A hands-on program led by volunteers in Sedgwick County to teach youngsters about the vital role trees play in Kansas communities has been named one of the top Master Gardener programs in the world.
The project — “‘How Trees Drink, Breathe and Grow” — won first place in the youth program category at the International Master Gardener conference in August, beating out 36 applications from 17 states.
“Through this program, students discover why trees matter, how they function and how we can collectively work together to help keep them healthy in our Kansas communities,” said Matthew McKernan, a horticulture agent with K-State Extension’s office in Sedgwick County.
In the class, learn about which parts of the trees are used in drinking and transporting water, breathing and exchanging gases, and how to determine the tree’s age and growth patterns.
“A portion of the activity that I personally enjoy seeing is the fascination and wonder of the kids as they look at tree needles and twigs under a microscope,” McKernan said.
That allows youth to see the tiny openings that regulate gas exchange in tree needles and twigs.
In addition to McKernan, members of the K-State project team that were recognized McKernan, Master Gardener volunteer coordinator Debra Harries; Sedgwick County food crops horticulture agent Abbey Draut; and Master Gardener volunteers Susan Monette, Jean Nance and Randy Hall.
