The New and the Old

The New: This new logo for the Florida Friendly Landscaping Program will be used by the University of Florida, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Environmental Protection Agency to promote Florida Friendly Landscaping™ practices across the state. The Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program (FY&N) is housed under the Florida Friendly Landscaping Program along with the Green Industries Best Management Practices Program.

The Old: A History Lesson - FYN was started in the early 1990's. The program was originated by grass roots citizens groups from Sarasota and Tampa Bay. These groups formed the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program and Tampa Bay National Estuary Program. Because research showed that excess nitrates were polluting the bays, these groups were formed to address this problem.

At about the same time the Marine Resources Council of the Indian River Lagoon region was helping homeowners develop action plans to address similar environmental issues with the in the Indian River and Indian River lagoon. These two groups joined forces in 1994 and the FY&N program was born.

The FY&N program addresses the serious problems of pollution, water shortages and disappearing habitats by enlisting Floridians in the battle to save our natural environment.

FY&N 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 and preserve Florida's natural environment for future generations. FY&N encourages "Florida Friendly" yards and landscapes by promoting basic landscaping principles to Floridians.

FYN is a partnership of concerned citizens, members of private industry, the UF/IFAS' Extension Service , Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, The Tampa Bay Estuary Program , Florida Sea Grant College Program , Florida's Water Management Districts , Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and numerous other non-governmental agencies.

FYN is an educational program and not a regulatory agency; however, the FDEP, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and local governments strongly support the program.

Should you have any questions or would like more information please contact the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Coordinator in Manatee County at MichelleAtkinson@ufl.edu.