UC Delivers
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Growing Green Spaces and Community Health with the UC Master Gardener Program

  • By Melissa G Womack, Jocelyn M Mobley

The UC Master Gardener Program improves community health and well-being by expanding green space and food gardening access across California. Through gardening education and community projects, the program fosters healthier lifestyles, reduces stress, and promotes biodiversity, creating lasting benefits for public health and environmental sustainability.

The Issue

California is the most urban state across all the United States, with almost 95% of its residents living in urban areas. Among the nation's most densely populated areas (with populations of 200,000 or more), three are in California: Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim (7,476 people per square mile), San Francisco/Oakland (6,843 people per square mile), and San Jose (6,436 people per square mile).

Urban living often correlates with certain health challenges, including higher-fat diets, sedentary lifestyles, and increased stress levels—all of which can impact both mental and physical health. Alarmingly, 30% of California's youth lack access to parks, sidewalks, or community centers in their neighborhoods, and nearly one-third of adults fall short of physical activity guidelines.

Access to outdoor spaces and nature is essential, with research showing the positive effects on physical and mental well-being. Obesity in both adults and children is a critical public health issue in California, underscoring the importance of promoting outdoor activities and healthy lifestyle choices across communities.

Mom and daughter planting seedlings in a grow bag.
Photo Credit: Barbra Davidge, UC Master Gardener of Montery County

How UC Delivers

Connecting with the UC Master Gardener Program can be a meaningful way to address green space access and these pressing urban challenges. Since 1980, the UC Master Gardener Program has emerged as a solution to help Californians with the knowledge, resources, and support needed to integrate gardening into daily life.  With more than 6,000 volunteers spanning across 53 California counties, the UC Master Gardener Program offers a unique bridge to reconnect residents with green spaces.

Through hands-on learning, gardening workshops, and community-based projects and partnerships, the UC Master Gardener Program addresses issues stemming from urban living—such as limited access to parks and outdoor spaces—by promoting green spaces that offer safe, accessible areas for physical activity and mental rejuvenation. UC Master Gardeners volunteer in local neighborhoods across the state, establishing community gardens, educational projects, and gardening activities that make it easier for Californians to experience the numerous health benefits of time spent in nature. In the 2023/24 program year the UC Master Gardener Program had 2,173 projects, supported thousands of gardens, and reached almost half a million residents in-person.

two people looking at seed packets
Photo Credit: UC Regents

The Impact

The UC Master Gardener Program has significantly impacted the health and well-being of California residents by fostering increased outdoor activity, healthier diets, and access to green spaces. In the 2023/24 program year, 66% of workshop participants reported spending more time outdoors—a behavior linked to reduced stress, improved mental health, and increased physical activity, which can help combat obesity and related health conditions. Additionally, 72% of participants successfully started or enhanced their efforts in growing fruits and vegetables at home or in community gardens, contributing to healthier eating habits.

The UC Master Gardener Program also encourages program participants to live a healthier lifestyle by increasing the amount and variety of produce eaten. Research highlights the profound impact of community gardening on dietary habits. Adults with a household member participating in a community garden consumed fruits and vegetables 1.4 more times per day than those who did not. Even more striking, they were 3.5 times more likely to meet the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables at least five times a day.

“Students and staff enjoy visits that include academic lessons, planting seeds, harvesting crops, eating fresh vegetables, and taking a quiet break from the day to walk through the Mindfulness Maze. Providing opportunities for our students to learn in our Larry Ford Outdoor Classroom is a priority for our school community, and the [UC] Master Gardeners have become an instrumental piece in making that dream a reality.” - Skyridge Elementary Principal Wright

Two people gardening in a community green space
Photo Credit: UC Regents

Research also shows spending more time outdoors leads to increased physical activity that can prevent or reduce the risks of illnesses associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Spending time outdoors not only promotes physical well-being, but also enriches mental health by alleviating negative factors and increasing positive ones. It can decrease feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress. It can also create a buffer for stressors and increase coping skills.

“Taking the UC Master Gardeners class not only taught me how to grow my own food but also became a source of therapy for me. Harvesting fresh vegetables gave me a sense of accomplishment. I feel healthier, happier, and more connected to nature.”  - Shirley Alvarez

Not only does the UC Master Gardener Program create initiatives that get people outside, but it also contributes to adding green space to urban areas. In the 2023/24 program year alone, the UC Master Gardener Program created more than 3.5 million square feet of garden space throughout California. These gardens consist of pollinator gardens, food gardens, home landscapes, and school and community gardens that increase access to green space.

“[UC] Master Gardeners provide great help as teachers, garden advisors, help provide some food security for urban residents.” - Florence Nishida, UC Master Gardener of Los Angeles County

The UC Master Gardener Program demonstrates the transformative power of gardening to address public health and environmental challenges, providing a scalable model for urban areas nationwide.

 

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