The primary goal of this course is to provide a toolset for characterizing and strategizing how nonmarket forces can shape current and future renewable energy markets. The course approaches the exploration and explanation of key concepts in renewable energy and sustainability nonmarket strategies through evidence-based examples. Main topics for the course include: a sociological approach to markets, renewable energy markets, nonmarket conditions, complex systems analysis, and renewable energy technology and business environments. Because renewable energy costs are higher than fossil fuel cost per unit of energy, the main arguments in support of renewable energy, thus far, are functionally nonmarket in character, i.e., environmental (e.g., climate change), political (e.g., energy independence), and/ or social (e.g., good stewardship).

Students learn that a healthy ecosystem is one in which multiple species are each able to meet their needs in a relatively stable web of life. Students learn that multiple species can have their needs met in the same ecosystem and that humans play a role in managing species within an ecosystem.

Tree Steward Manual is designed for Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners who are training to be certified advanced Master Gardener tree stewards. Written by a dedicated team of volunteers who themselves completed advanced Master Gardener tree steward training, the manual covers a wide range of topics, specific to each region of Virginia, including identifying trees, selecting and planting appropriate trees for local landscapes, caring for trees, and troubleshooting tree problems.

In Virginia, advanced Master Gardener tree steward training is offered by the local Extension Master Gardener (EMG) program. Once the training is completed, volunteers become certified advanced EMG tree stewards and commit to a specific number of volunteer hours working on local tree steward projects. EMG tree stewards work on projects based on the needs of their local community as determined mutually between the local agent/coordinator and active tree stewards.

While Tree Steward Manual was developed with EMG training in mind, it is also appropriate for general readers who want to deepen their knowledge of trees and tree care. ​​

How to Access this Book This text is available in multiple formats including PDF, a low-resolution PDF which is faster to download, and ePub found on the left side of your screen. It is also available online in Pressbooks at https://pressbooks.lib.vt.edu/treesteward. If you are printing this book to use in Tree Steward training, please see the "How to Use This Book" page for instructions. The main landing page for this book is: https://doi.org/10.21061/treesteward.

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Table of Contents
1. About Advanced Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners and the Tree Steward Training Manual
2. The Learning Experience
3. The Benefits (and Disadvantages) of Trees
4. Botany of Trees
5. Tree Taxonomy, Identification, and Measurement
6. Soil Properties and Management
7. Trees and Ecology
8. Siting, Selecting, and Planting
9. Tree Health Care and Pruning

Publication Information
ISBN: 978-1-949373-70-7 (PDF)
ISBN: 978-1-949373-71-4 (EPUB)
ISBN: 978-1-949373-72-1 (PressBooks)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21061/treesteward

Attribution This book was created by a dedicated team of Extension Master Gardener Volunteers and published in 2021. The book was edited by Carol King and Laura Marlowe. Chapters were authored by Carol King, Megan Tierney, Daina Henry, Patsy McGrady, Gwen Harris, Cherilyn Kern, Laurie Fox, Ed Olsen, Carol Fryer, and Cindy Ogle.

During the experiments, students hypothesize the effects of climate variability and weather trends on crops. They will then test their hypothesis and make conclusions regarding the results of heat, wind, and freezing on plants. This will help them understand how farmers work to steward agricultural resources in certain environments.

Students will understand that we must be stewards of Wyoming. Throughout the course of the unit, students will develop this idea of stewardship.

Students discover how humans, insects, and animals play a part in the pollination of plants.

Wonderful Wheat. This is the Lesson 2 Understanding Colorado Agriculture activity from Unit 7 Plant Systems, from the DIGS (Developing Individuals, Growing Stewards) AmeriCorps Curriculum from CSU. The curriculum focuses on introducing students in grades 3-5 to Colorado agriculture, industry and environmental issues. The curriculum upon request. Visit: https://engagement.colostate.edu/programs-old/developing-individuals-growing-stewards/

This is a book for private woodland owners in the Midwest that want to be stewards of their woods. This book is designed to help woodland owners identify goals for their property and work with a professional forester to choose the management practices that will help meet those goals.

Students learn about the history of agriculture in Wyoming. Students develop an understanding of the role of agriculture in Wyoming and why it is important to practice good stewardship.

A Year in a Farmer's Life. This is the Lesson 2 Understanding Colorado Agriculture activity from Unit 5 Agriculture and Business, from the DIGS (Developing Individuals, Growing Stewards) AmeriCorps Curriculum from CSU. The curriculum focuses on introducing students in grades 3-5 to Colorado agriculture, industry and environmental issues. The curriculum is matched to State Standards 2021. The curriculum upon request. Visit: https://engagement.colostate.edu/programs-old/developing-individuals-growing-stewards/