Session A: 9 - 10am (select one)

Applying the science of ecology to the home landscape can be challenging, especially when working with desert plants.  Come and learn about desert plants and why they behave the way they do with influences such as insects, water and sunlight.  Knowing and understanding how these plants behave (and why!) will make you a better gardener, conservationist and general steward of the environment. 

There are many human-wildlife conflicts occurring in the Californian home landscape. Learn how to manage everything from mice to mountain lions using integrated pest management.

Social media is becoming more influential and has evolved into a powerful direct communication tool. With the program's focus on education and outreach, social media is a natural fit to help disseminate information and reach a wider audience than ever before! Learn the latest in developing and managing content with the team from Communications Services at UC Agriculture and Natural Resources. Grow a larger fan base and create a loyal following. This session is designed to inspire and empower you with new social media marketing ideas and tools.

National Extension Social media Training: 
https://sites.google.com/a/extension.org/social-media-resources/welcome

Having a display of common ‘good bugs” and ‘bad bugs’ is very useful during outreach events. Come learn how to pin insects and make your own insect collection! Participants will learn the basics of catching and preserving insects and other arthropods, and get hands-on experience pinning insects. Attendees will even get a ‘starter kit’ to take home to continue building your program’s collection of insects common in your area. Bring at least 10 good sized dead insect specimens, so you can practice pinning. Some insects and other pinning materials will be provided. (This is a duplicate session.)

First, second and third place winners of the UC Master Gardener Program Search for Excellence (SFE) will present on their winning projects. SFE recognizes projects that exemplify the incredible impacts programs are making across the state. Attend, enjoy, and learn about our phenomenal 2017 SFE winners.

Ernesto Sandoval wants you to know that you can grow succulents in your garden. Sandoval, director of the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory will present his case using high quality photographs and science. The focus will be on aloes, agaves, cacti, and other beautiful and practical succulents, but Ernesto will also discuss some less common drought-tolerant plants.

Proper pruning of grapevines preserves one year old wood and encourages the vines to grow a structure conducive to harvesting. Proper pruning is a worth wile investment and a skill one can develop. It helps to understand a few basic principles of grape pruning to maintain a healthy and productive vine. Learn when, how and why to prune grapevines with UC Cooperative Extension Viticulture and Pest Management Farm Advisor Dr. Carmen Gispert.

Join Dr. James Downer Horticulture and Plant Pathology Advisor as he discusses the health of shade trees. Trees catch, harbor and infect each other with diseases that are contagious, cause symptoms, shorten their lifespans and predispose them to failure. Accurate diagnosis of tree diseases and an understanding of the physiology of disease development aids in developing treatment protocols that include adjusting arboricultural practices to maintain diseased trees.

Learn how PlantRight partners with the nursery industry, plant scientists, government, and non-profits to stop the sale of invasive plants. Since 2010, PlantRight has been conducting an annual nursery survey for invasive plants with the help of many UC Master Gardener volunteers. Get an exclusive look at the 2017 Nursery Survey results and find out what you can do to stop the sale of invasive ornamental plants and promote non-invasive alternatives.