Choosing the right plant for the right place is a key element to protecting California's rich natural ecosystems. When used appropriately, plants offer us nourishment, beauty, sanctuary, and habitat; but some plants may have adverse environmental consequences.

Since 2005, PlantRight has worked with a diverse alliance of stakeholders to address the problem of horticultural plants that become invasive in California (Figure 1). Run by non-profit Sustainable Conservation, PlantRight tackles this important issue in a collaborative, voluntary, and science-based fashion, focusing on solutions that make environmental and economic sense.

We first shared information on PlantRight's programs in the June 2012 issue of UC IPM's Retail Nursery and Garden Center News. We are pleased to give you an update on several developments that have happened since then.

Revised Plant List: After a year-long review...

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The Asian citrus psyllid was first detected in California in 2008 and is now confirmed in 13 counties, including all of Southern California and as far north as Santa Clara County.* Thus, the psyllid is established near, or threatening much of, California's commercial, nursery, and residential citrus. When the pest is found, quarantines are put in place to restrict the movement of citrus plants and plant clippings in order to limit spread of the pest.

There are things that residents and maintenance gardeners can do to help minimize the spread of this pest and HLB.

To read more about ACP and HLB, click here. 

*http://www.californiacitrusthreat.org/ 

 

Mother's Day is right around the corner (Sunday, May 10th) and we know that Mother's Day shopping can be a challenge. If your trying to think of the perfect gift for the Mom in your life why not buy her the CA Master Gardener Handbook, Second Edition and you'll get a copy of Healthy Roses for FREE! Click on the link to order. http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/

The statewide office is thrilled to introduce the new UC Master Gardener Program statewide training coordinator, Lauren Snowden. Lauren will work out of the statewide office at UC Agriculture and Natural Resources building in Davis, Calif. She will be responsible for developing trainings, resources and materials to assist coordinators and volunteers for county-based programs. Volunteer Management Institute (VMI), drought train-the-trainer workshops, VMS help resources and the expert speaker database are just a few examples of the many projects Lauren will be managing during her new role.

 

Before joining the statewide staff for the UC Master Gardener Program, Lauren worked for Yuba County Health and Human Services where she was an Administrative Analyst for twelve years. During her time at Yuba County Health and Human Services Lauren worked alongside management to develop training programs for employees and coworkers. She has a passion for creating creative and engaging trainings and is excited to bring her experience to UC Master Gardeners.

 

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to take what Aubrey has already done and continue to build upon the great work with our coordinators, volunteers and statewide staff.” – Lauren Snowden, Statewide Training Coordinator – UC Master Gardener Program

 

Lauren has been a UC Master Gardener volunteer in Sutter-Yuba Counties since 2011.  As a UC Master Gardener volunteer Lauren co-manages her program's monthly county newsletter, and trains the public and fellow volunteers on her favorite gardening topics, including: vegetable gardening, planting for spring flowers, and patio gardening.

 

Lauren resides in Yuba City on two acres of a “work in progress” with her husband Phil, dog Gunner and beloved cat Rascal. She is a substitute yoga instructor at her local gym, and is training to run a half and full marathon in 2015.