Our state initiative, Environmental Stewardship, is all about teaching people to protect and enhance the environment through use of sustainable landscape management practices. Most MGEV efforts are in this area, as we shared last week.
Some samples of projects that fall under this initiative are included in this table from the Volunteerism Guide:
When we are educating others about Environmental Stewardship, it looks like this:
- Showing people how to prune correctly, minimizing secondary insect or disease issues
- Gardens that demonstrate water conservation techniques, such as using mulch and drip irrigation
- Explaining how soil testing can save money and time by avoiding ill-timed or unnecessary fertilizer applications
- Correctly identifying a pest issue with a shrub or tree and providing treatment recommendations, avoiding unnecessary or inappropriate pesticide applications that goes with the “I’ll spray it with some of everything just to be sure” approach
- Sharing a UGA Extension publication with unbiased, research-based information
When we extend this education through our projects and activities, we can expect results! In time, we’ll observe communities where landscapes are healthier, water quality is not compromised by gardens and landscapes, and the community and health benefits associated with gardens abound.
