FLORIDA YARDS & NEIGHBORHOODS

     Florida Yards & Neighborhoods can help you transform your yard into a beautiful oasis that will not only conserve precious water resources and reduce pollution, but will also help you save time, energy and money.

     The Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program was developed to address serious problems of pollution and disappearing habitats by enlisting homeowners in the battle to save our natural environment.  This program provides special educational and outreach activities directed at the community to help residents reduce pollution and enhance their environment by improving home and landscape management.

OBJECTIVES:

Objectives of the FY&N program are to:

    decrease non-point source pollution
    create beautiful landscapes
    reduce storm water runoff
    enhance wildlife habitat
    conserve water

     Rain falls on yards, roads and parking lots, flows from the gutters into storm drains, and then washes into tributaries and lakes or bays, carrying pollutants like fertilizers, pesticides, soil, petroleum products and other pollutants.  Scientists have discovered that fertilizers and pesticides from residential areas are serious threats to the health of Florida's water and ecosystems.  Runoff containing nitrogen from fertilizers or toxic substances from pesticides can damage aquatic plants and animals that live in fresh 
and salt water environments.

FY&N encourages homeowners to water efficiently, mulch, recycle, select the least toxic pest control measures, put the right plant in the right spot, fertilize only when necessary, provide food, water and shelter for wildlife, protect surface water bodies (i.e. bays, rivers, streams, ponds, etc.) and minimize storm water runoff.

Proper implementation of Florida Yards & Neighborhoods practices in your yard will protect the natural environment around us for future generations to enjoy.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods program?
The Florida Yards & Neighborhoods program is an educational outreach program informing homeowners how they can be more environmentally friendly with their landscape care practices and how this can help protect Florida's natural environment
for future generations.

Why is this important?
We are all connected to the environmental well-being of Florida's livelihood; through
the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the environment we live and play in.  Our quality of life depends upon our active participation in the management of Florida's natural resources.

How will the FY&N program be implemented?
The University of Florida County Extension Service will be the lead agency implementing  this program.  Partnerships will be encouraged with other governmental and non-governmental agencies, the public and private sector and the green industry.

Who are some of the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods partners?
To name a few.......

    University of Florida
    Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences
    Cooperative Extension Service
    U.F. Department of Agriculture
    Water Management Districts
    National Estuary Program
    Environmental Protection Agency
    Florida Department of Environmental Protection            
    Homeowner Associations
    City and County Government
    Environmental Learning Center

When will the program be in my area?
The FY&N program is currently active in 21 different counties and expansion plans have been developed to include all other counties throughout Florida.  If your county is not listed below, please call your local Cooperative Extension Service office for more information.

If you would like to know more about this program or are interested in having your yard become a Recognized Florida Yard, please contact us at (772) 770-5030 

           :       indian@mail.ifas.ufl.edu

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