Master Gardener Volunteers in Orange County Recognized for Stormwater Garden Project
(Updated: Jan. 19, 2023, 10:01 a.m.)
Visit the Extension Master Gardener Stormwater Demonstration Garden at the Orange County Courthouse in Hillsborough. Image by Meg Molloy.
Stormwater runoff is a major cause of water pollution and flash flooding in urban areas. Properly designed landscape features can be part of the solution by creating spaces for rainfall to soak into the ground rather than running off hard surfaces and into the closest stormwater drain.
Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers in Orange County have recently put these landscape features into action, helping to solve a stormwater problem and create an educational garden all in the same space. Their stormwater demonstration garden increased stormwater infiltration by 80% compared to pre-garden conditions and serves as a demonstration site where local residents can learn about stormwater management best practices and sustainable plant varieties for the region.
In recognition of their efforts to support sustainable landscape education, Master Gardener℠ volunteers in Orange County were awarded first place in the demonstration garden category of the 2021 David Gibby International Master Gardener Search for Excellence!
The David Gibby International Master Gardener Search for Excellence is the recognition program for outstanding Master Gardener volunteer work across the United States, Canada, and South Korea. Held every other year, the awards program invites Master Gardener volunteers to submit educational, group projects that result in significant learning in seven different categories. The program selects 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place recipients in each category.
Award recipients were recognized during the 2021 International Master Gardener Conference, held virtually September 2021.
Master Gardener volunteers made about their project.
ABOUT North Carolina Extension Master Gardener Volunteers
The NC State Extension Master Gardener program operates in 83 of N.C. Cooperative Extension’s 101 local centers. Master Gardener volunteers support the mission of N.C. Cooperative Extension by connecting people to horticulture through science-based education and outreach.
