The Southwest Florida Water Management District "Governing Board(Governing Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard today proclaimed April as Water Conservation Month.
Each year the "District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org designates April as Water Conservation Month because April is traditionally one of the driest months of the year and typically marks the peak demand season for public water suppliers. Many residents begin establishing new landscaping and increasing their lawn irrigation due to the dry conditions and rising temperatures.
If you haven't thought about "conserving water(Water conservation)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/, now is a great time to start. On average, up to half of your home water is used "outdoors(Saving water outdoors)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/outdoors/. One way to reduce your water consumption is by practicing "Florida-Friendly Landscaping™(Florida-Friendly Landscaping)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards techniques. Florida-Friendly Landscaping, established by the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences for the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program, is a commonsense way to landscape that conserves water and protects the environment. Florida-Friendly Landscaping emphasizes the following nine principles:
* "Right Plant, Right Place(Right Plant, Right Place)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/tipcards/tip1.html – Plants selected to suit a specific site will require minimal amounts of water, fertilizers and pesticides. Group plants according to their maintenance needs.
* "Water Efficiently(Water Efficiently)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/tipcards/tip2.html – Irrigate only when your lawn and landscape need water. Efficient watering is the key to a healthy Florida yard and conservation of limited resources.
* "Fertilize Appropriately(Fertilize Appropriately)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/tipcards/tip3.html – Less is often best. Over-utilization of fertilizers can be hazardous to your yard and the environment.
* "Mulch(Mulch)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/tipcards/tip4.html – Maintaining a 3-inch layer of mulch will help retain soil moisture, prevent erosion and suppress weeds.
* "Attract Wildlife(Attract Wildlife)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/tipcards/tip5.html – Plants in your yard that provide food, water and shelter can sustain Florida's diverse wildlife.
* "Manage Yard Pests Responsibly(Manage Yard Pests Responsibly)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/tipcards/tip6.html – Unwise use of pesticides can harm people, pets, beneficial organisms and the environment.
* "Recycle(Recycle)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/tipcards/tip7.html – Grass clippings, leaves and yard trimmings recycled on site provide nutrients to the soil and reduce waste disposal.
* "Reduce Stormwater Runoff(Reduce Stormwater Runoff)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/tipcards/tip8.html – Water running off your yard can carry pollutants such as soil, debris, fertilizer and pesticides that can adversely impact water quality. Reduction of this runoff will help prevent pollution.
* "Protect the Waterfront(Protect the Waterfront)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/tipcards/tip9.html – Waterfront property, whether on a river, stream, pond, bay or beach, is very fragile and should be carefully protected to maintain freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Incorporating these simple steps will not only save water, but will help protect the environment for future generations. For more information about how you can conserve water inside and outside your home, please visit the District's web site at "WaterMatters.org/conservation":http://www.watermatters.org/conservation/.
Each year the "District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org designates April as Water Conservation Month because April is traditionally one of the driest months of the year and typically marks the peak demand season for public water suppliers. Many residents begin establishing new landscaping and increasing their lawn irrigation due to the dry conditions and rising temperatures.
If you haven't thought about "conserving water(Water conservation)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/, now is a great time to start. On average, up to half of your home water is used "outdoors(Saving water outdoors)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/outdoors/. One way to reduce your water consumption is by practicing "Florida-Friendly Landscaping™(Florida-Friendly Landscaping)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards techniques. Florida-Friendly Landscaping, established by the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences for the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program, is a commonsense way to landscape that conserves water and protects the environment. Florida-Friendly Landscaping emphasizes the following nine principles:
* "Right Plant, Right Place(Right Plant, Right Place)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/tipcards/tip1.html – Plants selected to suit a specific site will require minimal amounts of water, fertilizers and pesticides. Group plants according to their maintenance needs.
* "Water Efficiently(Water Efficiently)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/tipcards/tip2.html – Irrigate only when your lawn and landscape need water. Efficient watering is the key to a healthy Florida yard and conservation of limited resources.
* "Fertilize Appropriately(Fertilize Appropriately)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/tipcards/tip3.html – Less is often best. Over-utilization of fertilizers can be hazardous to your yard and the environment.
* "Mulch(Mulch)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/tipcards/tip4.html – Maintaining a 3-inch layer of mulch will help retain soil moisture, prevent erosion and suppress weeds.
* "Attract Wildlife(Attract Wildlife)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/tipcards/tip5.html – Plants in your yard that provide food, water and shelter can sustain Florida's diverse wildlife.
* "Manage Yard Pests Responsibly(Manage Yard Pests Responsibly)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/tipcards/tip6.html – Unwise use of pesticides can harm people, pets, beneficial organisms and the environment.
* "Recycle(Recycle)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/tipcards/tip7.html – Grass clippings, leaves and yard trimmings recycled on site provide nutrients to the soil and reduce waste disposal.
* "Reduce Stormwater Runoff(Reduce Stormwater Runoff)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/tipcards/tip8.html – Water running off your yard can carry pollutants such as soil, debris, fertilizer and pesticides that can adversely impact water quality. Reduction of this runoff will help prevent pollution.
* "Protect the Waterfront(Protect the Waterfront)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/tipcards/tip9.html – Waterfront property, whether on a river, stream, pond, bay or beach, is very fragile and should be carefully protected to maintain freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Incorporating these simple steps will not only save water, but will help protect the environment for future generations. For more information about how you can conserve water inside and outside your home, please visit the District's web site at "WaterMatters.org/conservation":http://www.watermatters.org/conservation/.