Image courtesy of http://www.1888typeitup.com/

Improving Stormwater Ponds and Water Quality:A Community-Based Social Marketing Campaign to Increase Use of BMPs

Focus Groups

Image courtesy of Michelle Atkinson

Tent Event and Walk About

Images courtesy of Dr. Shangshun Hu

Homeowner’s Association Manual Insert

Dr. Paul Monaghan and Emily Ott, M. S.University of Florida

Agricultural Education and CommunicationCenter for Landscape Conservation and Ecology

Grass Clippings Noticed

as a Problem

Cultural/Social Norms• Value interaction with neighbors,

what neighbors think.• Appreciate controlled, consistent

environment.• Restrictions help maintain uniform

neighborhood aesthetic.• Pride of ownership, manicured look,

and good upkeep.• Pride in neighborhood and

community.• Certain wildlife highly valued. • As in literature (Nasar, 1983;

Nassauer, 1988; Yabiku, 2008 etc.)

Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Fertilize Appropriately•NEVER fertilize within 10 feet of any waterbody.•Clean up any spills on the lawn, sidewalk, or driveway–

sweep it up and put it back in the bag.•Do NOT fertilize before rain.

Reduce Stormwater Runoff•Sweep grass clippings, fertilizer, and soil onto the lawn

so they don’t get washed into storm drains.•ALWAYS bag, tie, and trash your pet’s waste.•NEVER put anything into a storm drain.

Protect the Waterfront• NEVER remove vegetation without first seeking

proper permits and guidelines• Establish a maintenance-free zone of at least 10 feet

between your landscape and a waterbody.• Plant a buffer zone of low-maintenance plants between

your lawn and shoreline to absorb nutrients and to provide wildlife habitat.

Extension Intervention and Outreach

Barriers to Shoreline Plantings•Tall plants block views.•Plants grow too fast and “take over.”•Hide undesirable wildlife.

(gators, snakes, mosquitoes, etc.).•Uncontrolled, “swampish” look.•Potential maintenance costs.

Benefits of Shoreline Plantings• Colorful flowers• Diversity along shoreline• Complexity of various colors and textures• Habitat for desirable wildlife

(fish, birds, etc.)

Electronic Survey

Survey Results Presentation

Photo Courtesy of Kathryn Moshella, Bradenton Herald

Demonstration Garden

Runoff Brochure

Science Café

• What is the best part about living in this community?

• What is the typical landscape?• Would you like a different type of

landscape?• Would the HOA, neighbors

support different landscapes? • Who manages/maintains the

landscape? How?• How is your yard connected to

ponds in your neighborhood?• How do your “lakes” function?

Research

n= 627 18% response rate

Roadside Signs