Florida Friendly Living: On the Waterfront
Project description and objectives:
Known as Florida's “Nature Coast” with an abundance of waterfront living, the
Citrus, Pasco, Hernando and Sumter County area is home to 22 bays, 306
lakes, 73 streams, 5 springs and 71 swamps. With more than 5,000 surface
acres of lakes and rivers, not to mention the Gulf of Mexico, the Nature
Coast is a boater’s paradise. Boating enthusiasts share a concern of preventing the spread of invasive, non-native aquatic plants which are a serious threat to the health of lakes, rivers,
and streams throughout the state. Excessive weed growth impairs fish and
wildlife habitat and restricts recreational activities.
In addition to the concern of nonnative aquatic weeds, additional constraints on water resources have been the result of rapid population growth over the past decade (1994-2004). The targeted four counties experienced an increase in growth rate by the following amounts:
Citrus County: 26.3%
Hernando County: 29.4%
Pasco County: 24.6%
Sumter County: 68%
The increase in population can also be noted in an increased demand for water resources. The Southwest Florida Water Management District issued a water use permit in 2006 providing 258 gallons per person per day with the condition that progress be made over the next six years to reduce water consumptions to 150 gallons per customer per day. Hasty development and urbanization has resulted in dwindling wilderness areas and competition for natural resources. This
being the case, there is clear evidence of growing environmental concerns relative to:
Shoreline over-development
Aquatic weeds
Decline in fish & aquatic organisms
Loss of habitat
Water quality
According to the EPA reports, nutrient loading is the leading cause of impairment to Florida’s waterways.
Project Activities:
There is a need for IPM Extension Outreach Programs. A variety of educational materials were developed during 2007 to reach target audiences living along the shoreline of water bodies. In an attempt to augment current programs, a series of educational materials were developed. They are as follows:
Florida Friendly Living: Green, Clean and Pristine: A Newcomers Guide
During 2007 a newcomers guide to Florida’s “Nature Coast” was developed to address common questions that new residents face when relocating to the Nature Coast. A comprehensive publication was developed to encourage removal of aquatic weeds, water conservation, recycling, stormwater runoff, Florida-friendly landscaping and litter prevention (Attachment 1). This publication has been made available to realtors, chamber of commerce's, neighborhood associations and other entry community advocate groups.
“Living By the Waters Edge - What’s Right With This Picture”
Table Mats titled “What’s Right With This Picture” were developed to reinforce messaging related to “being a good neighbor” to lakes, rivers and streams (Attachment 2). Ten-thousand table mats were designed and are being disseminated to local restaurants bordering the waterfront in Sumter and Citrus Counties. The table mats test a person’s Florida-Friendly living know how by matching landscape practices shown in a drawing with action tips.
Florida Friendly Living on the Waterfront – Shoreline Stewardship
In an attempt to encourage shoreline stewardship, a 2008 month-to-month guide was developed which provides prompts on how to protect Florida waters (Attachment 3). Each month a new timely topic is introduced providing actions residents can take to promote a healthy balance of aquatic and shoreline ecosystems.
Fishing Logs, Fishing Ruler and Boaters Sponge
In an attempt to prompt boaters and anglers on how they can protect Florida waters via preventing the spread of aquatic weeds, a variety of nautical educational tools were developed. Fishing logs provide anglers a method of recording their catch while receiving tips of removing aquatic weeds from propellers, trailers and tackle (Attachment 4). Fishing rulers were also developed to assist anglers in determining if their fish is legal size to keep and learn more about protecting Florida waters (Attachment 5). A boater’s sponge was the third tool developed for Florida boaters. This item also served as a reminder to protect Florida waters (Attachment 6).
Project accomplishments:
In an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of educational materials developed to
support shoreline stewardship efforts, a 10-question survey was posted on the Citrus
County Extension web site. To date, an evaluation has been completed on the “Newcomers Guide to Living In Florida's Nature Coast.” Recipients of the guide were invited to respond to the survey and received additional landscape materials. To date forty-five (45) participants responded to the on-line survey, and 65 obtained rain gauge giveaways.
Survey data indicate that as a result of being exposed to shoreline stewardship educational materials developed, respondents now practice the following Florida friendly practices:
• Selected a plant suitable for the conditions in their yard: 93.3% (42)
• Gave their sprinkler system a checkup: 51.1% (23)
• Installed a rain sensor: 28.9% (13)
• Applied a 3 - inch layer of mulch in their landscape: 48.9% (22)
• Redirected sprinkler heads onto lawn or landscape: 53.3% (24)
• Selected a slow release fertilizer: 69.7% (23)
• Read and followed directions on the pesticide and fertilizer label: 54.6% (18)
• Used iron instead of nitrogen to green-up the lawn: 8.2% (6)
• Swept up granules that accidentally spilled: 33.3% (11)
• Checked the weather to be sure heavy rains weren't forecasted to avoid runoff:
45.5% (15)
• Direct downspouts onto lawn and landscape areas : 80.5% (33)
• Collect rainwater in rain barrels: 14.6% ( 6)
• Use brick, mulch or gravel to allow rainfall to seep into the ground: 56.1% (23)
• Maintain a buffer zone of 10 to 20 feet around water when applying fertilizers:
4.9% (2)
• Had my septic system inspected and/or pumped 16.2% (6)
• Removed aquatic weeds from prop, trailer and fishing tackle when returning from
boating: 45.5% (15)
• Interested in attending Florida-friendly living workshops if they were offered in
your community? Yes 76.2% (32)
Additional efforts will be made to evaluate the effectiveness of the remaining educational
materials developed as a result of the 2007 IPM grant.
View the Florida Friendly Living: On the Waterfront report (2 MB pdf)
Project leader:
- Dr. Joan Bradshaw, Specialized Regional Programs for Natural Resources in Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Sumter Counties.
- .