Introduction
Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM (FFL) promotes nine principles to protect water resources in designing and maintaining landscapes. The practices can be applied at scales ranging from individual yards to parks to communities. Landscapes designed around the FFL principles can satisfy a range of aesthetics, work well across sites inland and coastal, and suit properties large and small. The more examples we have of FFL, the better we can picture the possibilities it offers.
This article offers a profile of the Rio Bioswale project, recognized last year as one of our first FFL Gold projects in Martin County. The Martin County Community Redevelopment Agency led the project, working closely with Martin County Horticulturist Carly Batts and the Neighborhood Advisory Committee. The Rio Bioswale project highlights the FFL principles of “reduce stormwater runoff” and “attract wildlife“. It’s also attractive to the neighborhood residents, who enjoy walking along the pathway bordered by flowering shrubs and shaded by tree limbs. Reducing stormwater runoff is vital to improving water quality for swimming, fishing, wildlife, and natural systems. Water quality is impaired in our St. Lucie River and Estuary Basin, which stretches across Martin, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties. The basin flows into the Indian River Lagoon, carrying stormwater pollutants into the estuary. The St. Lucie River and Estuary Basin Management Action Plan calls for reductions in stormwater loading of 21-70%. The Rio Bioswale project balances the needs of neighborhood flood protection with stormwater retention and water quality protection. In addition, the project designers incorporated both preserved and planted native vegetation. The vegetation offers food, shelter, and nesting habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. Here is how Jordan Pastorius, Assistant Manager with the Martin County Office of Community Development, describes the team’s effort:
Rio Bioswale Project
“The Rio Bioswale is an innovative project that increases stormwater runoff storage and improves water quality before it reaches the St. Lucie River. It also enhances drainage on Kubin Ave and throughout the Rio Shores neighborhood while preserving native vegetation—an important step towards a cleaner, greener community!
Stretching from St. Lucie Boulevard several blocks to the north, the bioswale is designed to tackle two major challenges: alleviating neighborhood flooding and reducing urban stormwater runoff within the ‘Mid-North Estuary’ basin, which spans over 549 acres. The project also created a shaded walking path for residents to enjoy.
The swale directs runoff into a gravel underlayer with a specially designed geoweb system that stores and filters the water. To complement flood control, we worked closely with the County’s Horticulturist, Carly Batts, to incorporate a fully native landscape on either side of the swale. This includes plants like Swamp Milkweed, Blazing Star, Coreopsis (Florida’s state wildflower), Gopher Apple, Twinflower, and Elliott’s Lovegrass.
Most recently, the Rio Bioswale was awarded a Florida-Friendly’ Landscape Gold Certification from the University of Florida. This recognition, part of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program, honors landscapes that adopt sustainable practices such as minimizing potable water use, reducing fertilizer and pesticide runoff, and providing wildlife habitats.”
Check out the Rio Bioswale CRA Video.
Be Recognized!
Contact your local UF/IFAS Extension office to learn more about the FFL principles and apply them in your yard or community. If you’re in Martin County, reach out to our UF/IFAS Extension Martin County FFL Yard Advisors at (772) 288-5654 or MCMasterGardenerFFL@yahoo.com, led by County Extension Director Jennifer Pelham. Our Master Gardener Volunteers will review the FFL recognition checklist with you on your property. Together, you will identify practices that would qualify for Gold or Silver status!
Seek or Become a FFL Certified Professional
Property owners seeking to incorporate FFL can find certified professionals in the FFL Certified Professional (FFLCP) Directory. FFLCPs earn their qualification by completing six hours of instruction, participating in a field module, and passing the certification exam.
Landscape professionals, if you are seeking FFL certification, contact your local Extension office. In Martin County, contact Yvette Goodiel, 772-419-6962 or goodiel@ufl.edu. You can also learn more in the blog, “Landscape professionals: Add Florida-Friendly to your resume.”
Blog header photo credit: Tomorra Smith
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