The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program

The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program was created to include Florida Yards & Neighborhoods (FYN) program HomeOwner and FYN Builder and Developer programs and the Florida-Friendly Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries (GIBMPs) Program in 2008.

Why Was the Change Made?

Traditionally FYN has served a homeowner audience, while the GIBMPs are directed towards an audience of commercial horticulture professionals. Because Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ terminology is used in state law (F.S. Ch. 373.185), both UF/IFAS and FDEP felt it appropriate to find a name for the overarching philosophy that embraces both homeowner and industry audiences.

The 9 FFL Principles

It’s important to know that the FYN programs and the GIBMP program promote the 9 Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles, not the 9 FYN Principles. This is because the 9 Principles apply equally to homeowner and industry recommendations. Websites at both the state and county level should make sure that their terminology matches this directive.

How is the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program Structured?

There will be three components of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program under Dr. Momol on the UF Campus:
1) The FYN Homeowner program
2) The FYN Builder & Developer program
3) The Green Industry Best Management Practices (GIBMP) program

FFL Organizational Chart

Each component will have its own statewide coordinator. Their contact information can be found here or by clicking on "About Us" in the menu bar at the top of this page.

Where Does the Center Fit In?

The Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology (CLCE)—both its faculty and Information Office—also embrace the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ philosophy but operate independently of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program. The center faculty members are spread out across the state, while the Information Office is located on the Gainesville campus. The center’s director is Dr. Terril Nell, and the Communications Coordinator of the Information Office is Emily Eubanks. The center will continue to function as a partner of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program in preparing and distributing science-based, consumer-friendly recommendations.

Where Should I Go For More Information?

For more information on the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program, contact:

  • Esen Momol, Ph.D., Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program Director
    eam@ufl.edu
    (352) 392-1831
  • Don Rainey, GI-BMP Statewide Program Coordinator
    drainey@ufl.edu
    (941) 457-0219
  • CJ Bain, Data Manager, Green Industries Best Management Practices
    cjbain@ufl.edu
    (352) 273-4509
  • Brian Niemann, Statewide Builder & Developer Coordinator, Florida Yards & Neighborhoods
    bniemann81@ufl.edu
    (352) 273-4518
  • Claire Lewis, Interim Statewide Homeowner Coordinator, Florida Yards & Neighborhoods
    (352) 273-4518
    clairehellis@ufl.edu
  • Kathy Malone, Volunteer, Florida Yards & Neighborhoods
    kmalon@ufl.edu
    (352) 273-4508
  • Jane Tolbert, Ph.D., Senior Information Specialist
    jtolbert@ufl.edu
    (352) 273-4515
  • W. Scott Purcell, Web Designer/IT Expert, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program
    (352) 273-4507
    wspurcell@ufl.edu

For the Information Office of the Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology, contact:
Emily Eubanks, Educational Media & Communications Coordinator
eee@ufl.edu
(352) 392-1831, x.246