach by the UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County. As it has done over the past 40 years, their outreach will continue to have a positive impact on our communities and residents now and into the future.
Prior Board Actions:
N/A
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There are no fiscal impacts associated with this item.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - 2022-Resolution-40th Anniversary UC Master Gardeners of Sonoma County
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None