Note: early giving is open for Dam Proud Day! Please help support the program today, but first, be inspired by Colleen’s story….
When Colleen of Milwaukie became a Master Gardener, she found more than a community of fellow plant lovers. She found a way to partner with her community — connecting with local groups, city leaders and neighbors around a shared purpose. What started with learning about native plants grew into something bigger: helping launch the Milwaukie Pollinator Pathway and advocating for Milwaukie to become a Bee City USA affiliate.
Photo by Kelby Whittington
“The best part of being a Master Gardener is the people I meet and the community I have come to know.
Starting the Milwaukie Pollinator Pathway and advocating for the city of Milwaukie to become a Bee City USA affiliate is something I am especially excited and proud of.
Through that work, I have connected with local gardening groups, neighborhood district associations, the Rotary Club of Milwaukie, City Council and city staff, as well as the city of Beaverton.
I became a Master Gardener in 2019, and 2020 became a time to delve more deeply into the resources available to us. I kept coming back to the benefits of native plants. It was also a time to get outdoors for the sake of my physical and mental health, both of which I greatly needed.
Our hikes strengthened our family bonds. They gave us a greater appreciation for the land around us and the trees and plants that grew there. Those hikes strengthened us, both physically and mentally.
Growing plants and food gives us a sense of accomplishment and ownership. It grounds us, so to speak. It is peaceful and satisfying to see something grow.
I would not have started the Pollinator Pathway and Bee City journey without first being introduced to the Master Gardener program. In that first year, we were encouraged to participate in different volunteer activities so we could learn what interested us. For me, that interest was native plants.”
P.S. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program— and giving is now open for Dam Proud Day. If this program has shaped your life, your garden or your community, consider making a gift today to help support the next 50 years. We’re also collecting stories from current and past Master Gardener volunteers. Share your story with us: Beav.es/mgstory