Saving Our Water One Yard at a Time
I’ve been approached by so many people lately asking me how they can help Florida, environmentally speaking. The answer isn’t a simple one, but a really good place to start is in our own yard.
All of us need to change our habits with fertilizer and water usage. I’m so passionate about this conservation effort that I created a television series about it called Flip My Florida Yard (we are currently looking for yards to flip). The idea for the series was to inspire Floridians to be stewards of their own land, their yard. I wanted viewers to understand that we are all connected to our waterways (even the Everglades), and if everyone used reduced our consumption and put fewer chemicals in our water, it would make a huge impact. So, if you really want to help Florida, you could start with your own yard.
My county is a perfect example of how we can make small (but significant) changes to lessen the impact on our environment. Seminole County enacted some of the toughest fertilizer regulations in Florida, including a summertime ban, which is typically the rainiest time of the year. Water restrictions for Seminole County have been in place for some time, but county officials realized that excess nitrogen and phosphorus from homeowner yards could end up down storm drains and into our lakes, rivers, and aquifers — creating terrible algae growth and polluting our waterways. Seminole County even created a calculator to measure your fertilizer use (or overuse).
Here are some tips to create a Florida-friendly yard (and lower your water bill):
Brevard, Volusia, Pinellas, St. Lucie, Martin, and other counties have had similar restrictions on fertilizer use, but, not every county in Florida is participating. That’s where you can get involved. Encourage your local county commissioner to follow in Seminole County’s footsteps in limiting fertilizer use and support conservation groups like Captains for Clean Water. And, please, educate yourself with groups like Be Floridian Now and 1000 Friends of Florida. It’s time for all of us to protect our waters.
Do you have any other suggestions? Email me at dofla@howtodoflorida.com.
Thank you for loving Florida,
Chad Crawford
All of us need to change our habits with fertilizer and water usage. I’m so passionate about this conservation effort that I created a television series about it called Flip My Florida Yard (we are currently looking for yards to flip). The idea for the series was to inspire Floridians to be stewards of their own land, their yard. I wanted viewers to understand that we are all connected to our waterways (even the Everglades), and if everyone used reduced our consumption and put fewer chemicals in our water, it would make a huge impact. So, if you really want to help Florida, you could start with your own yard.
My county is a perfect example of how we can make small (but significant) changes to lessen the impact on our environment. Seminole County enacted some of the toughest fertilizer regulations in Florida, including a summertime ban, which is typically the rainiest time of the year. Water restrictions for Seminole County have been in place for some time, but county officials realized that excess nitrogen and phosphorus from homeowner yards could end up down storm drains and into our lakes, rivers, and aquifers — creating terrible algae growth and polluting our waterways. Seminole County even created a calculator to measure your fertilizer use (or overuse).
Here are some tips to create a Florida-friendly yard (and lower your water bill):
- Fertilize only in the spring and fall, and make sure it’s slow-release nitrogen. Click here for a list of Florida-friendly fertilizers.
- Replace large, grassy areas that are directly in the sun with drought-tolerant native plants or alternative ground cover like slow-growing ivy or mulch.
- Make sure your sprinkler timer working properly and set to the water restrictions in your area. Also, check sprinkler heads to make sure you’re not watering the street instead of your sod.
- Take it easy with pesticides, or use non-toxic horticultural sprays to keep the bad bugs at bay and the good bugs (like ladybugs, spiders, and butterflies) around.
Brevard, Volusia, Pinellas, St. Lucie, Martin, and other counties have had similar restrictions on fertilizer use, but, not every county in Florida is participating. That’s where you can get involved. Encourage your local county commissioner to follow in Seminole County’s footsteps in limiting fertilizer use and support conservation groups like Captains for Clean Water. And, please, educate yourself with groups like Be Floridian Now and 1000 Friends of Florida. It’s time for all of us to protect our waters.
Do you have any other suggestions? Email me at dofla@howtodoflorida.com.
Thank you for loving Florida,
Chad Crawford
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About the Host/Creator
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As a native Floridian, Chad Crawford has always loved his home state, and he’s made it his mission to share it with the world. He’s often called Florida’s Ambassador for this very reason. Emmy award-winning how to Do florida with Chad Crawford began as a way to combine Chad’s passions – filmmaking, Florida, and literally anything outdoors – but has evolved into a passion project. The more he travels the state, meeting people whose livelihood is the land (and water), the more aware he has become of the issues facing Florida – namely the water crisis. He has worked alongside Florida Fish and Wildlife, Coastal Conservation Association, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Department of Agriculture, Everglades Foundation, Captains for Clean Water, and author Richard Louv in directed efforts to help preserve Florida’s natural resources, and to communicate how we can all be part of solving the environmental problems the state is facing today.
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Recognizing that the next generation needs be part of this conversation, he created an Emmy award-winning kids’ show, The Outsiders Club. The series is geared toward kids and young families, takes place outdoors, and educates viewers in a fun and meaningful way about how they can care for Florida’s environment. Chad uses his platforms to create fans of Florida, but more importantly, he’s interested in creating advocates for Florida. He often says, “When people experience the real Florida they are more likely to take interest in the issues that affect it.” His famous sign-off “Get out and Do Florida” has incited a movement of people, stoking renewed interest in our state’s environmental issues. He encourages his fans to both enjoy Florida and be part of preserving its resources, saying, “If we all do just a little, well, that’s a lot.” Chad and his wife live in Central Florida with their four children.
Want Chad to speak at your event?
Check out Chad’s blog
Want Chad to speak at your event?
Check out Chad’s blog