The OUTSIDE Sustainable Landscape Collaborative emerged organically as a gathering of like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds who shared a common vision: to create a sustainable future for Florida's landscapes. Comprising professionals in academia, water management, design, development, landscape services, and advocacy, this collaborative effort aimed to address the pressing environmental challenges facing the Sunshine State. The strength lies in representing all these different voices. The overarching goal is to make ecologically healthy, Florida-friendly landscapes the standard rather than the exception. 

Florida is grappling with a freshwater crisis spurred by rapid growth, with the state welcoming nearly 1,000 new residents daily. OUTSIDE aims to address this crisis by establishing new communities that prioritize sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. This includes the use of low-water, native plants and "Florida-friendly" landscapes, a term coined by the University of Florida. The focus is on native planting materials, water resource protection, pest control, and supporting pollinators.

The genesis of OUTSIDE Collaborative can be traced back to a group of passionate individuals who recognized the need for collective action. Pierce Jones, from UF IFAS, and Patrick Bohlen, from UCF, played a pivotal role in connecting the dots between various disciplines and uniting researchers working on similar projects. This convergence led to the realization that their efforts could be magnified through collaboration.

Another visionary is Christina Hite, an experienced landscape architect and founding partner at Dix.Hite, pushed the boundaries of sustainable design and sought to engage her clients in embracing environmentally conscious practices. 

Deirdre Irwin, the water supply coordinator at St. John's Water Management District (SJWMD), brought her expertise in water resource planning, collaborating with water utilities, cities, and counties. Her perspective highlighted the crucial role that water management plays in achieving sustainable landscapes. 

Clint Beaty, representing Tavistock Development Company, understood the challenges of implementing sustainable practices within the development community. He worked closely with builders, investors, local governments, and utilities, advocating for change and demonstrating the long-term vision required to drive sustainable development.

Timothee Sallin and the team at Cherrylake recognized the significance of native plants in sustainable landscaping and sought to increase their availability in the market. They also emphasized the importance of learning how to successfully build and maintain native landscapes at scale to showcase successful implementation practices.

1000 Friends of Florida became a powerful ally, providing a platform to amplify the collective voice and further the reach of the collaborative efforts. 

Through small meetings, webinars, and conferences, these visionaries realized they were all speaking the same language and shared a genuine interest in transforming Florida's landscapes. The following steps came naturally. The team developed a name and a brand and began promoting the message in a collaborative effort. Academics, water management experts, nursery professionals, design enthusiasts, and developers found common ground in their pursuit of sustainability. The collaboration became a platform for sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas, and addressing the challenges from multifaceted perspectives. 

Since its inception, OUTSIDE Collab has been privileged to build partnerships with LifeSoils, Tavistock, Family Lands Remembered, The Nature Conservancy, Kimley Horn, Brian Canin, Green Isle Gardens, FANN, Florida Wildflower Foundation, FNPS, Florida Friendly Landscaping, Rain Bird and J.S.J Sod. 

OUTSIDE Collab is more than a movement, it has rippled into a wave of tangible change across Florida, including planted demonstration and research gardens at Cherrylake and Sunbridge Base Camp Research Plots. The use of water in Sunbridge model homes has been cut down to 17 inches annually per home, where there is normally an allowance of 28 inches per year by Toho Water Authority. The empirical knowledge gained from experiments like Sunbridge and Cherrylake supports the case for a new approach to landscape design. 

Research is actively being conducted alongside UF and UCF at Sunbridge Base Camp and Weslyn Model Homes. OUTSIDE has created an in-depth and informative Maintenance Video Series, as well as intentionally crafted the New Yard Pattern Book. The Native Plant Survey is responsible for the collection of expert feedback on over 100 species of native plants. Regional plant lists are also currently under development. 

Furthermore, OUTSIDE Collab has held custom workshops for stakeholders including Seminole County, Wellness Way, and South Lake Regional Technical Advisory Committee, as well as hosted a myriad of speaking engagements across the state to promote the adoption of sustainable landscape practices. There has been an advisory crafted for master plan community developers interested in adopting sustainable landscape practices in upcoming projects. OUTSIDE is also responsible for massive efforts to increase the supply of native plant material. The Collaborative continues to grow constantly through relationship building, stakeholder engagement, and outreach.

OUTSIDE Sustainable Landscape Collaborative is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared purpose. From humble beginnings as a gathering of concerned professionals, it has evolved into a force to be reckoned with, driven by a commitment to building a sustainable future for Florida's landscapes.