Revitalization underway for Incline Village garden.
Nestled among the pine trees on the University of Nevada, Reno’s Sierra Nevada College campus in Incline Village, a once-thriving demonstration garden is undergoing a transformation. Originally established in 1994 through a partnership between community volunteers, Washoe County Master Gardeners, and Sierra Nevada College, the garden has long been a place for education, relaxation, and environmental stewardship. Now, under the guidance of the UNR Extension and its Master Gardener program, this cherished space is being revitalized to reconnect with the community and inspire future generations.
The North Lake Tahoe Demonstration Garden initially was conceived as an educational resource, demonstrating lake-friendly landscaping, water conservation, and native plants for the Tahoe-Truckee Meadows community. Over the years, its mission has expanded to include practices for wildfire preparedness and stormwater management, all while remaining a community asset and learning hub. However, as with many projects, the pandemic led to a decline in activity, leaving the garden in need of attention. But with UNR’s acquisition of Sierra Nevada College in 2022, the garden now is poised for a comeback.
“This garden has been dormant for quite a few years,” explains Katelyn Brinkerhoff, statewide master gardener coordinator with the UNR Extension. “But the soil is still fertile, and the possibilities are endless. Our goal is to not only restore the space physically, but to make it a vibrant hub for education, community engagement, and sustainability.”
For Brinkerhoff, the garden’s renewal is about more than aesthetics or agriculture; it’s about accessibility.
“We’re designing a space that welcomes everyone — from seasoned gardeners to children learning where their food comes from,” she says. “We hope this becomes a place that people feel ownership of and pride in.”
Sowing New Seeds
The revitalization efforts center on restoring key features while introducing new elements to reflect current priorities. The plans include reinstating a defensible space demonstration area, complete with a scaled shed to mimic a home, as a way to educate visitors on best practices for creating wildfire-resistant landscapes — critical due to Tahoe’s forested environment.
Native and adapted plant demonstrations also are at the forefront, alongside potential additions such as a pollinator garden and areas that showcase Indigenous plants with cultural significance. Collaborations with the Living With Fire program (which is managed by the Extension) and local tribal communities are key to these efforts, ensuring the garden bridges science and tradition.
“We’re also exploring ways to involve students and faculty more deeply,” Brinkerhoff notes. “From semester-long gardening projects to partnerships with student groups, we want this space to be a living, breathing part of campus life.”
Get Involved
Community involvement is crucial to the garden’s revival. The Washoe County Master Gardener program is actively seeking volunteers to help restore and maintain the space. Opportunities range from volunteering to weed and plant in the garden to becoming a certified master gardener through a two-part training program (see our story about this program in this issue).
“Our volunteers are the heart of this project,” Brinkerhoff says. “Without them, it’s difficult to make progress. But with their help, we can create something truly special.”
Tahoe’s unique climate presents challenges for gardeners, from short growing seasons to limited sunlight in wooded areas. The demonstration garden seeks to address these challenges through education, through the plots themselves as well as through a series of free public talks to take place on campus this spring. The selected topics will range from fire-adapted landscaping to container gardening at high elevation.
“We’re also planning community surveys to better understand what people are looking for in terms of educational opportunities and garden activities,” explains Rachel McClure, Washoe County master gardener coordinator and series organizer.
For McClure, gardening is fundamental to human well-being.
“It connects us to the world we live in and nourishes not only our bodies but our souls,” she reflects. “Creating spaces for that connection is essential, especially in a world that often feels so disconnected.”
As the soil is turned and plans take root, the demonstration garden already is blossoming into a symbol of resilience and renewal. For those interested in getting involved in the garden’s revival or attending the upcoming educational events, reach out to McClure at Rmcclure@unr.edu or visit the UNR Extension website at Extension.unr.edu/county-gardens.aspx.
UNR Extension will host a series of free public talks at the Prim Library on UNR’s Lake Tahoe campus every Wednesday in April, from 6 – 8 p.m., given by several of its individual programs’ employees.
April 2 Master Gardeners: Gardening in a Fire Adapted Community
April 9 Living with Fire: Understanding Fire Behavior and Reducing Wildfire Risk
April 16 Radon: Let’s Talk. Is Your Home Making You Sick?
April 23 Living with Fire: Combining Vegetation Management and Home Hardening for Wildfire Resilience
April 30 Master Gardeners: Container Gardening at Elevation
