The University of California Cooperative Extension Sonoma County Master Gardeners (SCMG) are very proud to announce that our Garden Sense project received first place in the Community Service category in the Search for Excellence (SFE) recognition program of Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteer work throughout the United States, Canada and South Korea.  All SFE applications must show that significant learning took place, whether by the EMG or the general public with whom they were involved. All volunteer projects done by EMGs are significant to their communities, but not all are SFE projects.

The SFE is designed to recognize outstanding group projects, not an individual who does outstanding work.  The International Master Gardener recognition is a SEARCH FOR EXCELLENCE of the highest quality within Master Gardener programs across the United States and Canada.  Only projects that improve people's lives are awarded. 

SCMG has been focusing on the sustainable gardening practice of water conservation via the Garden Sense program, a partnership developed between SCMG and the Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) in fall 2013.  Most home landscapes in this region have been created without any regard to our summer-dry climate, and the public is not at all aware of the water needs of commonly used landscape plants.  

SCMG Garden Sense consultants receive advanced training in lawn conversion, landscape water management, irrigation systems, site assessment, low-water use plants, and sustainable garden practices via a 9 class training program. 

A team of two of our volunteer consultants will visit a Sonoma County homeowner's garden to show how to conserve water by creating a climate-appropriate garden that is healthy, sustainable and environmentally sound.  The program is offered countywide to municipal water users and well users. 

In our first year of operation we estimate
water savings as a result of the program at 6 acre feet.