Over the past decade, there has been mounting evidence for the effect of nature on health and wellbeing. Time spent in greenspaces have significant positive effects on mental health and stress reduction. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people rediscovered nature as a way to cope with the stress of the lockdowns. However, most Americans still…
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More and more homeowners are looking to make a difference from their own yards by creating landscapes that not only look good, but DO good by supporting insects and wildlife, saving precious water resources, and reducing pesticides and herbicides. Our native plants are the perfect solution, and the Native Plant Society of Texas wants to…
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The Texas Master Naturalist Program engages volunteers in meaningful conservation, education, and stewardship projects that enhance natural resource management and connect communities with nature throughout Texas. With 49 chapters statewide, the program empowers individuals to restore habitats, promote biodiversity, and share knowledge through outreach and citizen science. This presentation highlights the program’s far-reaching impacts, demonstrating…
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Have you heard? Micro-credentials are all the rage! Micro-credentials are short, flexible learning opportunities designed for learners to gain knowledge in a particular skill set. This presentation will introduce participants to a new micro-credential that offers an introduction to volunteer management. Completely online and self-paced, this micro-credential can increase the knowledge, skill sets and confidence…
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This session will cover the Master Gardener programs started by Ms. Noh in Korea (the Benz School of Floral Design and Junior Master Gardeners), why she initiated the programs, how they began and are currently run, and how they have helped Korean florists. Ms. Noh graduated from Ewha Women's University in Korea (BA) in 1976…
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Creating a thriving home landscape that supports birds, bees, and butterflies requires thoughtful planning and sustainable gardening practices. This presentation will explore how to design and maintain a habitat that provides essential food sources, shelter, and nesting sites for pollinators and wildlife. Learn how to select native plants, incorporate diverse flowering species, and minimize pesticide…
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Short informational videos are becoming the norm for those looking for answers. Whether educational, entertaining or "edutaining", these videos are now how information is transmitted. For the educator, these videos are new ways to provide greater access to information and the Master Gardener program as well as new avenues into platforms like Facebook, YouTube and…
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As traditional print media declines, those seeking to provide and sell quality gardening information must embrace a diversified approach to remain effective and relevant. This session explores how a combination of print, social media, digital technologies, and direct public engagement can enhance outreach, education, and sales. By integrating modern IT solutions with time-tested methods of…
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This presentation will cover the facts of GMOs in crop agriculture and gardening from the history of GMOs to the science behind how GMOs are made and examples of modern applications within plant sciences. This session will include opportunities for interactive audience engagement. Kimberly Cochran, Ph.D., is an extension plant pathologist in the Department of…
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KAI Instrument: These three sessions are to be taken together and require pre-registration. Attendees will engage with key questions about leadership, differing viewpoints, conflict resolution, and the impact of cognitive diversity on teamwork. Why do we disagree, and how can we navigate differing perspectives to achieve shared goals? Participants will be introduced to Kirton’s Adaptation-Innovation…
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In 2022, Brazilian skydiver Luigi Cani embarked on an ambitious environmental mission to combat deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. Leveraging his expertise, Cani executed a meticulously planned skydive over a deforested area, releasing 100 million seeds from 27 native tree species. This initiative aimed to promote reforestation and restore biodiversity in the affected region. The…
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The current state of the world has led to increased extreme weather events resulting in disrupted crop production, sky-rocketing grocery prices, and increasing food insecurity. Many young people have lost hope in becoming homeowners or landowners, leading them to believe that gardening and seed saving are not relevant to their lives; however, their importance has…
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