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2007 Annual Activity Report
The Overall Numbers
In 2007, the El Paso County Horticulture program directly assisted
8,500 residents on lawn and garden-related topics.
Overall, 145 Colorado Master Gardeners gave
9300 hours of volunteer time (valued at $167,000).
For every $1 contributed to the horticulture
program from the county, residents received an additional $1.85
of community service from these volunteers.
Services
Staff members and Colorado Master Gardener volunteers assisted
residents through the following:
- Educational programs
- One-on-one consultations
- Mass media
 
Staff members and Colorado Master Gardeners conducted 91 educational
programs, reaching 3,858 homeowners, green industry professionals,
and youth on the following subjects:
Regionally Appropriate Landscapes
- 50 educational programs, 2668 participants
Classes focused on effective landscape management practices
in Colorado, wise plant selection, soil improvement, and the
use of native plants to improve environmental quality, public
safety, and property values.
Water Conservation
- 10 educational programs, reaching 318 people
Focused on water conservation strategies through irrigation
management, low-water use plants, and water-wise landscaping.
Solving Landscape Problems
- 16 educational programs, 638 people
Focused on correct identification of the causes of landscape
problems and appropriate management strategies to reduce pesticide
use, environmental contamination, and protect human health.
Human Health
- 15 educational programs, 234 participants
Classes focused on methods to grow fruits and vegetables to
reduce the risk of diet-related chronic health problems (e.g.
heart disease, diabetes, stroke).
- Volunteers answered 4,589 email and phone requests from the
public for horticulture information from the Master Gardener
Help Desk.
- Staff members diagnosed horticultural problems during 22 on-site
visits with green industry professionals and homeowners, including
private and commercial properties, such as Colorado College
- Published 55 newspaper articles through 2 regular columns
in the Colorado Springs Gazette, Independent, and local newspapers.
- Published an informational horticultural 257-page book entitled,
Growing Points: The Wit and Wisdom of the Colorado Master
Gardeners of El Paso County.
- Appeared on television 7 times, radio guest 1 time.
- Displayed educational exhibits and staffed information booth
at 6 events.
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