PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill. – Two local Master Gardeners were honored with state awards at the 2022 Illinois Master Gardener State Conference. Pinckneyville resident Jane Chapman received the Outstanding Master Gardener Award, and Jon McClurken was the recipient of the Sustained Excellence Award.
Master Gardeners are more than just gardening enthusiasts. They are trained horticultural experts who serve their communities through service projects and the delivery of educational programs. As local volunteers, Chapman and McClurken are actively involved with the Perry County 4-H program. They have helped with many youth development activities related to horticulture and the environment.
Chapman actively seeks projects that help better her community and provide volunteer opportunities. She directed or assisted with tree planting and landscaping projects at Pinckneyville High School, Pinckneyville Hospital, Pyramid State Park, DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, Manor at Mason Woods, and the Pinckneyville Community Center. She was instrumental in the "Eyes on Keyes Trees" tree identification series, where instructions videos were created and identifying QR codes were added to trees within Keyes Park. Chapman is also a two-time recipient of the Master Gardener Teamwork Award for her work in 2009 for building a lasagna garden and creating a seed library in 2013. She uses her expertise to educate the community in all things gardening and has led several educational programs.
McClurken is a wealth of knowledge regarding resources available in the region. His volunteerism has brought him to every part of southern Illinois. He has represented the Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists at events at the DuQuoin Public Library, DuQuoin State Fair, Manor at Mason Woods, Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge, Cache River Wetlands Area, Shawnee National Forest, Giant City State Park, and Pyramid State Park. McClurken initiated, planned, and implemented the Kids in the Park program at Pyramid State Park, which began in 2016 and continues today. The program connects local youth with nature and includes guest speakers and activities that keep participants engaged during the summer.
Both volunteers have also served as members of the Extension Council Board, a diverse group of representatives that operate in an advisory capacity to address and make recommendations on strategic planning and programming for the local community.
"We appreciate the great impact Jon and Jane continue to have in our community through their service to the Master Gardener program," said Lynn Heins, county director. "Combined, they have donated over 1,000 hours of volunteer time to projects that make an impact right here in southern Illinois."
In early September, Illinois volunteers were welcomed to Chicagoland for the Illinois Master Gardener State Conference in Tinley Park. The 280 participants represent a small subsection of over 2,700 volunteers across the state who contribute more than 137,600 volunteer hours annually to their communities and represent a time investment valued at over $4,261,470 (based on Independent Sector Illinois value of volunteer time).
University of Illinois Extension uses trained Master Gardener volunteers to meet the constant demand for horticultural consumer information by citizens of our state and region. The mission of the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program is "helping others learn to grow." To learn more or to become a Master Gardener, visit: extension.illinois.edu/mg
WRITER: Heather Willis, marketing and communications coordinator, hdwillis@illinois.edu, (618) 357-2126
ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.