Through their outreach efforts, Master Gardeners raise the horticultural standards within Rhode Island's communities and its 12,000 farmed and landscaped acres. Better preserved, higher quality properties will retain or increase their value.

URI's Master Gardeners also teach the dangers of improper or damaging gardening and landscaping, including the planting of invasive and disease-prone species that threaten the indigenous landscape, or the excessive use of pesticides, fertilizers, and chemicals that leach into the land and that may cause serious ecological damage. Master Gardeners also answer the phones at the Hotline, a toll-free phone number (1-800-448-1011 – within RI only) at CELS Outreach Center. The thousands of enthusiasts reached by Master Gardeners learn research-based, practical lessons that are useful in managing small gardens, large orchards, and expansive private and public gardens.