Protecting our environment starts right at home. Across Martin County, UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteers are helping residents transform their yards into beautiful, sustainable landscapes through the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) recognition program.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ is more than just attractive plants and green lawns. It is a science-based approach to landscape management that helps conserve water, reduce pollution, support wildlife, and protect Florida’s natural resources. Through the Martin County FFL Landscape Recognition Program, teams of trained Master Gardener Volunteers visit homeowners’ landscapes to evaluate how well they incorporate the nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles.
What happens when the Master Gardeners visit your landscape?
During each site visit, volunteers walk through the property with the homeowner and discuss landscape practices that contribute to environmental stewardship. The evaluation focuses on the nine FFL principles which include 1) Right Plant, Right Place, 2) Water Efficiently, 3) Fertilize Appropriately, 4) Mulch, 5) Attract Wildlife, 6) Manage Yard Pests, 7) Recycle Yard Waste, 8) Reduce Stormwater Runoff, and 9) Protect the Waterfront.
Based on the evaluation, landscapes may earn either Silver or Gold Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ certification, recognizing homeowners who have successfully implemented sustainable practices. These certifications showcase a homeowner’s commitment to protecting Florida’s unique natural resources while creating a beautiful and functional landscape.
Why are Florida-Friendly Landscapes™ important?
The importance of practicing the nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles is especially significant in Martin County. As part of the Indian River Lagoon watershed, our community has a direct impact on one of the most biodiverse estuaries in North America. Excess nutrients, sediment, and stormwater runoff from residential landscapes can contribute to water quality issues that affect fish, seagrasses, wildlife, and recreational opportunities throughout the lagoon.
By using water wisely, selecting appropriate plants, applying fertilizers responsibly, and minimizing runoff, homeowners can help reduce pollutants entering local waterways. Small changes made in individual landscapes collectively create meaningful improvements for the health of the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Lucie Estuary.
The efforts of UF/IFAS Extension Martin County Master Gardener Volunteers demonstrate how local education and community engagement can make a lasting environmental difference. Through personalized landscape evaluations and Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ recognition, volunteers are helping residents become active partners in protecting our water resources while enhancing the beauty of their neighborhoods.
If you are interested in having your landscape evaluated for Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ certification, contact UF/IFAS Extension Martin County to learn more about scheduling a site visit. Together, we can create landscapes that are attractive, resilient, and beneficial to the environment for generations to come.
About UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteers
Master Gardener Volunteers are trained volunteers who assist UF/IFAS Extension in delivering research-based horticultural education to the public. Their efforts support sustainable gardening practices, environmental stewardship, and community outreach throughout Martin County. Email the Master Gardeners at martinmg@ifas.ufl.edu or call (772) 288-5654.
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