7.4 Support and promote green infrastructure demonstration projects with interpretive signage on publicly accessible properties

Key Message: Visibility and awareness of successful green infrastructure projects can be increased through interpretive signage, demonstration sites, and guided or self-guided tours at publicly accessible places such as parks, government buildings, botanical gardens and museums.

Importance

Demonstrating successful green infrastructure projects is key to their adoption by individuals and communities. Visually appealing, accessible examples help overcome concerns about aesthetics, costs, maintenance, and effectiveness. When installed on public lands, these projects offer visibility and accessibility while demonstrating a public commitment to water quality improvement. Guided or self-guided tours of these projects can build excitement and momentum for innovative ideas, educate new residents about natural Florida and sustainable practices, and spark community engagement and innovation.

Overview

Demonstration Sites

A number of demonstration sites constructed by the City of Sarasota and Sarasota County Government showcase stormwater best management practices (BMPs). These sites are mapped on the Sarasota Water Atlas and featured in the County’s Water Quality Storymap. Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, bioswales, and rain gardens have been installed in municipal landscapes and rights-of-way. Projects developed by the City of Sarasota and the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, in partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory and others, include living shorelines, seawalls, bioswales, and green roofs. The Bobby Jones Golf Course restoration transformed 90 acres into a nature park with trails and interpretive signage highlighting newly constructed wetlands.

Tours

The Science and Environment Council (SEC) hosts a self-guided Watershed Audio Tour featuring 40 stops that showcase water quality projects across Sarasota and Manatee Counties—from mangrove shorelines to cisterns and green roofs. The tour is low-cost and low-maintenance, with easy content updates and detailed user analytics. New stops can be easily added, and existing stops are updated with audio and on-site signage every few years.

Other groups such as UF/IFAS Extension, Master Gardeners, the Florida Native Plant Society, and the Sarasota Garden Club offer educational tours of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, but many events are limited in frequency, tied to membership, or held on private properties not open to the public.

Approach

Sarasota County could enhance visibility and impact by developing demonstration BMP projects in prominent, accessible areas—especially those recommended in County watershed restoration plans for Sarasota Bay, Little Sarasota Bay, and Lemon Bay. BMPs should be installed at county facilities to showcase examples supported by the RainCheck rebate program (see Chapter 7.2).

For many years, the Florida House Institute served as a demonstration site for Low-Impact Development (LID), renewable energy, and sustainable practices. Though it was sold in 2024 to Sarasota County Schools, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County could continue this legacy at its Twin Lakes Park headquarters.

Interpretive signage should be required for publicly funded BMPs. Additional Watershed Audio Tour stops at high-traffic parks and buildings would provide cost-effective outreach and engagement. The SEC can continue to maintain and expand the tour with public and private support.

To increase community interaction, the County and partners could coordinate special events such as scavenger hunts, giveaways, and guided tours. Collaborations with Selby Gardens or the Ringling Museum could bring creative flair to exhibits and BMP installations, drawing broader audiences and encouraging public participation.

Resources

• Watershed Audio Tour
• Sarasota Bay Watershed Plan Update

Status

Implementation – Sarasota County Public Works Stormwater, Science and Environment Council Watershed Audio Tour, UF/IFAS Extension Program, Florida Native Plant Society, UF/IFAS Florida Master Gardeners, Sarasota Garden Club

Performance Measure

• Number of demonstration projects on publicly accessible property with interpretive signs
• Number of educational signs repaired or updated
• Number of tour stops added or updated for the Watershed Audio Tour
• Number of residents who participate in tours

Experts or Leads

Jennifer Shafer, Science and Environment Council; Lee Hayes Byron, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County; Paul Semenec, Sarasota County Public Works Stormwater

Cost Estimate

$10,000-$50,000

Related Activites

Chapter 7.2