By Martha Kirk, Colorado Master Gardener

Did you get to the 2020 Colorado Garden and Home Show in February to see the spectacular CSU Extension Education Garden? The theme was “Heroes and Villains in the Garden” and featured larger than life insects that emphasized the special connection between insects and plants. This garden wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the many talented Colorado Master Gardener volunteers in Arapahoe County.

With the support of Dr. James Klett of CSU, and under the vision and leadership of Arapahoe County Horticulture Staff members Lisa Mason and Lucinda Greene, the project planning began in August 2019. For seven months, volunteers contributed over 300 hours in developing the theme and educational messages, planning and organizing the logistics, and creating the paper-maché insects. Working from two-dimensional photos, CMGs transformed these detailed images into three-dimensional beauties with exacting requirements. The results were stunning.

Big thanks go out to the CMG Volunteer Leads for the project: Matt Huebschmann and Megan Knight. Megan and Matt saw the project from start to finish and made sure everything was done to perfection. Thank you to our CMG volunteers who contributed their creativity and energy to this project: Norma Adair, Claudia Banach, Dawn Barnes, Ellen Barry, Sandy Brock, Janet Brophy, Cathe Cook, Courtney Cowgill, Kathleen DeVries, Heide Dolan, Brenda Francis, Peter Gammie, Carol Gilmore, Pat Giarritano, Tom Johnson, Martha Kirk, Anne Marie Kotzer, Mary Kruk, Deena Lawrence, Colleen Lindstone, Melissa Mitarotonda, Allie Molinda, Debbie Moody, Betsy Overton, Janet Paul, Ken Paul, Valerie Seale, Toni Smythe and Zandy Wennerstrom.

All photos courtesy of Lisa Mason.