SUSTAINABLE URBAN, RESIDENTIAL, GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING: TRAINING AGENTS TO MOBILIZE MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS

Homeowners can incorporate a variety of strategies to minimize the negative environmental impacts of residential landscapes. With sustainable goals ranging from energy and water conservation to wildlife habitat restoration to minimizing green waste, increased attention must be placed on plant selection, placement, and management strategies.
Homeowners can incorporate both passive and active water harvesting to help mitigate drought and minimize stormwater runoff and its contamination. In addition, incorporating edible plants in residential designs is one way to address the growing concern over local and organic food production. A “train-the-trainer” program has been effective in increasing knowledge and confidence in County Extension Agents and Master Gardener volunteers training the public in sustainable urban tree care.