"Wildlife Damage Management for Nebraska Master Gardeners," the first state-specific manual on wildlife damage management designed for master gardeners, is now available.
"We adapted this book from one created for the northeast, so if we include that work, we have a combined input of more than 800 hours," said Stephen Vantassel, wildlife damage management coordinator. "Our biggest challenge was determining how we should adapt the training for the master gardener audience to enhance learning."
The manual is a resource geared toward the state's master gardeners to ensure that their interactions with wildlife are safe and secure. Vantassel co-authored the manual with Scott Hygnstrom, professor and extension wildlife damage specialist for UNL's School of Natural Resources; Paul Curtis, extension wildlife specialist in the Department of Natural Resources at Cornell University; and Raj Smith, researcher at Cornell University.
"Master gardeners are an important information resource for the gardening and landscaping public in Nebraska," Vantassel said. "This manual helps master gardeners improve their expertise in managing damage so that clients around the state have the best information to resolve human-wildlife conflicts in an effective, safe and legal manner."
Master gardeners are certified through the Nebraska Master Gardener Program, which is offered through UNL Extension and based in several counties throughout the state. The program provides volunteers with research-based horticulture education, which prepares them to share their knowledge with citizens across the state. The Nebraska Master Gardener Program has been part of Extension since 1976 and training is provided by Extension faculty and staff.
"We will be sending a reference copy of the manual to every Extension office and associated Extension horticultural personnel in Nebraska," Vantassel said.
The manual will also available for purchase from the Nebraska Maps & More Store at http://nebraskamaps.unl.edu. The cost is $25. To place an order via phone, call 402-472-3471.
— Mekita Rivas, Natural Resources
More details at: http://go.unl.edu/0vj6