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Master Gardeners

Master Gardener Program
Erika Johnson, Program Coordinator
erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu
(564) 397-5738


What Is A Master Gardener
Our Mission
Land Acknowledgement
What Master Gardeners Do
Impacts
For MGs Only

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Events | Heritage Trees | School Gardens  | MGs in the News


What Is A Master Gardener?

As flowers enrich our gardens, volunteers enrich our lives. Yellow-petals of black-eyed Susan flowers.The WSU Extension Master Gardener program trains volunteers to be effective community educators in gardening and environmental stewardship. Master Gardeners provide information generated from research at WSU and other university systems.

Master Gardener volunteers teach local community members to:

  • manage their gardens and landscapes in a science-based, sustainable manner;
  • address environmental and social priorities such as water conservation and water quality protection;
  • reduce the impact of invasive species; and,
  • increase public awareness of healthy living through gardening.

Whatever the priority need may be, if it can be addressed through gardening, Master Gardener volunteers are there to serve as part of the solution.

The Master Gardener program is open to anyone 18 or older, with an interest in gardening and a willingness to use their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to make a positive impact on their local community.


Our Mission

Vision

Highly recognized, diverse and fully supported, WSU Master Gardener volunteers are the go-to resource for communities seeking research-based, innovative solutions for their ever-changing horticulture and environmental stewardship needs.

Mission

Engaging university-trained volunteers to empower and sustain diverse communities with relevant, unbiased, research-based horticulture and environmental stewardship education.

Values

We value personal and professional research and discovery because it encourages us to stay current about horticulture and environmental stewardship to meet the unique educational needs of our communities.

We foster and benefit from an atmosphere of diversity and inclusivity because our differences inspire creative thinking and innovative solutions.

We act with integrity because trust, truthfulness and respect create a healthy and positive culture.

We are committed to stewardship and sustainability serving as ethical and responsible agents of our natural resources, human resources and University resources.

We collaborate because together we empower healthy and resilient communities.

We are a dynamic and responsive program where knowledge inspires change.

 

Land Acknowledgement

As Master Gardeners, we owe our gratitude to the Native peoples of this region and commit to honoring the land and its Native stewards. The WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener program operates on the homelands of the peoples of the lower Columbia River, including the Chinookan peoples and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. For the disposition of Indigenous lands and violent acts, we extend our apologies.


What Master Gardeners Do

Grinning MG wearing straw had covered with leaves.Community Outreach

Master Gardeners provide educational outreach to the public at community events including the Clark County Fair, Home and Garden Idea Fair, local farmers markets, and other events and festivals. Events may have themes, including hands-on activities, or involve providing literature in response to garden and landscaping questions.

More About Community Outreach


Workshop / Presentation Delivery

Group of people standing around an MG showing plants on a table.Master Gardeners develop and deliver talks to groups—private and public, large and small—on topics of their choosing, including vegetable gardening, beneficial bugs, fruit tree care, composting, and many more. Master Gardeners may already possess public speaking skills, or  such skills may be developed through a training program each winter and spring.

Upcoming Workshops
More about Workshops / Presentation Delivery


Answer Clinic

Two MGs working in answer clinic.Master Gardeners work in pairs answering in-person, phone and email inquiries from the public on a variety of garden and landscape concerns. Responding to over 900 client inquiries each year, volunteers use computer skills, plant-problem diagnosis, and being comfortable with not already knowing the answer as they investigate, ask questions, and educate the public on sustainable landscape care.

Answer Clinic Info (hours, location, specimen submission and soil testing information.)

More about serving in the Answer Clinic


Children’s Education

Six MGs standing at a table holding posters about insects.Master Gardeners deliver classroom lessons for area schools on topics such as: pollinators, worms, and seeds. Master Gardeners support in-garden activities in area school gardens, facilitating garden experiences for students. Master Gardeners participate as mentors with the 4-H Restorative Community Service program at the 78th Street Heritage Farm where they support youth in growing food for donation to the local food bank. Master Gardeners provide educational programming at Farm to Fork at the 78th Street Heritage Farm where they lead hands-on activities on a variety of horticultural topics.

More About Children’s Education Programs
Resources for School Garden Coordinators


Newsletter

The Garden News logo.Master Gardeners write short educational articles, interviews and book reports, take photos, and edit The Garden News, a quarterly publication that goes out to over 1,000 subscribers.

Read it here


MG news article.

Publicity

Master Gardeners write more lengthy articles on fascinating and important horticultural topics for publication by the local media.

Read them here


On the Road Tours

Plastic pink flamingos lined up next to a garden of flowers.Master Gardeners plan and lead van tours for the public to nurseries, gardens, and growing operations where attendees learn about different horticultural practices and techniques.


Greenhouse support/Plant Sale

Two grinning MG foundation members working at the greenhouse.Master Gardeners raise plants for our annual plant sale and for installation on the Welcome to Washington sign on I-5 North. These projects support the mission of raising funds to support the Master Gardener program and other horticultural education in Clark County.

 

 


 

NatureScaping of Southwest Washington 

Smiling MG holding garden tools at Wildlife Botanical Garden entrance.Master Gardeners provide maintenance and educational outreach at this natural demonstration garden.

More About NatureScaping & Our Partners
Visit NatureScaping’s Website


Pollinator Posse

Three MGs wearing butterfly wings and MG coordinator, Erika Johnson.Master Gardeners provide interactive pollinator education in interactive, small group settings. Participants learn about several common native pollinators  what threatens them and how to support them.


Behind the Scenes Projects

Smiling MG works at producing promotional materials for the program.Many Master Gardeners like to use their skills behind the scenes assisting with marketing, graphic design, website maintenance. They may also aid the program by developing tools and protocols for use in outreach and education.


Special Projects

Child standing at the sundial feature at Heritage Farm.Master Gardeners work on special projects. Inspiration can come from a variety of sources all aimed at educating the public.

Check out some of our special projects:
Human Sundial
The Bluebird Project
Heritage Trees


Impacts

2023 Impacts

 


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WSU Clark County Master Gardener Program
1919 NE 78th Street • Vancouver, WA 98665
(564) 397-5738

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