Slow the Flow

Marjorie Shropshire was the guest speaker for our March 21st meeting held at the Environmental Learning Center. Marjorie is editor of the Florida Native Plant Society’s magazine, the Palmetto and co-author of one of native plant enthusiast’s favorite books, A Step-by-Step Guide to a Florida Native Yard. The core theme of her presentation was centered around how properly placed native plants can play an important role in reducing stormwater runoff and reducing pollution.

Homeowner associations and municipalities should educate themselves about the benefits of establishing buffer plantings utilizing native plants around retention ponds and drainage areas. Such plantings help slow down the flow of water into the ponds, block fertilizer and pesticide applications, and can reduce bank erosion. Plus, they help provide much-needed wildlife habitats. Rain gardens planted by residents function in similar ways.

Planting native canopy trees helps reduce stormwater erosion and runoff. The trees spread out rain drops by deflecting their direct downward motion, reducing the impact on the soil below, facilitating absorption, and thereby reducing runoff.

The presentation was followed by an auction of amazing native plants donated by our members.