Project Summary

1. Project ID
Name	Demonstrating the measurable benefits of adopting Florida Yards and Neighborhood Landscape principles
Region	Gulf of Mexico Region
State	FL
Location	Sarasota and Manatee Counties
Date of this update	8/17/00

Habitat Restoration/Protection
Wetlands
River systems
Beaches/Dunes
Offshore areas
Mangroves
Assisting Species at Risk
Pollution Mitigation
Non-Point Source Pollution
Other (describe)

3. Project description (100 words or less)

The Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program has been adopted as a State-wide pollution prevention initiative in Florida'. The FY&N; program simultaneously addresses water conservation, stormwater runoff, wetland protection, preservation of groundwater and surface water supplies , neighborhood beautification, wildlife habitat, and watershed protection. In order to understand the impact that the FY&N; initiative could have on the environment, it is necessary to document the results which can be achieved by adopting FY&N; principles.

The project entails two components: four paired "real world FY&N; yard and traditional turf lawn comparisons in Sarasota, and a replicated 8 plot study at the University of Florida Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center (FLREC). Phase I of the study has been completed which included the construction, establishment, and one year of monitoring of the replicated plots at the University FLREC and establishment of monitoring of two paired "real world" yards on Sarasota Bay.

The main goal for phase 11 of the project is to expand the demonstration site in Sarasota to four paired replicated Florida Yard and traditional turf landscapes (8 yards). During phase I (1998-1999) an initial evaluation of nitrogen run-off and leaching from a FY&N; and traditional turf yard was established. One of the main purposes of this Phase I study was to gain experience in the selection of appropriate study sites, in the installation and utilization of the proper sampling equipment, in collecting, storing, and transporting water samples, and in working with home-owners and cooperators who will be the on-site personnel during the experimental period. This goal has been achieved. Phase II would build upon the experience gained in Phase I and would be expanded to 8 yards to provide replication for statistically-valid results that can hold up to peer review and public scrutiny. Sarasota City Hall is one of the potential FY&N; demonstration sites.

Phase one monitoring of the 8 tree and shrub and turf plots at the University's research center was devoted largely to establishment phase of the landscape material and to refining the recommended management practices such as the type and amount of both fertilizer and irrigation applied. Recommendations for landscape management were developed during coordinated meetings with the Florida Cooperative Extension agents, University researchers, FY&N; coordinators, and FDEP and SBNEP project managers. Now that landscape establishment has occurred and irrigation systems have been retrofitted, an agreed upon management has been developed for Phase II monitoring. As with Phase I, intensive monitoring is scheduled for Phase II which includes complete water and nutrient budgets with the time and amount of irrigation water applied, amount of precipitation, amount of fertilizer applied, time and volume of surface water runoff and leachate, and nutrient concentrations in the runoff and leachate.

Sarasota Bay National Estuary Program partners allocated $40,000 for Phase I of the project; an additional $65,000 was provided by the Florida Department of Enviromnental Protection through a Section 319 grant to the SBNEP. Phase I has been completed. SBNEP partners have allocated $25,000 for Phase II of the project as described herein, an additional $45,000 is required from the Gulf of Mexico partners to fully fund Phase II. Phase H would complete the second seasonal evaluation of the landscaped plots at the University's research center and would expand the "real-world" FY&N; demonstration comparison from two yards to eight yards which will allow meaningful statistics to be obtained from this part of the study. As with Phase I, it is anticipated that trained Master Gardener volunteers will conduct the field sampling at the eight "real-world" landscapes in Phase II.

4. Goals/Benefits (quantify where possible using measures of success list) Was a cost-benefit study conducted for this project? yes/no If yes, provide a summary of findings.

5. Partners (include each participant's responsibilities - funding, permitting, etc.)

6. Funding/Contributions (organization and amount)

	 	  Cash	Federal
			Non Federal 	State government
					Local government
					Private industry
					Public interest groups
			Total


	  In-Kind Services (hours, equipment, or other forms of assistance and estimated dollar 	value)
	
	  Volunteers (number of people and hours, and estimated dollar value)
                

7. Legislative authorities used by each participant

8. Value added by Coastal America Partnership including Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goals achieved through this collaboration (500 words or less)

9. Project Status

• Initiation date:
• Completion date:
• Current stage (Initiated - I, Underway - U or Completed - C)

10. Contacts

11. Any additional information/comments