For more than 33 years, Smallwood Design Group previous owner Jo Ann Maloney Smallwood was recognized for her work in landscape architecture, landscape installation and horticultural maintenance in Naples. “My reputation in horticultural maintenance was in part the result of me being a strong proponent of using chemical fertilizer. My client’s projects always needed to look terrific,” says Smallwood, whose perspective about using chemical fertilizer, laden with phosphates and nitrates, began changing after thousands of dead fish covered Venetian Bay behind her home on Pirates Bight, in Park Shore. The fish kill led Smallwood to engage Naples City Councilman Ray Christman to lead Swan Lake Association as part of the city’s storm water management program. 

Swan Lake, the recipient of 240 acres of commercial and residential watershed, not only receives excessive contaminating pollutants, but also flows into Moorings and Venetian bays. Smallwood’s calls to the city and county resulted in water testing that showed the presence of cyanobacteria, or blue green algae, which is still present sporadically.

“At the Village Marina, directly in the flow pattern of the Swan Lake weir feeding into the two bays, posted signs noting the presence of cyanobacteria and its danger to pets and humans sporadically warn not to get near the water,” advises Smallwood, who in 2018 was introduced to Ecological Laboratories’ Micro Lift product. On an ongoing basis, it naturally removes nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus, plus bottom solids, eliminating the need for chemicals and expensive dredging. 

Smallwood’s work with Ecological Laboratories (Eco Labs) and Swan Lake made her aware of the severe polluting consequences created by nitrogen and phosphorus chemical fertilizers. “When red tide is present in the Gulf, they provide additional food, resulting in more fish and aquatic kills. An Eco Labs’ education on Quantum Growth, their organic biological product, led me to switch. I’ve used it on the Raymond Lutgert Parkshore Beach Park I designed, my personal residence, and many of my clients’ landscapes. After three years, the park and these projects continue to grow in a healthy manner. There’s been a reduction in pests and diseases, plants improved in healthy color and appearance, flowered more, and the cost is less. than Most importantly, without chemical nitrates and phosphorous runoff, we can avoid aquatic life kills and human illnesses,” advises Smallwood.  Additionally, most landscape contractors maintaining sod and plants around Swan Lake now use Quantum Growth.

“We are connected to our environment, which is why I cannot overstate the importance of protecting our precious water. The recent year’s fish and aquatic kills, the extreme and increased red tide, the tremendous negative impact on our tourism and business economy, and our human health and quality of life are more than enough reasons to discontinue the use of nitrogen and phosphorous-based fertilizers throughout Southwest Florida,” says Smallwood, whose three years of tenacious activist efforts to get the city of Naples to implement a year-round pilot program using only organic fertilizers finally resulted in an agreed-upon pilot project initially beginning with the beautiful, 15-acre Baker Park, located on the Gordon River across the street from the Naples Dog Park, as well as a segment of the Gulfshore Boulevard North medians.

“I want the city to set an example as leaders and stewards in protecting the environment, protecting citizens and doing the right thing that makes sense. Beginning the initial Baker Park/Gulfshore Boulevard North pilot project wouldn’t be possible without the education I got from Eco Laboratories and the help from Councilman Ray Christman,” enthuses Smallwood.