Projects
The CCUH began a number of diverse projects in 2007 that focus on supporting and improving the California nursery industry.
Two projects are laying the groundwork to bring California native plants and other heat- and drought-tolerant species from the UC Davis Arboretum to California nurseries and home gardeners. The effort involves a collaboration of University staff and scientists in several departments and programs and the California nursery industry. Funded by the Elvenia J. Slosson Endowment Fund for Ornamental Horticulture, the projects are:
- Commercial introduction of ‘Arboretum All-Stars’ for California gardens
- Creating a distribution program for heat- and drought-resistant plants
Additional projects aim to improve the quality of trees produced in west coast nurseries. By improving nursery tree stock, home owners, landscapers and municipalities will suffer far less tree loss due to poor structure of the tree and/or its roots. The Quality Tree Initiative is an ongoing project that began with the CCUH’s October 2007 Quality Trees for California conference.
The CCUH is dedicated to providing a link between the university and our professional industry. To address the great reduction in college students graduating with a degree in the field of horticulture, the CCUH began its Green Futures campaign. This outreach program is in its research and planning phase. When implemented, the Green Futures campaign will target high school students and educated them on the vast realm of education and career opportunities within the green industry.