The University of California conducts locally applied research in areas of agriculture, wildfire, natural resource conservation, integrated pest management, and other areas through county-based Cooperative Extension offices located throughout the state of California. The Marin Master Gardener program is one of many programs offered by the UC Cooperative Extension Marin (UCCE). UC Marin Master Gardeners (UCMMG) are trained volunteers who share knowledge and skills with the public. As non-paid members of UCCE, Master Gardeners answer inquiries and provide research-based information on home horticulture, pest management, and sustainable landscape practices.
UC has been working on fire-related issues for more than 100 years and UCMMGs have been working on Marin landscapes for over 40 years. In response to some of the recent catastrophic fires California has experienced, a team of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) fire and natural resources experts formed the Fire Near Homes working group in 2019. Soon thereafter Marin Master Gardeners inaugurated their Fire-smart Landscaping program (FSL), modeled on a similar program developed by the Sonoma Master Gardeners. To remain current, the FSL group works closely with UC fire and natural resources researchers, specialists and advisors, as well as with Marin fire agencies.
Current Efforts
The UCMMG traditional audience has been the Marin property owner; FSL volunteers are now also providing materials to MWPA D-Space Evaluators, a.k.a. Wildfire Mitigation Specialists, and will continue to do so as that training is further developed. Steven Swain, the Cooperative Extension horticultural advisor, has advised Fire Safe Marin on the professional landscape education program.The UCMMG FSL group’s overarching goal is educating homeowners about adapting their landscapes and reducing fuel load while preserving the ecological well-being of the environment. The FSL educational content focuses on landscape planning and maintenance, emphasizing the integration of defensible space, fuel reduction, plant choice, plant care, topography, horticultural best practices, and protecting and encouraging wildlife habitat in the residential setting. Education is offered in a variety of formats including presentations, the UCMMG website, videos, social media, and publications including the Marin Independent Journal and a quarterly newsletter (The Leaflet).
Science-based & Earth-friendly
UCCE and UCMMG, with their strong science-based approach, are natural partners for MWPA in its efforts to educate homeowners and professional landscapers on fire-smart and earth-friendly best practices for wildfire preparedness. MWPA grant funding supports a UCCE science and education coordinator to keep these efforts moving forward.
- The UC Cooperative Extension and UC Master Gardener FSL team in Marin
