>>I keep wondering what it is that I could do to put a stop to this. If they wouldn't listen to a person who grew-up on her family's nursery, they sure aren't going to listen to me. I keep thinking that the best thing I can do is make sure where I move isn't the same<<
Yes, you can work on this.
Strong Towns is all about neighborhoods and community improvement.
HOA's are a blight on freedom and a leading blockade to climate change solutions. They ban gardening, native species, natural lawns, wildlife habitat, birdfeeders, clotheslines, compost piles, xeriscaping, etc. They also murder some people every year with requirements to shovel snow that lack accommodations for disabilities or doctor admonitions that certain people should not do it. So people die of heart attacks because they can't afford fines.
Check for state resources, conservation organizations, etc. regarding things like water use and suitable species. I know Florida has water issues because draining the wetlands leads to saltwater creeping inland. It also has invasive species problems so check if the required grass is on a "don't use" list. Collect references.
Contact organizations to complain about the HOA making people do wrong things when some homeowners know better. Attach together the organization's guidelines, the HOA guidelines, highlight the conflicts, and explain you'd like to follow their wise advice but these people won't let you. Hopefully someone will decide to pick on the HOA for being an obstacle. If your town has water conservation or species guidelines, start there, because they are quite likely to stomp to anyone who is coercing other people to waste water or plant wrong species.
Network with your neighbors who oppose the foolish requirements. Hand out flyers about water conservation, native species, and xeriscaping. Encourage people to run for the HOA. One person can't change it, but several probably can.
If your HOA has neighborhood meetings, nag them. Quickly list the water-wasting requirements, how those conflict with water conservation, how water shortages harm your neighborhood (e.g. salinification, high water bills) and then demand that they justify wasting all that water. Get your other supportive neighbors to take turns nagging them in every neighborhood event until they fucking cringe when they see you coming.
You might also collect and share pictures of gorgeous native-landscaped lawns. Florida has some of the nation's greatest diversity of awesome plants. You can make a jungle if you want to. And they're sticking you guys with ... sad grass. Make people jealous of nicer landscapes and they will pick on the HOA.
Look at real estate sites that service your area. Some of these have a rating system. Some of those rating systems have a way to comment if you live in the area. So if you say the HOA forces people to waste water and plant wrong things, this can ding their ratings, which reduces buyer interest. Similarly you can talk to real estate agents and complain about the HOA, hoping they will direct buyers elsewhere -- or also pick on the HOA.
Nip and pester, harry and herd. Make them spend time and energy dealing with you and your allies. Eventually it will just not be worth the bother to maintain those rules.
Re: Thoughts
Yes, you can work on this.
Strong Towns is all about neighborhoods and community improvement.
HOA's are a blight on freedom and a leading blockade to climate change solutions. They ban gardening, native species, natural lawns, wildlife habitat, birdfeeders, clotheslines, compost piles, xeriscaping, etc. They also murder some people every year with requirements to shovel snow that lack accommodations for disabilities or doctor admonitions that certain people should not do it. So people die of heart attacks because they can't afford fines.
Check for state resources, conservation organizations, etc. regarding things like water use and suitable species. I know Florida has water issues because draining the wetlands leads to saltwater creeping inland. It also has invasive species problems so check if the required grass is on a "don't use" list. Collect references.
Contact organizations to complain about the HOA making people do wrong things when some homeowners know better. Attach together the organization's guidelines, the HOA guidelines, highlight the conflicts, and explain you'd like to follow their wise advice but these people won't let you. Hopefully someone will decide to pick on the HOA for being an obstacle. If your town has water conservation or species guidelines, start there, because they are quite likely to stomp to anyone who is coercing other people to waste water or plant wrong species.
Network with your neighbors who oppose the foolish requirements. Hand out flyers about water conservation, native species, and xeriscaping. Encourage people to run for the HOA. One person can't change it, but several probably can.
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/native-plants.html
https://floridadep.gov/water-policy/water-policy/content/water-conservation
https://www.earthwiseyards.com/services-wall/xeriscaping
https://www.pgtwindows.com/blog/xeriscaping-guide-florida/
If your HOA has neighborhood meetings, nag them. Quickly list the water-wasting requirements, how those conflict with water conservation, how water shortages harm your neighborhood (e.g. salinification, high water bills) and then demand that they justify wasting all that water. Get your other supportive neighbors to take turns nagging them in every neighborhood event until they fucking cringe when they see you coming.
You might also collect and share pictures of gorgeous native-landscaped lawns. Florida has some of the nation's greatest diversity of awesome plants. You can make a jungle if you want to. And they're sticking you guys with ... sad grass. Make people jealous of nicer landscapes and they will pick on the HOA.
Look at real estate sites that service your area. Some of these have a rating system. Some of those rating systems have a way to comment if you live in the area. So if you say the HOA forces people to waste water and plant wrong things, this can ding their ratings, which reduces buyer interest. Similarly you can talk to real estate agents and complain about the HOA, hoping they will direct buyers elsewhere -- or also pick on the HOA.
Nip and pester, harry and herd. Make them spend time and energy dealing with you and your allies. Eventually it will just not be worth the bother to maintain those rules.