Photo of Lori Leas, Extension

Lori Leas

Master Gardener Program Coordinator - Clark County

Summary

The Master Gardeners of Southern Nevada are nearing their 30th year of supplying citizens of Southern Nevada with good research based horticultural information to help them be successful  desert gardeners.
Each of the over 300 volunteers had to complete 80 hours of classroom time as well as an internship before being certified.  Master Gardeners commit to at least 50 hours of volunteer service as well as 10 hours of continuing education each year to maintain their status.  The Master Gardeners volunteer hours equate to close to $1,000,000 annually  in un-paid service to the citizens of Clark and Nye counties.

Master Gardeners use a variety of instruction models and continue to expand their outreach efforts by teaching or leading projects at various community gardens, schools, libraries and Sr. centers and garden clubs.  Master Gardeners will tailor their instruction to audiences specific needs or interests. 

Our out reach efforts are continuing to expand by adding new programs such as:

On-line Master Gardener Program under development

the  new Extension Gardeners Certificate program which gives participants  in-depth training in local horticulture practices.  Participants do not have to volunteer to be in this program but if they decide to become a Master Gardener at a later date, some of the classes taken will be used toward certification at the annual Master Gardener training.

Extension Gardener in Spanish program is currently being developed and is set to be introduced in Spring 2020 Bilingual  Master Gardeners will be teaching this certificate program in various areas of the County.

Master Gardener Digital Outreach project is taking research based horticulture information to a much wider audience by using social media platforms, online education and work-shops and Video horticulture instruction to name a few.  Master Gardeners in this project receive additional instruction in not only the basics of digital platforms but how and why information has to be made "accessible" for all users.  The additional training also includes ways to engage, manage and educate a Social Platform, the importance of "Free Speech", how to deal with difficult users or  "Trolls" and how to put the "Social" in social media. 

Education

Mohave HS, Bullhead City, AZ
enrolled BS Landscape Arch../Urban Planning/Integrated food systems UNLV and AS Ag Science CCAZ

Programs

bee pollinating flower

4-H Teen Pollinator Ambassador Program

Establish a statewide, Nevada 4-H Pollinator Ambassador Program, creating awareness, education, outreach, and peer-to-peer educational opportunities for at least 10 Nevada youth and adult Extension professionals.

las vegas nursing home garden

Healing gardens in Las Vegas

Extension healing gardens essentially become outdoor sanctuaries for people who are hospitalized as well as their families and the staff that works with them.

gathering herbs

Master Gardeners of Clark County

Serving Clark, Lincoln and Southern Nye counties gardening needs.

Master Gardeners at tabling event

Master Gardeners of Nevada

Program trains local gardeners to provide research-based horticulture information to Nevadans

Master Gardener taking grape inspection notes on a clipboard

Research Center & Demonstration Orchard

Researching new varieties of fruit producing trees, vines and other plant materials in sustainable ways for the Mojave Desert climate.

Honors and Awards

Winner of Programs of distinction with National Extension Agents Association for her work with Overnight Horse Camps in Southern Nevada. 

Accomplishments

Certified Horticulturist with the American Association of Horticulture Science.

Service

Former 4-H club leader for Clark County

 Executive Committee member for the Nevada Highschool Rodeo Association and Chair person of Scholarship Fund

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

Blog Posts
Field of Dandelions.
The Good Weed Series: Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Blog Posts 22-01
The Master Gardener Volunteers of Southern Nevada provides horticultural information on gardens, landscapes, plants and other related topics. This blog post is one of many resources of information available to the public to help accomplish this mission.
Deever, D. 2022, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
purslane
"The Good Weed Series: Purslane (Portulaca oleraceav), Desert Gardening in Southern Nevada, Blog Posts 21-01
The Master Gardener Volunteers of Southern Nevada provides horticultural information on gardens, landscapes, plants and other related topics. This blog post is one of many resources of information available to the public to help accomplish this mission.
Deever, D. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Fact Sheets
yarrow
Groundcover Plants for Southern Nevada: Viable Alternatives to Turfgrass
Groundcover plants are essential for keeping southern Nevada cool. While many desert residents are removing turfgrass to reduce water use, they should consider replacing it with the attractive, drought tolerant alternatives discussed in this publication.
McGue, L., Robinson, M.L., O'Callaghan, A.O. and Leas, L. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-93
Special Publications
spool of hemp twine
Industrial Hemp White Paper Growing Hemp in the American Southwest
Publication provides horticultural, historical, and legal information on hemp; it is intended to educate the public and those interested in growing legal hemp in the American southwest. Proper growing practices, laws, fees, and hemp uses are discussed to provide readers with a solid introduction to the hemp industry.
McGue, L., Lane, K., Robinson, M.L., McCoy, J., Morawska, M., Anderson, J., Lombard, K., Leas, L., Masson, R. and O'Callaghan, A.O. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-98