What if we could change the traditional landscape by creating beautiful landscapes that require minimal water and maintenance, as well as increasing the biodiversity in the area? Cherrylake’s goal is to provide a solution to that question. For their current project, The Edge, Cherrylake is partnering with OUTSIDE Collab to gain support and knowledge from universities, legislative leaders, home gardeners, and Florida native and Florida friendly plant specialists to create an edge along the perimeter of their farm.

While in the midst of another development boom, now is a good time to think proactively about long-term stewardship of common areas preserved to meet current local, state, and federal stormwater, land development, and environmental regulations.

Here I am, sitting on my back patio enjoying a cool refreshment after a long, hot day in Florida’s early September sun. As I sit here, I can’t help but notice all of the fluttering in my backyard plantings. There is so much life: zebra longwings and zebra swallowtails, monarchs, Gulf fritillaries, and a few Sulphurs too.

When thinking about what we need to do to address the global biodiversity crisis, chances are the urban landscape is not the first thing that comes to mind. The best way to slowdown species loss is to protect natural areas. In fact, all the bold, ambitious plans to address biodiversity loss propose setting aside and managing large tracts of natural land where species can continue to thrive.

While attending an ISA Arborist seminar – I heard the words often: “If you can manage the water, you can manage the trees.” That overriding arc of thought became the basis for this urban design, sustainable streetscape concept.