4th Annual Urban Landscape Summit: A Preview

By Michael Gutierrez

IrriGator blog is pleased to kick-off its spring/summer season with one of the high points of the spring calendar - UF/IFAS Urban Landscape Summit 2019! Focused on all things urban landscape, this year’s event spans two days and includes an optional Green Infrastructure Field Day preceding the summit for extension professionals. The UF/IFAS Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology (CLCE) hosts the Urban Landscape Summit and Center Director Dr. Michael Dukes agreed to an interview with IrriGator to preview the event.

Do you feel there is a more defined theme to this year’s summit than previous years?

MD: Yes, that is the intention. We want the group to intentionally think about landscapes, influence of external forces such as water quality requirements (BMAPs/TMDLs). Specifically, how are external forces going to shape future Florida landscapes?

The structure of the event has changed this year with an emphasis on more presenters and no keynote speaker. Can you give us some insight into this decision-making?

MD: The first day will start with state of the art presentations summarizing research on landscape issues including turfgrass nutrient requirements, water requirements, and breeding as well as soil amendments and water quality associated with urban areas.These presentations will then lead into a panel of external stakeholders that will discuss forces that could change current landscapes into what will become future landscapes. Given the recent red tides and harmful algae blooms, these topics are extremely timely!

There is a lot of great research slated for presentation on both days of the summit. Any highlights you’re excited about?

MD: I’m excited to hear the updates I mentioned above and in particular to hear from the panel. How do we collectively envision future landscapes? What are the implications for the industry and ultimately the public? This summit will go beyond presentations as in previous summits and will serve to synthesize what we know and help us chart a path for future research priorities.

There is still some time left to register. What would you tell a green industry or extension professional on the fence about attending this year’s summit?

MD: Register!! If you want to get a view on the thinking of the people that are closest to the cutting edge research and those closest to policy concerning landscapes in Florida you will not be disappointed!

Is this summit one of CLCE’s final events considering the recent announcement of the Center for Land Use Efficiency’s creation? Can we expect a continuation of the summit or events like it in 2020/the future?

MD: CLCE will still exist! The formation of CLUE will serve to link existing programs such as CLCE, PREC, and Ag BMPs. The summit has been a key event for our urban landscape programs and will continue.

The 2019 UF/IFAS Urban Landscape Summit takes place March 20 - 21, 2019 in Gainesville, FL. Register here.

Just in Time: Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology Releases a Drought Toolkit

Recently the Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology (CLCE) released an information package including some of the best IFAS expertise on water-use in a drought context. With municipalities and water management districts in Central and Southwest Florida declaring Phase III water restrictions, this is timely insight to have on hand. Prior to the info release Center Director Dr. Michael Dukes granted IrriGator a brief interview to discuss the CLCE’s role in drought and easy ways to address water-waste in your irrigation system.

Even with rain, lawns are dry. A #UF_IFAS expert offers advice for treating your parched lawn properly: https://t.co/HayhjvvJ6r @IrriGatorUF pic.twitter.com/qQldhSjjdZ

— UF IFAS Solutions (@UF_IFAS) May 28, 2017

What does CLCE hope to achieve with the release of all this drought relevant information/insight?

MD: We’re really trying to promoting awareness of the drought. It has been ten years since we’ve had a drought here this widespread. There have been many pockets of dryness (South Florida for example) in between. But really to promote awareness and get people thinking about that our water resources are limited.

U.S. Drought Monitor stats for FL as of late May. (via USDM)

What role do you feel IFAS and CLCE can play in this kind of context?

MD: Our role right now is the awareness part. What can you do about it. And if you’re faced with drought what are some of your options. But I think the building of the awareness part is one of the most important parts because every day when we’re not in a drought we’re conducting research and education on best practices, use of smart irrigation technologies, efficient irrigation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping – we’re doing all those things year round. If you do implement these things you’ll be better prepared for a drought.

This season I know many of the water management districts have stepped up their messaging about drought. Are there opportunities for collaboration with these entities?

MD: Short answer is I think so. The longer answer is there is not a formal mechanism for it. We don’t have a regular meeting with all five water management districts. However, we do have informal relationships and once we get our drought information package together St. Johns River Water Management District has asked us for it. We’ll help them by providing the best science that we have.

“If we don’t conserve water now, we will get into an emergency situation where we don’t have the supply we need." https://t.co/1YcTAwNuDG

— UF/IFAS IrriGator (@IrriGatorUF) May 25, 2017

What are some easy, fast ways to implement best practices to reduce water use in a drought context?

MD: Well, the irony of a drought is you need to water. It’s not the best time to cut your water back. If you have a maintained landscape you’re going to be watering it right now, probably quite a bit. But the practices, the research and education that we conduct all will set you up better for a drought. But it’s stuff you have to do before you get there. Putting in a smart controller right now is probably not going to save any water unless you’re ridiculously overwatering. But from the utility data that we’ve seen people tend to underwater a little bit during this time of year. So people are probably struggling to put enough water on to maintain an aesthetic value of their landscape. The need of the landscapes are very high right now.

The low hanging fruit from an irrigation standpoint, drought or not: adjust the throw on your sprinklers so you’re not watering the road, fix breaks, and check for other obvious issues like clogged heads. The more advanced stuff like smart controllers, they may not save you water right now, certainly rain sensors won’t since it’s not raining. But these things will save you water once we do get to that rainy season.

Dive into the CLCE’s Drought Toolkit here.

CLCE Director: An Educated Public is the Most Direct Path to Positive Change

The 2^nd Urban Landscape Summit is just around the corner. To highlight this informative occasion, for the next three weeks we’ll be posting related topics, including a Summit preview and an interview featuring one of UF ABE’s newest faculty whom will be presenting during the summit. We begin with a recent article by Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology Director Dr. Michael Dukes on the valuable role IFAS plays in a state where water is at once controversial, plentiful, and in high demand.

Protecting the water we'll need for the 15 million additional residents projected to live here in 50 years calls for us to start right now by getting today's 20 million Floridians on board with a conservation ethic.

The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has a special responsibility as the state's leading public institution providing the science to make this happen. After decades of work and significant accomplishments, we can see that so much still needs to be done.

Dr. Michael Dukes and Bernard Cardenas in turfgrass research plots

That's why we believe the gifted nature photographer and defender of springs John Moran performs an important public service in highlighting the importance of water in Florida (see article).

We need people with his passion and his talent for communicating, whether through his images or his contributions to The Sun. Although UF/IFAS leads the way on water science in Florida, we do not have a monopoly on the topic.

UF/IFAS is on the cutting edge of water-saving science with technologies such as phone apps and high tech irrigation controllers that tap into soil moisture data and weather forecasts to tell people when to water and, equally importantly, when not to. They can cut your water usage by 20 percent without browning your lawn.

Dr. Kati Migliaccio and the smartirrigation turf app

We have UF/IFAS Extension agents in every county to familiarize homeowners and growers with these kinds of tools. These agents also work with builders and developers, a number of whom are building these technologies into their new communities. And they work with homeowners' associations to educate them about water-conserving practices and to encourage them to adopt new ideas. If all new homes followed suit, we estimate that we'd save 1.8 billion gallons a year — enough to provide 30,000 homes in Florida with water for a year of indoor consumption.

The UF/IFAS Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology, which I lead, provides easy-to-understand information on wise water use through its Florida-Friendly Landscaping program that serves all Floridians. Some, like Moran, choose no water or fertilizer for their landscapes. Others are obligated to maintain their landscapes by the rules of homeowners' associations.

Florida-Friendly signage at the UF/IFAS Landscape Unit

We're not in the business of telling people to have a lawn or not. Instead, using the best available science, we inform all kinds of property owners who want to know how much to water and to fertilize. It's powerful information because it can demonstrate how natural resource protection and financial savings often go hand in hand.

UF/IFAS has recently invested in making further progress in Florida by hiring five regional specialized water extension agents, each based in one of the five state water management districts. These agents will communicate science to water users of all kinds. In addition, UF/IFAS is hiring four faculty to join a team in what we call environmentally resilient, resource-efficient land use. This team will focus on further understanding patterns of water use and water quality threats from development and seek ways to address those threats.

Stand-alone weather-based irrigation controllers at a commercial property in Orange County

The public hungers — dare I say "thirsts?" — for such information. A recent UF/IFAS survey indicated that residents would like more information on how to conserve water and that they would respond to incentives such as rebates to adopt new technologies such as smart irrigation controllers.

Getting this information out will be critical to protecting the natural resources that make Florida such a special place.

Moran's opinion is that "we'd do just fine without lawn sprinklers and fertilizer. And Florida would be a better place." Yet many others enjoy gardening that requires irrigated landscapes. Much of the development in recent decades has occurred through subdivisions with homeowners' associations where landscaping is required.

Presenting to growers during Field Day at SVAEC in Live Oak

UF/IFAS does not make public policy. We believe an educated public is the most direct path to positive change. We appreciate the efforts of Moran and other activists who seek to influence public policy, because their efforts can give our science a boost by raising awareness about a resource that can go unnoticed until a crisis such as an algae bloom.

We at UF/IFAS are proud of our work on water quality and conservation. For example, UF/IFAS work on developing guidelines for agricultural practices has contributed to a 79 percent reduction in the amount of phosphorus — a main element in fertilizer — in farm water flowing into the Everglades.

But we must do more — a lot more — together. UF/IFAS and its Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology will continue to provide the unbiased science that has made us the first place that Floridians — whether they're homeowners, farmers, water district managers, or legislators — look for solutions to our water challenges.

Water and the Florida Public

At IrriGator we invest considerable time and resources into communicating research-based information on water-use and water management. Rare, however, is the opportunity to gauge how the public is receiving and digesting these efforts. Enter the UF/IFAS PIE Center’s annual Public Opinion of Water in Florida survey.

Gleanings

The Center’s survey polled 749 Florida residents on a number of water-related topics. The ensuing report paints a helpful picture about what the public knows and doesn't know and where messaging and communication can be improved or adjusted.  A sample of these findings include: 

• Water ranks 3rd, below health care and the economy, on a priority list of those surveyed
• Few of those surveyed felt water quality was getting better in any of Florida's water bodies
• 85% of those surveyed indicated they were likely/very likely to pay attention to a water news item
• 72% of those surveyed are willing to pay more for their water bills if it would ensure adequate water resources for Florida's future

When the chips are down

"I think the public generally understands

 water conservation when they are affected by it. 

That is, when they don’t have enough water, 

the importance hits home. Those affected 

by the drought in California right now 

would be a good example."

-Dr. Michael Dukes

In a recent interview for Landscape Management, Dr. Michael Dukes, director of the UF/IFAS Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology, addresses some aspects of successful water communication. Namely, context counts. When water scarcity is a factor, the public is generally more receptive to messaging. And in drought circumstances conservation messaging tends to saturate the media. 

Knowing what we don't know about what you think you know about water: an infographic

Further, Dr. Dukes also notes how the development of a water efficient ethic within the Green Industry coincided with implementation of water conserving programs, devices and codes at both the manufacturing and agency levels. There are advantages to being able to communicate important information from a non-crisis position.

Teachables

As someone whose work encompasses Extension and communication, the most useful gems among the Center’s survey results are Figure 33 and Figure 35. 

Extension? What's that? (courtesy: Public Opinions of Water in Florida)

For me, Fig. 33 (above) confirms the shortcomings of engaging the public by way of what are often understaffed, inadequately resourced and marginal channels throughout the state. On the other hand, Fig. 35 (below) is fraught with possibility, suggesting an accessible audience consuming content online - a multimedia platform today’s educators are well-versed in utilizing. 

See you on the interwebs (courtesy: Public Opinions of Water in Florida)

In a great article addressing the water survey, Jenny Adler of the UF Water Institute said it best: “We are given an incredible opportunity (which will also be a challenge) to share current water research and knowledge about water issues through these identified outlets.”

Webinars
The PIE Center recently hosted a webinar on water issues and the implications for agriculture featuring Dr. Kati Migliaccio and Dr. Alexa Lamm. View the webinar here.

The PIE Center recently hosted a webinar featuring Dr. Michael Dukes addressing the landscape water use aspects of the survey. View the webinar here.