Throughout this site there are links to documents of various file types. Please contact our Statewide Program Leader if you require this information in a different format.
Solving problems in our communities
Engaging university-trained volunteers to empower and sustain diverse communities with relevant, unbiased, research-based horticulture and environmental stewardship education. Read about WSU Master Gardeners in the news.
Impact
WSU Master Gardeners play a crucial role in enhancing community resilience by actively engaging with people, plants, greenspaces, and public landscapes. Their efforts contribute to the improvement of physical and mental health within the community, fostering a more robust and resilient environment for all.
Issue:
With over 80% of the U.S. population and more than 50% of the global population residing in urbanized areas, the nature present in cities and towns, such as parks, gardens, trees, small landscapes, and natural areas, offers tangible benefits. These advantages encompass enhanced air and water quality, energy conservation, and a reduction in urban heat island effects. Research indicates that exposure to nature positively influences human physical and mental health, as well as overall quality of life.
Given the dense populations of urban areas, the presence of nearby nature has the potential to benefit hundreds to thousands of people on a daily basis. Moreover, nature in urban areas contributes to a “green infrastructure” that can be strategically planned and integrated with built systems, fostering the creation of more sustainable urban environments.
Response:
The impact of the program is evident in the following accomplishments:
- Volunteers diligently responded to 4,229 questions from the public.
- They conducted 175 classes tailored for adults and an additional 32 classes designed specifically for youth.
- A total of 81 demonstrations were organized for adults, along with 4 demonstrations catering to youth.
- Workshops were held, with 83 sessions for adults and 26 sessions for youth.
- Field days were organized, providing hands-on experiences through 93 sessions for adults and 12 sessions for youth.
- A substantial number of individuals benefited, with 3,600 adults and 2,600 youth acquiring sustainable horticulture skills.
- Participants gained insights into the numerous health benefits associated with being in nature, learned to select appropriate plants for specific spaces, adapted gardening practices for physical limitations, and acquired skills in designing and maintaining landscapes.
These achievements highlight the program’s commitment to education, community engagement, and the promotion of sustainable horticulture practices for individuals of all ages.
Doing our part
The King County Master Gardeners have established valuable partnerships, demonstrating their commitment to community education and engagement:
Collaboration with Bellevue Botanical Garden:
- The Master Gardeners in King County have partnered with the Bellevue Botanical Garden to host classes for adults on various gardening topics.
- These classes cover gardening with children, container gardening, and the use of ornamental grasses in small landscapes, showcasing ways to bring greenspaces and their associated benefits to urban environments.
Community Housing Program Engagement:
- King County Master Gardeners actively engage with a community housing program to equip residents with skills in rooftop gardening.
- Residents receive guidance on selecting the right plants, understanding rooftop garden hazards, and managing different soil types, thereby promoting rooftop gardening within the community.
These initiatives exemplify the Master Gardeners’ dedication to fostering horticultural knowledge, community greening, and sustainable gardening practices in urban settings.
