Gardening with Nature in Mind: Highlights from the UVM Extension Master Gardener Annual Conference
On December 7th, 2024, I attended the UVM Extension Master Gardener Annual Conference, themed Gardening with Nature in Mind. The event included inspiring speakers, practical insights, and resources designed to help gardeners like us work more harmoniously with nature. Here’s a recap of the day’s highlights and key takeaways.
Rooted in Wellness: Connecting with Nature Through Gardening
Speaker: Rachel Boyers
Rachel Boyers, Garden Educator for the Culinary Medicine Program of Nutrition Services at UVM Medical Center, opened the conference with her session, Rooted in Wellness. A trained landscape architect with a certification in horticultural therapy, Rachel brings her passion for gardening to help communities experience its therapeutic benefits.
Her message was simple but profound: connecting with nature through gardening, mindfulness, and nourishing foods can boost wellness and build resilience. Rachel encouraged us to appreciate the healing power of nature as we nurture both our bodies and minds.
Resources:
• Presentation slides (PDF) – Includes a reading list and references
• Nature journaling prompts (PDF)
• Nature observation prompts (PDF)
• Microgreens at home or office activity (PDF)
• UVM Medical Center Culinary Health Program
Keynote Address: A World of Discovery
Speaker: Nancy Lawson
Nancy Lawson, author of The Humane Gardener and Wildscape, delivered a compelling keynote on how plants and animals perceive the world around them. Her presentation, A World of Discovery, challenged us to move beyond landscaping for human aesthetics and consider the sensory experiences of wildlife.
Nancy showed how conventional gardening practices often disrupt the delicate balance of nature and encouraged us to create sensory refuges for the creatures sharing our spaces. Using science, observation, and compassion, we learned how to make our gardens more inclusive for all beings.
Resources:
Nurturing Nature in Our Lawns
Speaker: Sarah Kingsley-Richards
Love them or hate them, lawns are a fixture in the American landscape. Sarah Kingsley-Richards, UVM Extension’s Pesticide Safety Education Program coordinator, shared strategies for making lawns more resilient and environmentally friendly.
Her presentation included practical tips for reducing fertilizer and pesticide use, supporting pollinators, and exploring lawn alternatives. Whether you’re managing your own lawn or advising others, her insights are invaluable for integrating nature-friendly practices.
Resources:
• Presentation slides (PDF) – Includes references
• UVM Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program
Landscaping with Nature in Mind
Speaker: Dr. Fortino Acosta
Dr. Fortino Acosta, a landscape architect and lecturer at UVM, closed the conference with a look at naturalistic design and nature-based solutions. His work focuses on adopting resilient and regenerative strategies for urban and regional landscapes, and he shared practical advice for Vermont gardeners.
Dr. Acosta also gave us a sneak peek at his current projects on UVM’s campus, including the Votey Building’s naturalistic garden. His emphasis on working with nature rather than against it resonated with the day’s theme.
Resources:
• Naturalistic Garden Plans for the Votey Building (PDF)
Watch the Presentations
Missed the conference? All sessions are available on YouTube:
• Rooted in Wellness with Rachel Boyers
• Keynote: A World of Discovery by Nancy Lawson
• Nurturing Nature in Our Lawns by Sarah Kingsley-Richards
• Landscaping with Nature in Mind by Dr. Fortino Acosta
More Resources:
All conference resources can be found on the UVM Extension Master Gardener Conference website.
Reflection
Winter is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and gather inspiration for the next gardening season. The insights from this conference have given me new ideas to explore in my garden—and I hope they inspire you too.
Let me know what stood out to you or how you plan to incorporate these nature-friendly practices into your own gardening adventures!
