Your decisions are important.
They impact water supply, water quality and natural systems. Demand for water will naturally escalate as new-home construction continues for Florida’s expanding population.
Our program
The District’s regional landscape education program promotes the use of Florida-friendly landscaping to members of the building industry, managers of community development districts and boards, and landscape and irrigation professionals. The goals of the program are to encourage water conservation and protection of the environment by members of the construction industries through the use of Florida-friendly landscape best management practices, low impact development techniques and Florida Water Star℠ program criteria in their projects.
Outreach efforts include conferences, workshops, special events, site visits, landscape and irrigation plan reviews, one-on-one interactions, newspaper articles, distribution of printed materials and participation in Parade of Homes and green home certification events. Education is based on the nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles of the University of Florida and the water-conserving practices of the Florida Water Star℠ program.
Our resident expert — available for you
Angela Polo Maraj serves as the District’s regional builder/developer landscape education specialist. She has worked with dozens of top builders who have successfully included Florida-friendly landscaping in their properties and communities. She designed and coordinated the installation of a Florida-friendly landscape for a home built by Bob Vila for his national television show. She teaches industry professionals how to effectively implement the Florida Water Star℠ program and coordinates the landscape and irrigation certifications including the Polk County Builders Association’s “Go Green” home project. Maraj is a certifying agent of the Florida Green Building Coalition, a Green Home Professional with the National Association of Home Builders, a certified landscape designer and is certified by the Landscape Maintenance Association.
The Florida Water Star℠ Certification Program
The Florida Water Star℠ program provides incentives for builders and developers to include indoor and outdoor water efficiency in their new projects. The University of Florida’s Florida-friendly landscaping principles are incorporated into the landscape and irrigation sections.
