Join us for the presentation "Gardening in a Changing Climate" with UNH Master Gardeners Betsy Coes and Michael Koutelis.

Later frosts in the fall, earlier planting times, heavier rain events and longer stretches of drought. Gardeners are on the front line as witnesses to the changes in climate that have been occurring in recent years. This presentation provides a brief look at the science of climate change and the impact it has on our daily lives while also offering ideas about how we can adapt our growing strategies and habits to both reduce our impact on climate change and keep growing the plants we enjoy.

Betsy Coes is a 2023 Master Gardener living in Newfields. Betsy’s background includes a BS in Wildlife Management from UMass and post graduate study in entomology at UNH. Gardening to encourage and support all types of wildlife from insects to mammals to birds is Betsy’s passion. This past summer, Betsy’s gardens received the Pollinator-Friendly Garden Certification from UNH/UMaine Cooperative Extensions. Experiencing changes in weather patterns and wildlife activity over the decades has made Betsy keenly aware of climate change and how gardeners of all types can adapt.

Michael (Mike) Koutelis became a Master Gardener in 2021. With several Master Gardeners, he was involved in rebuilding the rain garden at the NH Audubon Massabesic Center in Auburn, New Hampshire. Mike has been involved in the energy/environmental field for over 30 years and considers sustainability as the key for understanding how we individually and collectively protect our ecosystems. Gardening has become part of his connection to this effort, and he continues to expand his knowledge of gardening through the UNH Extension Master Gardener program.