2017 ASHS Annual Conference

A recent study was conducted to examine the perceptions of homeowner association (HOA) board members in Orange County, Florida about water conservation and the use of Florida Friendly Landscaping (FFL) principles. Specifically, the study looked at how open the HOAs were to increasing water conservation among the residents and how likely they were to accept FFL designs. This study used qualitative research methods through the use of focus groups to determine whether the board members attitude was open to change when it came to increasing water conservation and incorporating FFL principles. A total of four focus groups were conducted which included 42 participants, and represented 31 different homeowner associations. An emerging theme for barriers to increasing water conservation practices was the need to maintain property value by having a nice landscape and green grass. Another emerging theme was that as an HOA board they did not have the skills to build consensus between the residents that had lived in the subdivisions for 30 years and the young 30 year olds moving into the neighborhood. Some HOAs are allowing residents to have Bahia grass in the backyard and St. Augustine in the front yard. Felter et al. determined in 2013 that homeowners do not know how to maintain each of the different varieties of turf. Allowing this practice will contribute to the confusion that already exists about lawn care. The use of FFL was supported if it was well manicured and did not create a security hazard.