Uf Florida-Friendly Landscaping

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) is the state of Florida’s premier Extension program that promotes sustainable alternatives to “conventional” landscaping, providing guidance on low impact, environmentally friendly, science-based landscape practices that use less water and reduce pollutant loading to Florida waters. Since 1994, FFL has served Florida as a partnership between the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension (UF/IFAS Extension) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The FFL approach is based on the 9 FFL Principles: 1) Right Plant, Right Place; 2) Water Efficiently; 3) Fertilize Appropriately; 4) Mulch; 5) Attract Wildlife; 6) Manage Yard Pests Responsibly; 7) Recycle; 8) Reduce Storm Water Runoff; and 9) Protect the Waterfront. The overall goal is to reduce nonpoint source pollution through proper fertilization, irrigation, and pesticide use on residential and commercial landscapes. FFL promotes its nine principles through three main programs that target diverse audiences. The Florida Yards and Neighborhoods (FYN) program works directly with homeowners. The Florida-Friendly Communities (FFC) program collaborates with local governments, builders and developers, homeowners associations (HOAs), and community/property managers. The Green Industries Best Management Practices (GI-BMP) program targets landscape professionals to deliver legislatively required training in fertilizer and pesticide application, as well as landscape irrigation methods that save water. Most FFL public outreach is conducted through county Extension offices and there are FFL Extension agents and program coordinators in 51 counties statewide. FFL is also closely aligned with the UF/IFAS-funded Florida Master Gardener (MG) program, which has a statewide network of MG coordinators distributed across 60 counties and over MG volunteers who spend 50 percent of their public outreach time on FFL topics.