Advice to Grow by….Ask Us! University of California Pamela Geisel Statewide Coordinator Master Gardener Program

Strategic Initiatives for 2025 Initiative to improve water quality, quantity and security Initiative to enhance competitive and sustainable food systems Increase science literacy in agriculture, natural resources and nutrition Initiative for sustainable natural ecosystems Initiative for healthy families and communities Initiative ensure safe and secure food supplies Initiative for managing endemic and invasive pests and diseases Initiative to improve energy security and technologies through innovative science, engineering, agricultural, biological and environmental science.

The Strategic Initiatives from ANR Into 2025 Initiative to improve water quality, quantity and security –Water conservation outreach Drought tolerant plants Better irrigation systems –Protection of water quality by reducing runoff into waterways through appropriate irrigation –Reduced pesticide and fertilizer use –Utilization of degraded water in landscape

The Strategic Initiatives from ANR Into 2025 Initiative to enhance competitive and sustainable food systems –Educating clientele about new food crops –Promoting local food production including your backyard –Provide information on sustainable vegetable and fruit gardening –Disseminate knowledge about foods that promote healthy diets and that gardening promotes exercise

The Strategic Initiatives from ANR Into 2025 Increase science literacy in agriculture, natural resources and nutrition –Deliver educational programs at the community level –Strengthen science and math skills of our clientele –Develop effective educational curricula for use in UC ANR programs

The Strategic Initiatives from ANR Into 2025 Initiative for sustainable natural ecosystems –Deliver educational programs at the community level on Fire Resilient Landscape

The Strategic Initiatives from ANR Into 2025 Initiative for healthy families and communities –Equip consumers with the tools to make informed decisions regarding food choices, nutrition, food safety, health, agriculture and environmental issues.

The Strategic Initiatives from ANR Into 2025 Initiative ensure safe and secure food supplies –Feed your neighborhood –Teach clientele about proper food handling from their garden to their kitchen.

The Strategic Initiatives from ANR Into 2025 Initiative for managing endemic and invasive pests and diseases –Extend research based information on sustainable pest management practices –Be aware of potential new pest problems…i.e. “First Detector”

The Strategic Initiatives from ANR Into 2025 Initiative to improve energy security and technologies through innovative science, engineering, agricultural, biological and environmental science. –Extend research based information on sustainable landscape practices that save energy i.e. tree planting and placement, alternative and recyclable mulches, alternative or electric motors for mowers and other landscape equipment.

What Are Sustainable Landscape Practices?

What is Sustainable? To sustain means to keep going or continue, and sustainable is the ability to carry on an activity indefinitely with minimal impact on the environment. From:

Seven Best Practices *adapted from River-Friendly Landscape Guidelines 1.Landscape for the Local Climate –Use landscape adapted natives, or climate appropriate plant materials such as Arboretum All-Stars –Consider the potential for fire and modify to defend your home from wildfire –Landscape to enhance and protect local flora and fauna

Seven Best Practices 2.Landscape for Less to the Landfill Plants match space Reduce pruning Grasscycle Compost on site Reduced water and fertilizer Salvage and recycle

Seven Best Practices 3. Nurture the soil

3. Nurture the Soil Save topsoil Protect soil from compaction Prevent erosion Mulch Feed soils naturally Avoid synthetic, quick release fertilizers Minimize the use of chemical pesticides

4. Conserve Water Mulch Plant selection Minimize turf Hydrozone Rainwater collection Efficient irrigation systems Audit your irrigation system Manage your irrigation

5. Conserve Energy Plant trees to minimize energy use -shade paved areas -shade west and south side with deciduous trees -evergreen trees on N. -shade air conditioners -design outdoor lighting carefully

6. Protect Water and Air Quality Use IPM Minimize decorative turf areas Keep soil covered with mulch Keep organic matter on site Minimize impervious surfaces Maintain irrigation system properly Plant trees Prevent run-off Use proper equipment

7. Create and Protect Wildlife Habitat Create landscapes with diverse plantings Choose CA natives where possible Provide water and shelter Avoid pesticide use Conserve or restore natural areas and wildlife corridors

8. Grow Food….. Grow food in your garden for yourself, your family and your neighborhood –Permaculture –Edible landscapes –Vegetable gardens –Personal orchards or container fruit trees

For more information on sustainable landscape practices go to: Friendly_Guidelines.pdf Special thanks to the Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership (SSQP), used with permission and assistance from the StopWaste.org in Alameda County. The River Friendly Landscape Guidelines are a Sacramento revision of the Bay-Friendly Landscape Guidelines originally published by StopWaste.org in 2003

Thank You Any Questions?

Sustainable Use of Natural Resources-Water Healthy Gardens, Healthy Homes Program Rain Garden Demonstrations Prism Program Reduce fertilizer and pesticide pollutants Protect water quality & quantity

What is Sustainable? To sustain means to keep going or continue, and sustainable is the ability to carry on an activity indefinitely with minimal impact on the environment. From:

What is Sustainable? The concept of sustainable gardening has evolved as a result of current environmental concerns about the broader affects of our gardening practices on: –water availability, –off-site water quality, –energy use, –landfill space, –fire-safe landscaping, –soil degradation, and –the spread of invasive plant species and –protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat.

Why Adopt Sustainable Landscape Practices? Gardening practices that most can implement immediately, whereby enormous benefits are gained by a large fraction of households engaging in sustainable gardening. Sustainable landscape practices are gardening practices that not only save you money by saving energy, water, and time; they will help to improve environmental quality.

What Are Sustainable Landscape Practices? Remember, the key goals of sustainable gardening practices are to: –sustain water availability and quality –reduce off-site water movement into storm drains, lakes, rivers and creeks –reduce energy use –reduce our green waste to landfill –prevent soil degradation –facilitate wildlife, and –reduce the spread of invasive plant species

Advice to Grow by….Ask Us! Thank You!! Any Questions?