Florida Gulf Citrus Groves are very friendly to the environment....
Florida Gulf Citrus Growers are good neighbors and good stewards of the land. They are keenly aware that they must carefully balance the needs of the environment and the needs of citrus growing. This delicate balance starts in the basic design of the groves, and then to the use of the latest technology and the most progressive management practices. All these factors enable Florida Citrus Growers to be sustainable in this region. Growers carefully manage the water resources through state-of-the-art low volume computerized irrigation systems, spraying water directly to the root zone.
Citrus Groves also help our water supply in other ways. Consider what happens when it rains on a grove -- the water seeps down into the ground, which recharges the aquifer. In addition, on-site water retention areas, in the flatwood groves, hold excess stormwater and reduce nutrient runoff, another way that water quality is enhanced. Modern grove design leaves large tracts of land undeveloped. These areas provide excellent wildlife habitat, as well as a natural buffer, between farm lands and urban development. A recent University of Florida study reported more than 159 native species of wildlife were observed within grove eco-systems. And the Florida Panther Habitat Protection plan indicates that over half the endangered panthers are utilizing privately owned property.
Another positive impact that citrus groves have on the environment is the amount of carbon dioxide that citrus trees take in and oxygen that they return to the air. A University of Florida study found that for every acre of mature citrus trees, 16.7 tons of oxygen are produced per year, from 23.3 tons of carbon dioxide. Multiply that by 860,000 acres of citrus trees (180,000 acres in the Gulf Citrus Counties alone), you can see that the citrus industry makes a major contribution to air quality in Florida .
