Celebrating 40 Years of Growing Success!

Forty Years of Growing Success

During 2022, the University of California Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County (UCMGSC) celebrated a key milestone: Forty successful years of providing home gardening information to Sonoma County residents.

In 1982, the Sonoma County Master Gardener Program was the third to debut in California. UCMGSC volunteers have been active across Sonoma County assisting home gardeners in support of our vision to “cultivate environmental stewardship one garden at a time.”

In the beginning, the UCMGSC program was a small group of volunteer members. As of 2022, there are more than 250 dedicated members who are trained and certified University of California (UC) volunteers who provide unbiased, high-quality, science-based information to non-commercial home gardeners.

This page highlights activities and events Sonoma County Master Gardener volunteers spearheaded during 2022 to celebrate our 40-year anniversary.

40th Anniversary Lecture presentation is now online

Sonoma County Master Gardeners hosted a public lecture on October 19 at The Glaser Center in Santa Rosa. The evening event featured a presentation by Dr. Matt Ritter, an author, editor, and botany professor in the Biological Sciences Department at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California.

Dr. Ritter's presentation, “California’s Native Plants and Urban Forests,” can now be viewed on the Sonoma County Master Gardener YouTube channel.

After a welcome message from Sonoma County Master Gardener Coordinator Mimi Enright, Dr. Ritter took to the stage and shared insightful information and stories about some of California’s most iconic native plants and trees. He explained why California is designated as one of the few “diversity hotspots” in the world. Dr. Ritter shared maps of areas within California that are of special interest and in need of preservation. Attendees also learned that Sonoma County is home to a diverse collection of more than 5,000 native plant species.

Dr. Ritter's presentation also featured childhood images of the Mendocino Valley near Ukiah, where he grew up amid towering oaks and redwoods. This natural environment triggered his interests in botany and ecology. “It was a wonderful, down-to-earth presentation. One of the very best,” says Arlene Z., one of nearly 225 people who attended the lecture. The lecture event also included a book signing and refreshments.

Sonoma County Master Gardeners were proud to host the lecture and thank everyone who helped make it a success – including our sponsors Emerisa Gardens - Retail Nursery, Grab N’ Grow Soil Products, and Sequoia Landscape Materials.

Dr. Matt Ritter addresses the audience during the 40th anniversary lecture.

An attendee talks with Dr. Matt Ritter at the book signing.

UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County Day

October 4 was a special day for more than 250 active UC Sonoma County Master Gardener volunteers! In recognition our 40-year anniversary providing research-based horticultural information to home gardeners, the County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors declared Oct. 4, 2022 as “UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County Day.”

October 4th proclamation ceremony for UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County Day.

Pictured at the October 4 proclamation ceremony at the Board of Supervisors Chambers in Santa Rosa are, from left: Master Gardener Kay Clegg, Sonoma County Master Gardener Board President Anne Haddix, Master Gardener Marilyn Madrone, Sonoma County Master Gardener Coordinator Mimi Enright, and Supervisor Chris Coursey.

“Thank you to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors for your recognition of the important role Master Gardener volunteers play in our community; our volunteers provide critical education to help our community garden more sustainably and protect our natural resources," says Mimi.

Kay, a 40-year Master Gardener, was in the first class of Sonoma County residents who trained to become a Master Gardener when the program debuted in 1982 in Sonoma County. During a recent interview, Kay reflected on what she’s enjoyed most about the program. “The access to practical garden information that has the backing of the University of California education system, and associating with other Master Gardeners who share their practical knowledge,” she says.

In 1983, the year after Kay completed her Master Gardener training, Marilyn Madrone completed the training to be a Sonoma County Master Gardener. Marilyn's earliest gardening memories are of following her Italian grandmother around her San Francisco garden while eating freshly-picked garlic and onion stalks. When asked about the biggest change she’s observed since becoming a Master Gardener 39 years ago, she had this to say: "I’m delighted with the evolution from chemical advice to Integrated Pest Management, regenerative agriculture, climate adaptation and climate activism.”

For more information about the UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County, click here.

“Spotlight on California Native Plants”

The vision of the University of California Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County (UCMGSC) is to “cultivate environmental stewardship one garden at a time.” One way to accomplish this vision is by growing native plants in our gardens. To celebrate UCMGSC’s ongoing 40-year commitment to environmental stewardship, a new feature debuted June 19.

“Spotlight on California Native Plants” highlights Master Gardeners who design with, cultivate, and grow natives. This spotlight features Sonoma County Master Gardeners’ photographs of native plants and their tips and experiences with growing them.

Throughout the remainder of 2022, Spotlight on California Native Plants posts will continue being shared on Facebook in Master Gardener Sue Lovelace's weekly column "Sundays with Sue." This column is also published on our website. For additional information, including the benefits of native plants, those best suited to Sonoma County, and tips for growing natives, visit California Native Plants on our website.

Click here to view our Spotlight on California Native Plants photo gallery. This gallery is on the flickr website and will be updated periodically.

Master Gardener Clio Tarazi’s yard includes native lupine and fleabane.

Master Gardeners Celebrate Milestone Anniversary

A July 20 Volunteer Recognition Barbecue was the first time many Sonoma County Master Gardeners had been together in person since before the start of the Pandemic. The barbecue was held outdoors at the Petaluma home of a Master Gardener. Special guests Stephanie Larson and Missy Gable congratulated Sonoma County Master Gardeners on their milestone 40-year anniversary and the many volunteer contributions Master Gardeners have made across Sonoma County. The celebration included remarks from new Sonoma County Master Gardener Board President Anne Haddix, and Mimi Enright, Program Manager, UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County & Community Food Systems.

A Colorful Way to Celebrate Nature

Seeking a fun, artistic activity for kids? Make their world more colorful with nature-themed coloring pages. Ten downloadable coloring pages feature familiar Sonoma County plants and animals including California poppies, quail, lady bugs, butterflies, and worms! Each coloring page includes a subject description and links to additional educational information. Happy coloring!

Master Gardener Sue Lovelace’s grandson, Waylon, with his coloring page.

August 2022