2025 Impact Highlight
Douglas County, Front Range Region
Gardening Programs Support Well-being, Quality of Life for Seniors
Horticulture has been shown to positively influence human quality of life in several ways, including social, emotion, and physiological [1]. The population of older adults in Douglas County is increasing and as a result, the County Needs Assessment highlights aging-related resources as a priority.
To help meet this need, CSU Extension in Douglas County deepened its partnership with the Highlands Ranch Metro District by facilitating monthly in-person horticulture programming designed specifically for seniors.
Extension specialists hosted hands-on workshops as well as informational Q&A sessions designed to educate residents from a variety of educational and experiential backgrounds about various ways to incorporate horticulture in day-to-day life, highlighting the impact and value of gardening on overall wellness.
Each of the horticulture offerings were filled to capacity, with 24 participants attending each session. As a result of the popularity and demand for these gardening and horticulture programs, a second activity will be offered monthly in 2026.
These horticulture-focused programs and resources not only help participants improve their practical gardening skills and knowledge, but also support individual and community well-being, foster social and emotional health, and highlight the value and impact of lifelong learning for aging populations.
[1] C Hall and M Knuth, An Update of the Literature Supporting the Well-Being Benefits of Plants: A Review of the Emotional and Mental Health Benefits of Plants, Journal of environmental horticulture, 2019-03, Vol.37 (1), p.30-38.