Photo of Carrie Jensen, Extension

Carrie Jensen

Urban Integrated Pest Management and Pesticide Safety Education Programs Coordinator
she/her/hers

Summary

Carrie Jensen the Urban IPM and Pesticide Safety Education Program Coordinator with a unique background in landscape architecture and environmental education. She is a native Nevadan and has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in education from San Jose State University. She has over 15 years of experience working for non-profits and environmental consulting firms providing project management and community environmental education programming, including water conservation, watershed management, weed education and urban runoff prevention.

Education

McQueen H.S., 2000
B.A. San Jose State University, 2004

Programs

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

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management program is a long-term management strategy that uses a combination of tactics to reduce pests to tolerable levels with potentially lower costs for the pest manager and minimal effect on the environment.

female mormon cricket

Pest Solutions

Low-risk garden pest and weed solutions for Nevada

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.

Weed Warriors Invasive Weed Training cb

Weed Warriors Invasive Weed Training

The Weed Warriors program tackles the growing problem of weeds on public and private land.

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

Blog Posts
screenshot of iNaturalist app
How to Identify Pests Using Your Phone
When dealing with a pest problem, one of the first challenges is figuring out exactly what you’re up against. Many mobile apps and online tools allow you to take or upload a photo to get possible identifications.
Jensen, C.; Johnson, J. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Blog
How to Search for Pests in Our Directory 
How to Search for Pests in Our Directory, you can use your web browser’s search function to find relevant information quickly.
Jensen, C; Johnson, J. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Blog
Brochures
Nevada Integrated Pest Management Continuing Education Unit Course
Directions on how to use navigate and the online course for the Nevada Integrated Pest Management Continuing Education Unit (CEU)
Jensen, C. 2024, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno. IP
farmer spraying trees
Nevada Online Pesticide Safety Course
Instructions for how to navigate to and take the Nevada Online Pesticide Safety Course.
Hefner, M. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno. IP
Fact Sheets
Creeping thyme groundcover can make a good lawn alternative.
Lawn Alternatives for Northern Nevada
Northern Nevada is a high desert climate, so traditional lawns require a lot of water and maintenance here. If you're looking for a more water-efficient and low-maintenance option for your yard, here are a few ideas to get you started.
Jensen, C. and Kratsch, H. 2023, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-24-07
Desecho de manera segura de los pesticidas y los envases de pesticidas / Disposing of Pesticides and Pesticide Containers Safely
Esta publicación describe la forma correcta de eliminar los pesticidas y los envases que contienen pesticidas en Nevada. Este es uno de una serie de 10 hojas que contienen datos sobre el Uso y Seguridad de Pesticidas.
Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Fisher, J. and Schaerer, M.F. 2020, University of Nevada, Reno Extension Fact Sheet FS-20-09
Protecting Pollinators/ Protegiendo a los Polinizadores
This bilingual (Spanish and English) publication describes how to protect pollinators during a pesticide application. It also describes native bees and provides additional resources for information. This is one of a series of 10 Pesticide Use and Safety/ Uso y Seguridad de Pesticidas fact sheets.
Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Fisher, J. and Schaerer, M.F. 2020, University of Nevada, Reno Extension Fact Sheet FS-20-10
Informational Publications
Nevada native plant garden.
Nevada Native Plant Nurseries and Seed Suppliers
Here's our comprehensive list of native plant nurseries and seed suppliers for Nevada.
Jensen, C. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Mule deer
Oh Dear! How do I Manage the Deer?
Mule deer are native to Nevada, but they can damage plants in our gardens and landscapes, especially in the wintertime when they are hungry. Learn more about this important wildlife species and some tips on how to limit the impacts to your yard.
Jensen, C. 2024, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
A chickadee on a tree branch in winter
Winter Bird-Friendly Garden Tips
Some tips for providing habitat for birds during the winter months. Creating a bird-friendly garden is a good way to provide wildlife habitat in urban and suburban areas. Plus, birds help keep lots of garden pests in check.
Jensen, C. 2024, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Reducción del Césped con Franjas Filtrantes
Las franjas filtrantes son áreas entre el césped y la acera que capturan la escorrentía (exceso de agua) de los aspersores de su sistema de riego. Si usted quiere conservar su césped, pero está cansado de su constante mantenimiento y está buscando una opción ecológica ¡instale franjas filtrantes!
Jensen, C. and Kratsch, H. Translated by Peterson, M. and Dilles, J. 2024, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Alternativas para Reemplazar el Césped en el Norte de Nevada
Le presentamos algunas alternativas para reemplazar el cesped que pueden funcionar bien en el norte de Nevada. Reemplace su césped con alguna de las siguientes opciones y obtenga muchos beneficios, como el ahorro de agua, tiempo y dinero.
Jensen, C.; Kratsch, H.; and Hanson Mazet, W. with translation by Peterson, M. and Diles, J. 2024, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Nevada Pesticide Applicators Certification Workbook
Resource for professionals studying the application of pesticides.
Hefner, M., 2023, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
People shopping for pesticide products in a hardware store.
Pesticide Labels Explained
Tips for considering when to use a pesticide and the basics of reading pesticide labels.
Jensen, C. and Kratsch, H. 2023, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Monarch butterfly perched on a plant stem
Pollinator Protection
Learn three easy ways to help protect and promote pollinators, like bees and butterflies, in your home landscapes and gardens.
Jensen, C. and Kratsch, H. 2023, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
A buffer strip with drought-tolerant plants between the lawn and the sidewalk.
Reducing Lawn with Buffer Strips
If you’d love to keep your lawn but are tired of some of their maintenance headaches and are looking for an eco-friendlier option that will conserve water and prevent water pollution, we have the perfect solution for you – buffer strips!
Jensen, C. and Kratsch, H. 2023, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-23-26
Trees planted in an group and watered with drip irrigation separate from the lawn.
Watering Trees in Hot, Dry Home Landscapes
Droughts in the western U.S. are becoming more frequent and severe. They are particularly hard on our trees. Learn how to properly water your landscape trees, lower your monthly water bill and keep you home and landscape cool and livable.
Kratsch, H. and Jensen, C. 2023, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, IP-22-02