Celebrating Master Gardeners in the field

Annual Recognition Awards for outstanding volunteers

Master Gardener Recognition Awards

Each year the Foundation and the King County Program join efforts to recognize and celebrate our Master Gardeners and give credit for the thousands of hours donated by volunteers. Their time and talents give life to our plant clinics, our demonstration gardens, and our ongoing service projects. Each year’s recognition event acknowledges the work of these volunteers and their exceptional commitment to the Master Gardeners in the leadership roles they assume.

Group shot of Master Gardeners receiving awards

Pictured here are some of the National President’s Gold Volunteer Service Awardees.

Above from left to right: Carol Laurier, Daryl Schlesser, April Creasey, Gary Scheider, Gabriele Hong, Anne Neilson (not shown Joe Jennings).

Below: National President’s Lifetime Volunteer Service awardee Daryl Schlesser.

2023 Gold Awardee - Daryl Schlesser with Sarah Moore and Joan Baldwin

Outstanding Master Gardener Awards

Master Gardeners nominate their peers for the King County program’s Outstanding Master Gardener Award. These nominations acknowledge the volunteers’ degree of commitment and their ability to inspire others. In addition to these nominations, there are four awards that are presented by the Foundation, which include the National President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award, the Foundation Award, the Foundation President’s Award and the Program Coordinator’s Award. It is their exceptional commitment and enthusiasm and willingness to take on leadership roles in the program that sets these awardees apart.

Left to right: Joan Baldwin, Foundation President, Pat Roome, Master Gardener and author.

Special Leadership Recognition Award
Master Gardener Pat Roome was recognized by Sarah Moore, King County Program Coordinator, and Joan Baldwin, Foundation President, for her extraordinary leadership, in creating the Master Gardener Foundation of King County and her commitment to the Program – which significantly helped to achieve the WSU Extension mission and support the Master Garden Program in King County.

Individual Awards

Individual awards are presented to Master Gardeners nominated by their peers as outstanding Master Gardeners. Individuals nominated this year for going the extra mile are listed below under four separate categories:

Behind the Scenes

Trish Bloor
Emilie Castle
Wendy Fawcett
Heather Fuller
Georgann Lennon
Bethlyn Miller

Anne Neilson
Lisa Palmer
Lin Provost
Tujuana Simon
Gloria Wu

Public Engagement

Katherine Anderson
Andrea Borning
Margaret Bustion
Susan Melgaard
Anne Neilson

Jim Olson
Linda Peterson
Jean Wang
Mary Warren

Service Through Leadership

Sherine Abbas
Katherine Anderson
Wesa Anderson
Joan Baldwin
Susan Daggett
Lauren Gallegos
Bethlyn Miller

Beth Naczkowski
Emanii Owens
Alice Park
Nancy Purcell
Natalie Remedios
Gary Scheider
Amber Wise

In AppreciationHeather Fuller

Heather Fuller has been the MG Connection newsletter editor for the last 3 years. During that time, she has created a very informative and enjoyable resource for Master Gardeners and the Public. Heather has been a patient and helpful resource for writers submitting articles, providing a “Style Sheet” and encouragement to share news and ideas. More than once I have had a last minute item for the Connection and Heather always does her best to get it into print graciously. In appreciation for her time and commitment to the Master Gardener Foundation of King County and the Extension Master Gardener Program I am pleased to present this award to Heather Fuller.

Team Awards

Team awards are presented to groups of Master Gardeners making a difference on a leadership team or at a specific location.

BDG Irrigation

Bruce Caredio
Colleen Donahue
Jim Olson
Jeff Cox

BDG Plant Sale

Wendy Fawcett
Alice Park
Linda Peterson
Sharon Peach

Give Pulse Help Team

Lin Provost
Steve Behnen
Lily Lam

Renton McClendon

Leah Alden-Jaswal
Anne Kokotis
Rachelle Hunt
Penny Gowen
Jean Daniels
Lynda Firey Oldroyd
Lauren Gallegos
Marie Kurka-Brown
Patricia Logan
Heidi McKIbbon-Cooper
Gina Mutter
Kristen Nibler
Suzi O’Byrne

Makenna O’Meara
Linda Peterson
Stephanie Powell
Jean Rogers
Liz Sanborn
Mary Strudwick
Stephanie Young
Jim Wiesen
Michelle Traverso
Margaret Westerlund

Vashon Island Demo Garden

Rick Edwards
Kathy Kreps
Wendy Blair
Riya Kuo

Growing Groceries Team

Connie Kelly
Gia Parsons
Susan Busch
Carol Johnson
Darien Payne
Gloria Wu
Sharon O’ Grady

Jim Olson
Brandon Bray
Trish Bloor
Marty Byrne
April Creasey
Heather Fuller

Diagnostic Lab

Bonnie Ashleman
Penny Kriese
Chuck Watson
Jenny Tynes
Jean Daniels
Bill Kesel
Jean Jones

Lousie Hiraoka
Kelly Forsyth
Virginia Korycki
Sue Nicol
Deb Quinones
Faith Grant

Facebook/Instagram Team

April Creasey
Katie Meyer Scott
Lesa Palmer
Mariana Lasalle
Camille Walsh
Marc Dupuis

Foundation Award

The Foundation Award is presented to a Master Gardener in special recognition for “above and beyond” service that has significantly helped the Foundation in achieving its mission to support the Master Gardener Program in King County.

Marty Byrne, Communications Lead

See Joan Baldwin’s tribute and a photo of Marty at bottom of page.

Foundation President’s Award

Presented to an individual Master Gardener or group whose work on a specific project or program in the last year has helped to “Provide education & information on horticulture to the citizens of King County.” This award also includes efforts to provide advanced training to the Master Gardener community in King County.

Cool Plants, Hot Topics Team (see Joan Baldwin’s tribute with photo bottom of page)

Bethany Williamson
Christine Correia
Dawn Rubstello
Evan Hundley
Gary Scheider
Genevieve Macdonald
Georgann Lennon

Linda Kaufman
Linda Yue
Lynda Firey-Oldroyd
Philip Fordyce
Regina Mutter
Trish Bloor

Program Coordinator Award

Gia Parsons and Janine Allen were awarded the 2024 Program Coordinator Award.
Gia and Janine exemplify the Extension slogan, “Extension is for Everyone”. They have been the leaders the program needs to draw together the many Master Gardeners who recognized the need for a more inclusive, welcoming, diverse program, and for the outreach and planning to make that kind of inclusivity possible.
They have taken the program’s brand new DEI initiative and drawn people to it, creating a charter, working on outreach, tribal relationships and education. They are examining the need for belonging that will help every member of the team thrive and will create relationships in communities throughout King County. This duo has sparked change in the program, and we will see that change grow and increase in the years to come!

National President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award

This award is presented to Master Gardeners who go above and beyond in the number of hours worked during a calendar year (greater than 400 hours in a year).

Anne Neilson
April Creasey
Carol Laurier
Daryl Schlesser
Gabriele Hong
Gary Scheider
Joe Jennings

Gray steel watering can in garden

Foundation Awards

In 2015 the Foundation created two awards that recognize individuals or groups whose work directly benefits the Foundation.

The President’s Award is given for work on specific projects that have significant impact on the education programs that are part of our fundraising efforts.

The Board of Directors presents the Foundation Award for work on projects whose impact significantly helps the Foundation meet its financial goals in the current year.

We’ve had decades of success in the field across King County and invite you to review the Award Winners from previous years.

Foundation President’s Award

Photo of Cleo Raulerson smiling by hydrangeas

From Joan Baldwin, Foundation President:
“This year I want to recognize the Cool Plants/Hot topic Planning Committee for picking up the banner of CP/HT and ensuring that this program continues. We needed new leadership to continue this event, so I reached out to the 2024 Intern Class for help.  With the help of the Interns and their Mentors along with a few more interested parties CPHT is newly energized.”

Foundation Award

Photo of 4 recipient winners

From Joan Baldwin, Foundation President.
This year I am pleased to say that the MGFKC board Directors wish to recognize Marty Byrne for this award. Marty sustains King County’ media needs with little fanfare and with great success. She connects the clinic & demonstration garden groups, speaker and other activities and unites their messages into a professional and confident voice of the Extension MasterGardener Program. Marty focuses on every aspect of promoting the program. She is responsible for our local logos, social media coverage, promoting our events, creating fliers, signs for the various demonstration gardens and for keeping all 600+ volunteers on brand in all our talks and outreach activities. Marty developed a new “Media Protocol” to facilitate interactions. Thank you, Marty for your many years leading the Communications Team!

Bonsai tree in terracotta pot

We Count on Your Generous Support

Every non-profit organization relies on the generosity of the public to help fund its mission and support its programs. If you believe in what we do and want to help drive environmental education in your community, please consider donating to the Master Gardener Foundation of King County. With your generous support, we’re able to fund grass roots advocacy for ecological stewardship of our shared natural resources. Explore ways you can donate today for a greener tomorrow!