Needs Assessment

Needs Assessment Summary for the Capitol Corridor Environmental Horticulture Program

Introduction

In 2022-2023, I conducted a needs assessment to identify priority issues my clientele would like to see addressed through research and outreach. My primary strategy was to conduct semi-structured interviews with key clientele, including landscape, urban forestry, arboriculture, and nursery professionals, as well as government, water agency, and nonprofit personnel. I also spoke with many UC ANR colleagues and other academics, and drew on observations and insights from site visits, conferences, planning documents, academic papers, websites, etc. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to everyone who spoke with me and provided resources to help me understand the greatest needs in this area and what is already being done to address them—thank you!

If I didn’t get to talk with you during this formal needs assessment period (or even if I did), I would still love to hear your insights. I’d particularly love to know if you see something missing below or if you have ideas for research or extension activities that address these needs. Please get in touch!

Findings

The many important issues brought to my attention are summarized in the overarching needs and themes below.

Overarching needs

Central themes & associated major issues

Water conservation

• Water-wise landscaping
• Standards compliance
• Irrigation efficiency

Appropriate plant selection

• Climate-resilient tree canopy
• Availability and nursery stock quality of recommended or desirable plants
• Policies and choices for new developments
• Lack of investment in expertise or expensive plants

Maintenance

• Inadequate resources for ongoing maintenance of trees and landscaping
• Improper tree care
• Upkeep of tree inventories and urban forest management plans

Training & education – professionals

• Shortage of landscape professionals qualified to maintain water-wise and native gardens
• Lack of tree care and pruning knowledge among maintenance gardeners

Training & education – general public

• Inadequate knowledge about irrigation, tree care, and plant selection principles
• Lack of concern about water efficiency
• Lack of understanding about the benefits trees provide

Ecosystem services & co-benefits

• Landscaping and urban forests that address heat, habitat, health and wellbeing, runoff quality/quantity, carbon sequestration, and fire
• Financial benefits associated with ecosystem services

Equity

• Tree canopy distribution
• Expense of landscape transformation
• Accessible and safe green space
• Access to programs and assistance, especially for renters and low-income residents

Pests and pathogens

• Improper pesticide use & associated water quality concerns
• Increases in the prevalence of certain pathogens
• Timely notification about emerging issues

Funding, staffing, and resources

• Limitations on the development, implementation, and enforcement of programs and policies
• Actions driven by funding opportunities rather than strategic plans
• Difficulty finding and retaining nursery staff

Unity

• Need for coordination, collaboration, and cooperation around messaging, resources, events, and response to statewide regulations

Program Priorities

Based on the identified issues and needs, as well as my background and opportunities that have arisen, here are some of my near-term program priorities:

Research topics

• Impacts of irrigation practices on urban trees
• Relationships between landscaping practices and urban water use
• Effects of Climate Ready Trees on heat
• Growth and survival of trees planted by nonprofits
• Effects of sheet mulching on soil properties and tree growth

Extension activities

• Survey landscape professionals about training needs and preferences
• Work with colleagues and landscape professionals to develop a training program for maintenance gardeners on water-wise and native garden care
• Assist with the development and dissemination of climate-appropriate tree lists
• Work with Master Gardeners on public education opportunities