Florida-Friendly Landscaping in Practice

Last year we collaborated with the UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program (FFL) to produce two videos featuring regional landscape architects describing how FFL principles influence their design work.

Personal Insight

In my tech career I have evaluated irrigation systems at countless South Florida-based Homeowners Associations and large developments. 9 times out of 10, poor landscape and irrigation system design go hand in hand. For instance, why design for turf in areas residents can neither see nor easily access and then water that turf so excessively that the wood fence bordering said area steadily rots in place? Such design oversights are a source of never-ending maintenance and replacement expenses.

Meet the Architects

Daniel Dameron is a Spring Hill-based landscape architect. What’s interesting about Mr. Dameron’s story is how the success of his designs in the common areas of a large development gave residents a firsthand look at FFL and helped dispel fundamental misconceptions about low-maintenance landscaping.

Jeremy Wilhelm is a landscape architect working in Sarasota. Large developments often hire Mr. Wilhelm to reign in their maintenance expenses through FFL-focused redesign. In our interview, Mr. Wilhem offered great tips applicable to both residential and HOA-sized landscapes.

Design Will Save the World
What these videos showcase is two designers using FFL principles to guide their work at both a large and small-scale. More importantly, this content underscores that great landscape design is not only pleasant to look at and be around, but it can also have significant impact on use of resources and maintenance costs.

The Case of the Water-Saving Plants

Last week marked the 3^rd annual Florida-FriendlyLandscaping (FFL) in the Planned Community information session organized by Claire Lewis, UF/IFAS FFL Statewide Coordinator. 

The Issue

UF/IFAS research has well established that homeowner association (HOA)-controlled communities often face internal obstacles when it comes to implementing resource-efficient practices. HOAs encouraging excessive watering for perfect lawns is one thing, but bringing landscaping disputes to court is quite another. Believe it or not this happens rather often around Florida and this FFL event was aimed at bringing together stakeholders to review case studies and consider alternatives to costly court proceedings when choosing to make your yard Florida-friendly.

Experts Afoot

“Make sure that you’ve gone through the covenants and restrictions of your community so you know what they expect,” said real estate broker Jeannette Moore. 

Jeannette Moore presents on homeowner vs. HOA case studies 

Ms. Moore reviewed several case studies during the event to offer insight into what exactly happens when homeowners take on HOAs. Ms. Moore also maintains a popular FFL-oriented Facebook page.

"Most associations are smart enough to realize this isn't a good case to litigate."
- Barbara Stage, ESQ.

Orlando-based attorney Barbara Stage also attended. Ms. Stage underscored how litigation should be the last resort in FFL disputes, as cases can drag on for years and costs can be exorbitant.

The 9 Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles

The Takeaway 

The Florida-Friendly Landscaping Statute prohibits HOAs and local governments from outlawing FFL. But apparently, statute language on what is FFL and who designates plant life as FFL is not as clear as it could be. In short, be informed before making FFL-oriented landscaping alterations in your HOA-controlled community. 

                                                              

Meet Morgan Hopkins: UF/IFAS Miami-Dade’s Newest Water Expert

UF/IFAS Miami-Dade filled their long-vacant Florida Yards and Neighborhoods (FYN) Agent position this month. The hire? Morgan Hopkins, a water reuse and conservation expert from Oklahoma.

Having just completed her master’s work this summer, Ms. Hopkins now takes center stage with Miami-Dade’s Urban Conservation Unit, an outfit that administers what is possibly the best funded urban landscape irrigation rebate program in the state, in the most populous county in Florida.

Big personalities take on big tasks in high-profile settings. IrriGator recently interviewed FYN Agent Morgan Hopkins to learn more about her background and her big plans for water in Miami-Dade.

What is your background in water and/or conservation?

I hail from Oklahoma. The Great Plains. While I was there I attended Oklahoma State University (OSU). My undergrad focused on Environmental Science Policy. That’s where I received my formal education on conservation and the environment. But I really delved into water conservation during my master’s program in the OSU Horticulture Department. I was on a grant with Oklahoma City to create and promote a water conservation program. We were coming into our fourth year of drought and my role as the graduate research assistant was to do public education while also continuing my research in reclaimed water use in golf course irrigation and public acceptance of reclaimed water use in Oklahoma. 

Learning the ropes: Morgan Hopkins at a recent landscape irrigation evaluation

What are some of Oklahoma’s current water challenges?

Water is a very contentious subject in Oklahoma, especially when we’re in drought. We’re known for having a drier climate. Everyone knows about the dust bowl from the 1930s. We also experienced a big drought in the 1950s. Oklahoma is based largely on oil production and agriculture so water is very important for both those industries. So when we go without it our economy and people feel the impact.

What is it about Extension that interests you?

I worked with Oklahoma’s Extension through my master’s research and found out how Extension helps the community. I really enjoy that their sole purpose is to help people – to educate and serve the community in a way that is research backed but also backed by counties and business and agriculture. I enjoy tying in the academic research side with the public outreach and working with people.

#UFIFASMIAMIDADEUCU2015: Morgan Hopkins and Jesus Lomeli

What do you think a successful water program looks like in the diverse, populous context of Miami-Dade County?

I think a successful water program would be one that everyone knows about regardless of your economic or social status; it’s something that serves everyone. That would be the basis to me: a program that everyone is aware of and everyone feels is actually benefiting their community as well as the environment. 

Follow Miami-Dade FYN Agent Morgan Hopkins on twitter as she continues with her important water work in South Florida.