By: Tory Moore, 352-273-3566, torymoore@ufl.edu
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — ‘Flip My Florida Yard’ is coming to a backyard near you. Ten homeowners across eight Florida counties were chosen to have their yard “flipped” into a Florida-Friendly paradise – one of them right here in Alachua County.
The Florida-based gardening show travels to yards around the state and gives them the ultimate Florida-Friendly makeover. Using the nine principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL), this transformation creates yards that protect and conserve Florida’s natural resources through science-based landscape practices.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the family, Alachua County, and UF/IFAS Extension to showcase the community and demonstrate the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program’s role in protecting the Florida we love,” said Taylor Clem, residential horticulture agent with UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County.
“The show is a great way for Florida residents to learn more about the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program and how to design, plant and maintain landscapes while protecting Florida’s natural resources,” said Tom Wichman, the statewide Green Industries Best Management Practices Program coordinator for UF/IFAS Extension. “The nine FFL principles are a holistic way of looking at and managing a landscape, and residents will learn that they can have a profound effect on our environment by following them.”
Each yard makeover will be completed while the owners are away visiting a state park. Crawford Entertainment will film the series in Florida locations and distribute produced episodes on Amazon Prime and the Discover Florida network. Chad Crawford from Crawford Entertainment will host the show, with on-air help from UF/IFAS Extension faculty. The ten-episode season airs beginning in March 2021.
“So many homeowners in Florida want an environmentally friendly landscape they just don’t quite know where to start,” said Chad Crawford, host and series creator of ‘Flip My Florida Yard.’ “My hope is that this series gives residents the tools and inspiration they need to take action.”
FFL, based at UF/IFAS and led by Esen Momol, is a 26-year partnership between UF/IFAS and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which will be the sole sponsor of the series, Wichman said.
“DEP is proud of its long-standing partnership with UF/IFAS and its Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program,” said DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein. “Over two decades, DEP has provided approximately $12.5 million in grant funding to administer this successful statewide program. By encouraging more Floridians to use low-maintenance plants and environmentally sustainable practices in their yards, we are all part of the solution to protect our waterways and ecosystems.”
Further announcements of show air dates can be found on ‘Flip My Florida Yard’ social media pages and UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County pages.
3
