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Parks staff urges 'Florida‑Friendly' landscaping, not rock mulch, to protect wildlife and cut water use
Summary
City Parks staff presented 'Florida‑Friendly Lawns' guidance to the Environmental Advisory Board, recommending drought‑tolerant native plants and reduced mulch to support pollinators and reduce runoff; members urged earlier coordination with Community Development Department (CDD) on developer landscape plans.
Parks Department representative Abraham presented the board with a slide packet and handout outlining the evolution from traditional xeriscaping to what state guidance calls "Florida‑Friendly Lawns," emphasizing native, drought‑tolerant plantings and less extensive mulch coverage.
"Florida native plants that promote natural wildlife and butterflies and bees" were recommended for medians and public spaces, Abraham said, and he named examples such as agave, black olive trees and pink muhly grass as hardy options that need low irrigation. He said the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Services and University of Florida guidance informed the recommendations.
Board members asked about plant sourcing and maintenance and whether the city enforces particular species in developer plans. Abraham said Parks typically reviews plans after landscape selections are already set but that Parks prefers to maintain plants listed in the Florida‑Friendly guidance when the department will be responsible for upkeep.
"When we talk about landscaping projects that are coming up... if Parks is gonna maintain it, we'd prefer to use these landscaping items and most times it's approved," Abraham said.
Members urged the board to recommend earlier involvement in the plan‑review process so Parks expertise can be incorporated before developers finalize plans. Chair Connie Bennett Martin asked staff to invite the Community Development Department to a future meeting to explain permitting and the plan‑review process.
The board did not adopt an immediate code change; members suggested next steps include inviting CDD, collecting science and cost data, and considering incentives or a city nursery to lower costs for property owners.
