Residents of The Villages are being invited to participate in a discussion about lawns and the drought in a special meeting later this month.
Due to the declaration of a Phase II “Severe” Water Shortage by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, Villagers have been ordered to cut back on their water usage. It has become a major concern here in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown, where water prices are going up to encourage conservation.
Wildwood Commissioner Dave Fountaine, a resident of the Village of Hawkins, and Assistant Manager Bruce Brown of The Villages District Government will be featured speakers in a meeting set for 12:30 p.m. March 10 at the Ezell Recreation Center. Doors will open at noon for seating, which will be offered on a first come, first served basis.
Rafe Garcia of the Village of St. Catherine has helped organize the event.
“Many communities in Sunbelt regions of the country utilize native indigenous drought resistant plants, rock gardens and succulents, conserving water and minimizing the use of fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and other unnatural elements, harmful to the environment, preventing them from filtering down into the ground and into natures ecosystem,” Garcia said.
He said it’s without a doubt that Villagers love their pastoral green parkways and golf fairways.
“Suggesting that homeowners in The Villages convert their lawns from St Augustine grass to any of those alternatives previously mentioned is not on the table. However, the idea of homeowners having the option to do so under strict regulations in accordance with The Villages, Architectural Review Committee is an idea which we can explore,” Garcia added.