Lisa Burns is the co-owner of Backyard Getaway, a pond and water garden service and retail business in Myakka City, Florida. Her interest in water gardening started over 15 years ago as a hobby that grew into a passion when Dave brought home a "pond kit." To learn more about the services offered by Backyard Getaway and our school habitat program, visit: www.backyardgetaway.net
pondless feature

Traffic-Stopping Pondless Water Feature

By Lisa Burns / July 3, 2023 / 0 Comments

Think outside the box with pondless features Many years ago at our retail location, we had several different displays, including a koi pond, a raised water garden, an overflowing pot and a pondless waterfall. Thinking outside the box is something we always aimed to do, so we included a couple of unusual features like a […]

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Exotic Animals’ Home Away From Home in Florida

By Lisa Burns / March 2, 2022 / 0 Comments

Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary, located in Myakka City, Florida, was founded by Dave and Lisa Burns in 2017. It is a 100% volunteer-run organization. There are currently 106 animals at the sanctuary, including kangaroos, wallaroos, ducks, chickens, rabbits, pigs, geese, horses, ponies, turtles, tortoises, donkeys, peacocks, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, bearded dragon, prairie dogs, many […]

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Exotic Animal Sanctuary Gets Duck and Turtle Pond

By Lisa Burns / March 2, 2022 / 0 Comments

When we started Backyard Getaway in 2004, we knew we wanted our business to be community minded. Giving back and helping local nonprofits was important to us. We held yearly pond tour fundraisers and hosted moonlight socials to benefit our favorite nonprofits.  >> See the related sidebar to this feature article, “Exotic Animals’ Home Away […]

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condo pond water feature

A Beach-Side Water Feature Renovation

By Lisa Burns / January 6, 2022 / 0 Comments

In June 2021, Backyard Getaway was asked to renovate an existing water feature at the entry of a high-end condominium on Siesta Key Beach in Florida. Working for a condo association or corporation is a bit different than working for a homeowner; instead of having one or two people approve a design, making changes and […]

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Man skimmer pond

Contractor’s Corner | Under the Boardwalk

By Lisa Burns / August 1, 2019 / 0 Comments

The waterfall, which was no longer running by the time we were called in, faced away from the house so that all you saw was…

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Re-purposed Water Gardening

By Lisa Burns / September 1, 2013 / 0 Comments

Have you noticed there is an ever growing trend towards recycling, re-using and re-purposing items? As a pond installer you probably already know the benefits to wildlife as well as to the environment of adding a water feature or pond to a yard. You would be surprised at the many items you use in your every day life, which, instead of discarding, are useable in your garden as decorative elements.

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Schoolyard Habitats: Backyard Getaway brings the joy of ponding to students

By Lisa Burns / July 1, 2013 / 0 Comments

Pond lovers think of their installations as private slices of nature. But to Lisa Burns, they are also invaluable teaching tools — and she has the experience to prove it. See how Backyard Getaway turns pond projects into outdoor classrooms that enrich the lives of students and donors alike.

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