Heidi Kratsch

Photo of Heidi Kratsch, Extension

Heidi Kratsch

Professor, State Specialist

Summary

I have over 20 years of experience working on issues related to woody plant stress. I am particularly interested in the impact of water stress on trees, and have spent most of my career instructing students, green industry professionals, master gardeners and the public on landscape water conservation strategies. I also have an interest in marketing social change, and I have used a variety of strategies to help citizens move towards positive behavior related to urban landscape sustainability.

Education

B.S. University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1979 (Agriculture)
M.S. University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 2000 (Biology)
Ph.D. Iowa State University, 2004 (Horticulture / Plant Physiology)

Programs

people learning to identify a tree

Green Industry Training

A workforce development program to train green industry professionals, who receive continuing education units for pesticide applicator, ISA-certified arborist and Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper

hands holding freshly picked carrots

Grow Your Own, Nevada!

Learn the secrets of high desert gardening

Garden plant and pest sprayers image by Olga Seifutdinova from Getty Images

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a strategy that reduces pests to tolerable levels with lower costs for the pest manager or home gardener and minimal effect on the environment. The IPM program at University of Nevada, Reno Extension focuses on identification and public education with resources for the community including classes, Spanish language resources and a pest directory.

Master gardeners planting seedlings

Master Gardener Native Plants Demonstration Garden

Members of the Master Gardeners of Washoe County's Native Plants Committee maintain a small demonstration garden on the west side of Extension, Washoe County Office.

pesticide traing cb

Pesticide Safety Education Program

Extension’s Pesticide Safety Education Program provides web-based training for pesticide applicators seeking to apply restricted and general use pesticides safely, properly and according to the law. Pesticide licensure and certification is administered by the Nevada Department of Agriculture.

qwel cb

Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL)

Training will provide participants with local water, soil and plant information, basic and advanced irrigation principles and hands-on water audit skills they can use in the field

Weed Warriors Invasive Weed Training cb

Weed Warriors Invasive Weed Training

The Nevada Noxious Weed Education Program, Weed Warriors program tackles the growing problem of spreading noxious and nuisance weeds on public and private land.

Honors and Awards

  • Industry Honors/Awards 2015 – Outstanding Service Award,
  • Nevada Landscape Association 2012 – Education/Research Award,
  • Nevada Landscape Association 2006 – Utah Nursery and Landscape Association Board of Directors Leadership Award

Accomplishments

Kratsch, H.A. (Principal). 2021-2024. Nevada FY21 Crop Protection and Pest Management Extension Implementation Program, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Non-Formula, Accession No. 1027173). $404,321. 

McAfee, S. (Principal), Ormerod, K.J. (Co-Principal), Rebori, M. (Co-Principal), and H.A. Kratsch (Co-Principal). 2021-2024. Improving Drought Communication in Nevada to Enhance Regional and Local Adaptive Capacity, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Smith-Lever Standard Grant). $46,303. (My responsibility: 25%)

Kratsch, H.A. (Principal). 2020-2021. TMWA Landscape Retrofit Fund, Truckee Meadows Water Authority. $22,098. 

Hefner, M. (Principal) and H.A. Kratsch (Co-Principal). 2020-2020. Pesticide Safety Education Funds Management Program (PSEFMP), eXtension Foundation. $17,300. (My responsibility: 100%)     

Barrios Masias, F. (Principal), H.A. Kratsch (Co-Principal), and B. Poudel (Co-Principal). Nevada Grown Melons: Enhancing Production and Adoption Through Novel Management Techniques, Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. $349,825. (My responsibility: 33%)

Kratsch, H.A. (Principal) and M. Hefner (Co-Principal). 2020-2020. Adopt-A-PSEP Non-cash Award Program, National Pest Management Association. $1,000. (My responsibility: 100%)

Moe, J. (Principal) and H.A. Kratsch (Co-Principal). 2019-2022. Establishing Best Production Techniques and Varieties for Enhancing the Production of Nevada Grown Melons, Nevada Department of Agriculture/USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant. $70,052. (My responsibility: 50%) 

Kratsch, H.A. (Principal). 2019-2020. TMWA Landscape Retrofit Fund, Truckee Meadows Water Authority. $23,902.

Hefner, M. (Principal) and H.A. Kratsch (Co-Principal). 2019-2020. Nevada PSEP eXtension Administered Funds. eXtension/U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (AWD-01-00001977). $18,850. (My responsibility: 100%) 

Kratsch, H.A. (Principal). 2018-2020. Bilingual Training Materials for Non-certified Pesticide Applicators, Syngenta Crop Protection. $20,000.

Kratsch, H.A. (Principal). 2018-2019. Pesticide Safety Education Program Nevada (PSEP Nevada), eXtension Foundation/U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. $22,625. 

Kratsch, H.A. (Principal). 2018-2019. TMWA Landscape Retrofit Fund, Truckee Meadows Water Authority (GR11753). $22,820. 

Kratsch, H.A. (Principal), Walia, K. (Co-Principal), and K. Burls (Co-Principal). 2017-2021. Nevada IPM Implementation, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (GR05142). $910,291. (My responsibility: 52%)

Kratsch, H. 2015-2016. Bioplastic Container Cropping Systems-Supplemental Funds, Subaward through Iowa State University on USDA-NIFA Specialty Crops Research Initiative (1320-151-74LJ-Supplemental). $17,948.

Kratsch. H. 2014-2015. Enhancing Professionalism and Continuing Education Opportunities for Nevada’s Green Industry, Nevada Division of Forestry. $4,954.

Davison, J. and H. Kratsch. 2014-2015. Nevada Extension Integrated Pest Management Coordination and Support Program, USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture (1320-151-71GF). $128,300 (My responsibility: 43%).

Kratsch, H. 2013-2014. Demonstration and Education about Penstemons for Great Basin Landscapes, American Penstemon Society. $931.

Davison, J. and H. Kratsch. 2013-2014. Nevada Extension Integrated Pest Management Coordination and Support Program, USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture. $115,600 (My responsibility: 45%).

Kratsch, H. 2012-2013. Demonstration, Propagation and Outreach Education Related to Great Basin Native Plant Selection and Increase Program (GBNPSIP) Plant Materials, U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station (Supplemental). $4,950.

Davison, J., S. Donaldson, and H. Kratsch. 2012-2013. Nevada Extension Integrated Pest Management Coordination and Support Program, USDA-NIFA. $115,747 (My responsibility 33%).

Kratsch, H. 2011-2016. Bioplastic Container Cropping Systems: Green Technology for the Green Industry, Subaward through Iowa State University on USDA NIFA –Specialty Crops Research Initiative. $139,672.

Kratsch, H. and K. Seymour. 2011-2012. Community Gardens Build Healthy Kids, Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. Amount: $7,927 (My responsibility: 50%).

Davison, J. S. Donaldson, and H. Kratsch. 2011-2012. Nevada Extension Integrated Pest Management Coordination and Support Program, USDA-NIFA. $115,747 (My responsibility: 33%). 

Seymour, K., K. Spears, J. Reilly and H. Kratsch. 2011-2012. Grow Yourself Healthy, USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed). $43,112 My responsibility: 10%).

Kratsch, H. 2010-2012. Demonstration, Propagation and Outreach Education Related to GBNPSIP Plant Materials, U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station. $16,794.

Service

  • 2023 - Present: Editor-in-Chief, Native Plants Journal
  • 2021 - Present: Associate Editor, Journal of Extension
  • 2015: President, Nevada Landscape Association
  • 2015 – 2023: Associate Editor, Native Plants Journal
  • 2013: National eXtension Water Conservation for Lawn and Landscape Community of Practice
  • 2010 – 2021: National eXtension Master Gardener Coordinators’ Committee
  • 2006 – Present: Formal reviewer (by appointment), Journal of Extension

News & Journal Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...

Blog Posts
Kuno scales on a tree branch
What Are Those Weird Bumps on My Fruit Tree? Understanding Kuno Scale
Kuno scale is a common soft scale insect that often appears as small bumps on ornamental plum trees. This blog explains how to identify Kuno scale, understand its life cycle, recognize damage symptoms, and choose effective, timely management options.
 Andrews, M. 2026, UNR Extension
Fact Sheets
Guía para los Propietarios de Viviendas en el Norte de Nevada Identificación y Manejo de la Hormiga Carpintera
Las hormigas carpinteras son unas de las hormigas más grandes que existen en los Estados Unidos. Una colonia de hormigas carpinteras se compone por una reina y varios miles de hormigas obreras.
 Andrews, M.; Hanson-Mazet, W.; Kratsch, H with translation by Peterson, M. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-24-10
Guía para los Propietarios de Viviendas en el Norte de Nevada Identificación y Manejo de la Hormiga Cosechadora
Hay 22 especies diferentes de hormigas cosechadoras en los Estados Unidos. El color de las hormigas cosechadoras varía desde el color negro hasta el café y el rojo, miden un tamaño promedio de 1/5 a 1/2 pulgada de largo. Viendo de cerca el cuerpo de una hormiga cosechadora se pueden observar dos nódulos entre el abdome
 Andrews, M.; Hanson-Mazet, W.; Kratsch, H. with translation by Peterson, M. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Guía para los Propietarios de Viviendas en el Norte de Nevada Identificación y Manejo de la Polilla Esfinge de Rayas Blancas
Las polillas Esfinge de Rayas Blancas se alimentan del néctar de las plantas y no causan ningún daño. Además, es importante señalar que las polillas adultas son buenas polinizadoras de muchas de nuestras plantas.
 Andrews, M.; Hanson-Mazet, W.; Kratsch, H. with translation by Peterson, M. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
"A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing: House Ants
House ants are some of the most common ants found in our communities, learn about identification of the two different species as well as control tactics.
 Andrews, M., Hanson Mazet, W., and Kratsch, H. 2024, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-24-14
A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing: Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are some of the largest ants found in the United States. They are capable of damaging compromised wood in buildings and are there for important to identify and monitor quickly.
 Andrews, M., Hanson Mazet, W., and Kratsch, H. 2023, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-23-30
A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing: Harvester Ants
Harvester ants have large ant hill that are capable of reaching 12 feet in diameter and 3 feet deep. Harvester ants only become aggressive when disturbed and are capable of stinking. They do no invade homes, but are pests of lawns and gardens.
 Andrews, M., Hanson Mazet, W., and Kratsch, H. 2023, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-23-32
A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing: Tobacco and Tomato Hornworms
Tobacco and tomato hornworms are one of the hungriest garden pest out there! Have you noticed your tomato plant rapidly losing leaves but don't see any culprits, most likely a tobacco or tomato hornworm are to blame.
 Andrews, M., Hanson Mazet, W., and Kratsch, H. 2023, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-23-33
A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing: White-lined Sphinx Moth
Have you noticed a moth that hovers around you plants, darting from one to another that looks similar to a hummingbird? Or maybe you've noticed some hungry caterpillars eating your roses, lilacs, or fuchsia. Most likely those hungry caterpillars are destine to become white-lined sphinx moths.
 Andrews, M., Hanson Mazet, W., and Kratsch, H. 2023, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-23-21