Agenda- August 8, 2023
Ecologically Sound Practices Partnership (ESP)
2-4 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83304105666?pwd=bVVQMVkzRGZlaExjWVE4QWFXUUw5dz09
Welcome and ESP Update- Belle, 10 minutes
MWPA Overview- Mark Brown and Anne Crealock, 5-10 minutes
Greater Novato Shaded Fuel Break Launch- Mike Swezy, 5 minutes
Other Announcements- Next meeting September 12, 2023
Presentation: UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and Marin Master Gardeners (MMG) – activities and partnerships for educating Marin community on fire smart landscaping and ecologically sound practices.
Presenters: Sophia Porter, Jim Kasper and Bob Mauceli
TOPICS:
Overview of MMG (5 mins.)
MMG/UCCE Mission
Ø To extend research-based knowledge and information on home horticulture, pest
management, and sustainable landscape practices to Marin residents.
Ø MMG Theme; Earth-friendly gardening
Ø Includes much of the ESP foundational area of Ecologically Sound Practices for
Defensible Space, especially with MMG’s Fire Smart Landscaping Project
Ø Personnel makeup
Ø Volunteer pool; Projects
Activities in UCCE FSL Coordinator and MMGs with focus on this year (July 2022-June 2023) (15Mins.)
Brief review of the April 24 presentations to the FIRE Foundry (15 mins. each)
Ø Theory; about fire risk and appropriate actions to take
Ø Practical; implementation at one property
Ø A review of Climate Change and the impact to the gardener
Bios of ESP Presenters
Sophia Porter is the Fire-smart Landscape Science Coordinator for UCCE, Marin
and works with UC Marin Master Gardeners and local agencies focusing on
education, outreach, and research. She holds a bachelor’s degree from UC Davis
in Communications and Psychology and several degrees from SRJC in Natural
Resources and Environmental Studies. She has experience in Natural Resource
Management and Education.
Jim Kasper joined UC Marin Master Garden in 2011. His gardening area of interest
is California natives with particular attention to garden planning and plant
selection for fire-risk mitigation and defensible space. Since a 12-acre fire on
forested, public land 1/4-mile from his home, Jim has focused on the topics of
native plants and fire risk mitigation with various organizations, including GGNRA,
Marin County Parks, Marin Master Gardeners, fire agencies in Marin County and
the Marin Chapter of the California Native Plant Society.
Bob Mauceli: has been a Master Gardener for almost 18 years, serving for nine
years in the Upstate Western NY County of Monroe and, as a member of the
MMG Class of 2014, working on his ninth year here. He is also newly QWEL
certified, and a UC Certified Climate Steward. Bob is a co-founder of the MMG
Native Plants Guild, co-lead of the Help-Desk Senior Team, and a member of the
Garden Walks field team. With Jim Kasper, Bob is an original member of the MMG
Fire-Smart Landscape (FSL) Team.