Mark Hostetler Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation THE GREEN LEAP

Program for Resource Efficient Communities Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation wec.ufl.edu Resources and Programs Introduction - Green Communities Future Sustainability Directions in Florida Agenda

How can we make Florida sustainable in one generation?

Green Communities: Decision Makers

Program for Resource Efficient Communities Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation wec.ufl.edu Where to Go from Here? Homeowners Developers Policy/Planners

Program for Resource Efficient Communities Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation wec.ufl.edu Strategy: Create Model Green Communities

Florida Today Florida 2060 Source: 100 Friends of Florida and UF GeoPlan Center

Green Development Site design Construction Post-Construction

Green Developments: Goals 1. To conserve natural resources on site 2. To minimize impact on surrounding areas

Program for Resource Efficient Communities Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation wec.ufl.edu 1.Subdivision Environmental Education Program 2.Living Green TV Series 3.Living Green Web site 4.Continuing Education Course - Conserving Biodiversity in Urban & Rural Environments 5.Program for Resource Efficient Communities (PREC) 6.Sustainable Development Policies – Edis documents 7.Conservation Subdivision Series – Edis documents 8.Evaluating Green Communities – Edis document 9.Carbon Sequestration and Greenspace – Edis document 10. Retrofitting Yards and Neighborhoods Course Resources and Programs

Install neighborhood educational programs Town of Harmony: dynamic educational signs installed along sidewalks Package includes Web site and brochure (see ion/gc/ ion/gc/

Program for Resource Efficient Communities Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation wec.ufl.edu Drawing down water table Spread of invasive plants and animals Improper management of LID features ATVs and foot traffic into conserved areas Nutrient runoff from lawns an impervious surfaces Underground seepage from septic tanks Improper management of stormwater systems Improper fertilizer and pesticide use Impacts of pets Feeding wildlife and other human/wildlife conflicts Conflicts with nearby agriculture and forestry operations Potential Problems

1) Homeowners score low in terms of environmental attitudes, knowledge, or behaviors 2) Homeowners do not have appropriate information to manage homes, yards, and neighborhoods 4) Homeowners desire local environmental information 3) Sale office information not adequate; homeowners forget the information Most residents are not green

Program for Resource Efficient Communities Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation wec.ufl.edu Longitudinal Study Source: Harmony, FL Harmony vs. Conventional (Results) –Sufficient information to apply practices –Improved environmental attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors

Living Green TV Dvds available –Landscaping for WildlifeLandscaping for Wildlife –Invasive ExoticsInvasive Exotics –Conservation EasementsConservation Easements –Renewable EnergyRenewable Energy –Energy ConservationEnergy Conservation –Sustainable FishingSustainable Fishing –Living with Sea TurtlesLiving with Sea Turtles –Living Green MomentsLiving Green Moments Living Green Web site – fl.eduwww.livinggreen.ifas.u fl.edu

s.ufl.edu

Conserving Biodiversity in Urban and Rural Environments Continuing Education Course Targets planners, developers, and other built environment professionals

Course Offerings May 11, 2010 | St. Augustine, FL St. Johns County Extension Hurricane House, 3111 Agricultural Center Dr. May 18, 2010 | Largo, FL Pinellas County Extension (Gardenia Room), Ulmerton Road May 25, 2010 | Orlando, FL Orange County Extension, 6021 S. Conway Rd. BOLA CEUs AR CEUs FBPE exp PDHs 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Registration Fee: $145

Program for Resource Efficient Communities PREC Building & Construction Policy & Law Energy Environmental Horticulture Landscape Architecture Wildlife Agriculture Engineering

Program for Resource Efficient Communities Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation wec.ufl.edu Mission - To promote the adoption of best design and operation practices in new residential community development that measurably reduce energy and water consumption and environmental degradation. Program for Resource Efficient Communities

Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation wec.ufl.edu Over 25 different courses  Preserving wildlife habitat  Energy-efficient housing  Trees Alive Consultations  Developers  Municipalities Program for Resource Efficient Communities

Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation wec.ufl.edu “Sticks” –Alternative zoning ordinances (overlays) –Clustering requirements –Urban service boundaries Sustainable Policies

Program for Resource Efficient Communities Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation wec.ufl.edu “Carrots” –Transfer of development rights (TDRs)  Sending to receiving areas –Conservation Easements –Other Incentives (tax breaks, fast tracking) Policy

Program for Resource Efficient Communities Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation wec.ufl.edu Develop incentives with stakeholder input Good marketing and education campaign Built government capacity (make the policy mandatory for county developments) EDIS documents available Policy Steps to successful incentive-based policies (research):

Policy Site design Construction Post-Construction POLICY

Program for Resource Efficient Communities Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation wec.ufl.edu Design Construction Post-construction Conservation Subdivision EDIS Series:

Program for Resource Efficient Communities Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation wec.ufl.edu Top eleven questions to ask Targets homebuyers Evaluating Green Communities EDIS Document:

Program for Resource Efficient Communities Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation wec.ufl.edu CO 2 sequestration More turf – less CO 2 sequestered Carbon Sequestration and Greenspace EDIS Document:

Program for Resource Efficient Communities Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation wec.ufl.edu Targets homeowners Under development Retrofitting Neighborhoods Continuing Education Course:

Program for Resource Efficient Communities Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation wec.ufl.edu Future Directions

Tactic 1: Create polices that encourage property owners to adopt LID practices Germany: they give stormwater tax breaks for homeowners that adopt LID enhancements (Individual Parcel Assessments)

Tactic 2: Reduce Carbon Footprint HB 697 Can benefit wildlife (open space)

Tactic 3: Create and promote model yards Concentrate efforts on motivated homeowners to adopt new designs and management practices Include rewards for such sustainable yards (biodiversity!) Homeowners talking with homeowners!

Program for Resource Efficient Communities Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation wec.ufl.edu Create New Green Communities Summary Retrofit Current Urban Communities

Wildlife Extension Mark Hostetler –