Neighborhood Stormwater/Landscape

Program Rebecca L. Jordi

UF/IFAS

Nassau County

Horticulture Extension Agent

Neighborhood Stormwater/Lands

cape Program

Partnership with St. John’s River Water Management WAV Coordinator and local Homeowner Associations

Neighborhood Stormwater/Landscape Program

Overall objective:

• Show direct association between landscape maintenance and health of stormwater.

Photo: Cornell University

Objectives:Increase knowledge in proper landscape maintenance •Irrigation

– Time of day– Days of week– Amount

Objectives:•Increase knowledge in proper landscape maintenance •Fertilizer

–Slow release N–15-0-15 or 16-4-8–Avoid summer use–Apply iron sulfate–Ring of responsibility

Photo: Cornell University

Red Shouldered Hawk

Homeowner Associations

• Strong organization

• Large numbers of people

• Provides opportunities otherwise inaccessible Photo by Sandra Atkins 2002

Andrews University

Neighborhood Stormwater/Landscape Program

Results:• Ten

Homeowners Associations enlisted in the program

• Close to 550 attendees

Neighborhood Stormwater/Landscape Program

Results:• Post survey

results:– 86% would

change their practices by using slow release fertilizers

Neighborhood Stormwater/Landscape ProgramResults:

• Post survey results:

– 79% indicated they would now water turfgrass on an “as needed” basis

University of California - Berkley

Neighborhood Stormwater/Landscape Program

Results:• Letters written:

– One indicated a reduction in cost of irrigation by 50%

– One indicated a savings of $40 per month University of California - Berkley

Neighborhood Stormwater/Landscape Program

Results:

• Letters written:– Landscape

company indicated importance of extension in training techs

Neighborhood Stormwater/Landscape Program

• This program could be adapted for any area

Photo: Marietta College

Neighborhood Stormwater/Landscape Program

• Opportunity for dissemination of proper research-based information to the burgeoning number of newcomers and new homeowners to our rural suburban areas.

Neighborhood Stormwater/Landscape

ProgramRebecca L. Jordi

University of Florida/IFASHorticulture Extension Agent

Nassau County