7.3 Support recognition or leadership programs for homeowners, HOAs, and businesses adopting, funding, and promoting green infrastructure improvements and BMPs
Key Message: Recognition programs can motivate and engage citizens to protect their local waters, and drive community momentum for positive change. One or more existing award programs could be adapted to highlight community-led water quality projects and innovations.
Importance
Recognition programs enhance motivation, engagement, and productivity by introducing elements of competition and prestige. They inspire creativity, promote collective goals, and spotlight individual contributions toward sustainability. These programs also foster networking, celebrate success, and create momentum for future water quality improvement initiatives.
Overview
The UF/IFAS Extension Florida Yards & Neighborhoods program acknowledges homeowners who adopt environmentally responsible gardening and landscaping practices. Florida-Friendly Yards help conserve water, reduce fertilizer and pesticide runoff, and provide wildlife habitat. The program also designates new developments that incorporate Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles and pass a two-year follow-up inspection, as well as existing communities that meet a checklist of BMPs for landscape management.
Florida-Friendly Yards minimize water use, reduce fertilizer and pesticide runoff, and provide wildlife habitats. Source: UF/IFAS
The Florida Green Building Coalition offers a statewide Green Development designation for developments that meet criteria related to land conservation, wetland protection, wildlife corridors, aquifer recharge, Low Impact Development (LID), stormwater treatment, and water conservation.
Sarasota County Government’s Green Business Partnership recognizes businesses for implementing sustainable practices such as waste reduction and energy and water conservation. Benefits for participating businesses include an official certificate and logo, a directory listing on the County website, inclusion on the International Green Map, a free waste and energy assessment, media exposure, and community recognition.
The Green Map highlights businesses and locations that practice sustainability and is a perk for all Sarasota County Green Business Partners. Source: Sarasota County Government
The Florida Native Plant Society grants awards for exemplary native plant landscaping in a range of categories, including residential, commercial, institutional, transportation, restoration, and wildflower/butterfly gardens.
Approach
One or more existing recognition programs could be adapted to spotlight exceptional environmental and water quality projects, potentially through partnerships with SBEP Bay Partner, CHNEP, NEST, or UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County Water Steward programs (see Chapter 7.2).
Key features could include significant rewards, public recognition, and media promotion. Awards could be featured through social media, websites, press releases, and digital tools like an app or interactive story map (e.g., Sarasota County Green Map) to showcase winning projects, businesses, and neighborhoods (see Chapter 7.4).
Award criteria should encourage participation from diverse community groups, including underrepresented and resource-limited neighborhoods. Projects that demonstrate connections between environmental health, neighborhood vitality, and economic benefits should be prioritized. Programs that promote collaboration across community sectors can foster innovation, teamwork, and broad community impact.
Resources
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ website
- Sarasota County Government website
- Florida Green Building Coalition website
Status
Implementation
Performance Measures
- Number of projects/applicants
- Number of media mentions
Experts or Leads
Jennifer Rudolph, Sarasota County NEST; Megan Barry, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program; Michael D’Imperio, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County; Allen Garner, UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County and committee chair of FGBC Development Designation Standard Committee
Cost Estimate
$10,000-$50,000
Related Activities
Other Stormwater Improvement Activities
7.1 Distribute homeowner guides for home and neighborhood stormwater improvement BMPs and projects
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7.2 Continue support and capacity for homeowners and HOAs to install stormwater improvement projects with free professional consultations and cost-share grants
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7.4 Support and promote green infrastructure demonstration projects with interpretive signage on publicly accessible properties
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