Make your Community Florida-Friendly
The FFL program would like to help your community be Florida-Friendly. Contact the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ State Office, or your local UF/IFAS Extension Agent for guidance.
Design and Maintenance
When using in-house staff or contractors, it is important that the design and maintenance teams are trained in how to properly implement the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) principles. FFL’s Green Industries Best Management Practices training is highly recommended for all landscaping professionals, particularly staff involved in landscape installation and maintenance. It is required by law for anyone who applies fertilizer commercially in order to obtain a Limited Urban Commercial Fertilizer Applicator Certification from FDACS.
Another beneficial credential to look for when hiring a landscape contractor is a Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Certified Professional. These individuals have completed the required training in FFL principles and are familiar with the latest UF/IFAS recommendations. They have demonstrated the ability to recognize and address common landscape issues by using environmentally sustainable landscape management practices.
In addition to these training resources UF/IFAS Extension is available to help by providing the following services:
- Professional Training - Request a FFL workshop designed specifically for builders, developers, real estate professionals, landscape architects, landscape and irrigation contractors, and green industry professionals.
- Pre-Construction Consultations - Create high performance landscapes by meeting with FFL faculty and staff during the pre-construction phase. We are available to provide educational materials and advice on implementing the concepts of the FFL program for the land developer, landscape architect, and other interested parties during the planning process
- Education during the Construction Phase and Beyond - UF/IFAS Extension and the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program can provide workshops for employees and residents on how to create healthy and aesthetically pleasing landscapes. Training is available on a wide range of horticultural topics including: FFL design & plant selection, proper planting techniques, pest management, pruning and maintenance techniques, Green Industries Best Management Practices (GI-BMP) training and Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Certified Professional training.
- FFL model language documents - FFL model documents incorporate the latest UF/IFAS recommendations and can be modified to suit your community vision and site conditions. The model documents include example language for community covenants, conditions, and restrictions; landscape maintenance contracts; and Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ considerations for architectural review boards. See Laws, Ordinances, Restrictions, and Review Boards below.
Community Involvement
Local governments can have a big impact on how their community perceives Florida-Friendly Landscaping practices. Many communities partner with their UF/IFAS Extension agents to develop public education and partnerships.
Laws, Ordinances, Restrictions, and Review Boards
The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program has developed model language to help local governments incorporate the latest UF/IFAS recommendations into their landscape code documents and assist communities within their jurisdiction.
- Florida Statutes 373.185 State statute adopted in 2009 prohibits HOAs and local governments from prohibiting Florida-Friendly Landscaping™.
- Questions and Answers: 2009 Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Legislation
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Model Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions
- Model Ordinance for Florida-Friendly Fertilizer Use on Urban Landscapes
- List of considerations for Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ guidelines for architectural review boards
- Standards for High Performing Landscapes: A Blueprint for Writing Community Landscape Standards
- Landscape Irrigation and FFL Design Standards
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guidelines for Community Associations: Considerations for Selecting a Landscape Contractor and Writing an Effective Landscaping Contract
- Model Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Maintenance Contract - editable (Microsoft Word download) | Model Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Maintenance Contract (pdf)
- Example Ordinance for Compost Amending Soil in Urban Landscaping
Funding
There are funding resources available for local governments interested in implementing Florida-Friendly practices in their communities.
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Grants – DEP offers grants for nonpoint source pollution abatement. Eligible projects include Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ pilot projects, education, and Green Infrastructure construction projects. Visit their Nonpoint Source Funds web page for more information.
- Water Management Districts - Many Water Management Districts offer grant and cost-share opportunities for environmentally sustainable landscaping and water conservation. Click the links below for more information:
- The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Grants – FDACS offers grants for various landscape related project such as southern pine beetle prevention, endangered and threatened plant conservation, and urban and community forestry. Visit their Grant Opportunities web page for more information.