Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program (FYN)
The FYN program provides education on the 9 Florida-Friendly LandscapingTMprinciples throughout Miami-Dade County to homeowners, landscape maintenance firms, municipalities, and other groups.
FYN is funded through the Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department (MDWSD), the Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM), and the Miami-Dade Solid Waste Management Department (MDSWMD). We would like to thank these agencies for taking such great interest in this tremendously beneficial program for our community.
The nine principles of Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM:
- Right Plant, Right Place
- Water Efficiently
- Fertilize Appropriately
- Mulch
- Attract Wildlife
- Manage Yard Pests Responsibly
- Recycle Yard Waste
- Reduce Stormwater Runoff
- Protect the Waterfront
Florida-Friendly Yard Recognition
Florida-friendly Yards can take any form, from highly manicured to more natural. How you maintain your yard is what ultimately determines if it is Florida-friendly.
Think your yard may be Florida-Friendly?
Yards are evaluated based on a Checklist By meeting the minimum requirements and collecting at least 50 points, your yard can be certified. Owners of Florida-friendly yards receive a sign to display in the yard and a certificate.
Don't meet the minimum requirement for certification? No need to worry, click here for resources that will assist you or take the Pledge!
Ready to have your yard recognized click here.
RAIN BARREL PROGRAM
As part of MDWSD water conservation initiatives, we offer rainwater harvesting workshops to educate Miami-Dade County residents on how to capture rainwater, why it can be beneficial, and how to install a rain barrel in the landscape.
Florida receives an average of 56 inches of rainfall per year. An inch of rainfall over a 1000sq.ft. area yields in excess of 600 gallons of water. A rain barrel is an inexpensive means of capturing and storing some of this water for later use. By installing a rain barrel you will not only help reduce pollution from stormwater runoff but also have a supply of free non-chlorinated Ph neutral water for watering your prize orchids, potted plants, and much more!
Learn about water conservation issues and how to construct and install your very own rain barrel.
NEW: A $50 rebate is available from the MDWSD for rain barrel purchases after you attend a Rain Barrel educational workshop!
We can bring the workshops to your location: Organization, Association, School, Business or Workplace
All in-person rain barrel workshops include a showerhead and light bulb exchange courtesy of MDWSD Rain barrels purchased through the program are only sold to individuals who attend educational workshops.
Landscape Irrigation and Rebate Program
Irrigation assessments are performed by the Urban Conservation Unit for homeowners and large properties. Participants can receive rebates for retrofitting the irrigation system to improve water efficiency. Homeowners can receive up to $500 for up to 5 years. Large Properties can receive up to $2,850 for one year and a smart controller if applicable.
Participants must fill out the application form below and receive an irrigation assessment before retrofitting the irrigation system.
Join today and commit to protecting our water resources!
Contact the Agent
Laura Vasquez
Extension Agent I
Urban Horticulture
lavasquez@ufl.edu
(305) 679-0239
Urban Horticulture Program Supervisor
Dalton Goolsby
daltongoolsby@ufl.edu
(305) 679-0236
Urban Horticulture Program Specialists
Barbara McAdam
bmcadam@ufl.edu
(305) 679-0245
Jesus Lomeli
jlomeli@ufl.edu
(305) 679-0246
Veronica Charpentier
v.charpentier@ufl.edu
(305) 679-0228
Office Address
18710 SW 288 Street
Homestead, FL 33030
Phone: (305) 248-3311
Fax: (305) 246-2932
Hours
Monday – Friday
8:00AM – 5:00PM
Click on GIVE BACK to support Miami-Dade Extension!