Do you want to learn how Marion County is working to protect our water resources as we grow?
Do you want to see first-hand how developers and utilities are implementing solutions to protect our water supply?
Join us for an exciting 2-day program to 
learn how to protect Marion County's water resources as our county grows
. You will hear from experts, participate in a field trip, and explore local solutions.
What will you learn?
The 2025 program focuses on how to balance growth with the protection of water resources and will include an in-class session, a field trip, and a strategic discussion. During the field trip, you will learn about tools and approaches to conserving water at On Top of the World Communities and visit the Bay Laurel Center CDD new advanced wastewater treatment facility. This program, hosted by the UF/IFAS Marion County Extension's Water School program, is policy-neutral and fact-based, ensuring an unbiased platform for all attendees.
Topics
An Overview of Florida's Water Resources
Water Regulations and Policy in Florida
Florida-Friendly Landscaping
TM
Florida Water Star
SM
 program
Latest research on soil amendments and turf fertility
Marion County Growth and Land Conservation
Water Supply Planning
and more!
Event Details
The event is a 2-day program. Please plan to attend both days.
Thursday, May 1, 2025, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday, May 2, 2025, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Lunch will be provided on both days.
Location
Southeastern Livestock Pavilion (SELP) Auditorium
2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala, FL 34470
Registration
Register via Eventbrite or call our office at 352-671-8400 (ask for Angie)
A limited number of scholarships are available. For more information, contact owells@ufl.edu
CEUs
10 CEUs are available for FNGLA's Certified Professionals and Florida Water Star
SM
 Accredited Professionals. Please contact owells@ufl.edu for more information.
Agenda
Day 1: Thursday, May 1, 2025
8:30 - 9:00 - 
Registration and Refreshments
9:00 - 9:15 - 
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Crystal McCazzio, Interim County Extension Director, UF/IFAS Extension Marion County
Michael Dukes, Ph.D., Associate Dean and Professor, Director, UF/IFAS Center for Land Use Efficiency
9:15 – 9:30 – 
Hydrogeology of Marion County, 
Mary Beth Lupo, PhD., P.G., Professional Geologist Administrator, Florida Geological Survey
9:30 – 9:50 - 
Understanding Water Regulations and Policy Analysis in Florida, 
Weizhe Weng, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department
9:50 – 10:10 - Break
10:10 – 10:40 - 
Florida Water Star – Meeting Water Needs During Explosive Growth
, 
Robin Grantham, Lead Communications Strategist, Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD)
10:40 – 11:20 - 
Florida-Friendly Landscaping
TM
 , Claire Lewis, Director, Florida-Friendly Landscaping
TM 
Program, UF/IFAS Program State Specialized Extension Agent, and Amanda Marek, Florida-Friendly Landscaping
TM
 Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Marion County
11:20 – 11:40 - 
Soil Amendments and Research at On Top of the World, 
Eban Bean, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, UF/IFAS
11:40 – 12:00 - 
Turf Age and Fertility and Research at On Top of the World
AJ Lindsey, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, UF/IFAS Department of Environmental Horticulture
12:00 – 1:00 - 
Lunch
1:00 – 4:30 - 
Field Trip
On Top of the World Communities
: Tour model homes to learn how Tour model homes to learn about the latest landscape and irrigation approaches to conserving water including Florida Water Star
SM
 and Florida Friendly Landscaping
TM
 designs.
Andrew Jorgensen, Director of Community Maintenance Operations, On Top of the World Communities, LLC
Bay Laurel Center CDD
: Visit the new state of the art advanced water reclamation facility designed to reduce Nitrogen and Phosphorus loadings to Groundwater while reclaimed water to the growing community’s golf courses and landscaping.
Bryan Schmalz, Utility Director
4:30 - 
Adjournment
Day 2: Friday, May 2, 2025
8:30 - 9:00 - 
Registration And Refreshments
9:00 – 9:15 - 
Welcome, Introduction to Extension
Kevin Camm, Associate District Extension Director – Central District, UF/IFAS Extension
9:15-10:00 - 
Discussion
10:00 – 10:15 - 
Break, Springshed Map activity
10:15 – 10:30 - 
Rainbow Springs and Silver Springs BMAPs. 
Ondine Wells, UF/IFAS Extension Marion County
10:30 – 11:00 - 
Marion County Growth and Farmland Preservation Area
, Kenneth Weyrauch, Deputy Director, Growth Services, Marion County
11:00-11:30 - 
Florida Regional Landscape Conservation and Watershed Protection, 
Tom Hoctor, Ph.D., Director, University of Florida Center for Landscape Conservation Planning
11:30 – 12:00 - 
Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Plan, 
Suzannah Folsom, Executive Director, Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Authority
12:00 – 1:30 - 
Lunch
1:30 – 2:10 - Rotations:
Taylor Garden Tour, 
Amanda Marek, Florida-Friendly Landscaping
TM
 Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Marion County
Water Resources in Marion County
 - Trevor Knight, Water Resources Liaison, Office of the County Engineer, Marion County
HB 1379 related to septic systems and 
& Water-Efficient Landscaping study 
- 
Yilin Zhuang, Ph.D., Water Resources Regional Specialized Agent, UF/IFAS Central District Ondine Wells, Water Resources Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Marion County
2:10 – 4:10 - 
Group Discussion
4:10 – 4:30 - 
Graduation and Evaluation
The Marion County Water School is partially funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD).
Information Source: UF/IFAS Extension, Marion County | eventbrite

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