The Green Industries Best Management Practices (GI-BMP) program was created in response to growing community concerns about water quality and quantity across Florida. Simply put, it teaches environmentally safe landscaping practices that help conserve and protect Florida’s water resources. The program has a strong focus on reducing non-point source pollution. This term refers to pollution from diffuse sources, meaning pollutants come from many small, widely dispersed locations, and a single source cannot be identified.

We contribute to it often and unintentionally: pet waste left on lawns, grass clippings washed into storm drains or canals, fertilizers left on driveways or not watered in; all these seemingly small inputs add up, resulting in non-point source pollution. During rainfall or excessive irrigation events, pollutants are carried across driveways, roads, rooftops, and compacted soils straight into storm drains, canals, and eventually our bays and oceans. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified stormwater runoff as Florida’s primary water-quality issue. Addressing this is vital to protecting our environment.

The GI-BMP program is especially crucial in the Keys. What happens in a yard or along a roadway can quickly reach canals and nearshore waters. Careful landscape management is essential to maintaining the delicate balance between our built environment and surrounding marine ecosystems.

The GI-BMP program is brought to you through a partnership between the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), and the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).  The UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program delivers this training to Green Industry professionals, homeowners, municipal workers, and developers through county Extension offices.

The training covers a wide range of topics, including landscape planting and maintenance, efficient irrigation practices, responsible fertilizer use, and proper pesticide application.

The benefits of these best management practices extend well beyond the environment. When landscapes are designed and maintained correctly, homeowners and property managers can save money, time, and effort. Healthy plants require fewer inputs, irrigation systems use less water, and properly managed landscapes reduce the need for costly corrective treatments.

So, who should take this training? The primary audience is referred to as the “green industry”. Landscapers, groundskeepers, irrigation technicians, fertilizer applicators, supervisors, municipal maintenance crews, and business owners all benefit from GI‑BMP Training. Additionally, this training is required for all commercial fertilizer applicators. For FDACS license holders, the program provides 4 CEU credits.

While designed for green industry professionals, GI-BMP trainings are open to any interested residents, especially those who manage their own landscapes and want to better understand how their practices affect local water resources.

If you are interested in taking this training and becoming GI-BMP certified, the UF/IFAS Monroe County Extension office is offering a workshop on May 14th, in Marathon. For more information on upcoming GI-BMP classes, contact the UF/IFAS Monroe County Environmental Horticulture Agent at (305) 998-9580 or Continentino-liah@monroecounty-fl.gov.

Clean water begins in our landscapes, one yard at a time. Whether you work in the green industry or simply want to apply landscaping best practices at home, you may want to consider taking the Green Industries Best Management Practices Training.

One of the newest arrivals is the two-spot cotton leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula), also called the two-spot cotton jassid. This tiny insect is about the size of a grain of rice, but it can cause significant damage to crops and landscape plants. Native to Asia, it was first found in North America in 2023. By late 2024, it reached Florida and has since been reported in Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. Its quick spread is likely due to its ability to feed on many common crops and landscape plants.

The two-spot cotton leafhopper is selectively polyphagous, meaning it eats several kinds of plants but prefers certain ones. Its favorite plants include okra, soybeans, cotton, sunflowers, eggplants, potatoes, mung beans, and cowpeas. Many of these are important farm crops and common in home vegetable gardens. It can also feed on members of the hibiscus and nightshade families, which include several native plants and popular ornamentals.

As we tend our gardens and care for our landscapes, it is important that gardeners and residents keep an eye out for this new pest. Checking plants regularly and reporting what you see helps scientists monitor and manage new species before they become widespread.

Identifying the two-spot cotton leafhopper:

Adults are small, pale green insects with yellowish wings, two black spots on the head, and one black spot on the tip of each wing. They usually sit on the underside of leaves, and adults “hop” when disturbed.

Due to their size, damage is often noticed before the leafhoppers themselves. Leafhoppers are considered “piercing-sucking” insects due to their feeding strategy, piercing plant tissue and feeding on sap. Their feeding causes a type of damage called hopperburn, which includes:

• Premature leaf drop
• Yellow or bronze leaf edges
• Leaves curling or cupping downward
• Stunted growth or fewer flowers/fruits

These symptoms can resemble drought stress or nutrient deficiencies, so it’s important to look closely for the insects if symptoms are present.

What to do if you suspect leafhoppers:

If you believe you’ve found two-spot cotton leafhoppers, contact your local County Extension Office for confirmation. If you find large numbers, send samples to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry (FDACS-DPI). Instructions for submitting samples can be found at www.FDACS.gov/DPIsamples.

Managing two-spotted cotton leafhoppers:

While researchers are still working on specific management guidelines for this species, gardeners are advised to implement Integrated Pest Management Practices (IPM):

• Scout often: Check leaf undersides for leafhoppers or hopperburn. Sticky traps may help detect activity. If you find leafhoppers, cover the affected leaves with a bag, prune them, and dispose of the plant material in the trash.
• Avoid over-fertilizing: Too much fertilizer can make plants more appealing to pests.
• Biological control: Beneficial insects such as ladybugs, spiders, lacewings, and minute pirate bugs naturally eat leafhoppers. By conserving these insects in your landscape, you increase your garden’s resilience to pests.
• Chemical control: Horticultural soaps and oils may help. If more control is needed, contact the Extension Office for guidance on insecticides. Always follow label instructions and use chemicals carefully to avoid harming helpful insects and pollinators.

The arrival of new pests can be overwhelming, but through community awareness, early reporting, and science-based management, we can support our gardens and local ecosystems.

As a homeowner, you can make a difference by creating habitats in your yard, providing the crucial resources our local wildlife needs to survive. Attracting wildlife is one of the nine core principles of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program^TM. When landscaping for wildlife, keep the following key objectives in mind:

Provide shelter:

Limit the use of turf or pea rock, as these provide few resources. Instead, opt for native ground covers such as frog fruit or powderpuff mimosa if you desire low-growing vegetation. Diversify your plantings by including a variety of growth patterns, heights, and flowering times to create layers of shelter and attract a greater range of wildlife. The greater the habitat variety, the more niches you will create for different species.

When considering built shelters, such as birdhouses, bat boxes, and bee hotels, remember that many are species-specific.

One of the easiest ways to provide habitat is to embrace a bit of untidiness. Fallen leaves, dry stems, brush piles, and dead trees are excellent shelters for wildlife. Consider leaving some areas a little “messier”; your local critters will love it!

Provide food:

Food is essential for wildlife. Your goal should be to provide as much food as possible through natural sources. Ideally, these are available year-round. This can include flowers, berries, seeds, foliage, and other plant materials. You can also offer supplemental food sources such as bird feeders. Think of feeders as fast food, and wild seeds and berries as a well-balanced meal. When selecting a feeder, choose the style that best suits your environment and the wildlife you intend to attract.

Providing water:

Water is a critical resource in your wildlife garden. You can provide water through puddling stations, fountains, and bird baths. Puddling stations consist of sand, soil, stones, and water, mimicking a puddle and providing water and essential minerals to pollinators. They are easy to make at home and an excellent activity for kids. For information on building a puddling station, contact your local county extension office. Bird baths should be shallow with a textured surface to prevent slipping. Change water regularly to prevent mosquito breeding and algal growth. The sound of running water alone can attract wildlife; consider incorporating a small fountain into your yard to entice local critters.

Reduce threats to wildlife:

Invasive species are defined as “introduced plants and animals that cause harm to the environment, the economy, and/or human health”. Invasive plants frequently outcompete native species, reducing native habitats and foraging resources for wildlife. Therefore, invasive species removal is a great way to support native species. For information on identifying invasive species, contact your county extension office.

Outdoor cats pose another significant threat to wildlife. Cats play a significant role in bird decline, killing hundreds of millions of birds annually. Consider keeping your cats indoors or limiting their outdoor time to a supervised schedule.

Wildlife landscaping means embracing wildlife, even those less desirable species. Insects are vital to our ecosystems. While they may not be everyone’s cup of tea, practice tolerance by limiting pesticide use and allowing insects to roam free. Likewise, many weeds are beneficial to our native ecosystems. Consider designating some areas to let the weeds grow; your local wildlife will thank you!

Florida’s natural ecosystems depend on the choices we make every day. By creating welcoming spaces for wildlife, we become stewards of the environment and partners in conservation. Even small changes at home can make a difference. Start with your own yard, inspire your neighbors, and together, we can create a collective impact!

For specific plant recommendations or horticultural questions, contact your local County Extension Office.

Understanding Our Environment is Key to Overcoming Challenges:

The Keys are a saltwater-dominated ecosystem with minimal freshwater resources. Our land is composed of porous fossilized coral reefs and ancient sandbars, with 90% of it sitting at 5ft or less in elevation. These factors make the Keys especially susceptible to flooding from storm surges, sea-level rise, and king tides. King tides are usually highest in October, with a smaller King tide in June, and can be up to 2 feet higher than the average high tides. 2017 data from Key West shows maximum king tides of 2.6 to 2.73 feet. It is common for king tides to flood roads and yards in the Keys, sometimes called “sunny day flooding”.

According to the 2017 NOAA Technical Report, sea levels are rising at an unprecedented rate. Projections estimate a 0.3 meter (0.98 ft) rise in sea level from 2000 to 2100 in low-end, or best-case scenarios. Alternatively, worst-case scenario projections estimate a 2.5 meter (8.2 ft) rise in sea level by 2100 than in 2000. Additionally, this rate is inconsistent across coastlines; some areas will feel it more than others, the Keys included. Sea levels in the Gulf are expected to be 16-18 inches higher in 2050 than in 2020, roughly 6 inches higher than the nation’s average. Key West Harbor tide data documented a 0.87-foot rise from 1913 to 2024. While extreme events, such as king tides or storm surges, may seem like the most significant threat, it is important to remember that increased sea levels intensify these events over time.

How Does This Impact Our Horticultural Choices?

Most food crops and landscape ornamentals have little to no salt tolerance. Salty soil or water leads to dehydration, inhibited growth, and plant death. While short-term management solutions such as flushing soil with freshwater and amending soils can be used, these are often costly and time-intensive.

The most reliable approach is to adapt rather than react. You can do so by planting the right plant in the right place. Right Plant, Right Place is a key Florida Friendly Landscaping principle that focuses on achieving healthy, low-maintenance landscapes by ensuring that your plant’s needs fit their environment. In this case, this means planting salt-tolerant plants to save you the hassle and cost of mitigating salt-driven issues in the future.

Salt-tolerant plants have specific adaptations that make them resistant to salt spray or occasional inundation. It is important to note that there are varying types of salt tolerance; some plants tolerate salt spray, but not inundation, and vice versa. They are also often acclimated to infertile, alkaline, sandy soils and high winds. Many Keys native plants are salt-tolerant and aesthetically beautiful, making them ideal for landscaping.

Three Salt-Tolerant Plants for the Florida Keys:

Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus):

This hardy, low-branching evergreen tree has smooth, oval leaves, button-like, inconspicuous flowers, and deeply ridged bark. It can grow to 40 feet tall or be pruned for use as a hedge or screen.

Sea-oxeye daisy (Borrichia arborescens and Borrichia frutescens):

These two species are closely related and share similar growth habits, including showy yellow flowers that attract a wide range of pollinators. However, they can be distinguished by a few key traits. B. frutescens typically grows taller than B. arborescens, and can be easily recognised by its pubescent, silver-colored foliage. In contrast, B. arborescens is easily recognized by its smooth, light green leaves and shorter height.

Mulhy grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris):

This tall, clumping grass boasts an impressive display of pink and purple flowers in the fall. This Idyllic landscaping plant is perfect for accents, borders, or mass plantings.

For more information on salt-tolerant landscaping and salt-tolerant edibles, check the following links:

https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/landscaping-for-specific-sites/salt-tolerant-plants/

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellasco/2014/03/28/salt-tolerant-vegetable-gardening/

For more Monroe County Blogs, click here: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/monroeco/

Find all of our UF-IFAS Blogs here https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/about/