Two area home builders were recently recognized for their use of water-wise landscaping.
Fidelity Homes and Pruett Builders both received the Water-Wise Landscape Recognition Award Friday at the annual Manatee and Sarasota County Home Builders Association Parade of Homes banquet. Fidelity Homes’ Cordoba model won the Manatee County award, while Pruett Builders’ Mar a Lago II model won the Sarasota County award.
The Water-Wise Landscape Recognition program is a competition held in conjunction with the Parade of Homes, which recognizes this segment of the construction industry’s efforts to incorporate water-wise landscaping. The program’s cooperative partners include the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Manatee and Sarasota County Cooperative Extension Service offices.
A total of 12 entrants competed in the Water-Wise Landscape Recognition program. Angela Maraj, Florida Yards and Neighborhoods coordinator for the Sarasota County Extension Service, and staff from the Manatee County and Sarasota County Extension Services judged the entrants.
Builders competing in the Water-Wise Landscape Recognition program are evaluated using the criteria and format of the Water-Wise Award program, initiated by Tampa Bay Water for Tampa Bay-area home builders in 1996.
The criteria were derived from landscaping principles that include but are not limited to:
- the inclusion of drought-tolerant vegetation,
- non-invasive trees and/or native plants,
- the use of mulch,
- rain collection devices,
- minimal and/or practical use of grass,
- designed landscape areas that can exist primarily on rainfall and appear healthy, and
- water-wise irrigation systems when irrigation systems are needed.
Showcasing the water-conserving features included in the Parade of Homes landscapes is a unique way to promote outdoor water conservation. Landscaping and irrigation accounts for 30 to 50 percent of water used by the average household. Utilizing efficient irrigation techniques and water-wise landscaping is especially important for residents in the District where water resources are limited.
Visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org or call 1-800-423-1476 for more information about the nine principles of Florida-friendly landscaping and how you can utilize water-wise landscaping techniques in your yard.