ENGAGING HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS TO REDUCE NUTRIENT RUNOFF IN STORMWATER PONDS
Horticulture & Turfgrass
Michelle Atkinson
Environmental Horticulture Agent
University of Florida/IFAS Manatee County Extension
Palmetto
Abstract
Community stormwater ponds are important for water quality because of their ecological function, they also serve an aesthetic purpose and increase property value. Homeowners often demand pond managers to utilize short-term chemical solutions for aesthetic issues which can create long-term problems for water quality. With a community based social market approach, this project emphasizes that by helping to keep the ponds in good condition homeowners are helping the environment and their own property investment. Homeowners are more engaged in the health of their ponds through an advisory board which is helping design strategies to work with homeowners’ associations for neighborhood ponds and helping determine what type of shoreline plantings and buffer zones homeowners would be more receptive to being introduced in their neighborhoods. With information gathered at focus groups, advisory board meetings, and pre-surveys motivating factors and barriers to change have been identified and will help direct the best ways to make change easy and enjoyable for the homeowners.
Authors: Atkinson, M., Monaghan, P., Hansen, G., Ott, E.
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Atkinson, M. Environmental Horticulture Agent, University of FloridaIFAS Extension, Florida, 34221
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Monaghan, P. Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, University of Florida, Florida, 32611
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Hansen, G. Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, University of Florida, Florida, 32611
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Ott, E. Research Coordinator, University of Florida, Florida, 32611