Project of the Year Nomination Form
- Give a brief description (300 words or less) of the project including how it started. Include intended audience, goals, location, and partnerships. (35 points)
The project began in 1990. The project is dedicated to highlighting Arkansas native plants in the landscape and providing education for visitors, park staff, and project members. Education includes identification, selection, and maintenance of native plants in a garden setting.
The project began as a butterfly and hummingbird demonstration garden featuring available native plants. The availability of native plantings was limited initially due to the scarcity of plants. Throughout the life of the entire project, plants and seeds have been obtained from project member gardens, Partners for Pinnacle volunteers, Arkansas Heritage Commission personnel, approved collections from within the Park, and the few nurseries that supply them. Assistance in species identification has been provided by: Carl Hunter-noted Arkansas wildflower expert, Arkansas Native Plant Society members, and Arkansas Heritage Commission employees.
Two garden beds framing the Visitor Center were developed next but contained a limited amount of native plants due to availability.
The front gate gardens were begun in 1993 to showcase Arkansas native plants in a semi-shaded setting. The boulders were moved and tiered by Pinnacle State Park workers and project members.
The “Meadow”, established in 1995, is located in a former drainage island in the visitor center parking lot. Civilian Student Training Program members helped project members move hundreds of “riprap” stones that filled the area to build the surrounding wall and three cross-dams. Members then filled the area with soil.
The “Hillside” was added in 2012 to showcase existing native plants that required a well drained site.
Over the years the project has evolved into seven separate garden beds, totaling over 3,900 square feet. Plantings include over 110 species of Arkansas natives. Project members designed, installed, and maintain an extensive automated irrigation system that serves six of the seven garden beds.
- Provide the number of MG involved and the total annual hours worked on this project. (5 points)
There are 27 Master Gardeners on this project, including 5 Lifetime members.
As of September 22, 2017, team members contributed 865.75 work hours in the gardens. In 2016, team members contributed 689.25 work hours.
- Explain (150 words or less) the impact on the intended audience and the community (40 points)
The Visitor Center averages 191 visitors daily. Project members developed the following educational materials to answer plant questions from park visitors:
- Comprehensive plant labeling system
- Establishment and maintenance of photo album and continuous slide show of current specimen plants
- Budding/blooming report sent out to all members and staff after each workday
- Development of Pinnacle Plant Care Guide
- Development of Pinnacle Mountain Wildflowers spreadsheet listing key plant characteristics
- Development of project irrigation manual
- As a result of these materials, project members demonstrate increased confidence and enhanced ability to identify plants, and answer staff and visitor questions. Project members also provide upon request educational tours of the gardens
A good example of community impact was documented by an article in Life in Chenal, Special Education Edition, February 2016. The article identifies the Master Gardener Project as contributing to the enhancement of Park appeal and visitor experience.
- Tell us (150 words or less) how you evaluated the success of the project. (10 points)
In 2017 the project achieved a new milestone. Over 99% of all plants in the project gardens are now Arkansas native plants.
Each year the team meets in January to evaluate the previous year’s goals and to establish new goals.
Members routinely praise ongoing workday plant education sessions and request these sessions continue.
Project success is also measured by the tenure of our members. Our 27 members have a total of 212 years of service at Pinnacle; an average of 9.6 years each.
The Project chair coordinates project activities with the Park Superintendent. The Superintendent continuously praises the gardening work performed by project members as well as the education signs and books available to visitors and staff.
This year the project was recognized by Commissioner John Gill from the Arkansas Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission for our outstanding service and dedication to the Park.
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