Written by: Ellen Bell, Colorado Master Gardener, Class of 2019

The Southeast Water Conservancy District Demonstration Garden has a new caretaker and steward. Meet Justin Mair. Justin was hired as gardening specialist in August 2022. He is originally from California but moved to Pueblo from Ft. Collins a few years ago. Having a strong connection to the natural world, gardening has always been his passion. A passion he is now passing along to his daughter. Justin likes to study botany, especially the evolution and relationships of plants and their families. As an avid hiker, camper and mushroom forager he also enjoys seeking out rare species. Two of his favorites are Dodecatheon pulchellum (Dark throat shooting star) and Calypso bulbosa (Fairy slipper).

Justin is looking forward to sharing his passion for water wise native plants with the Pueblo community by adding more of them to the garden along with additional labels and improved handouts. He has already set up a site for the garden on the app, iNaturalist. It is an interactive site and you can see his progress so far by following this link: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/plants-of-the-southeastern-colorado-water-conservancy-district-garden . Justin has applied to be a part of the 2023 Pueblo County Master Gardener class and looks forward to working with other Master Gardeners whom he welcomes to volunteer at the SECWCD garden. We look forward to having him and working with him as well. Welcome Justin!