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Master Gardener Workshops
Western Municipal Water District partners with the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardener Program of Riverside County to host FREE monthly workshops that focus on gardening and efficient outdoor water use.
Workshops are hosted on the second Saturday of each month.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, workshops are being held virtually.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Bees, pollinators and backyard wildlife
Saturday, March 13, 2021 | 10 a.m. | Join the workshop
The humming of bees is the music of a garden. Chris McDonald, Ph.D. will take us through the natural history of backyard wildlife including bees, butterflies, and birds and teach us how to attract more wildlife to your yard with drought-tolerant and native plants.
Speaker: Chris McDonald, Ph.D.
Christopher McDonald Ph.D. Natural Resource Advisor, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, and Imperial Counties. University of California, Cooperative Extension. Chris is the Natural Resource Advisor for Southern California. His expertise is in managing plants in wild lands with an emphasis on managing difficult weeds. He conducts research on habitat restoration by reducing weed populations as well as actively increasing native plant populations. He also conducts research on early detection of weed species, sensitive species habitat restoration and management techniques, including chemical and mechanical control methods. He educates the public about using native plants in backyards and to increase pollinators, sustainability and wildlife. Chris has conducted research and outreach activities in the southwestern US for nearly 20 years working almost exclusively in arid and semi-arid ecosystems.
Topic to be announced soon!
Saturday, April 10, 2021 | 10 a.m. | Save the date
Protecting your backyard citrus: HLB greening update
PAST WORKSHOPS
Drought-tolerant plants
Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021 | 10 a.m.
Relax in your vibrant and lively water-wise garden instead of toiling in a traditional turf landscape. Lynn Coffman, UC Master Gardener, will take us on a world tour of Mediterranean plants that also thrive in the Inland Empire. Join us as we continue our landscape design series.
Speaker: Lynn Coffman, UC Master Gardener
Lynn Coffman is a 3rd-year Master Gardener and life-long nature enthusiast. She began her horticultural and design studies in earnest after her children went into high school by selling plants in a wholesale/retail herb specialty nursery in San Diego County. Lynn had no idea that years later, she would become Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) Certified and become a garden coach for homeowners looking to transform their water-thirsty turf landscapes into water-wise oases.
Home landscaping design
Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021 | 10 a.m.
Learn a simple process for creating a basic landscape plan Whether re-landscaping or updating an existing yard, you will learn to recognize unique conditions and apply design principles leading to your living work of art.
Speaker: Ralph Thompson, UC Master Gardener
Ralph and his husband, Jim, relocated to the Coachella Valley when they retired in 2016. Like many desert ‘transplants’ they soon discovered that their coastal gardening experience wasn’t directly transferable to the conditions of their new home. However, in the process of re-doing their new home’s landscaping, they realized that, while details may be different, the basics of plant care and landscaping are the same no matter the climate. Like many retirees, Ralph and Jim give back to their communities by volunteering with the Riverside County UC Master Gardeners, the Coachella Valley Plumeria Society, the Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City, and the Cathedral City Senior Center. Their week is as busy in retirement as when working full time.
Workshop materials
Handout: 6 factors influencing yard layout and landscape design
Hydroponics: Gardening without soil
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 | 10 a.m.
Join us to learn how to grow healthy hydroponically-produced foods using commonly available household items.
Speaker: Kelli Shaw-Hague, UC Master Gardener
Kelli Hague-Shaw, UC Master Gardener and elementary school teacher, is certified in hydroponics from the University of Arizona. With a United States Department of Agriculture Farm to School Grant, and in partnership with her elementary school staff and students and with the City of Perris, she has provided fresh food for her school's lunch program. Presently, she is involved with the management of nine aeroponic towers—a type of hydroponics—and a commercial farm system.
Growing cool-season veggies
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020 | 10 a.m.
Now is a perfect time to plan your cool-season vegetable garden. Master Gardener and Food Preserver, Laura Simpson, will share tips and tricks for a bountiful organic garden. Healthy garden-to-table living starts here.
Speaker: Laura Simpson, UCCE Master Gardener and Master Food Preserver
Laura Simpson has been a Master Gardener since 2002 and a Master Food Preserver since 2015. She and her family live near Temecula and grow a variety of vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees at their home. Laura frequently speaks on southern California gardening, vegetable and herb gardening, and safe food preservation, and is a weekly columnist in the Home and Garden section of The Press-Enterprise.
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, San Diego, and worked in the biotechnology industry and biomedical research before becoming a Master Gardener.
Why saving water today is the No. 1 garden priority
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020 | 10 a.m.
Join us for a conversation with Celeste Cantú, UCCE Master Gardener, as we learn about:
- Climate change and impact on gardens,
- Water-efficient gardening, and
- Maintaining your garden through proven water-wise practices
Speaker: Celeste Cantú, UCCE Master Gardener
Celeste Cantú, UCCE Master Gardener, is Vice-Chair of the San Diego Water Quality Control Board. Previously she was CEO of Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL), which informs local leaders about water policies that promote a robust economy, healthy communities, and a resilient environment for all Californians.
Before joining WELL in 2017, she served as General Manager for the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority. There Celeste worked on an Integrated Regional Watershed Management Plan called One Water One Watershed. She previously served as the Executive Director for the California State Water Resources Control Board and as the USDA rural development state director for California.
She was born and raised in Calexico, where she served as Planning Director and later as Executive Director for the Imperial Valley Housing Authority. Celeste joined the Public Policy Institute of California Water Policy Center Advisory Council in 2015 and became Chair in 2017. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and a bachelor's degree in urban planning and policy from Yale.
Do you require special accommodation?
Any person with a disability who requires a reasonable modification or accommodation in order to participate in meetings should direct requests to outreach@wmwd.com at least 48 hours before the meeting.