In the latest episode of Cultivating Curiosity, hosts Alyssa Vinson and Taylor Clem sit down with Chad Crawford, the energetic creator and host of the hit PBS show Flip My Florida Yard. What starts as a conversation about landscaping quickly blossoms into a deeper discussion about conservation, community, and the power of storytelling.
From Goofball to Green Advocate
Chad’s journey began in a high school video production class, where a teacher’s encouragement sparked a lifelong passion for media. After a stint in the Navy—where he earned the nickname “Captain of Fun”—Chad pursued film school and eventually launched Crawford Entertainment. His desire to own meaningful content led to the creation of How to Do Florida, which later spun off into Flip My Florida Yard.
The Show with a Mission
At its core, Flip My Florida Yard is more than just a landscaping makeover show. It’s a water conservation campaign disguised as entertainment. Each episode transforms a Florida yard using Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) principles, aiming to inspire homeowners to rethink their outdoor spaces—not just for beauty, but for sustainability.
Chad emphasizes that the show acts as a “movie trailer” for the FFL journey. It’s designed to spark curiosity and encourage viewers to take the next step—whether that’s contacting their local extension agent or simply turning off their sprinklers.
Real Impact, Real People
One of the most powerful aspects of the show is its human element. Chad shares stories of families whose lives have been transformed—not just their yards. From solving chronic flooding with permeable pavers to creating outdoor spaces that foster family connection, the show’s impact goes far beyond aesthetics.
In Season 4, the format is evolving. Chad steps out of the spotlight to let homeowners take center stage, learning directly from experts and getting their hands dirty. The goal? Make the transformations more relatable, more DIY-friendly, and more empowering.
A Passion for Florida’s Waterways
Chad’s love for Florida’s natural beauty—especially its water—runs deep. He’s a vocal advocate for buffer zones around lakes and waterways, stressing their importance in protecting water quality. His message is clear: if you live on water, you have a responsibility to protect it.
He also highlights the need to shift perceptions. “Florida gets treated like a rental car,” he says, urging residents—especially transplants—to connect with the land and become stewards of its future.
Everyone Doing a Little Is a Lot
Chad’s closing message is simple but powerful: “Everybody doing a little is a lot.” Whether it’s planting native species, reducing stormwater runoff, or just learning more about your local ecosystem, small actions add up.
Want to learn more? Catch Flip My Florida Yard on PBS this July and explore how you can start your own Florida-Friendly Landscaping journey. And don’t forget to subscribe to Cultivating Curiosity for more inspiring conversations about plants, people, and the planet.
Summer Break Announcement: Cultivating Curiosity will be taking a summer hiatus from our longer form episodes, but keep your eyes peeled for our fun ‘summer-sodes’!
AI Disclosure:
This blog post was drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence using a transcript from the Cultivating Curiosity podcast. The content has been reviewed, edited, and approved by a human author to ensure accuracy, clarity, and alignment with the intended message.
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