Greening the Landscape The value of going green Ondine Wells Statewide Builder and Developer Coordinator
Challenges Presentation Outline Going Green Florida-friendly Landscaping Success Stories
Florida Population: 1980 ~10,000,000 2005 ~17,000,000 2030 ~28,000,000 Building Permits (Florida): 2002 128,719 2003 156,852 2004 187,463 2005 209,162 2006 146,236 2007 70,030 Growth Indicators Current 2060 Source: http://www.census.gov/const/www/c40/table2.html Maps: developed by the University of Florida GeoPlan Center. Graphics courtesy of Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin, Orlando.
Increasing Demand for Water By 2025, public water supply is expected to increase by 49% and become the largest user of fresh water (43% of total fresh water use). Source: Tapping New Source: Meeting 2025 Water Supply Needs, FDEP, March 2007
Water and Energy Connection "Conserving water and improving efficiency, doesn't just save water, it also saves energy, cuts electricity bills, and reduces pollution from power plants." Ronnie Cohen Natural Resources Defense Council co-author of the study, "Energy Down the Drain"
The Florida Water Challenge Florida Water Quality Assessment 2002 305(b) report Water bodies impaired for nutrients. Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Rising Costs The price of fertilizer has skyrocketed 228 percent since 2000 Source: High cost and demand for fertilizer scares farmers; 6/4/2008; James Hannah, Associated Press Writer Average U.S. farm prices of selected fertilizers 600 Dollars per ton 500 400 300 200 Anhydrous ammonia Nitrogen solutions (30%) Urea 45-46% Nitrogen Ammonium Nitrate 100 0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Year (data collected in April) Source: USDA, http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/fertilizeruse/ ; NASS.
Impacts of Landscaping 25 to 60% of homeowner water use is for lawn & landscape irrigation Nutrient runoff can degrade water bodies + =
Financial Crisis Brown lawn means jail time Jodie Tillman, Times Staff Writer, October 11, 2008 Resident facing financial difficulties is unable to meet HOA s requirements to replace his sod.
Saving with Green Construction Energy-efficient homes (design, construction, systems, materials) Energy-efficient appliances Water conserving appliances Landscapes that conserve water
$$ Benefits of Going Green $$ Between 1995-2006 more than 360,000 ENERGY STAR new homes saved homeowners an estimated $200 million and eliminated approximately 4 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. Some insurance companies give green home credits. Studies show that sustainable developments have higher property and resale values than do conventional developments. 55% of survey respondents were willing to pay more for energy-efficient home features [National Association of Home Builders] http://www.jea.com/about/news/stories/gbhf.asp
How Green is it?
FYN 36-91 points Certification Checklists Florida Water Star 90-304 points Florida Green Building Coalition 80-300 points
Certifications Certification for new model home or commercial Florida-Friendly Landscape Once occupied, resident must seek Florida-Friendly Recognition Certification for new homes focused on indoor and outdoor water conservation
Certifications Green Building Certifications address a variety of issues including: Building materials Location and access to public transportation Density Site preparation Preservation Energy efficiency Water conservation Indoor air quality
Greening the Landscape Florida-Friendly Landscaping Conserves Water Protects Water Quality Supports both Humans and Wildlife
Florida-Friendly Landscaping Principles 1. Right plant, right place 2. Water efficiently 3. Fertilize appropriately 4. Mulch 5. Attract wildlife
Florida-Friendly Nine Principles (cont d) 6. Manage yard pests responsibly 7. Reduce stormwater runoff 8. Recycle 9. Protect the waterfront
Site Preparation Preserve habitat Protect existing trees
Site Preparation Preserve top soil Prevent soil compaction Replant vegetation up to 10 points up to 15 points up to 20 points 660 lbs 1,100 lb 1,650 lbs 2,200 lbs 80% of compaction occurs in the first pass
Florida-Friendly Landscape Design Design and install landscapes that do not require irrigation after establishment 11 points 10 points 105 points
Florida-Friendly Landscape Design Create zones for high and low water use Reduce high water use plants 2 points 5 points Zones - prerequisite
If Installing Irrigation Be Efficient Microirrigation in landscape beds 2 points 5 points up to 25 points
Irrigation Technology Rain Sensors Water Efficiently Rain sensors alone can save ~30-40% compared to a recommended homeowner schedule 1 point
Irrigation Technology - Soil Moisture Sensors Water Efficiently Soil moisture sensors can save 60-90% over timed irrigation systems under optimum conditions up to 3 points 25-35 points 2 points
Reduce Stormwater Runoff Channel rooftop runoff to the landscape Pervious walkways and driveways up to 3 points up to 6 points
Reduce Stormwater Runoff Retention Areas Gentle swales and rain gardens receive road runoff in St. Johns and Manatee Counties. 2 points 2 points
Collect and Use Stormwater Rain Barrels and Cisterns 1-2 points 1-2 points
Education Educate homeowners Long-term maintenance up to 9 points up to 6 points
Model Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CCRs) Community Covenants Green Industries BMPs up to 8 points
Madera Community Alachua County - Gainesville 44 acres, 88 single family homes Utilized City Green Building Incentive program Narrow Uncurbed Roads Careful & Limited Clearing Credit: Glenn Acomb
Madera: Model Home Landscape Design Preserved Vegetation Turf Rain Garden MODEL HOME Turf Infiltration Tank Guest Parking Driveway Image Courtesy: Glenn Acomb Associates, Inc Credit: Glenn Acomb
Madera: Model Home Design Techniques Shared Driveway Pervious Pavers Florida-friendly Landscape Irrigation = 50% Conventional Credit: Glenn Acomb
Madera: Model Home Design Techniques Exfiltration Tank Roof to Tank Reinforced Turf for Parking Soil Moisture Sensors (4 Zone) Rain Garden Credit: Glenn Acomb
Lakewood Ranch Manatee County 28,000 acres; 20 different builders Developer voluntarily adopted Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) standards Developer has also agreed to follow FYN principles in all landscaping
Affordable SF homes Florida-friendly landscaping Florida-friendly CCRs Education for new homeowners Only micro-irrigation Energy Star & Florida Water Star SM Hancock Place St. Johns County
Future of Green Building Gainesville and Sarasota Green Building incentives Many local governments require LEED certification for new government buildings Mt. Dora (Lake County) requires Floridafriendly Landscaping Naples requires a city certification of lawn and landscape maintenance professionals applying fertilizer Regional Planning Councils are increasingly recommending strategies to protect natural resources
Role of Master Gardeners May see an increased demand for FYN Yard Advisors Opportunities to educate homeowners about Floridafriendly landscaping
Helpful Websites Florida Yards & Neighborhoods fyn.ifas.ufl.edu FloridaYards.org Florida Water Star FloridaWaterStar.com Florida Green Building Coalition FloridaGreenBuilding.org
Contributors Thank You Glenn Acomb, ASLA Associate Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture Michael D. Dukes, Ph.D., P.E., Barnardo Cardenas-Lailhacar, Melissa B. Haley Agricultural & Biological Engineering Institute of Food and Agriculural Sciences (IFAS) Kathleen Ruppert, EdD Associate Extension Specialist, Program for Resource Efficient Communities