Life at Center Lake Ranch is rooted in nature, and for residents who want to live more sustainably, it’s easier than you might think. In a community thoughtfully designed with the surrounding environment in mind, even small choices can make a big difference. Perfectly positioned in St. Cloud in the heart of Osceola County, Center Lake Ranch blends the beauty of natural settings with everyday convenience. From native landscaping to energy-efficient homes, this is a place where conservation and comfort can go hand-in-hand, making it simple to live in harmony with the world around us.
Here are six simple ways to embrace eco-friendly living at home and in your neighborhood.
1. Plant Native and Watch Nature Thrive
One of the easiest and most beautiful ways to go green is to add native Florida plants to your landscaping. This is a practice that is already in place throughout the community. Native species like muhly grass, firebush, coontie, and coreopsis are perfectly suited to the local climate and soil, which means they require less water, fertilizer, and maintenance. That’s good for your wallet and even better for the environment. Plus, native plants attract butterflies, birds, and pollinators that help your yard come alive.
At Center Lake Ranch, nearly half of our land is preserved for parks, trails, and open green spaces. Whether you’re planting a small garden on your porch or enjoying the serenity of our nature trails, you’ll feel connected to the land and part of something more sustainable.
2. Rethink Recycling Beyond Bottles and Cans
Green living means thinking differently about what we throw away. Give old furniture new life with upcycling projects, donate clothing to local charities, and drop off electronics at designated e-waste collection sites. Both the City of St. Cloud and Osceola County offer helpful guidance and resources for local recycling opportunities, so you can make the most of what you already have and reduce landfill waste.
Reducing waste through thoughtful consumption is easier than it sounds. Even little shifts like reusable grocery bags, refillable containers, and secondhand shopping can add up to big environmental impacts.
3. Make the Kitchen More Eco-Friendly
Your kitchen is a great place to kickstart a greener lifestyle. Swap single-use items for reusable ones… like silicone storage bags, stainless steel straws, and beeswax wrap instead of plastic. Choose bamboo or biodegradable sponges. Invest in a countertop compost bin to turn food scraps into garden-friendly fertilizer.
Simple switches make everyday cooking and clean-up more sustainable and help teach the whole family the value of mindful living.
4. Choose Energy-Efficient Homes and Features
At Center Lake Ranch, we’re proud to partner with builders who prioritize energy-efficient homes and smart design. Both Taylor Morrison and M/I Homes offer homes with features like low-E windows, programmable thermostats, and high-performance HVAC systems to reduce utility costs and conserve resources.
Many homes also include smart home technology that allows you to monitor energy usage and manage systems from your phone. These innovations not only help reduce your environmental footprint, but they also support a more comfortable, connected lifestyle.
5. Reduce Water Waste Inside and Out
In Florida, water conservation isn’t just a good idea, it’s a necessity. That’s why homes at Center Lake Ranch are built with water-saving features already in place. From low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators to drought-tolerant landscaping, mulch for moisture retention, and irrigation systems equipped with rain sensors and programmable timers, these elements come standard in today’s energy-efficient homes.
Both Taylor Morrison and M/I Homes integrate water-conscious planning and design into their neighborhoods at Center Lake Ranch. From conservation wetlands and smart irrigation at The Waters, to ENERGY STAR®-certified systems at Center Lake on the Park, each home is thoughtfully crafted to reduce environmental impact and support responsible resource use without sacrificing comfort or convenience.
6. Create Daily Habits That Support a Greener Lifestyle
Sustainable living goes beyond smart products and energy-saving features. It’s also about the choices we make every day. At Center Lake Ranch, the community’s walkable design and outdoor amenities make it easier to adopt low-impact habits, like biking instead of driving short distances or using the trails and parks for recreation instead of staying indoors.
Choosing to enjoy time outside, whether it’s walking the dog, taking the kids to Central Park, or enjoying nature on the community trails, helps reduce your carbon footprint and deepens your connection to the world around you. It’s a lifestyle that promotes health, mindfulness, and a lighter environmental impact.
Where Greener Living Comes Naturally
At Center Lake Ranch, we believe sustainable living should feel good, do good, and fit beautifully into your everyday life. From innovative homebuilding to nature-forward community design, everything here is created to support a more mindful, meaningful way of life.
See for yourself what it means to live in a place that values connection to the land, to your home, and to your future. Tour our ten model homes today and explore a lifestyle where comfort and conservation go hand in hand. Plan your visit to Center Lake Ranch today.