Does your landscape have what it takes to win? Enter soon to find out!

The Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards, sponsored by Tampa Bay Water, UF/IFAS Extension and Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, were created to recognize individuals and businesses committed to conserving our water resources and protecting the environment by using Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) principles. There are nine FFL principles which include: right plant right place, water efficiently, fertilize appropriately, mulch, attract wildlife, manage yard pests responsibly, recycle, reduce stormwater runoff and protect the waterfront. Many of these principles are used as part of the landscape evaluation process for this awards program.

UF/FFL teams in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Counties will evaluate your county’s landscapes using specific criteria which includes the following and more: Landscape Design and Plant Selection, Stormwater Runoff Prevention, Efficient irrigation.

View photos and watch short videos of past winners at: https://awards.tampabaywaterwise.org/. The deadline for entries is June 30. Attaching a photo or two is helpful. On-site landscape evaluations will be scheduled and conducted in June, July and August with homeowners and business owners. Winning entries will receive a beautiful, handmade mosaic steppingstone for homeowners or a plaque option for businesses.

If you have questions regarding the Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards program and live in Hillsborough County, please contact me. If you live in Pasco or Pinellas County, contact your Florida-Friendly ™ (FFL) program coordinator.

Contact Lynn Barber at: barberL@hcflgov.net

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