A guidebook for sustainable landscaping practices for the Audubon Park Garden District, as prepared by Rollins College students.

1. Audubon Park:
Sustainable Landscaping
Practices
Sarah Ellingson & Carly McLendon

2. Project Proposal
This project proposes a native landscaping regimen for an Orlando
neighborhood in Audubon Park in order to promote ecological integrity
(biodiversity), and account for environmental externalities (reducing
potable water consumption). Micro-organisms and invertebrates are key
to ecosystem services, especially in mitigating the increase in pressure
on freshwater supplies, sewage, and the living environment.
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https://www.google.com/maps/@28.5922422,-81.3574239,16z

3. Defining Sustainability
Sustainability can be defined as: setting limits to growth in order to
satisfy the needs of current populations, while provisioning resources for
future generations.1
Orlando Greenworks Plan; Water. Reducing gross potable water
consumption per capita by 20%. On average, homeowners use 42,000
gallons of water irrigating yards. Native plants minimize the need for
irrigation, mowing, fertilizers, and pesticides, while filtering pollutants
and storm water.2
UN Sustainability Goal 6; Clean Water & Sanitation
❖Target: “improving water efficiency”3. Approximately 70 per cent of all
water abstracted from rivers, lakes, and aquifers is used for irrigation.
UN Sustainability Goal 11; Sustainable Cities and Communities
❖Target: “by 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact
of cities...”4
UN Sustainability Goal 15; Life on Land
❖Target: integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and
local planning.5
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4. Precedents
A Colorado Community, Cherry Creek, switched to all native
plants in 2014 and saved over 15 million gallons of water in one year.6
The homeowners association shifted from turf grass and juniper to
drought-tolerant, native species that required minimal irrigation and
pesticides. This investment not only reduced water consumption and
costs, but also increased bird biodiversity (e.g. Hummingbirds).
https://www.audubon.org/news/how-one-neighborhood-saved-millions-gallons-water-native-plants
Before After
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5. Precedents
A Canadian town, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, utilized xeriscape
plants that require minimum upkeep and enhances ecological health.7
This landscape improved water efficiency by using mulch and native
vegetation set to soil types. The largest motivating factor for xeriscaping
was “aesthetics and enjoyment of gardening”, with water conservation
ranking third. Homeowners also practiced environmentally friendly
lifestyles such as recycling, composting, and edible gardening.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/26193869.pdf
Model xeriscape:
4

6. Precedents
A study published in the journal, Conservation Biology, "Impact of
Native Plants on Bird and Butterfly Biodiversity in Suburban
Landscapes” focuses on implementing native landscapes to increase
insect biodiversity, which aids bird populations.8 The study documented
that native landscaping enhances biomass and diversity found within a
landscape, and creates a food bank for insect herbivores and insectivores
(birds). The study used Simpson’s diversity index to measure the
abundance of lepidopteran and avian species. “Native plant diversity was
positively correlated with lepidopteran abundance (r = 0.836, p < 0.001)
and avian abundance (r = 0.589, p = 0.044).” This connection between
native plants and suburban biodiversity offers a means for homeowner
decisions to grow insect and bird populations.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/29738707.pdf?refreqid=excelsior%3Aa0ca6e2f67b65a8a95ac385942dc50bb
Table 2. Comparison of bird-community metrics recorded on properties landscaped with native plants versus properties
landscaped with a combination of non-native ornamentals and natives (conventional)
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7. Mesic Landscape Model
Dimension: 60’ x 37.5’
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8. Xeric Landscape Model
Scale: 1 block = 3ftScale: 1 block = 3ft
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Dimension: : 60’ x 37.5’

9. Yearly Cost: Conventional Lawn
• Initial costs for native landscapes = paid off in
approximately one year after implementation.
• Save over $800 per year on Lawn Irrigation and
Maintenance
• Save approximately 42,000 gallons of water per year9
• Increase urban biodiversity
• Promotes cleaner local water supply 10
Yearly Benefits: Native Landscaping
8

10. Implementation
Local governments in Florida are required to adopt a
comprehensive plan as stated in the Local Government
Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act.11
For instance, under the City of Winter Park’s Comprehensive Plan, a
native landscape ordinance aligns with goals, objectives, and
policies listed in Element Chapter: Conservation. Goal 5-1: Natural
& Environmental Resources states: “Provide for the preservation,
conservation and appropriate management of the City's natural
resources so that their economic, educational, environmental, social
and aesthetic values are preserved and enhanced and available to
future generations.”12 Additionally, under Objective 5-2.6: Protect
Native Vegetation & Aquatic Habitats, Policy 5-2.6.5: Use of
Native Plants for Landscaping states: “Landscape plans and plant
materials required of new development shall promote the use of
native plant species and avoid the planting of exotic plants known to
create nuisances.”13 More specifically, under the Potable Water
section of the City of Orlando’s Comprehensive Plan, Policy 1.2.4
states: “The City shall reduce the use of potable water for irrigation
purposes by maintaining regulations throughout the planning period
that require the use of native vegetation or other drought resistant
species in new development.”14
These policies offer a model for Audubon Park to provide
Minimum Landscape Requirements: promoting microhabitats to
encourage urban biodiversity, connecting plant populations,
conserving water sources through water-efficient landscaping,
reducing chemical usage and air pollution tied to lawn maintenance,
and reducing landscape maintenance costs.15 Ideally, Before the
ordinance is implemented, specific streets could model this
ordinance as a pilot program.
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11. Incentives
“A local government may choose to provide incentives to
promote the use of appropriate native vegetation. This may be
especially useful for property owners who are not otherwise
subject to the ordinance, e.g. those not contemplating
modifications to their landscaping. There are many incentives
that a local government may offer to encourage its citizens to
participate in the promotion of appropriate native vegetation.
The following list provides examples of such incentives, including:
1) Fast track permitting for building and landscape permits
2) Reduced permitting fees (e.g. Water Smart Landscapes
Rebate, Southern Nevada Water Authority) 16
3) Certified Native Landscape Programs/Marketing
4) Tax Breaks/user fee reductions
5) Payment or Cost-Share Programs for Removal of Invasive
Exotic Species”17
6) Certified Wildlife Habitat (NWF)18
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12. Resident Stewardship Survey
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Can Landscaping Influence Homeowner Attitudes about
Conservation and Stewardship? was a project presented at the Urban
Ecology Conference in Portland, Oregon. The project attempted to use
native landscapes as a means to educate homeowners on urban ecology
and its’ role in habitat creation and restoration. The project contained a
survey for clients pre- and post- project to asses how homeowners
prioritized native plants and wildlife habitat. In pilot surveys, the majority
of clients listed reducing water use, attracting birds, and supporting
pollinators as goals for their project. In Audubon Park, the survey below
would be used to collect and analyze data regarding attitudes about
conservation and stewardship.

13. End Notes
1. World Commission on Environment and Development. 1987. Our common future.
Oxford: Oxford University Press.
2. “2018 Community Action Plan.” City of Orlando,
beta.orlando.gov/NewsEventsInitiatives/Initiatives/2018-Community-Action-Plan.
3. "Water and Sanitation - United Nations Sustainable Development." United Nations.
Accessed January 30, 2019. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-
sanitation/.
4. "Cities - United Nations Sustainable Development Action 2015." United Nations.
Accessed January 30, 2019. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/.
5. "Forests, Desertification and Biodiversity - United Nations Sustainable Development."
United Nations. Accessed January 30, 2019.
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/biodiversity/.
6. Bergstrom, Liz. "How One Neighborhood Saved Millions of Gallons of Water With
Native Plants." Audubon. June 02, 2017.
7. Smith, Brittany, and Robert Patrick. "Xeriscape for Urban Water Security: A Preliminary
Study from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan." Canadian Journal of Urban Research 20, no. 2
(2011): 56-70.
8. Burghardt, Karin T., Douglas W. Tallamy, and W. Gregory Shriver. "Impact of Native
Plants on Bird and Butterfly Biodiversity in Suburban Landscapes." Conservation
Biology 23, no. 1 (2009): 219-24. http://www.jstor.org/stable/29738707.
9. “2018 Community Action Plan.” City of Orlando,
beta.orlando.gov/NewsEventsInitiatives/Initiatives/2018-Community-Action-Plan.
10. Ibid
11. Zimmerman, Erika, JD Candidate, and Thomas T. Ankersen, Director. "Model Native
Plant Landscape Ordinance Handbook." PhD diss., University of Florida Levin College of
Law. Abstract. Accessed January 28, 2019.
https://www.law.ufl.edu/_pdf/academics/centers-
clinics/clinics/conservation/resources/MLOFinal2-6-2-05.pdf.
12. United States. City of Winter Park. Comprehensive Plan: Chapter 5:
Conservation.Accessed February 21, 2019.
https://cityofwinterpark.org/docs/departments/planning-community-
development/planning-zoning/comprehensive-plan/goals-objectives-policies/GOP-
ch5-conservation.pdf.
13. Ibid.
14. United States. City of Orlando. Comprehensive Plan: Potable Water.Accessed February
26, 2019. http://www.cityoforlando.net/city-planning/wp-
content/uploads/sites/27/2018/03/12-PotableWater_Supp18.pdf.
15. Zimmerman, Erika, JD Candidate, and Thomas T. Ankersen, Director. "Model Native
Plant Landscape Ordinance Handbook." PhD diss., University of Florida Levin College of
Law. Abstract. Accessed January 28, 2019.
https://www.law.ufl.edu/_pdf/academics/centers-
clinics/clinics/conservation/resources/MLOFinal2-6-2-05.pdf.
16. "Southern Nevada Water Authority." Installing Trees, Plants and Mulch. Accessed
March 01, 2019. https://www.snwa.com/rebates/wsl/index.html.
17. Zimmerman, Erika, JD Candidate, and Thomas T. Ankersen, Director. "Model Native
Plant Landscape Ordinance Handbook." PhD diss., University of Florida Levin College of
Law. Abstract. Accessed January 28, 2019.
https://www.law.ufl.edu/_pdf/academics/centers-
clinics/clinics/conservation/resources/MLOFinal2-6-2-05.pdf.
18. "In Your Community - Garden for Wildlife." The National Wildlife Federation. Accessed
February 01, 2019. https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/Create/Communities.
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