In the crowd at SFLIS 2014: spring edition

For those of us in the urban landscape irrigation game, this month got off to an excellent start with the South Florida Landscape IrrigationSymposium in Miami-Dade.

The host venue: UF/IFAS Miami-Dade Extension Office in The Redland

A working partnership

A collaborative effort between Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County Extensions, the event packed in municipal groundskeepers and irrigation techs, roadside landscaping crews, arborists, some property managers and even a random biologist or two...

...everyone there for an update on the latest in water conservation thinking/practice from local and regional UF/IFAS experts, and CEUs from Allstate Resource Management.

Speaking of UF/IFAS experts: Dr. Michael Dukes and Dr. Kati Migliaccio in conference

What role does irrigation play in your work?

I can confidently attest to whom was there and why because I spent the better part of the event talking to attendees on camera. Many in the audience were interested in the latest irrigation equipment - on hand thanks to the sponsoring vendors.

Dr. Michael Dukes presents on smart irrigation technology ROI in Orange County 

One individual had sour experiences with soil moisture sensors and was especially keen on the smart irrigation presentations. And most others desired to learn as much as possible so as to better educate their clients about proper irrigation design and maintenance, and why it’s a sound investment.

All nozzle errthing: at the Hunter Industries display

Saving water my way

My favorite portion of the event was the “Success Story” panel.

The success panel (from left): Carlos Victoria, Terry Liddel and Donna Fries

This talk grouped together a property manager, an irrigation crew supervisor and a utility representative for a lively question and answer session that engaged the audience about not only the prevalence of water waste in most urban landscape systems, but also the possibility of turning the tide in favor of efficiency, especially in Miami-Dade, where the irrigation rebate program advances the smart irrigation and Florida-Friendly landscaping ethic with significant funding.

Dr. Kati Migliaccio talks weather-based irrigation controllers (WBICs)

Conservation never stops

If you were not able to attend the symposium, enjoy the video recap below courtesy of Miami-Dade’s Urban Conservation Unit.

The next symposium is scheduled for Broward County this fall. Stayed tuned to this blog for developing information, or follow IrriGator on twitter.

About the author: 

Michael Gutierrez is a water resources 
technician with UF/IFAS in the Ag & Bio 
Engineering Dept. He tweets, blogs and 
also shoots still and video media in South 
Florida, Gainesville and anywhere else a 
camera is handy. (image: Jesus Lomeli)

South Florida Landscape Irrigation Symposium 2014

This week UF/IFAS experts, local water authority reps and area municipal workers and property managers are gathering in Miami-Dade for the first South Florida Landscaping Irrigation Symposium of 2014.

Conservation cornucopia

Presentations will cover topics ranging from urban landscape irrigation basics, smart irrigation technology, effective use of Florida-Friendly landscaping, a panel showcasing managers whom have successfully integrated water-use efficient practices on their properties, and seven of your favorite brand and distribution representatives with their latest wares on display. 

SFLIS 2013: When we say vendor displays we mean it

In short, a little something for everyone working or managing landscape irrigation and then CEUs for all those attending until completion.

Picking up what we're putting down?

Perhaps most notable in the symposium program is the prevalence of smart irrigation. 

Dr. Michael Dukes presents before Florida Irrigation Society members

None other than UF/IFAS heavyweights Dr. Michael Dukes and Dr. Kati Migliaccio will both expound on the topic this week – the former about the ever important return on investment when installing this technology, the latter exploring the nuts and bolts of how it works and why it is the here, now and future of landscape irrigation.

Work mode: Dr. Kati Migliaccio

“The future?” you say. Well, Dr. Migliaccio is part of a team that has developed a smart irrigation app for turf that generates scheduling recommendations for use with any kind of irrigation system comparable to that of weather-based irrigation controllers on the market today. So, yes, the future.

Front row seat

As for me, I'm most interested in the opening talk from Miami-Dade Water and Sewer’s own Bertha Goldenberg. Miami-Dade is currently undergoing a multi-billion dollar Capital Improvement Plan that will overhaul much of its decrepit water infrastructure. 

Can't attend? Enjoy the teaser trailer!

This project has contributed to a steady increase in the cost of water by 37% over the past twelve years. Further, in Florida, Miami-Dade is recognized as a county with minimal reclaimed water infrastructure and use, a status that is certain to change. I expect Mrs. Goldenberg’s presentation will touch on these topics and more.

Media-mode: overdrive

As Miami-Dade is the venue for this symposium, you already know the Urban Conservation Unit will be in attendance! 

Flagging breaks all day: U.C.U. tech Jesus Lomeli

And when all of us are present in one place chances are good that cameras will roll. Watch for live-tweets (#SFLIS) and a short report-back video later in May.

About the author: 

Michael Gutierrez is a water resources 
technician with UF/IFAS in the Ag & Bio 
Engineering Dept. He tweets, blogs and 
also shoots still and video media in South 
Florida, Gainesville and anywhere else a 
camera is handy. (image: Gainesville Sun)

From one symposium to the next

Last month marked the 4th Water Institute Symposium at the University of Florida. This bi-annual event gathers students, academics, water authority staffers and industry reps in Gainesville to share research and insight around a specific water theme.

Roving reporter

My tasks were three-fold during the event: attend the talks most relevant to my interests, manage the twitter presence for Miami-Dade’s Urban Conservation Unit and shoot video for an IrriGator media series currently in production.

All the way up from Miami-Dade County: Jesus Lomeli and Laura Vasquez

Nothing livens up a symposium like surprises and this one had several in store. Dr. Kati Migliaccio presented in the Stakeholder Engagement in Water Demand Management section. While revealing the success of the smart irrigation turf app she and a team have developed (generating data as good if not better than a weather-based irrigation timer), she also mentioned that additional apps are in the works. 

Dr. Migliaccio and the dominating smart turf app results

In the near future peanut, avocado, cabbage and tomato growers will be able to supplement irrigation decision-making using smart mobile devices.

Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department Policy and Legislation Manager Christopher Pettit was also in attendance. 

Palm Beach County's Christopher Pettit presents

During the Water Supply Planning section he mentioned that Palm Beach and Broward Counties have a reclaimed water partnership that sends millions of gallons of treated water from south to north to help conserve Palm Beach’s potable supply.

With all the disparate players presenting in organized categories, attending a multidisciplinary panel like Water Initiative in Extension was helpful.

The Water Initiative in Extension panel

I learned that Tampa Bay Water has been an innovative force for years in Florida, funding research around technology and conservation programs that are now the norm. I was also impressed by Polk County Extension Agent Shannon McGee who redefined for me the kind of role and impact a knowledgeable agent can have in her community.

Our work here is complete: the Dr. Michael Dukes stamp of approval

When all was said and done I had a mountain of tweets and a video to show for it. See that work here or below. You can also peruse all the presentations from the symposium here.

On to the next

Lest my entry title be deceiving I should mention that preparations are currently underway for the first South Florida Landscape Symposium of 2014 - to be held on May 1^st in South Miami-Dade. And by preparations I mean the finishing touches because it is now sold out! If you were forward-looking enough to register, what can you expect? See this report back from 2013, or view the teaser trailer below.

Stay tuned for future entries about the above and other UF/IFAS water-related work, and for additional content follow IrriGator on twitter.

About the author: 

Michael Gutierrez is a water resources technician 

with UF/IFAS in the Ag & Bio Engineering Dept. 

He tweets, blogs and also shoots still and video media in South Florida, Gainesville and anywhere else a camera is handy. (image: IFAS Communications)