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SAC # 48: Why the Heck Should I Mow My Lawn? Thoughts, Issues and Research on Developing Sustainable Communities

OPEN AND FREE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES

When

Friday 18 April 2008, 4- 5:30pm

Where

Seminar Room, Centre for Innovation, 87 St. David St.
Click here for a map (refer cell H4.21). Note: Limited parking is available on Castle St. and must be arranged with the Centre for Innovation Front Desk (phone 479-8469)

Speaker

Dr Mark Hostetler

Department of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, University of Florida

Abstract

Residential developments have a huge impact on natural resources and wildlife, and sustainable or "green" communities are beginning to be built throughout the United States with goals to conserve natural resources, to create healthy lifestyles, and to promote a sense of community. The long-term "functionality" of a Community is based on decisions made by planners/policymakers, developers, and homeowners. Even with the best design for a site, based on proper sustainability principles, long term management is a key issue. This leads to the question “How can we engage homeowners, developers, and policymakers to make informed decisions about Designing and managing sustainable communities?” At the University of Florida, an interdisciplinary team called the Program for Resource Efficient Communities has been formed to address growth management issues in the state of Florida. In this talk, Dr. Hostetler will present some research results, outreach programs, and ideas about ways to engage various sectors of society.

About the Speaker

Dr. Mark Hostetler is an Associate Professor, Department of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, University of Florida. With over fifteen Years of experience in urban wildlife and natural resource issues, Dr. Hostetler conducts research and outreach on how urban landscapes could be designed and managed, from small to large scales, to become more resource efficient. He is currently visiting New Zealand with thanks to a Fulbright scholarship with Landcare Research.