#Environment
Target:
FDOT
Region:
United States of America
Website:
www.rawearthfoundation.org

Florida’s highways are lined with vast stretches of mowed grass, which, while serving a functional purpose, come with significant environmental and economic costs. Mowing large expanses of grass requires regular maintenance, consuming time, fuel, and taxpayer dollars, while contributing to carbon emissions. In contrast, native wildflowers offer a sustainable alternative that supports local ecosystems and reduces the need for constant upkeep.

Historically, native wildflowers thrived throughout Florida, providing habitats for pollinators like bees and butterflies, which play a vital role in sustaining our agricultural systems and preserving biodiversity. With wildflower populations in decline due to habitat loss, restoring them along freeway corridors is a step toward rebalancing these ecosystems. Studies show that wildflowers not only improve pollinator health but also provide erosion control, increase water retention in soil, and create visually appealing landscapes.

The Texas Department of Transportation has already set a precedent with their successful wildflower planting program, which has reduced mowing costs, improved roadside aesthetics, and helped protect pollinator species. Florida, known for its natural beauty, could greatly benefit from a similar initiative.

By planting wildflowers instead of grass, Florida can achieve:

Environmental benefits: Reduced carbon emissions and resource consumption due to less frequent mowing, water conservation, and increased habitats for native wildlife.
Economic savings: Reduced long-term costs associated with mowing and maintenance.

Community and tourism benefits: Enhanced aesthetics, promoting a greener, more attractive state for residents and tourists.
Implementing this change aligns with Florida’s long-term sustainability goals and would showcase the state's commitment to protecting its natural resources while creating a more eco-friendly and visually appealing transportation network.

We, the undersigned, call on the Florida Department of Transportation to enhance our state’s freeway landscapes by replacing mowed grass with native wildflowers. This simple change offers significant benefits: wildflowers support pollinators, reduce carbon emissions by requiring less frequent mowing, conserve water, and add vibrant beauty to our highways.

Currently, grass maintenance along our freeways requires frequent mowing, which consumes significant resources, contributes to emissions, and incurs substantial maintenance costs. Replacing this grass with native wildflowers would reduce these costs and minimize environmental impacts, creating a more sustainable landscape that requires less water, reduces carbon emissions, and protects our pollinators.

Wildflowers provide crucial habitats for wildlife, including bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators, while also offering erosion control and promoting biodiversity. Additionally, wildflowers add aesthetic appeal to our highways, creating a welcoming experience for residents and visitors alike and showcasing Florida’s natural heritage.

This change would positively impact our communities, environment, and economy, and we strongly encourage your department to take action in favor of this sustainable and environmentally conscious solution.

Thank you for your consideration, and we hope to see your support in implementing wildflower landscapes along Florida’s highways.

GoPetition respects your privacy.

The TAKE ACTION TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT- Line Our Freeways with Wildflowers Instead of Grass! petition to FDOT was written by Raven Petca and is in the category Environment at GoPetition.