Los Guilicos Demonstration and Teaching Garden announcement

University of California and County of Sonoma sign license agreement for Sonoma Valley parcel

A new project Sonoma County Master Gardener volunteers have committed to will feature youth education and sustainable home gardening best practices for residents of Sonoma County.

On February 28 the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors authorized a five-year license agreement between the County of Sonoma and The Regents of the University of California in support of educational activities at the Los Guilicos campus. In September 2022, the Sonoma County Department of Public Infrastructure began working with Sonoma County Master Gardeners to identify a new location for its propagation program following the loss of its hoop house location at the North County Detention Facility in Santa Rosa. Under the agreement UC Master Gardener program volunteers will renovate and maintain the garden and greenhouse at the Los Guilicos campus.

“The UC Master Gardener program is a wonderful community asset and important public service for information about home horticulture and pest management, says Susan Gorin, District 1 Supervisor. “We’re delighted to have found the program a new home on the Los Guilicos campus to continue their research and education on sustainable land practices in Sonoma County.”

The county-owned parcel, which totals 36,000 square feet, includes a vacant garden area and greenhouse building Sonoma County Master Gardener volunteers will use for garden propagation activities, educational workshops, and public plant sales. Phase 1 of the project entails renovating the existing Valley of the Moon Children’s Center Garden, which was destroyed during a 2019 wildfire and then shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rehabilitated Children’s Garden will include a vegetable garden and pollinator garden. There will be seating for an outdoor classroom to teach children about topics such as beneficial bugs, habitat, and climate change.

“The garden will provide children who reside at the Valley of the Moon Children’s Center (VMCC) a beautiful, peaceful spot to visit with family as well as be a venue for teaching Sonoma County children and VMCC children about the benefits of sustainable gardening,” says Children’s Garden Team Leader Pat Decker. “Master Gardener volunteers are having fun working together to prepare the Children’s Garden for a ground opening event slated for fall 2023. We’re excited for the public—especially children—to visit the garden.”

For more information: March 13. 2023 press release.