Published 2020-10-19
Abstract
From September 2018 to May 2019 the Florida-Friendly Landscaping team at the Seminole County Extension Office presented Fertilizer Workshops. These workshops targeted homeowners and homeowners associations, and educated participants on Best Management Practices (BMP’s) for residential landscapes. Program participants also received a free bag of fertilizer. By way of mass media and 27 classes, a total of 17,454 people were educated about fertilizer BMP’s. Of those, 288 people completed reflective post-surveys which revealed 97.2% increased their knowledge on the impacts stormwater (including fertilizer run-off) has on local waterbodies, 98.8% intended to use the information to fertilize their yard appropriately, and 95.3% were more confident they could fertilize appropriately. In a 6 month follow up survey, 86.1% of 129 participants reported they were currently using BMP’s or had recommended BMP’s to their landscaper as a result of the fertilizer workshop. These educational efforts resulted in data that shows significant behavior changes which seeks to reduce local levels of nitrogen and phosphorous, pollutants that lead to harmful algae blooms and impairments. Participants better understand sources of water contamination resulting from fertilizer misuse and have acted to change those behaviors.