By: Doris Heitzmann
Is your yard a winner? Enter your landscape today to find out.
The Community Water Wise Awards Program is sponsored by Tampa Bay Water and was created to recognize individuals and businesses committed to conserving water resources and protecting the environment by implementing the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles.
The Nine Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping are:
- Right Plant, Right Place
- Water efficiently
- Fertilize appropriately
- Mulch
- Attract Wildlife
- Manage Yard Pests responsibly
- Recycle
- Reduce Stormwater Runoff
- Protect the Waterfront
Most of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles are incorporated in the judging process for the Community Water Wise Awards program with focus on efficient water use in the landscape. The retention of trees and the overall design and aesthetics of the landscape are also taken into consideration.
Who can apply?
The annual award program is open to landscapes from across the tri-county Tampa Bay region* (includes Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough).
How to apply?
Entering is free, and only takes a few minutes. Potential applicants should visit https://awards.tampabaywaterwise.org/Enter-Your-Landscape to fill out the brief online entry form. Applications for the current year’s competition will be accepted until midnight, June 30, 2024! For questions contact Doris Heitzmann at dheitzmann@pinellascounty.org
To learn more about the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program and gardening related questions contact the UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County at 727-582-2422 and consider joining our mailing list and view our upcoming Lawn and Garden Classes!
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