What is defensible space versus ‘survivable space’ when you live in a fire-prone community? How can a homeowner find the right balance keeping vegetation while reducing threat of wildfire? Drive through Gila County’s Rim Country and you can’t miss signs announcing when you’ve entered a Firewise neighborhood. ‘Firewise’ is both an attitude and an action plan, a way for people who live in fire-prone ecosystems to coexist with the threat.

Firewise merges education with specific goals that reduce wildfire intensity in communities and neighborhoods -- preventing homes from burning down. Learn about Firewise this Thursday May 28 during a one-hour online conversation hosted by Gila County Cooperative Extension, and featuring Kevin McCully, the Town of Payson’s Firewise expert. Thursday’s online workshop is free and starts at 11 a.m. at arizona.zoom.us/j/97539782396 (and yes, that’s a difficult address -- find easier “click here” direct links at facebook.com/gilaextension and also extension.arizona.edu/gila )

Questions? Or you can’t seem to find either of those Gila County Cooperative Extension pages on UA’s website, or on Facebook? Call Chris Jones at 928-402-8586 or email ckjones@email.arizona.edu

Payson Town Council hired McCully one year ago with a goal for the forested community to adopt nationally-recognized Firewise standards. McCully began his career as a firefighter near Yosemite National Park; over the decades his resume grew to include an impressive list of job titles: deputy fire marshal, tactical medic supervisor, fire captain.

Thursday Horticulture Webinars

Our own Golden Hills Nursery in Central Heights has been much busier over the past six weeks: Globe-Miami residents are buying vegetable seedlings and soil, local proof of a nationwide trend of renewed enthusiasm for gardening. Whether you’re an experienced green thumb or new to the hobby of horticulture, Gila County Cooperative Extension is here to help. An excellent local program sponsored by the University of Arizona’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chris Jones and his staff in Central Heights teach Master Gardener classes -- and last Thursday they kicked-off a new series that repeats weekly online -- and free -- Thursday at 11 a.m. Last week’s guest was Arizona organic gardener Richard Johnson -- an expert at making compost who has been turning fuzzy fridge leftovers and yard clippings into rich organic dirt for two decades – and he shared tips for success in the first of this new series hosted by University of Arizona Gila County Cooperative Extension Agent Chris Jones.

To join this week’s webinar, find easy and convenient ‘click here’ links at Gila County Cooperative Extension’s website -- where you’ll also find a variety of gardening classes and videos -- explaining topics ranging from “How To Transplant a Seedling,” to Starting An Indoor Herb Garden, Fresh Herbs in the Kitchen, and Raised Bed Gardening. Read more about this class & future topics at extension.arizona.edu/gila.

The Garden and Country Extension Webinar Series Continues with:

June 4 Red brome grass with Cindy Salo

June 11 Biochar #1: Introduction and Uses with Janick Artiola

June 18 Biochar #2: Biochar Kilns with Darren McAvoy

June 25 Solar Energy: Off-grid uses and rooftop options with  Ed Franklin

Questions? Call Chris Jones at 928-402-8586

or email ckjones@email.arizona.edu