Sustainability

The City of Winter Garden recognizes its responsibility to protect our Earth.

We are dedicated to minimizing our impact on the environment.

 Our Energy, Water and Sustainability Strategies are:

•  Support development that incorporates sustainable practices, such as resilient design, green building principles, the establishment of public open spaces, and onsite stormwater management.
•  Encourage development that preserves existing legacy trees and wetland resources.
•  Minimize energy and water consumption.
•  Use less paper, by offering paperless utility billing payments and implementing paperless permit applications via online submittals.
•  Streamline City processes for greater efficiency and productivity.
•  Work with neighboring jurisdictions, West Orange Healthcare Districts, and Healthy West Orange Initiative, to expand and activate the City’s network of bicycle and pedestrian trails to encourage non-motorized modes of transportation.
•  Utilize energy efficient technologies and sustainable building practices and products in City facilities. Energy saving technologies include Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for water metering and smart lighting sensors.
•  Gradually replace outdoor lighting in the City with lighting that follows International Dark Sky Association (IDA) standards to reduce the harmful effects of light pollution on the environment. City Code requires new development meet dark sky standards.
•  Decrease waste with a focus on Reduce/Reuse.
•  Continue education and enforcement of the City’s water conservation ordinance for landscape irrigation.
•  Continue water audits for residential and commercial establishments for potable water and reclaimed water, encouraging residents to use less.
•  Encourage use of Tucker Ranch, a sprawling 209-acre integrated fitness and wellness campus focused on improving residents’ physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
•  Restore, protect, and encourage more passive greenspaces throughout the City.
•  Ensure energy efficiency at the City’s water, wastewater, and reclaimed water facilities to minimize carbon footprint.
•  Protect groundwater resources through water conservation strategies.
•  Reduce pollution in Lake Apopka through cleaner streets and stormwater systems.
•  Continue to support the award-winning Winter Garden Farmers Market, which provides a convenient sustainable option to shop locally. More than 3,500 visitors attend weekly.