Landscape Awards & Certifications

Design with Natives Landscape Awards - statewide; sponsored by the Florida Native Plant Society. Each year at the Annual Conference in May, FNPS gives awards for high quality, home or business site landscaped primarily with Florida native plant species (minimum 75%) with a minimum of 2-year growth, free of Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s (EPPC) Category I and II exotic pest plants, a drawing or planting plan, 10 color slides, showcasing landscape and project development and a one to two-page narrative describing the project and addressing judging criteria, and a plant list with botanical names. Application: March 2, 2007 click here for an application. Fee: $15 nonprofessional design; $50 professional design. Award: Honored at annual conference (1st and 2nd place winners receive complimentary registration).

Florida Yards & Neighbors - statewide; sponsored by the University of Florida IFAS Extension. 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 stormwater runoff. Application: Checklist completion. Fee: none. Award: Receive a Certified Florida Yard sign and a copy of " A Guide to Environmentally Friendly Landscaping: Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Handbook."

Backyard Wildlife Habitat - national program; sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation. Certify your yard or garden space as an official Backyard Wildlife Habitat site by providing five requirements: Food, Water, Cover, Places to Raise Young, and Sustainable Gardening Practices. Application: Online. Fee: $15. Award: Certificate of Achievement suitable for framing, personalized, recognizing your yard as part of the National Registry of Backyard Wildlife Habitat sites, a prepared press release sent to your local newspaper announcing your certification, full NWF membership benefits, Habitats quarterly newsletter, and one year's subscription to the National Wildlife magazine. Weatherproof 9"x12" recycled aluminum sign available to purchase for $19.95 plus state sales tax. Send an email to a local Habitat Stewards who can assist you with your certification.

WindStar's Wildlife Habitat Certification - national program; sponsored by the WindStar Wildlife Institute. Certify your yard  by providing four wildlife habitat  elements: Food, Water, Cover, and Space. Application: Online. Fee: $15. Award: Certificate suitable for framing, personalized, an exclusive number for your wildlife habitat and listed in the WindStar Wildlife Institute's American Wildlife Habitat Registry^SM, weatherproof 6"x9" heavy gauge plastic sign available to purchase for $15 (fee for sign returned if habitat not certified).  If sign is ordered later, price is $20.

Water-wise Landscape Awards - city or county specific. Check with your City Beautification Advisory Board, County Extension Office, Environmental Advisory Board, Water Authority, or Water Management District.