Discovery Gardens Educational Audio Tour
Audio Recording
Jamielyn Hagyari
Florida-Friendly Landscaping/Urban Forestry
UF/IFAS Extension
The Villages
Team Members:
Daugherty, J*1
-
Florida-Friendly Landscaping/Urban Forestry, UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County, The Villages, Florida, 32162
Abstract
Extension gardens have historically been difficult locations to collect data regarding educational benefits and behavioral change. Throughout 2023 educational audio tours were implemented in the UF/IFAS Extension Lake County Discovery Gardens. Using the nine Florida-Friendly Landscape™ (FFL) principles as a central theme, data was collected on knowledge gained and planned behavioral change. Surveys were conducted before tours, immediately after tours, six-months post tour and one-year post tour. Audio scripts were created by the researching agent with recordings being completed by Master Gardener Volunteers. In total, 32-short recordings were created providing garden history, and specific facts about the different themed gardens present. 45 people participated in the audio tours with 24 completing both the pre- and post- survey. Participants indicated learning and planned behavioral change in all nine FFL principles. Highest learning occurred in efficient watering at 58%, right plant right place at 46%, and fertilizing appropriately and mulching tying at 42%. Planned behavior change was highest in right plant right place at 46%, fertilizing appropriately at 42% and reducing stormwater runoff at 33%. The 6-month post tour survey represented 17% of the original tour participants who completed both the pre- and post- tour surveys. The one-year survey represented 8% of this number. six-month confirmed behavioral chance was highest in protect the waterfront at 50% with a tie between right plant right place, water efficiently, fertilize appropriately, attract wildlife, and manage yard pests responsibly each at 25%. The one-year survey showed that 100% of survey participant had continued to fertilize appropriately and 50% either continued or added practicing right plant-right place, water efficiently, mulch, attract wildlife, and recycle yard waste.
This project is designed to be used as a template for future programming in other Extension gardens for data collection.
Audio Tour Recordings are available here: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lake/lawn-and-garden---florida-friendly-landscaping/discovery-gardens/audio-tours/
Audio File (MP3 format)