Across California, UC Master Gardener volunteers are making local landscapes greener and healthier. These volunteers don't just plant flowers – they're building a better future for all of us! Let's meet some of these gardening champions and learn how they're changing their communities with sustainable landscaping.
We’re honored to recognize a group of “Gardeners with Heart”—volunteers who improve local landscapes through pollinator education, identification and removal of invasive species, and promotion of native plants. Join us as we recognize Laura, Faith, Tom, Nancy O., Patricia, Karen, Nancy J., Wes and Doug—UC Master Gardeners who show us that gardening can be both beautiful and sustainable.
Laura Mogg, Inyo-Mono Counties
In Bishop, Calif., Laura Mogg created something special called the "Sharing Garden,” where people who might not have access to fresh produce, pick fruits and vegetables from the garden for free! Laura also built a strong partnership with the California Alliance for Community Composting (CACC) and earned a grant to develop an innovative community composting station for the Bishop Community Garden. The system uses a solar powered forced-air aeration to convert food scraps and yard waste into rich soil without the hard work of turning the pile by hand. She even helps the Bishop Paiute Tribe reduce food waste incorporating composting into their Food Sovereignty Program. When local officials or news reporters visit, Laura is always ready to give them a tour and be a cheerleader for sustainable landscaping.
Faith Brown, Marin County
In Marin County, Faith Brown leads a team of 50 volunteers who are on a mission to bring native plants back to local landscapes. The project addresses habitat loss throughout the county by reintroducing native species to their original locations, providing essential food, water, and shelter for wildlife while enhancing community spaces. Faith has established a strong partnership between the UC Master Gardener Program and Marin’s County Parks personnel, demonstrating sustainable landscape practices by using plants naturally adapted to local conditions.
UC Master Gardeners collect seeds in late spring and summer, then clean, weed, thin, and transplant seedlings at the county nursery. During winter, volunteers collaborate with school and scout groups to plant seedlings at restoration sites, with Faith's team providing training and quality control. They carefully return plants to the same watershed where seeds were collected. Faith's leadership, ecological knowledge, and community outreach skills have earned praise from colleagues and contributed to enhanced habitats and community stewardship of public lands.
Tom Hamann, Marin County
Tom Hamman co-leads the UC Master Gardeners of Marin County’s annual Pollinator Plant Grow and Sale, where he has developed extensive expertise in native plant propagation over the past four years. He utilizes a historic San Rafael greenhouse to grow pollinator plants while providing expert guidance to community gardeners. Beyond the plant sale, Tom heads the Native Plant Guild, training local gardeners in native plant cultivation. He opens his Point Reyes home garden, predominantly featuring native species, for educational visits and conducts propagation workshops for both beginning and advanced gardeners. Tom's leadership and team-building abilities effectively promote sustainable landscaping throughout the community.
Nancy Obletz, Marin County
Nancy Obletz co-leads Marin County’s Pollinator Plant Grow and Sale and has dramatically improved the organization's propagation efforts at the 1920s historic greenhouse in San Rafael over the past three years. Through meticulous record-keeping, Nancy has enhanced data management, tracking stratification, seeding, germination, and transplanting. She also improved the shopping experience by providing detailed plant information. Nancy is an active member of the Native Plant Guild and teaches native plant propagation to UC Master Gardeners and the public. Nacy also supports the UC Master Gardener Demonstration Garden at the Marin County Fair with plants and educational materials.
“Nancy is a born manager who anticipates challenges and motivates her team to meet them. She has a remarkable ability to ability to communicate sustainable gardening practices, even during a rainstorm!”
Patricia Wolfe, Nevada County
Patricia Wolfe has been a UC Master Gardener in Nevada County since 2009 and has served as a project leader for the county’s plant sale, contributing significantly to its success. She expanded plant propagation efforts by turning her home into growing spaces, including bathrooms and windowsills, for plants destined for home and community gardens. Patricia redesigned raised beds and a propagation bench in their demonstration garden and led efforts to add electricity to the hoop house to improve seedling production. She regularly secures donations of soil and supplies from local businesses to support these projects. For seven years, Patricia has led the "Totally Tomatoes" workshop, educating the community on how to grow their food. Known for her strong work ethic and commitment, Patricia contributes selflessly to the gardening community without seeking recognition.
Karen Lopez, Placer County
Karen Lopez serves as a volunteer leader for the UC Master Gardener Program of Placer County’s demonstration garden at the Loomis Library and Community Learning Center. She manages a dedicated team of volunteers, subcommittees, and partners to promote the garden’s mission of sustainability, pollinator health, and water conservation. Under her leadership, the garden has become a vital community space, attracting over 3,776 visitors in its first year. Karen is heavily involved in fundraising and fostering partnerships with local organizations like the Town of Loomis and local 4-H Clubs. Her efforts have created engaging programs, including workshops on growing vegetables and raising fruit trees. Karen leads with humility, fostering a collaborative environment where volunteers thrive. She is deeply committed to the success of the garden and providing quality educational programs for the community.
“Karen’s leadership has solidified the Loomis Library Demonstration Garden as a cornerstone of the UC Master Gardeners of Placer County's outreach and legacy.”
Nancy Janssen, San Diego County
Nancy Jansen has been instrumental in transforming an underserved community in southeast San Diego into a vibrant native plant garden. The project repurposed a former landfill, starting with the planting of eight oak trees. Over four years, the area has transformed into a flourishing park with dozens of native plants, providing a much-needed green space for the community. Nancy's advocacy extended beyond the garden, as she led initiatives to plant drought-tolerant street trees along nearby roads. The city of San Diego recognized her vision and funded the installation of 300 trees, ensuring a diverse mix of species for long-term success. Nancy also collaborated with local agencies like the Regional Urban Forest Council to further support urban greening. Today, the park is a popular destination, offering walking trails and a safe, accessible environment for residents of all ages, thanks to Nancy's leadership, passion, and dedication to creating a sustainable and inclusive space for the community.
Wes Janssen, San Diego County
Wes Jansen has played a key role in transforming an underserved community in southeast San Diego into a thriving native plant garden. As a UC Master Gardener from the class of 2020, Wes helped lead the effort to repurpose a landfill into a beautiful community park, starting with the planting of eight oak trees. Over the course of four years, his work expanded to include dozens of native plants, creating a lush green space for the local community. Wes's influence extended beyond the garden as he advocated for the planting of drought-tolerant street trees along adjacent roads. His efforts resulted in the city of San Diego funding the installation of 300 trees, ensuring a diverse range of species to improve the area's tree canopy. Wes also collaborated with local agencies like the San Diego Regional Urban Forest Council to further support sustainable urban greening. Today, the park serves as an accessible space for residents of all ages to enjoy nature, thanks to Wes's leadership and dedication to improving the community's environment.
Doug Mandel, Shasta County
Since becoming a UC Master Gardener, Doug Mandel has made significant contributions to sustainable landscaping and native plant education in Shasta County. Doug leads training sessions for at least 150 people per year on sustainable landscaping and California native plants. For the past five years, he has served as the project lead for the Matson/Mowder/Howe Native Plant Demonstration Garden in partnership with the City of Redding. Doug works with various organizations, including the California Native Plant Society and the McConnell Arboretum, to provide training and resources on sustainable landscaping practices to the community. Doug's efforts have been particularly impactful following the Carr Fire, where he helped propagate and distribute thousands of fire-resistant, drought-tolerant plants to the community. His dedication and passion for native plants and sustainable gardening have made him a vital asset to the UC Master Gardener Program and Shasta County communities.
About National Volunteer Month and Gardeners with Heart
During National Volunteer Month (April 1 - 30), the UC Master Gardener Program celebrates its dedicated volunteers and their significant contributions to communities across California. Gardeners with Heart volunteers are nominated for their exceptional work in community outreach and communication efforts, highlighting their commitment to promoting gardening education and fostering community resilience. Join us in honoring their dedication and passion for making a positive difference in the lives of others. If you are interested in learning more about gardening in your community or getting involved, you can find your local program here.