Upcoming PMG Events

World Nature Conservation Day is observed annually on July 28. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of protecting our planet’s natural environment and resources – our water, air, sunlight, soil, minerals and fuels. Although these resources are around us in nature, we may not fully recognize the impact we have on them.  With a worldwide population of approximately 8 billion, we are depleting the Earth’s natural resources at a rapid pace. This day serves as a reminder to educate ourselves about our individual responsibilities to conserve and protect our natural resources and the environment. The foundation for a healthy society is a healthy environment for the well-being and stability of both current and future generations. What does it mean to conserve nature?  Conservation means using resources wisely and adopting sustainable, eco-friendly practices that balance our needs with environmental preservation. World Nature Conservation Day highlights the importance of protecting the vast variety of life on earth and preserving biodiversity and ecosystems that are critical for ecological resilience. What can individuals do? The good news is that individual actions collectively can make a significant impact. Here are some simple, practical ways we can contribute to nature conservation: 1. Conserve water. Water is the essence of life and a precious, limited resource on our planet. Only three percent of the earth’s water is fresh, and out of that only 0.5% is readily available to meet the needs of a growing global population and the rising demands of agriculture and industry. Learn more about the global water crisis. Be mindful of your water usage. There are simple things you...

(Posted June 18, 2025) Did you have a cup of coffee this morning? A banana or blueberries with your cereal? Then thank a pollinator. This week—June 16-22—is National Pollinator Week, a time to celebrate all the essential gifts that pollinators bring to us, including a lot of what we typically have for breakfast. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and about 35 percent of the world’s food crops rely on animal pollinators to reproduce. This means that one out of every three bites of food we eat depends on creatures such as bees, butterflies, moths, and beetles, as well as birds and bats. Apples, strawberries, melons, peaches, potatoes, vanilla, almonds, even chocolate—these are just a small sampling of food crops dependent on pollinators. Pollination—the transfer of pollen from the male part of a flower (anther) to the female part (stigma)—is necessary for plants to produce fruits and seeds. Some plants, such as pine trees and most other conifers, are wind pollinated. For many other plants, pollination happens when, say, a foraging bee or a nectar-seeking hummingbird accidentally picks up pollen from one flower and transfers it to another of the same species. It’s one of nature’s neatest tricks. Unfortunately, our pollinators are struggling. Habitat loss, disease, parasites, chemical pollutants, and weather extremes are all putting pressure on pollinator species, including honeybees and the approximately 4,000 native bee species found in our country. North American bumblebees have been especially hard hit, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Their numbers have dropped by nearly 50 percent since 1974. One factor in these...

May 4 through 10 is International Compost Awareness Week, aimed worldwide to raise public awareness on why we all should compost our organics and use compost in our yards and gardens to create healthier soil. This year, the Piedmont Master Gardeners are doing their part by launching free workshops on how to recycle home and yard waste into compost—to turn your garbage into gold. The outdoor classes showcase best options for composting in a range of settings, from small urban spaces to large rural properties. Geared to meet the needs of a wide audience, from families with children to adults of all ages, our workshops emphasize how every household can keep compostable waste out of landfills. Consult our Events page for future offerings. Why Is This Important? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. sends more than 292 million tons of solid waste to municipal landfills in a single year. Over 50 percent of this waste is compostable, with food scraps alone accounting for more than 21 percent. When added to a landfill, food scraps decompose anaerobically (without oxygen) and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. When composted and applied in the garden, food scraps contribute to healthy soil and plants and to cleaner water and air. What Is Composting? The composting process involves combining carbon-rich waste (fallen leaves, straw and woodchips, for example) and nitrogen-rich waste (food scraps and grass clippings, for instance) in the right proportions and with the right mix of air and moisture to promote decomposition. The result is a dark, earthy-smelling humus that is ideal for improving soil...