Lakewood Ranch residents tasked with stormwater pond education

How to best educate Lakewood Ranch residents on the body of water located in their neighborhoods is not a black-and-white solution.

Some residents know the water as their community lake, while others, such as University of Florida researchers Paul Monaghan and Emily Ott, are working to break that misconception by educating residents on the difference between a lake and a stormwater retention pond.

Under the advisement of Monaghan and Ott, East County residents created a task force that is working on organizing events and producing materials to inform their neighbors on the benefits and mechanics behind the ponds.

The 11 residents who attended the meeting discussed hosting barbecues for landscape vendors to educate companies on a county requirement for Phosphorous-free fertilizer. Attendees also brainstormed ideas for ways to educate on the danger of grass clippings entering the ponds.

"People don't have a clue about the clippings," said Marcine Pryor, Greenbrook resident. "I see people doing their own landscaping and leaving the clippings in the street. I think they just don't know."

For the full story, pick up a copy of the Sept. 11 issue of The East County Observer.

Contact Amanda Sebastiano at [email protected].