FROM SCIENCE TO POLICY: HOW EXTENSION CAN INFORM LOCAL LANDSCAPE ORDINANCES
Agricultural Issues
Brooke Moffis
Commercial Horticulture Agent III
UF/IFAS Extension Lake County
Tavares
Abstract
Rapid urbanization in Lake County, Florida, is increasing pressure on limited water resources and contributing to the decline of wildlife habitats important to biodiversity. In central Florida, residential irrigation accounts for 40–60% of household water use, making landscapes a major driver of overall water demand. As new housing developments move forward, municipalities must demonstrate judicious water use to meet regulatory requirements. A local municipality contacted UF/IFAS Extension Lake County for help incorporating environmental strategies into a landscape ordinance for a new development of 13,000 homes. The municipality's goals for the ordinance were to conserve water and enhance biodiversity within a master-planned community. The Extension objective was to provide research-based education to municipal leaders, staff, and industry stakeholders to inform their decision-making. In 2025 and 2026, the Extension Agent worked alongside community partners by consulting or presenting at four municipal staff meetings, three meetings with elected officials, and two technical workshops focused on refining draft landscape ordinance language. These combined efforts engaged five elected officials, ten municipal employees, twelve green-industry professionals, and fifty-five residents. During the workshops, green-industry stakeholders expressed a need for a simpler-to-implement landscape ordinance. In response, the Extension Agent provided suggestions, shared scientific evidence and knowledge gaps, and clarified how various practices align with water-use reduction and biodiversity goals. The actual drafting of ordinance language was conducted by municipal staff and their legal teams. The Extension Agent's involvement led to modifications to the proposed ordinance, which elected officials ultimately approved. The ordinance now mandates more water-efficient practices and promotes biodiversity in landscaping, while also making it easier for the green industry to implement these strategies. While the educational presentations and consultations lacked a formal evaluation, their long-term policy and environmental impacts are substantial. The adopted landscape ordinance is estimated to support a 50% reduction in water demand and enhanced biodiversity across 13,000 home landscapes. This effort demonstrates the meaningful role Extension can play in informing local policy decisions with objective, science-based information. The Extension Agent plans to share advice with fellow agents on working in legislative and policy development environments.
Authors: Brooke Moffis
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Brooke Moffis Commercial Horticulture Agent III, UF/IFAS Extension Lake County, Florida, 32778