Landscape Awards

West Campus Nature Trails

• Project Owner: Sun City Center Audubon Club
• Project Designer: RSS Services and Quest Ecology Inc.
• Project Contractor: RSS Services and Quest Ecology Inc.
• Award Category: restoration
• Location: Sun City Center

Sun City Center (SCC) has 37 acres of historic pine flatwoods with four nature trails maintained by SCC Audubon Club. The trail is well-known amongst SSC residents for the many native Maypops (Passiflora incarnata) and the zebra longwing and gulf fritillary butterfly population they sustain.

“The creativity to raise funds by Audubon members and community residents to restore this site is amazing to see,” said Lynda Davis, FNPS Executive Director, “they are promoting the use of native plants and educating the residents at the same time.”

Mead Garden Uplands

• Project Owner: Tarflower Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society
• Project Designer: Ron Blair, Amanda Martin, Amanda Freed
• Project Contractor: Tarflower Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Winter Park

The presence of 100-year-old longleaf pines provided the inspiration for the Tarflower Chapter, The City of Winter Park, and Mead Botanical Garden to embark on restoration of the sandhill community by removing exotic plants and planting native grasses and wildflowers. In return, the site has expanded its gopher tortoise population and provided educational trails to visitors.

“Mead Botanical Garden is a wonderful example of what urban green space can become through partnerships,” said Lynda Davis, FNPS Executive Director, “they are a respite for visitors and residents alike and provide an oasis for wildlife.”

Camp Matacumbe Playground

• Project Owner: Miami- Dade County Parks Recreation and Open Spaces Department
• Project Designer: LandscapeDE
• Project Contractor: LandscapeDE
• Award Category: special
• Location: Miami-Dade County

Camp Matecumbe Playground is in a park in western Miami-Dade. The park housed young Cuban refugees who escaped the Castro regime in the 1960’s. The park  protects a significant amount of pine rocklands, a globally critically imperiled plant community.

“The judges were extremely impressed with the creativity of this design by LandscapeDE and the weaving together of the historic, the natural, and the physical activity elements,” said Lynda Davis, FNPS Executive Director, “kudos to the Miami-Dade Parks Recreation and Open Space Department for supporting this project.”

Mark Miller's Home Landscape

• Project Owner: Mark Miller
• Project Designer: Mark Miller
• Project Contractor: N/A
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Ft. Myers

The residential home of Mark and Teresa Miller was one of only four top winners and the only residential winner of this annual award. Since 2005, the Millers have been adding native vegetation to their residential lot. Historically a pine flatwoods, the Millers have continued to project the adjacent wetlands and added species that are compatible to the site. After construction of the home, the applicant stated that “native plantings around the home began immediately, with cabbage palm, cocoplum, coontie (the owner’s favorite), Simpson stopper and wild coffee replacing the bahia grass.” Mr. Miller not only grew many plants from local seed sources, but also derived inspiration from “a desire to create a wildlife-friendly, hurricane-resistant, drought-tolerant upland landscape system (not just a collection of plants), and to maintain a functioning wetland habitat.”

“As the top residential winner, the Millers successfully combined the single-family subdivision aesthetic with native plant enhancement and wetland protection,” said Lynda Davis, FNPS Executive Director, “the Millers prove that native landscapes can co-exist in subdivisions and benefit wildlife.”

City of Sanibel Native Demo Garden

• Project Owner: City of Sanibel
• Project Designer: City of Sanibel
• Project Contractor: City of Sanibel and volunteers
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: City of Sanibel

The city of Sanibel  places the natural environment at the top of the hierarchy of its values. This has allowed Sanibel to create a “Sanctuary” environment on the barrier island. “Sanibel is and shall remain a barrier island, one in which a diverse population lives in harmony with the Island’s wildlife and natural habitats.” (1974 incorporation statement)

After completion of City Hall, its newly created Vegetation Committee focused its efforts on planting Florida native plants which complimented the native trees protected when City Hall was built.

Over the years, additional native plantings have been supplemented to increase species diversity and wildlife habitat.  75 Florida native species can be found on the grounds of City Hall. Most plants in the gardens have been labelled by City Hall staff and members of the Vegetation Committee.

Sopchoppy Depot Park

• Project Owner: City of Sopchoppy
• Project Designer: Betsy Smith, David Roddenberry, and Lynn Artz
• Project Contractor: Sarracenia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Sopchoppy, Wakulla County

The small city of Sopchoppy, in Wakulla County, established Sopchoppy Depot Park in 2015 as a multi-purpose park on city property. The Park lies just across the main street from a historical restoration of the town’s defunct rail depot, now a museum. The Park is increased now to 1.7 acres. Visited by many every day, it is also part of the grounds of a large, annual, downtown street festival called the Sopchoppy Worm Gruntin’ Festival. The event, named for a quaint, indigenous custom and industry, draws thousands of visitors each year.

At the inception of the native garden project in early 2018, the Park featured entrance landscaping (without native-plant emphasis), an asphalt walking path of ring configuration 150 feet across, a stormwater pond, a children’s playground, and two picnic pavilions, these amenities distributed in the park in accordance with a conceptual plan made for the City. 

At the invitation of Sopchoppy’s mayor in early 2018, a team of volunteers coordinated by a member of the Sarracenia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society assembled to further envision the mayor’s idea for native-plant landscaping for the Park. The team was mindful of the aboriginal longleaf pine and wiregrass ecosystem here, now obliterated, where the pine would have stood over a ground cover of grasses and diverse herbs. The flora of these habitats can be seen in extant examples in nearby St. Marks NWR and elsewhere.

Adams Residence

• Project Owner: Pamela Adams
• Project Designer: Green Isle Gardens
• Project Contractor: Green Isle Gardens
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Groveland

When purchased in 2013, the yard was identical to the other 109 houses, with irrigated lawns on all side of each house, manicured Chinese Fringe Flower (Loropetalum chinense) hedges, and three palm trees. The yard is on Candler Sand and the site is level and the house faces East. The initial design and installation was done in collaboration with Marc Godts of Green Isle Gardens. Site preparation and installation was completed February-March 2014. 

394 plants of 37 species were installed, the species weren't chose to represent a existing native plant community, rather, species were chosen to reflect Pam's goals of providing visual interest with color, texture, and size and to fit in with the neighborhood rather than standing out.

The new landscape engaged neighbors and Pam keeps potted dune Sunflowers (Helianthus debilis) on hand to share. The happiest surprise for Pam is that a gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) dug a burrow amongst the native plants on the south side of the house.

You-Tube Presentation

Ed Yarborough Nature Center

• Project Owner: Seminole County Natural Lands
• Project Designer: Cuplet Fern Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society
• Project Contractor: Cuplet Fern Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Geneva Wilderness Area, Seminole County

The Yarborough Nature Center is located in the eastern half of Seminole County at the Geneva Wilderness Area and part of Seminole County Natural Lands program. The Nature Center provides Seminole County students opportunities for week long Eco Camps and Adventure programs focusing on the diversity of plant and wildlife in rural Seminole County.

In 2006, county staff, community and school volunteers helped design and install a native plant garden. Plants came from Green Images Nursery, off Taylor Creek road, in eastern Orange County. In 2009, a small water feature was installed. The water feature later evolved as a self contained, natural filtered system showcasing local wetland plants and providing water for migrating wildlife. In 2010, local native plant volunteers took on the responsibility of maintaining the garden and in 2011, the Cuplet Fern Chapter officially took on yearly maintenance.

The purpose of this garden is to show the successional and seasonal growth of native plants that thrive in sandy soil throughout the year. The surrounding habitat is sand pine scrub with well drained Paola soil.

Wood Stork Pond

• Project Owner: The Shores of Long Bayou Condominiums
• Project Designer: Meadows Tree Service
• Project Contractor: A & M Tree Service
• Award Category: restoration
• Location: City of Seminole, Pinellas County

The wetlands committee of The Shores of Long Bayou Condominiums Home-Owners’ Association is committed to removing invasive Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia), jumbie bean (white lead) tree (Leucaena leucocephala), and carrotwood (Cupaniopsis anacardioides). These invasive plants were out-competing mangroves surrounding one of our dozen stormwater reservoirs, Wood Stork Pond, within our nature reserve, that protects the habitat of both waterfowl and wildlife. 

The ultimate goal of our project was to restore tidal flushing to the mangroves surrounding Wood Stork Pond. Ditches dug decades ago to drain land or control mosquitoes had filled in and were choking the mangroves. Removing invasive plants and dredging the canal provide the life-giving brackish flushing needed to guarantee mangrove longevity.

For more information about this project, please see Ernie Franke's presentation at our 40th Annual Conference.

Skillings Yard

• Project Owner: Skilings
• Project Designer: Grounded Solutions
• Project Contractor: Green Isle Gardens
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Lady Lake, Lake County

As we planned to move from Broward County to Central Florida, we knew we wanted a sod-free yard with predominantly native plantings. We were familiar with native landscaping, having converted much of our South Florida yard to a sod-free native landscape. Ultimately, we chose to build a home in Lake County on an empty lot within a community governed by an HOA, with the upfront agreement that the developer would forgo installing
their standard landscape and work with us according to instructions we would provide.

The guiding principles for our overall design and plant choices were:

• Utilize native plants;
• Be sod-free;
• Provide habitat;
• Attract pollinators;
• Showcase the beauty of a native landscape within an HOA community;
• Minimize maintenance.

Designer Home Site

• Project Owner: Wheeler and Bukovic
• Project Designer: Grounded Solutions
• Project Contractor: Green Isle Gardens
• Award Category: residential
• Location: The Villages, Sumter County

The design goals were:
1.    Convert existing turfgrass
2.    Create a wildlife-friendly landscape that fits in with the neighborhood
3.    Looks attractive and well maintained.
4.    Replace the turf grass lawn with groundcoverand landscape beds planted with Real Florida Natives.

Designer Home Site

• Project Owner: Quillin and Ramsey
• Project Designer: Green Isle Gardens
• Project Contractor: Green Isle Gardens
• Award Category: residential
• Location: The Villages, Sumter County

The design goals were:
1.  Replace the turf grass lawn with  Real Florida Natives.
2.  Create a wildlife-friendly landscape that is both attractive and looks well maintained.
3.  Include butterfly host and nectar plants
4.  Provide water and shelter for wildlife
5.  Designed and maintained to be appropriate for the setting (fits into the neighborhood)

Two side-by-side Designer Homesites

• Project Owner: Harryman and Mullen
• Project Designer: Green Isle Gardens
• Project Contractor: Green Isle Gardens
• Award Category: residential
• Location: The Villages, Sumter County

These are small landscapes that limit plant sizes.  The vertical space was maximized by installing a trellis in the back and on the side of the house.  A melaleuca wood chip path provides access through the landscape.  A pair of bee boxes provide nest holes for solitary native bees and wasps.  Birdbath to provide water for birds. 

Coastal Palm Beach

• Project Owner: Burle
• Project Designer: Yates Burle Studio
• Project Contractor: General Landscaping Corporation
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Lake Worth Beach, Palm Beach County

We at Yates Burle Studio had the goal of creating an all-encompassing landscape design which placed significant emphasis on sustainability by repopulating native species that have been lost to development as well as creating designs that mimic natural plant communities in coastal conditions. Our design concepts were based on authentic, naturalistic real Florida inspired landscapes. Our goals were to plant rarely seen Florida native species in a residential setting to create habitat for beneficial wildlife in a neighborhood that has very few native species. The home is a historic, the architecture is a mid-century modern style located on a corner lot in The Parrot Cove neighborhood in Lake Worth Beach. Therefore we also wanted the landscape to complement the home while also creating a true sense of place with native plantings, respecting Florida’s flora and fauna.

Datura Professional Building

• Project Owner: David Glatthorn and Robert Bergin
• Project Designer: Rob Hopper
• Project Contractor: Joanne Davis and Associates
• Award Category: commercial
• Location: West Palm Beach

n 2002, 506 Datura Street in downtown West Palm Beach wasn’t a very attractive place. Much of the area was in industrial uses, including some dilapidated warehouses, an FPL substation and several blighted, abandoned buildings.  Two forward thinking attorneys, Robert Bergin and David Glatthorn, purchased the property and became catalysts for the neighborhood’s climb out of neglect and decay, starting a redevelopment and renewal effort that is ongoing today.

The two men wanted a fresh start, so they knocked down the old warehouse on the property and built a new professional office on the site. There were no native plants onsite, but they both wanted the entire property landscaped with natives. At that time, few landscapers worked with native plants, so it was an opportunity to showcase them by using 100% native south Florida natives in the new landscape.

Today, travelers who ride Brightline will see the tiny island of native plants that thrive at 506 Datura across from the station, and the people who will live at the new building to the south will look down on the canopy protecting parked cars below. Perhaps they’ll wonder what it is, why it looks so different from other landscapes, and how can they learn more. 

Henkelhaus Lakeside

• Project Owner: John R. Henkelman
• Project Designer: John R. Henkelman
• Project Contractor: John R. Henkelman
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Grant-Valkeria, Brevard County

This long term landscaping project was designed to create a warm and inviting home setting and living environment that 1) demonstrated the attractiveness of the wild and natural Florida, 2) provided an inspiring setting for his three boys to grow up in, and 3) included habitat for as much wildlife as possible. The goal of the project was to protect and maintain the existing scrub, wetland and lakefront ecosystems, while providing a high and dry location for the house. Begun in 1990, the ~3 acre parcel was prepared for construction by limiting clearing to an area twice the house footprint.  After construction, native trees (elm, oak and sweet gum) were used to compliment the pine shade canopy while native shrubs, bushes and flowers were used to fill the understory and landscape near the house. 
 

Schneiderman Residence

• Project Owner: Valerie Schneiderman
• Project Designer: Michael Miller
• Project Contractor: Michael Miller
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Longboat Key, Manatee County

Upon purchasing a home in the historic village neighborhood of LBK, Valerie and Ross Schneiderman were committed to bringing their 1935 “Whitney Beach” cottage and surrounding landscape back to its original island beauty. As plans took shape for home renovations and restoration, attention to the landscape was considered, not as separate, but as essential to the property make-over. After meeting with several landscape designers who were less inclined plant native, and even less inclined to go “lawn free”, research in Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island “native design” connected the homeowners to Michael Miller of Perfect Island. Michael Miller was brought in to design and install the envisioned native landscape. The existing landscape included two large Cuban Laurels planted close to the structure, numerous Eureka Palms as street-side screening and extensive St Augustine lawn/grass in both the front and back yards (see before photos). In addition, Carrotwood, Australian Pine and Brazilian Pepper were located on the property and slated for removal. Drainage in the yard was poor and inclined to flooding after rain and/or high tides off the canal. 

While some of the existing landscape was native to the barrier island, little of it appeared healthy and/or happy in condition. Michael Miller anticipated correctly that upon removing the lawn and bringing in a 100% native landscape, these existing plants would recover and thrive....which has absolutely proven to be the case. Existing on the property and integrated into the new landscape design were: 3 Eastern Red Cedars (given a healthy pruning), 3 Sea Grape (all of which had been aggressively pruned to small ground mounds), 5-6 Sabal Palms in various stages of maturity (some with smooth trunks and some with bootjacks), Mangroves bordering the back property line along and into the waterway and alongside the north western property line from the waterway to the street (grove about 35’ deep front to back), Seaoxeye Daisy (in clumps in the foreground of the Mangroves), and Seashore Dropseed (along the length of the Mangroves). 
 

Florida Gulf Coast University Main Entrance

• Project Owner: Florida Gulf Coast University
• Project Designer: Waldrop Engineering
• Project Contractor: Hannula Landscaping & Irrigation; O’Donnell Landscapes, Inc.
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Florida Gulf Coast University

Kitching Creek Central Flow way, Martin County

• Project Owner: Martin County
• Project Designer: Martin County and Tetra Tech Inc.
• Project Contractor: Michael Yustin & Aquatic Vegetation Control
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Martin County

Carol Spears Wildflower and Butterfly Yard

• Project Owner: Carol Spears
• Project Designer: AJM Environmental
• Project Contractor: Green Isle Gardens
• Award Category: residential
• Location: The Villages

The project created a wildflower garden to attract butterflies and supply larval foods.

The Shores of Long Bayou Condominiums Anhinga and Pool Ponds

• Project Owner: The Shores of Long Bayou Condominiums
• Project Designer: Ernie Franks
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location:

Restoration of two storm water ponds to original SWFWMD drawings and developed and implemented  chemical-free, low-maintenance management.  Replaced invasive aquatics with Florida natives and helped to educate other communities about the possibilities of transforming their ponds.  

Gerry Family, Courtyard Villa

• Project Owner: Gerry
• Project Designer: Taryn Evans (Creative Garden Structures) and Mark Godts (Green Isle Gardens)
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location: The Villages

A typical mostly grass yard was replaced with a native yard with low maintenance hardscapes and native plants. 

Kisida Garden

• Project Owner: Kenneth and Norma Kisida
• Project Designer: Norma Kisida & Florida Native Plant Nursery
• Project Contractor: Kisida family and Sweet Bay Nursery
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Bradenton

At the start of 2008, the Kisida family moved into a home in the Country Creek subdivision in east Bradenton on a half-acre lot.  The back and side gardens had silverthorn (Elaeagnus pungens) and bougainvillea surrounding the pool cage and blocking the view of the back and side garden which was grass and weeds to the back preserve. In addition to the Silverthorn (Category II invasive), there were other invasive plants on the property including Cogon grass, Caesar weed, and a few small Brazilian pepper trees where the property joins the neighborhood preserve, in addition to large areas of invasive sword fern near the house.  

Invasive plant species were removed and micro-irrigation and a rain sensor were installed prior to landscaping with native species.  A mixture of wildflowers, native trees, and vines now provide beauty and habitat for birds and pollinators.

Native Park

• Project Owner: City of Jacksonville
• Project Designer: Jake Ingram
• Project Contractor: Ixia Chapter volunteers
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Jacksonville, Florida

The Ixia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society officially adopted Native Park in 2010 as part of the City's “Friends of the Park” program.  The intent was to carry out the Park's original purpose and to advance the mission of the FNPS as an on-going project for the Ixia Chapter.

GOAL:  Ixia’ s singular goal for the park was to educate the public about the importance of native plants in an urban environment and to educate our members in the horticultural requirements of our native flora.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE:  Ixia Chapter members and other volunteers have spent many Saturday mornings nurturing new plantings, weeding, pruning and keeping the park neat and tidy.  They have acquired, planted, established and labeled, over 130 native species to add to the 37 native species growing there when work began in 2011.  Approximately 40 additional species are slated to be planted as space and resources permit.  Individual plants are identified with metallic labels providing both botanical and common names. 97% of the plants in the park have been vouchered to exist in Duval County, all are native to northeast Florida. Native Park was the first COJ Park to receive an Outstanding Park Award presented by the Riverside Avondale Preservation Society and St. Johns Riverkeeper organizations.  It was also featured for the first time in the 2012 Riverside Avondale Home Tour and is scheduled to be on the 2016 tour as well during which time an all-day native plant sale will be conducted.  The park has been used as an outdoor workshop venue for dozens of OLLI (life-long learning) classes given by Ixia members at UNF and has been featured in “First Coast Magazine: http://firstcoastmagazine.com/news/native-gardening/

Perico Preserve Restoration

• Project Owner: Manatee County
• Project Designer: Stantec Consulting
• Project Contractor: Creative Wetlands, HRWP, Manatee Co. staff & volunteers
• Award Category: restoration
• Location: Bradenton

Primary Restoration Goals:

• Restore and re-create a diversity of high quality upland habitats on the site, which could feasibly be managed by County staff.  Seed harvested from a nearby native flatwoods was used to improved habitat quality in the uplands
• Create wetland habitats on the site with a focus on supporting wading birds.  Wetlands and islands that could support a rookery were created.
• Provide excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and passive recreation.

Back-to-Basics at the Shores of Long Bayou Nature Reserve

• Project Owner: The Shores of Long Bayou Condominiums
• Project Designer: Ernie Franke
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: City of Seminole, County of Pinellas

The 77-acre campus of The Shores of Long Bayou Condominiums is situated in a Nature Reserve, a trust delegated to a volunteer committee for restoration and maintenance. The Wetlands Committee has successfully restored most of the eleven stormwater ponds and the wooded nature areas with Florida native vegetation.

This has been accomplished using a three-pronged approach (3-R's):  

• Removal of invasive species,
• Restoration of stormwater retention ponds, and
• Regional community education.

We have successfully used restoration funds and have volunteers who adopted the project, both of which help guarantee maintenance. When visitors come, volunteers beam with pride to show off their part of the Nature Reserve. Finally we have propagated our experience through Conservation Modules, presentations at FLMS (Florida Lake Management Society) and FNPS (Florida Native Plant Society) conferences, County Education Days, workshops and On-the-Job training. 

Old Marsh Golf Club - Jog Road Extension

• Project Owner: Old Marsh HOA
• Project Designer: staff
• Project Contractor: staff
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach County

In 1984, Old Marsh Partners purchased the Lewis Ranch, a 456-acre parcel of pristine marshes and stately upland pines tucked away in the heart of Palm Beach County.   It is now a golf course and multi-family development.

In April 1998, Old Marsh proudly obtained the status of “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary”, which is a program of Audubon International. Majestic pines, sawgrass vistas and pristine oak hammocks remain virtually undisturbed. Every element of the course is uniquely compatible with the natural environment. Its drainage system allows no irrigation water to be drained into the adjacent environmentally pure marshes or wetlands. Instead, all the water on the course is drained into canals or a series of retention lakes. This sensitivity to the unspoiled natural beauty of Old Marsh is symbolized by the presence of rare Florida sandhill cranes, whose trumpeting call can be heard echoing across the marshes, and whose nests stand along the fringes of the course.

Turnipseed Residence - Conversion of a Turfgrass Lawn into a Native Landscape

• Project Owner: Stephen & Susan Turnipseed
• Project Designer: Marc Godts, Stephen & Susan Turnipseed
• Project Contractor: self
• Award Category: residential
• Location: The Villages, Sumter County

Native landscape design concepts, goals and species diversity

The design goals were to:

1. Create a landscape that is both attractive and looks well maintained; It must fit in with the development’s tidy aesthetic.          People should be “wowed” by the look, want something similar, then find out that it is a native plant landscape later.

2. Remove the majority of the turf grass lawn and replace with landscape beds.

3. Plant with Real Florida Natives.

4. Dramatically reduce irrigation water use.

5. Maximize biodiversity in the yard, goal of 100 species without looking “random”

Watch the YouTube video with drone video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9Eb7MIkYHM

Button's Garden

• Project Owner: Charlie Woodruff
• Project Designer: Florida Native Plants Nursery
• Project Contractor: Florida Native Plants Nursery
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Port Charlotte

We bought our Florida home in 2010 and determined immediately that we wanted a native garden.  We lived in a wooded rural area in New York, with a garden filled with native plants for the area, and wanted a similar haven for wildlife.  We contacted Laurel Schiller at Florida Native Nursery in Sarasota—the nearest native nursery- and contracted with her to remove the grass (about 90% of the garden), and some exotic plants, and to plant natives specifically for birds and butterflies. We also wanted screening from the road.  An existing mature live oak and four sabal palms and red mangrove lining the canal-our southern boundary—were a beautiful head start for the project. 

The rewards have been wonderful! Our native plant garden has brought in a host of wildlife! Without feeding them except with our plants, we’ve had thrashers, great crested flycatchers, catbirds, robins, doves and Carolina wrens; among warblers have been palms, yellow-dumped, pine, and black and whites; and blue-gray flycatchers; hug flocks of swallows pounce on the large wax myrtle  in the lot next door—we’ll be next! The canal brings in various herons, cormorants, grebes, osprey and even cruising eagles.  Our butterflies have also been numerous and varied-gulf fritillary is the most numerous but we’ve had lots of monarchs (and caterpillars and chrysalis) and frequent sightings of nectaring zebra longwings, great Florida whites, blues, long-tailed skippers, giant swallowtails,  and orange-barred sulphurs. Rabbits, raccoons and a bob cat have been visitors as well.

Florida International University Nature Preserve

• Project Owner: Florida International University
• Project Designer:
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Miami

The Florida International University (FIU) Nature Preserve is a 16-acre environmental education facility dedicated to sharing the ecological knowledge about the Florida Everglades with FIU students and the university community.  Thanks to significant restoration efforts this facility has developed within the last 5 years to become a key feature of the university campus and a valuable natural habitat.  

FIU opened its doors in 1972 as a public research institution after the old Tamiami airport closed in 1966. Luckily, the current Nature Preserve land was located between several airport runways and was minimally disturbed, preserving its original soil and geology. Yet, while Tamiami airport was active, trees were not allowed to grow on the property due to interference with planes, making all the trees within the Nature Preserve only about 50 years old. The Nature Preserve was co-founded in 1978 by the Department of Earth and Environment and the Department of Biological Sciences, with faculty from these departments guiding its development. As time went on, faculty from departments such as landscape architecture, anthropology, education, and the honors college got involved as they realized the true value of having this outdoor classroom on campus. Ultimately, the Office of University Sustainability was charged with its management with the creation of a full-time position geared mainly towards the stewardship of the FIU Nature Preserve. This led to the inclusion of the Nature Preserve in the university master plan, safeguarding its future into the coming decades. In 2013, the university wholly embraced the preserve by investing close to three quarters of a million dollars into restoring its facilities.

With hopes to recreate the area’s original structure and function, considerable planning had to be done, most importantly documenting the organisms living within it. A catalogue of species was developed: 265 plants, 110 birds, 46 butterflies, 19 reptiles and amphibians, 9 fishes, and 4 mammals, including several state and federally listed species. Initial restoration efforts began in the 1970’s, but took on a new level of efficiency from the early 2000’s. Restoration work started at the southern end of the Nature Preserve and as staff and budgets grew, restoration efforts moved northward into the pine rockland area and the freshwater wetlands. The current hardwood hammock area entailed goals such as 1) surveying existing plants, 2) removing pre-existing invasive exotic species (mainly Casuarina equisetifolia), 3) planting native trees, 4) maintaining those plants to full maturity, and 5) monitoring plant composition.

The restoration efforts in the hammock were accomplished with great success, with that area being the ecologically “healthiest” part of the preserve to this day. In 2010, restoration began in the pine rockland area. The area had been so overgrown with hardwoods that it was completely indiscernible as a pine rockland except to those with a keen eye. Hundreds of native and exotic trees were dropped and stumps removed mechanically, simulating the role fire plays in this ecosystem. This showcased the existent slash pines and allowed for sunlight and rainwater to hit the soil, enabling many herbaceous species to grow and flower, really bringing attention to our restoration efforts. Since the soil and geology were intact, pine rockland plants moved in without any need for soil amendments.

Management evolved to monitoring for the following:  saw palmettos, slash pines, recent plantings, endangered species, and incoming invasive species. Yet, the natural fire regime was still absent. So, in 2016 during Spring break, a prescribed fire was performed in the pine rockland habitat thanks to support from the Florida Forest Service.

This project, while still very much underway has bolstered a lot of university attention. The FIU Nature Preserve is the only university facility wholly dedicated to environmental education. There are 24 interpretive trail signs and about 100 tree tags lining the 1+ miles of trails throughout the preserve. With an approximate 15,000 annual visitors including 3,000 annual attendees to our various programs and events, our work interfaces with many individuals. More than 25 FIU courses from 9 different departments use this outdoor classroom each year, as well as many Miami-Dade County public school groups, local environmental clubs, camp groups, and nearby community members.  The Nature Preserve provides many urban residents with an Everglades adventure that they may not have experienced otherwise by eliminating barriers such as travel distance, financial burden, and fear of wildlife/getting lost. 

Archbold Biological Station

• Project Owner: Archbold Biological Station
• Project Designer:
• Project Contractor: The Natives
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Venus

The native landscaping at Archbold Biological Station’s Learning Center and Lodge fulfills goals for natural beauty, conservation, sustainability, and learning opportunities.

The project site at the Learning Center and Lodge (2.79-acres) and adjacent 0.69-acre Archbold Expeditions Plaza parking is located within the 12-acre campus of Archbold Biological Station, embedded within an 8,840-acre nature preserve.  Archbold, a not-for-profit established in 1941, is dedicated to research, conservation, and education (www.archbold-station.org) and is a National Natural Landmark (US Dept. of Interior). The project site was deliberately restricted to land that was cleared pre-1930, and avoided any impacts on the surrounding globally-imperiled Florida scrub habitat.  

To achieve 100% native landscaping, 78 species (15 grass/sedge, 54 forb/shrub, and 9 trees), 14,196 plants in total, all native to south central Florida were planted. This created a landscape that neither restores nor replicates the original Florida scrub, scrubby flatwoods, or cutthroat wetlands, but derives inspiration and pays homage to these native plant communities found originally on-site.

Species were selected, and plans customized, to meet the criteria of firewise, elevation, topography, and soil type (Immokalee sand, Basinger fine sand) heavily modified by 3’ of fill (sand), former concrete paving, and construction debris. Species included perennial bunchgrasses and clonal shrubs, designed to hold the ground and resist establishment of invasives, interspersed with annual seeders, to meet the goal of a self-regenerating landscaping that will endure over time.

An Ecotonal Prairie was created to include a gradient from relatively dry soils to a lower area that is seasonally flooded, receiving water draining from higher elevations. It is planted with hydrologically appropriate species depending on slope position, reflecting the concept, a little elevation goes a long way. Areas with shade under louvres or retained trees were planted with shrubs and groundcover adapted to shade such as Beaked Panicum and Carolina Jessamine, the latter screening a west facing window. 

For a Seasonal Wetland, retention ponds were deliberately engineered with variable topography, planted with species selected for varying levels of soil moisture and water depths over time. Deepest areas that hold water nearly year-around were planted with White Waterlily, Duck Potato, and Pickerelweed. The slopes received grasses and Frogfruit that grow naturally on seepage slopes. A novel engineering feature, a large, shallow littoral zone, was planted with Baldwin’s Spikerush, (a fine spreading sedge), Whitehead Bogbutton, and numerous other species that can survive moist soils and occasional flooding. 

More than 14,000 plants were grown during 2010-12 by The Natives in their nurseries in Davenport, FL. Native Green Cay Nursery donated Slash Pines. Plant establishment required creative solutions to significant barriers. Before and during construction (2009-2011) the site was disked and repeatedly herbicided to be invasive-free. After construction, soils from fill or excavated from the retention pond with pH 6.05 to 7.99, had to be top-dressed with pelletized sulfur to decrease pH closer to native pH 4.5-6.0. Planting holes received a small amount of organic fertilizer with minor nutrients, and plants installed at or slightly above the soil line to avoid rot. PAM 12 Plus was scattered on erosion-prone slopes. The area was mulched with pine straw shipped from a Georgia plantation, guaranteed to be free from invasive plants. After one year of temporary irrigation with aboveground pipes for establishment, the site receives no irrigation, fertilizer, or mulch, meeting our design criterion of a prairie that needs only sun and rain.

A maintenance crew from The Natives still comes 2-3 times a year to spot spray weeds with glyphospate and hand-pulling. Additional Wiregrass were added in 2013 and Archbold planted 144 shrubs in 2014 to replace acid-loving Rusty Staggerbush and Darrow’s Blueberry that died. In future prescribed patch burns may be used for maintenance that mimics nature.  Native landscaping was essential for the project to achieve LEED Platinum® designation, the highest award for green buildings, and only the 12th such award for a commercial building in Florida.

Johnson Residence - a Barrier Island Home Landscape

• Project Owner: Johnson residence
• Project Designer:
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location:

Henkelhaus Lakeside

• Project Owner: John Henkelman Residence
• Project Designer:
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location:

Gotto Residence

• Project Owner: Mary Ellen Gotto
• Project Designer:
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location:

The Gotto residence property had previously been a cattle ranch with multiple ponds and areas of preserves.  The home site was bare sand and weeds with no native plants to preserve.  The builder did plant two live oak trees in the front yard and two in the back yard. 

First, shrubs such as Needle Palm, Simpson Stopper, Walter’s Viburnum, and Beautyberry were planted to anchor the landscape plan.  The landscape was then filled with a variety of flowering plants and grasses and many of these plants were chosen to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and a variety of pollinators. 

As of 2015, there are 63 species of native plants in the landscape. Maintenance includes removal of invasive plant species and pruning.  No fertilizer is used and insect infestations are treated with a bio-safe plant spray of vegetable oil, mild diswashing liquid and water.   

Cedar Point Environmental Park

• Project Owner: Cedar Point Environmental Park
• Project Designer: Mangrove Chapter and CHEC volunteers
• Project Contractor: Mangrove Chapter and CHEC volunteers
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: City of Englewood, Charlotte County

he Mangrove Chapter-sponsored demonstration garden is located at Cedar Point Environmental Park in Charlotte County, Englewood, Florida. The park has been managed by the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC) since 1994.

The overall objective for the garden was to promote butterfly-attracting and larval host plants, showcase endangered plants, and install representative plant species occurring naturally in the region. It is an educational site where the public can see native plants in their natural habitat, recognize their beauty, and be encouraged to incorporate them into their home landscape. 

The starting point was a neglected “butterfly garden” near the park Educational Building, which had very few butterfly larval food sources and many non-native plants.. An adjacent 3,500 square feet of overgrown saw palmettos, lyonias, rosary pea, grapevines and smilax was targeted for garden development.

The garden is maintained by a work group comprised of Mangrove Chapter members and CHEC volunteers which meets once a week, year-round, for the purpose of maintaining the garden with hand watering (no irrigation system), weeding, pruning, dead-heading, transplanting, potting, plant replacement, and other improvement projects.

The garden has been recognized as a Florida-friendly model landscape by the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods; a Certified Butterfly Garden by the North American Butterfly Association and given the Beautification Award from the Englewood-Cape Haze area Chamber of Commerce (December, 2009) in recognition of our aesthetic contribution to our community. 

Beaupre/Heitzman Residence

• Project Owner: Beaupre/Heitzman family
• Project Designer:
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Pinellas County

Louise and David King Residence

• Project Owner: Louise and David King
• Project Designer:
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Miami-Dade County

The property is located two miles from the edge of Everglades National Park in which we had lived and worked as naturalists/rangers for many years. The land had been farmed in row crops and was bare soil when we took possession; we had a clean canvas upon which we could restore conditions more favorable to wildlife and create our little Eden. Since minute changes in elevation in the wild bring plants of these communities in close proximity to each other, we believed this objective was attainable.  

To accomplish this we employed four strategies. (1) We added soil in some places to create higher, drier, more fertile areas, (2) we excavated soil and bedrock to create a pond and wetland conditions, (3) we installed low-volume micro-jet irrigation (hooked into our orchard’s system) to provide extra water to some plantings, and (4) we use mulch in some areas to change the soil’s chemistry and character. These practices have allowed us to successfully bring together more than 150 species of Florida native plants from throughout climatic zone 10.

Page Field General Aviation Terminal Landscaping

• Project Owner: Lee County Port Authority
• Project Designer:
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Lee County

Designed to blend with the Southwest Florida environment, historic Page Field (FMY), operated by the Lee County Port Authority (LCPA), has a brand-new terminal complex, which opened for business in August 2011. The project lies in the western quadrant of the airfield. Prior to this project, there was only turf located in the footprint of this development (Photo 1). In addition to the new terminal building and aircraft hangar, the project included intersection improvements, a new entrance roadway at the Fowler Street intersection and a new parking lot.

Every detail of this newly designed terminal complex was carefully planned. The entrance to the facility and the terminal’s physical placement makes it very accessible to Southwest Florida tourists and visiting pilots.

Choosing landscaping for an airport is challenging because plants and trees selected should not attract birds or other wildlife. This is a difficult task, as most trees and shrubs produce seeds and flowers that can attract wildlife. The challenge was to choose native palms and trees, shrubs and flowers that not only add to the attractiveness of the site, but also don’t attract birds or insects. Additional challenges were to design a stormwater pond that didn’t attract wildlife but was aesthetically appealing and to have trees on-site that will not exceed FAA guidelines for safety.

Cowie Landscape

• Project Owner: Cowie family
• Project Designer:
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Brevard County

Waldo Road Greenway

• Project Owner: City of Gainesville, Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
• Project Designer: Richard Pohlman (UF) and Meg Niederhofer (Gainesville Arborist)
• Project Contractor: Oasis Landscaping
• Award Category: transportation
• Location: Gainesville

The Waldo Road Greenway is a multi-use 2.5 mile paved path that features landscape plants native to Florida, including 850 trees, 1,500 shrubs, and 7,750 wildflowers.

The project site was an abandoned railway which contained no trees or desirable plants. The soil was highly compacted and needed to be amended before planting could take place. A multi-use path was built, followed by the installation of large trees, understory trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. The project transformed an unsightly and abandoned rail corridor into an attractive feature that enhances the east side of Gainesville and provides local residents with a greater sense of pride in their community. The Greenway is also used as an educational resource for Master Gardener programs, and to demonstrate proper use of pruning techniques and landscaping with native plants.

Partners include:

• City of Gainesville, Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
• Florida Department of Transportation
• Highway Beautification Council
• City of Gainesville Beautification Board
• Florida Native Plant Society

Haisley Lynch Park

• Project Owner: City of Gainesville
• Project Designer:
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Gainesville

Haisley Lynch Park, 450 S. Main, Gainesville, FL

A few years back, the City of Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency identified Haisley Lynch Park as an area in need of revitalization. The 1.4 acre parcel was a dark, misused, highly visible downtown public space, covered with trash. Although the park had an existing canopy of oak, sweetgum, magnolia, elm, dogwood, redbud, pine and cherry laurel trees, understory plants and flowers had been disturbed or removed.

Revitalization began with the removal of diseased trees, and canopy trees were pruned to open and brighten the area. Steps were taken to create an ecosystem that mimics nature in the urban environment. Plants that appear together in nature were selected for the site, creating a direct relationship to local plant communities. The plant selection also took into consideration what plants would have been on the site historically, as well as the local climate, soil types, and orientation to the sun. The landscape plan incorporated 100% native plants, and species were chosen for their pleasing foliage color and texture, drought tolerance, and ease of maintenance.

One of the goals of the project was to enhance the park’s aesthetic qualities with a high-quality design that would attract patrons to enjoy social activities throughout the day. A dog park was created within the larger space to encourage visitors to use the park regularly, and within a short time, it attracted a large number of new patrons. A native plant garden and plaza were also added, creating a social gather ing place with welcoming seating. The plaza was connected to the dog park, an adjacent neighborhood, and Gainesville’s South Main Street area, forming an inviting open space that beckons visitors to enter and enjoy the outdoors.

Back Dune Restoration at White Sands Cabana Club

• Project Owner: Key Beach, Inc.
• Project Designer: Florida Native Plants Nursery & Landscaping
• Project Contractor: Florida Native Plants Nursery & Landscaping
• Award Category: restoration
• Location: Siesta Key

Cabana Sands, 6250 Midnight Passage Road, Sarasota FL 34242

Before restoration, the beach dune at White Sands Cabana Club was seriously degraded by a large tree canopy of invasive exotic species including Australian pine, Brazilian pepper and carrotwood. Native understory plants were smothered by a dense layer of Australian pine needles carpeting the ground. Only a few hardy native sabal palms and sea grapes persisted beneath the exotic canopy, accompanied by sparse patches of Florida privet and nickerbean  in the more open areas.

The restoration process began with removal of all exotic plants listed on Sarasota County’s invasive plant list. Heavy equipment could not be used on the back dune, so trees were cut and lifted off using a large crane and disposed of offsite.

During the restoration, 85 trees were planted, including sabal palms, sea grapes, and red cedars. A small front-end loader was used to transport the palms. All other plants were installed by hand to minimize disturbance to the dune, including 600 pots of muhly grass, and 450 sea oats. Additionally, 100 assorted dune wildflowers and vines were planted, including dune sunflower, firewheel and railroad vine.

This twelve-year cooperative effort of private and public entities resulted in the restoration of one of the last, large back dune ecosystems remaining on Siesta Key.

End of the Road Ranch

• Project Owner: Carolyn Moore
• Project Designer: Carolyn Moore
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location: North Ft. Myers

This 10-acre property located near Fort Myers was once a slash pine and saw palmetto flatwood. By the 1990’s, the site was heavily populated by a mosaic of invasive plants including Brazilian pepper, casuarina, melaleuca, dwarf papyrus, Caesar weed, cogon and torpedo grasses and exotic aquatic weeds.

Esteemed native plant expert and author Dick Workman visited the ranch and coached the owner about the need to remove exotic vegetation and restore Florida native plants to the overgrown property. Inspired by his visit, she began the restoration process with eradication of invasive species on the entire ranch – a huge and costly undertaking.

Replanting focused on a rustic, Japanese-inspired landscape concept surrounding the developed areas, some 2.5 acres where the owner’s home and three man-made ponds are located. This area features Florida native landscaping with mulched beds and mown firebreaks. Plants were chosen to increase the variety of natural habitat for wildlife as well as to enhance the property’s visual appeal.

The remaining 7.5 acres of the property contains slash pines, saw palmettos, native understory plants, grasses and numerous wildflowers. Approximately 95% of the vegetation on the ranch is a mixture of pre-existing or recently planted Florida natives. Each year, the owner hosts numerous landscape tours, hayrides, parties and lawn concerts. Over the years, she has used the ranch to educate visitors about Florida native plants, their benefits to wildlife, and landscape planning with natives.

Gardens Pavilion at PEAR Park

• Project Owner: Lake County
• Project Designer: Ron Plakke
• Project Contractor: Ron Plakke and Peg Urban
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Lake County

The project created a wildflower gardent around a hexaxgonal viewing platform within in the  Florida Scrub Jay Habitat Restoration area at the Palatlakaha Environmental and Agricultural Reserve (PEAR) Park .

Prior to construction, the site was cleared of non-native invasive plants such as Bahiagrass, Bermudagrass, hairy indigo, Mexican clover, and Mexican tea. Invasive plant removal was accomplished by a combination of mowing, disking, hand pulling, and judicious herbicide use. After site preparation was complete, PEAR volunteers installed a garden of native Florida species surrounding the pavilion.

Ground cover plants include coontie, Elliott’s and purple love grasses, wiregrass , and pink Muhly grass. Yaupon holly  and Simpson’s stopper  were planted adjacent to pavilion supports. These fruit-producing shrubs attract wildlife to the pavilion, where they can be easily seen by visitors.

While not the subject of this award, the volunteers who worked on the garden also did amazing work helping to restore Pear Park.

Outback

• Project Owner: Tampa Bay Water
• Project Designer: Water & Air Research, Inc.
• Project Contractor: Water & Air Research, Inc.
• Award Category: commercial
• Location: Clearwater

Located at Tampa Bay Water’s administration building, the site locally known as the Outback was so extensively dominated by an overgrowth of Brazilian pepper it was difficult to locate an existing retention pond.

Before replanting, much of the vegetation choking the site was removed, until only the retention pond, a few upland areas, and a small, excessively-drained cypress dome remained. A berm was constructed around the remnant cypress dome, and stormwater from the building’s roof and parking lot was  routed into it to restore some degree of hydroperiod to the wetland. The eastern portion of the berm was planted with dwarf forms of Walter’s viburnum and wild coffee. Drier portions of the berm were planted with more drought tolerant species of clumping grasses such as muhly grass, dwarf Fakahatchee grass, and love grass.

Canopy and second story species are represented at upland, mesic and hydric levels throughout the site. Pond cypress are located at the edge of the pond, and the transitional/mesic zone of the pond slope was planted with flowering broadleaf hardwoods including southern magnolia, sweetbay, loblolly bay, and swamp dogwood. The upland zone canopy hosts live oak, cabbage palm, south Florida slash pine, and tough bully. In addition to canopy and second story species, slopes, transitional edges and hydric zones of the pond have been planted with various shrubs, grasses and beneficial herbaceous species.

Many types of wildlife have been observed using the Outback. Otters regularly visit the pond, as do opossum. All of the usual suburban mammals are resident or frequently seen. Reptiles and amphibians include slider, cooter, softshell, and snapping turtles; cottonmouth, watersnake, and other water-loving snakes; and various frogs and toads. Since otters have removed all large fish, bullfrogs and their tadpoles make up a large part of the pond animal biomass.

Approximately 75 species of birds have been observed in the Outback including a variety of cavity nesters, waders (little blue heron, roseate spoonbill and woodstork), waterfowl (hooded merganser and mottled duck), warblers (palm and yellowrumped), vireos, and flycatchers. Summer residents include bluejay, mockingbird, mourning dove, and cardinal. Many migratory birds (hawks, buntings, crows, and waxwings) use the Outback as a place to rest and grab a snack. This diversity is perhaps the best indication that the design and implementation at Tampa Bay Water’s Outback is achieving its goal

Henkelhaus Lakeside

• Project Owner: John and Nancy Henkelman
• Project Designer: John and Nancy Henkelman
• Project Contractor: John, Nancy, Johnny, Daniel, and Andy Henkelman
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Palm Bay

Oceanside Gem

• Project Owner: Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Sachs
• Project Designer: Richard P. Brown
• Project Contractor: Melrose Nursery
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Islamorada

This lushly landscaped oceanside paradise of nearly an acre is located on Lower Matecumbe Key. Seeing it today would hardly lead one to believe that it was previously overrun with invasive exotics, including Brazilian pepper and Australian pine.

Oceanside Gem’s owners requested that their landscape be restored with plants native to the Florida Keys, and required that the design be low maintenance, self sustaining, and able to survive in the dynamic oceanfront environment. Despite the presence of invasive plants, some native vegetation remained – mature green buttonwood trees (Conocarpus erectus) and a berm of bay cedar (Suriana maritima), sea lavender (Argusia gnaphalodes), sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera) and wild dilly (Manilkara jaimiqui) were carefully preserved during the restoration.

Canopy trees were integral in providing cover and shade for the new understory plants, sheltering them from intense sun and winds. The canopy also reduced moisture loss from soil, allowing the garden to conserve water and lessen the need for irrigation. No native vegetation was removed during the landscaping process, and all Category 1 and 2 invasive plants were eliminated. Today, nearly 80% of the plants in the garden are native to the Florida Keys.

Sandy walkways meander through the site, and the design provides privacy for the owners as well as habitat for birds and butterflies. Consideration was given to the view, and glimpses of the ocean can be seen as one strolls through the garden.

Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park

• Project Owner: City of Tampa – Department of Parks & Recreation
• Project Designer: Hardeman Kempton & Associations – LandEscapes, LLC
• Project Contractor: Valley Crest and W.G. Mills, Inc.
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Tampa

This 6.5-acre park provides a stunning connection to the waterfront, connecting the downtown core with green space, the Tampa Riverwalk, the Convention Center and the new Tampa Bay History Center.

The most prominent elements in the park are the extension of the Riverwalk system and the restoration of a natural shoreline. A concrete seawall and dock were removed, and the bank was re-graded and restored to an undulating, natural shoreline along its entire length. Buffers were created through the use of rip-rap, oyster shell mounds, and native wetland plantings to establish the shoreline and provide estuary and wildlife habitat. A dock overlook with a floating kayak launch provides access to the water and allows visitors to experience the shoreline. Fish, birds, dolphins and a variety of marine life can be observed from this location.

The park is predominantly planted with native trees, shrubs, grasses, and groundcovers. These create interesting vistas, provide habitat, and reduce the maintenance costs of the park. Strategically located drainage swales contain native wetland plants and grasses, and serve as water collection areas. The swales and their plantings provide natural filtering systems for stormwater before it enters Tampa Bay. Shade trees and benches line walkways, and give visitors year round comfort and relief from the Florida heat. The park also serves as a living demonstration of the benefits of using native plants to create a successful urban park.

Wert-Stauffer Home Landscape

• Project Owner: Julie Wert / Richard Stauffer
• Project Designer: Julie Wert / Richard Stauffer
• Project Contractor: Julie Wert / Richard Stauffer
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Aripeka

After designing a home to fit among the trees on this five acre property, roughly an acre and a half was cleared. The owners were horrified at how raw the site looked and immediately began the process of restoration.

The property slopes from sand pine scrub downward to hardwood forest and mesic hammocks. Sand pine gives way to mature slash pines, Southern magnolia, hickory and water oaks. During the clearing and restoration process, the owners discovered treasures such as pawpaw, sparkleberry, wild olive, myrsine , needle palm  and orchids.

Paths were cleared in the woods around the house for strolling and to provide a fire break. Trees were added to the outer edges of the remaining islands of vegetation, and shrubs were used to fill in around the trees. Spaces in between were mulched to eliminate turf grass and expand the beds. Trees were added to the outer edges of the remaining islands of vegetation, and shrubs were used to fill in around the trees. Spaces in between were mulched to eliminate turf grass and expand the beds. To expand the native tree diversity, sweetgum, water hickory, pignut hickory, cypress, elm, cabbage palm and a variety of oak trees were added to the landscape.

The owners’ initial distress at the seeming lack of birds and other wildlife after clearing has been replaced with bird song. Marsh rabbits explore the space under the bird feeder and gopher tortoises browse on gourmet lettuce in the vegetable garden. A fox delicately nibbles the fruit of the shiny blueberry (Vaccinium myrsinites), and the slash pine hit by lightning provides a perch for an osprey to dine on fish and a convenient spot for pileated woodpeckers to mine for insects.

Check out the FNPS blog article on this winning landscape.

State Road 836 ‘Welcome Gateway’

• Project Owner: Dade Expressway Authority
• Project Designer: Leticia Fernandez-Beraud – Fernandez-Beraud, Inc.
• Project Contractor: Arazoza Brothers Corporation
• Award Category: transportation
• Location: Miami-Dade County

The 50 acre Welcome Gateway is sited on 1,200 linear feet of the inter-median, and the north and south right-ofways of State Road 836 in Miami-Dade County, roughly two miles west of Miami International Airport.

The right-of-ways are engineered as dry pond detention areas, serving as collection basins for rainwater and runoff from the roadways and their surrounding tributary areas. As a result, no artificial irrigation of the site is needed. Ground conditions are similar to some found in the natural Everglades habitats which the project’s design elements mimic and express. Among the plant combinations in the landscape palette are large fields of muhly and Fakahatchee grasses, integrated with various palms and native tree species.

Underlying the development of the landscape plan are principles and directives taken from the Expressway Authority’s Aesthetic Guidelines. These Guidelines clearly define the Authority’s intention for developing enhanced roadways that offer a more appreciable experience for those who travel upon them. Enhancements include right-of-way beautification, noise mitigation, landscape improvements, large-scale sculptural works, novel architectural approaches, greenways, bike paths and roadside parks. The Welcome Gateway satisfies several of these principles, and also promotes landscape concepts that define the South Florida Region. Among these concepts are the use of indigenous plants appropriate to the environmental conditions of the roadways, native tree canopies, Xeriscape planting principles that conserve water, and an increase of natural masses of native trees, shrubs and groundcovers.

USF Park

• Project Owner: City of Tampa – Department of Parks & Recreation
• Project Designer: Phil Graham & Company
• Project Contractor: R.M. Williams
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Tampa

USF Park, 233 S. Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL

The design for this environmentally-friendly park includes USF Plaza, a Riverwalk segment, passive use areas, and shoreline restoration along the east bank of the Hillsborough River. USF Plaza was designed to honor the local university’s contributions to the city as an institution of higher learning. The Riverwalk connection allows visitors to walk from the west side of the Convention Center all the way to the Channelside district. The remainder of the park incorporates seating along undulating walks, surrounded by a mostly native plant palette providing shade and interest along with views of the shoreline.

A concrete seawall was replaced with an undulating, natural shoreline, including a shoreline buffer of rip-rap, oyster shell mounds, and native wetland plantings to reestablish estuarine and wildlife habitat. Fish, birds, and other marine life can be observed from the Riverwalk level, where informational plaques describing ecological aspects of the site are displayed for visitors.

The park is planted with upland native trees, shrubs, grasses, and wetland plant materials. The native plantings create habitat, control erosion, and reduce the overall maintenance costs of the park. The terraced area along the river is planted with native wetland plants including grasses and mangroves, and serves as a natural filtering system for stormwater. The Riverwalk and upland passive use areas are enhanced by the planting of trees, shrubs and grasses creating a naturalized effect. USF Park serves as a great example of restoring a small urban site to a naturalized setting while re-creating a connection to the river in downtown Tampa.

Bird Garden

• Project Owner: John A. Almada
• Project Designer: John A. Almada
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Sebastian

A pine flatwoods ecosystem was present on this lot, which is slightly smaller than one half acre. During construction, more than fifty mature trees were preserved, and the owner has supplemented them with shrubs including white indigoberry, marlberry, tough bumelia , Jamaica caper, and fiddlewood.

Gardening for birds is emphasized in this landscape design, and a wide variety of food plants on the property attract both resident and migrating birds. Smilax species create thorny and brushy areas where birds can nest and hide. Other vines such as Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and native passionflower are also allowed to flourish

Green Home

• Project Owner: Alex and Freda Green
• Project Designer: Melissa Montilla
• Project Contractor: David Pais and Bill Adams
• Award Category: residential
• Location:

Built in 1966 on a suburban half acre lot, this Gainesville, this Florida home is nestled among large live oaks laden with Spanish moss.

During construction, existing trees, including boxelder, pignut hickory, Southern magnolia, hog plum, sweetgum, loblolly pine, laurel oak, water oak , cabbage palm, and hackberry were preserved. Understory plants and shrubs were also protected, and today the site is graced with blue-stem palmetto , tough bumelia, American beautyberry , Hercules club, and flowering dogwood .

Although a limited number of non-native plants were retained from the original landscape plan, all plants on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s list of Category 1 and 2 invasive species were removed, and the site is now composed of 75% native vegetation. New plants added to the landscape to replace non-native species include coontie, Walter’s viburnum, Simpson’s stopper, Florida anise, fringe tree, pipestem, and coral honeysuckle. Over 50 native plant species make this suburban yard their home, and the diversity attracts a variety of birds and other wildlife. Adding native plants to the landscape has created a beckoning yard that is attractive, low maintenance, and wildlife friendly.

Highland Oaks Mitigation Project

• Project Owner: Laura Shepard, Agent Coastal Systems International, Inc.
• Project Designer: Laura Shepard, Agent Coastal Systems International, Inc.
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: restoration
• Location: Coral Gables

This project began with the removal of invasive plant species and debris and restoration of the site’s natural hydroperiod. The site was replanted with native freshwater wetland species, and the restored wetlands now interact naturally with the nearby Oleta River.

Cummings Residence

• Project Owner: James and Marilyn Cummings
• Project Designer: James and Marilyn Cummings
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Lakeland

A once-traditional lawn has been transformed into a haven for wildlife. Shoreline restoration buffers the water, and a diverse selection of native plants specific to the ecosystem has been planted.

Peck Lake Park Mitigation Project

• Project Owner: Martin County BOCC
• Project Designer: Martin County Environmental Quality Program
• Project Contractor: Habitat Restoration and Earth Balance
• Award Category: restoration
• Location: Martin County

High value was placed on use of native plants and their relationship to local native plant communities during the restoration of this disturbed area. Exotic species were so pervasive that clearing and burning was used prior to the installation of native plants. Trail signs aid protection of the restoration area and increase the public’s knowledge of plants and ecosystems.

Kendallwood Park and Neighborhood Landscape Mitigation

• Project Owner: Miami-Dade Expressway Authority
• Project Designer: Rick Johnson, Roadway Operations Manager, Miami-Dade Expressway Authority
• Project Contractor: Arazoza Brothers Company
• Award Category: transportation
• Location: Kendallwood

The area along an unsightly highway was converted to a planted landscape buffer with walking trails. The project used varying heights and types of native plant materials to conceal an access ramp and sound barrier wall.

Hickey Residence

• Project Owner: Hickey
• Project Designer: Richard Rutledge, Landscape Designer, Innocenti & Webel
• Project Contractor: Aiello Landscape
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Hobe Sound

This landscape incorporates a high level of native plant use. The plan responded well to the site’s ecology and preserved existing native vegetation. Large specimen trees were relocated from adjoining properties.

Calhoun Meadows

• Project Owner: Travis and Karen MacClendon
• Project Designer: Travis and Karen MacClendon
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Blountstown

Travis and Karen MacClendon purchased a home surrounded by pasture. 

Barren farmland was transformed into a wildlife haven through the removal of large invasive exotics and installation of different native habitats. A one-way viewing window allows for wildlife observation. Tours and Master Gardener meetings add an excellent educational component.

Periwinkle Way Restoration Project

• Project Owner: Periwinkle Way
• Project Designer: Ada Shissler, President, The Periwinkle Partnership
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: transportation
• Location: Sanibel

This roadway restoration project extends into a peaceful garden area. Good signage and the garden’s availability for tours provide educational opportunities for visitors. The colorful and functional rest areas encourage high use along Sanibel’s main roadway

Mills Residence

• Project Owner: David C. and Johanna Mills
• Project Designer: Shawnee Bray, Wild Thing Landscape, Stuart, FL
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Port Salerno

The original landscaping at this site consisted of a sea of St. Augustine grass, a single foxtail palm and a ribbon of exotics around the house.

David and Johanna Mills desired a lush, aesthetically pleasing garden that would replace their turf grass with low maintenance native plants, and would require less water and fertilizer consumption.

Cabbage palms and a non-native royal poinciana tree give shade, textural diversity and definition to the once barren front yard. Muhly grass, dune sunflower and beach elder fill out the ground plane and add seasonal interest and color, while coontie, sea grape, firebush, Jamaican caper, Simpson’s stopper, Florida privet and necklace pod blend together nicely to provide a year round mass of intermediate height color and texture. The owners may well have trouble seeing their house from the street in a few years. Designer Shawnee Bray also included Dahoon holly, silver buttonwood, pigeon plum, Muhly grass, silver saw palmetto, royal palms, and cocoplum in the new plantings.

Amys Organic Gourmet Market and Restaurant

• Project Owner: Amy Cutting
• Project Designer: Wild Thing Landscape, Stuart, FL
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: commercial
• Location: Stuart

Shoppers and diners approaching the front of Amy’s Gourmet are welcomed by cabbage and paurotis palms, marlberry, sand cordgrass, gamagrass, Bahama coffee, and silver oxeye daisy. Other species included in the design are Simpson’s stopper, myrsine, needle palm, gaillardia, gumbo limbo, and Spanish stopper.

Screening the parking lot are slash pines, blolly, silver saw palmetto, cocoplum, and pineland privet. An attractive center parking island is planted with live oak, green buttonwood and Walter’s viburnum. Roadside plantings feature live oak, black ironwood, pigeon plum, firebush and Simpson’s stopper, and the retention basin is lush with bald cypress, buttonbush, wax myrtle, pond apple, and hedge of Florida privet.

Ponce Inlet Town Hall and Police Department

• Project Owner: Ponce Inlet Town Hall and Police Department
• Project Designer: Phil Graham and Company P.A., St. Petersburg, FL
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Ponce Inlet

In 2006 the Town of Ponce Inlet constructed a multi-purpose Town Hall building and a Police Station on 9.6 acres of coastal strand and maritime forest.

The Town’s plan fit the public buildings into the naturally existing topography and environment and created an aesthetically pleasing landscape using native plants. Because native plants are defined by their presence at the time Juan Ponce de Leon landed in Florida in 1513, it is only fitting that the town named for Ponce de Leon would endeavor to preserve its native plant resources around the Town Hall & Police Station.

Only the roads and building footprints were cleared and most of the remaining vegetation was preserved. Where land was disturbed during construction it was re-vegetated with native plants.

McKay Creek Greenway Natural Area Habitat Restoration

• Project Owner: Pinellas County Extension
• Project Designer: Debbie Chayet & Vernon Bryant, Largo, FL
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: restoration
• Location: Largo

The McKay Creek Greenway is a green corridor located in Pinellas County. The 400-acre Walsingham Park, Pinellas Extension, the Heritage Village historical complex, the Florida Botanical Gardens, 60-acre “The Natural Area”, Animal Services, 23-acre Ridgecrest Park and 157-acre Taylor Park are all part of the Greenway.

The site includes pine flatwoods, xeric hammock, forested wetland, and scrub hardwoods, and 26 state and/or federally listed species make the Greenway their home. Too close to major roads for prescriptive fire, inappropriate successional native plants thrived, with oaks and grape vines shading out under-story vegetation. Due to the inappropriate habitat, quail and gopher tortoise migrated away from the area.

Habitat restoration and enhancement began with the elimination of Brazilian pepper, climbing fern, air potato, Guinea and cogon grass. After exotic removal, 6,500 native plants were installed and established. A winding interpretive trail was created, enhanced by 17 educational signs containing information about habitat restoration, prescribed burning, native habitats, native plant species, wildlife needs, exotic invasive plants, and the benefits of dead tree snags.

Volunteers and staff continue to maintain and upgrade the site on a regular basis.

Lee County Mitigation Park

• Project Owner: Lee County Port Authority
• Project Designer: Johnson Engineering, Inc., Ft. Myers, FL
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: restoration
• Location: Ft. Myers, FL

Lee County Port Authority’s Mitigation Park was created to address the County’s future mitigation needs in advance of planned expansion projects. At nearly 7,000 acres, the Mitigation Park contains the single largest freshwater marsh in Lee County, which covers over 1,000 acres. In addition to wetland areas, several fallow farm fields in the park required restoration.

Aerial photos from 1953 were used to discover original drainage patterns and flow ways. A total of 406 acres of marsh and wetland creation was proposed after review of these historic photos. Before proceeding with the restoration, a two year study of rain fall and groundwater monitoring was performed, which helped to identify proper elevations for the target hydroperiod for each wetland type.

Over 150,000 cubic yards of organic material removed from wetlands impacted by the construction of a new airport terminal were used in the restoration. More than 800,000 plants were installed in the created wetlands, with an 80% survival rate. An additional 1,370 acres of uplands and wetlands were enhanced, reducing invasive exotics to only 5% coverage.

To date, restoration of the Mitigation Park has cost $7.8 million. 5,042 of the total 7,000 acres in Mitigation Park are preservation lands. Of this total, 3,378 acres are wetlands and 1,664 acres are comprised of uplands. The Mitigation Park also provides important connectivity to other preservation areas such as the 60,000 acre Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed

Bierly Residence

• Project Owner: Jim Bierly
• Project Designer: Jim Bierly
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Homosassa, FL

Jim Bierly sited his new home to save existing longleaf pines and worked with the builder to clear only 1/3 of the one acre lot for house, drive and landscape. The standard builder’s landscaping package included non-native viburnums, camellias and azaleas, and community deed restrictions required the installation of turf grass and in-ground irrigation.

Bierly gradually removed non-native plants and replanted with natives. The initial amount of turf grass has been reduced by 50%, and native Florida species now compose 95% of the landscaping. Three butterfly/hummingbird gardens were planted with nectarproducing plants.

A fish pond 8 feet in diameter was installed and stocked with mosquito fish (Gambusia species) and aquatic species including water lily (Nymphaea spp.) and lizard’s tail (Saururus cernuus). Last year a bog garden was built which includes cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) and scarlet hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus) as well as other wet area plants.

Over 100 pine trees of various sizes grow near the property, and pine needles and various oak leaves are used exclusively for mulch.

The garden receives many visitors. Garden walks have been attended by neighbors, local newspaper reporters, members of the Citrus Chapter of FNPS and area garden clubs.

SummerCamp Beach Club

• Project Owner: SummerCamp Beach Club
• Project Designer: All Pro Landscaping, Tallahassee, FL
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: commercial
• Location: St. Teresa (near Sopchoppy)

The SummerCamp Beach Club was built as the commercial and recreational center of the SummerCamp Beach development.

Coastal pine flatwoods were the dominant vegetation on the site, and care was taken to preserve as much natural vegetation as possible during construction. 100% of the new plantings are north Florida natives and all are mulched with pine straw. 

Hutchinson Island Restoration Project

• Project Owner: Martin County Board of County Commissioners
• Project Designer: Michael Yustin, Steve Woodmansee and John Bradford
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: restoration
• Location: Stuart, FL

Over the years, Martin County has acquired more than 350 acres of sensitive coastal habitat. Many sites have been disturbed by mosquito control projects, road building, and construction. The subsequent invasion of exotic plants, which often developed into monocultures, competed with native species for dominance.

Restoration was a top priority, and efforts were focused on restoring 1 linear mile of coastal habitat at Bob Graham Beach, Curtis Beach, Alex/Beachwalk Pasley, Santa Lucea and Jensen Beach. $750,000 was spent removing exotics from 50 acres, and 20 acres were vegetated with native plants appropriate to the coastal strand.

Meadow Beauty Nursery was hired to collect seeds and grow many of the plants since some species needed for restoration were unavailable. Nearly 16,000 plants were installed and volunteers contributed approximately 1,000 hours of time to the restoration effort. Signs highlighting the problem of exotics and the benefits of using native plants were placed on site to educate visitors about the importance of the restoration to the health of the coastal strand.

Flynn Residence

• Project Owner: Elizabeth and Thomas Flynn
• Project Designer: Elizabeth and Thomas Flynn
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Ormond Beach

Purchased in 2003, this home had a standard 80’x100’ lot with a typical landscape of flower beds and turf grass.

Transition to a more natural landscape began by removing all but a small section of lawn which was retained as a play area. This can be easily managed with a push mower. Three water features were added, including a bog and a 3- foot-deep pond. Solar aerators percolate oxygen in the ponds and three 65-gallon rain barrels are used to refill the water features.

Over 120 species of plants live in the garden, including yellow lotus, lizard’s tail, yellow canna, star rush, goldenrod, mock bishop’s weed, scorpion’s tail, frostweed, horsetail, royal fern, and sensitive mimosa. Since the garden was planted, bird species increased from 4 to 19; and butterfly and moth species have gone from 3 to 12, nearly half of which are using newly installed larval host plants.

The yard is a Certified Florida Yard (IFAS Florida Yards and Neighbors program), is on the Backyard Wildlife Habitat registry with the National Wildlife Federation, and in 2005 won the Water Authority of Volusia’s Water-wise Landscape Award for the City of Ormond Beach.

Mounts Botanical Garden Native Plant Display Garden

• Project Owner: Mounts Botanical Garden, Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service
• Project Designer: Rob Hopper, Landscape Architect & Chapter Member
• Project Contractor: FNPS Volunteers and Mounts Garden Staff (maintenance)
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: West Palm Beach

Native landscape area at Mounts Botanical Garden,  531 North Military Trail,  West Palm Beach, FL 33415

FNPS Palm Beach Chapter received an FNPS Chapter grant in 2005 to design, install, and maintain a native plant display garden at the Clayton Hutchinson Building located in Mounts Botanical Garden.

Many of the plants were purchased by Mounts as part of this collaborative effort, including 4 specimen pigeon plum trees and 8 specimen silver palms. Mounts staff installed the larger trees and the arbor. FNPS members hosted a field day to install more than 250 additional plants.

The goals for the garden included increasing public awareness of the variety of native plants available, demonstrating their use within a planned (versus “wild”) landscape, and outreach for the Palm Beach Chapter of the FNPS.

Since the garden’s location is the same as the monthly Chapter meeting, it is readily accessible for maintenance events. During warmer months, members gather one hour before the regular meeting to do needed maintenance work. A manual outlining the maintenance goals of the demonstration garden has been provided to Mounts staff, who not only provide daily oversight, but have generously contributed both resources and labor to the continuing success of the demonstration garden.

Possum Branch Preserve

• Project Owner: Pinellas County Board of Commissioners
• Project Designer: Paul Berlage, P.E., Stephen Robinson, Belinda B Lambert
• Project Contractor: Biological Research Associates, Inc.
• Award Category: restoration
• Location: Safety Harbor, Pinellas County

Possum Branch Preserve is a 25.4-acre parcel in upper Pinellas County. The site consisted of flatwoods and bottomland hardwood forest prior to the construction of the Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal, when large amounts of dredged spoil material were deposited over the area. Subsequently the land was used as pasture.

Numerous exotics were present, including Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum), camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) and tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum).

Situated at the intersection of two major arterial roads, the site was proposed for commercial zoning when public outcry prompted the County to purchase the property. A variety of habitats were incorporated into the design, including an oligohaline marsh, a forested seep slope, freshwater marshes, open water, hardwood hammock, cypress swamp and pine flatwoods. This diversity was expected to provide an abundance of wildlife and thus an opportunity for passive recreation. Signs have been posted at each gate entrance, explaining the purpose and nature of the site. Possible future additions include educational kiosks, benches, plant identification labels, as well as partnerships with local schools for use as an outdoor classroom.

The wetter eastern border was steered towards a hardwood hammock, augmented with such species as southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), pignut hickory (Carya glabra), wild coffee (Psychotria nervosa) and lizard’s tail (Saururus cernuus). The southern border provided the beginnings of a flatwoods community – longleaf pine, saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) and wiregrass (Aristida stricta var. beyrichiana) were installed.

A significant benefit of this project is water quality improvement. Stormwater from adjacent developments is routed through the Preserve’s wetlands before being discharged into the Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal, and then into Lake Tarpon, a designated Outstanding Florida Water.

Downtown Tallahassee Wildflower Garden

• Project Owner: Florida Wildflower Foundation and Florida Department of Transportation
• Project Designer: Jeff Caster and Steven Vidal
• Project Contractor: All Pro Landscaping, Tallahassee, FL, Robin Barber, owner
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: FDOT/HaydonBurns Building, Tallahassee, FL

This one-half acre slope in downtown Tallahassee, located between Lafayette Street and the Florida Department of Transportation / Haydon Burns Building was previously covered with centipede grass and a few mature trees.

With funds from the sale of Florida Wildflower License Plates, the Foundation and Department successfully purchased, planted, established, and continues to manage Florida native wildflower plants across parts of the slope and within remnant bedlines remaining from the original 1966 landscape plan.

The purpose of project is to generate understanding, enthusiasm, and interest in Florida ecotypes of native wildflowers Native species in the garden include Coreopsis lanceolata, C. leavenworthii, Rudbeckia hirta, Gaillardia pulchella, Muhlenbergia capillaris, Serenoa repens, Hydrangea quercifolia, and Zamia pumila.

The irrigation system has only been needed four times since the plants were established in 2005, and the garden continues to thrive, reseeding as it approaches its fourth growing season.

RiverCamps, Bay County Florida

• Project Owner: St. Joe Company
• Project Designer: Ecoplan, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: commercial
• Location: Main Entry Landscape, RiverCamps, Bay County Florida

Landscaping in public areas of the development.

The existing landscape contains typical pine flatwoods species – longleaf and slash pine with an understory of yaupon holly, saw palmetto, gallberry, blueberry, and various herbaceous annuals and perennials, with wiregrass the dominant species.

The use of native vegetation is required in the development, and the entry maintains much of its existing vegetation, which was protected throughout construction. Existing species were enhanced with additional plantings. Drip irrigation was installed along with the new plantings but is designed to only be used in times of drought after plants are established. Plant species include: Aristida stricta, Conradina canescens, Gaillardia pulchella, Hypericum reductum, Ilex vomitoria, Itea virginica ‘sprich’, Liatris species, Lobelia cardinalis, Magnolia grandiflora, Magnolia virginiana, Muhlenbergia capillaris ‘pink’, Myrica cerifera, Oxydendrum arboreum, Panicum virgatum, Pinus palustris, Pityopsis graminifolia, Rhododendron austrinum, Rhododendron canescens, Serenoa repens ‘silver’, Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium elliottii, Viburnum obovatum, Zamia pumila.

Pasco County Gateway Project

• Project Owner: Board of Commissioners, Pasco County
• Project Designer: Mike Kenton and Nature Coast Chapter of FNPS
• Project Contractor: Public Works Department, Pasco County (maintenance)
• Award Category: transportation
• Location: County Line Road/Shady Hills Road Intersection

Florida Native Plant Society’s Nature Coast Chapter decided in 2003 to landscape this intersection to demonstrate the viability and beauty of using native plants in a dry, harsh environment.

The intersection is the gateway to both Pasco and Hernando Counties, and the 1,500 sq. ft. traffic island was previously covered with weeds and trash.

The plantings followed Mike Kenton’s design utilizing a grant from “FDOT Keep Pasco Beautiful.” Plantings were initially watered using hand-held 5 gallon buckets. Pasco County Public Works performs routine maintenance with Nature Coast Chapter members’ oversight. The site is now firmly established and requires no additional watering.

Plants installed include live oak, coontie, Simpson’s stopper, Walters’ viburnum, silver saw palmetto, blanket flower, muhly grass, American holly, and dwarf Fakahatchee grass.

The project partnered the Nature Coast Chapter with the environmental group ‘Keep Pasco Beautiful’, Commissioner Pat Mulieri and the Pasco County Public Works Dept

Bareiss Residence

• Project Owner: Doris Bareiss
• Project Designer: Doris Bareiss
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location: New Port Richey

The home builder installed a St. Augustine lawn, an automatic irrigation system and exotic, non-native plantings. After the home was purchased, the regime of continued watering, fertilizing, mowing and spraying soon convinced the new owners this was not a true, sustainable Florida yard.

After seeking information from FNPS, the owners began to replace exotics with native plants and the irrigation system was disconnected in favor of rain barrels. Air conditioning condensate was even directed to plants as needed for irrigation.

Despite initial difficulty with the neighborhood homeowners association, the owners have used their yard as an educational element in the community, and have presented slide shows about their lawn conversion to garden clubs, schools, homeowner groups, at the FNPS Conference and at FNPS Chapter meetings.

Pans Garden

• Project Owner: Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach
• Project Designer: Jorge Sanchez and Phillip Maddux
• Project Contractor: Rainforest Gardens
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Palm Beach

Pan's Garden.  311 Peruvian Avenue, Palm Beach, Florida 33480

Established in 1994 Pan’s Garden takes its name from the bronze statue of Pan of Rohallion residing at the entry reflecting pool.

The original site of this garden consisted of a dilapidated house and a parking lot which measured approximately 150 by 250 feet. Today, instead of asphalt, this small botanical park and garden features over 300 species and cultivars of native trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers, many of which are endangered.

Each plant’s existence in Florida predates explorer Juan Ponce de León (1460-1521) and each is indigenous to Palm Beach County. The landscape concept was to showcase two distinct ecotones of South Florida plant communities. Fresh water wetlands and hard wood highlands longitudinally bookend the site. The selected native plants are incorporated into upland and wetland areas and were installed to display their naturally occurring relationships to one another. The uplands contain oaks, dahoon holly, American beautyberry, ferns, and blue-eyed grass. In the fresh water bog-wetland reside maples, stoppers, and the extraordinary summer blooms of the Hibiscus grandiflorus or swamp hibiscus.

Brooks Residence

• Project Owner: Tom and Anamary Brooks
• Project Designer: Tom and Anamary Brooks
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Kendell (suburban Miami)

This residence in suburban Kendall featured lawn, exotic trees and a hodge-podge of thirsty ornamental plants. Improvement goals included increasing shade (particularly to the house/air conditioning unit to reduce energy consumption), increasing privacy, and reduction in noise pollution.

Over 170 native species have been planted. “When I designed the project, it was very important to me that it looked natural and acted naturally. Ultimately, this project involved trying to restore small patches of native vegetative communities, stocking these communities with the right species and in sufficient abundance, so that they might sustain these populations with minimal management. Many of the native species are now reproducing...it is truly a living landscape” says designer Wes Brooks.

In part, this project was a test of whether small landscapes in suburban or urban contexts are able to function ecologically (even at a reduced level from what might be expected in a natural landscape) and whether they might be an effective approach to combating biodiversity loss.

Many different species of butterflies, insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals have managed to use this small tract of suburban land for shelter. The goals of the project have been met, in spite of spatial constraints. To underscore this point, this landscape contains more native species than neighboring 110-acre Kendall Indian Hammocks Park in approximately 0.1% of the space.

Ugarte

• Project Owner: Charlie and Patsy Ugarte
• Project Designer: Allen Garner and Assoc.
• Project Contractor: Tom Heitzman, Sweetbay Nursery
• Award Category: commercial
• Location: Palmetto

Conversion of a typical residential lot into a landscape dominated by native plants.

This beautiful use of native plant color and texture has set a precedent in the area and inspired other to inquire about converting their traditional lawn oriented landscapes to natives.

Stoccardo Residence

• Project Owner: Eugene and Catherine Stoccardo
• Project Designer: Eugene and Catherine Stoccardo
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Orlando

The homeowners owned a small, corner, urban lot with a large building and little landscaping.  They planted what they had to natives making an island of greenery in a densly populated urban setting.

Before designing their landscape, Eugene and Cathy Stoccardo studied historical records to find the soil type and habitat that originally occurred on their home site.

Two years after installation, birds, butterflies, and insects visit this well-planned landscape, showing that even an urban, residential yard can be transformed into a native plant oasis.

Ticknor Residence

• Project Owner: Ticknor family
• Project Designer: David A. Ilfrey, Jr., NativeDave.com
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Santa Rosa Beach, Walton County

Upgrade of a typical residential lawn to have islands of native plants.

An example was set for responsible land stewardship while appealing to traditional community standards. This sustainable landscape design conserves water, energy, time  and money and restores eco-regional  identity.

The Enchanted Forest Sanctuary Butterfly/Pollinator Garden

• Project Owner: Brevard County
• Project Designer: Keep Brevard Beautiful / The Friends of The Enchanted Forest
• Project Contractor: Deadheaders Garden Volunteers
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Titusville

Enchanted Forest Sanctuary, 444 Columbia Ave., Titusville, FL 32780

The primary purpose of this project was to grow a diverse variety of plants to attract insects while demonstrating a wholistic approach to gardening.

Coe Visitor Center, Everglades National Park

• Project Owner: Everglades National Park
• Project Designer: Dade Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Florida City

Landscaping at the visitor center on the main Everglades National Park entrance road west of Homestead and Florida City

The project focused on using species found naturally in the pine rocklands and wetlands of the Everglades to enhance views experience by visitors.

Smullen Residence

• Project Owner: Marilyn Smullen
• Project Designer: Marilyn Smullen
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location: Port Richey

Conversion of a typical residential lot into a landscape dominated by native plants.

Felts Audubon Preserve Restoration

• Project Owner: Manatee County Audubon Society
• Project Designer: Manatee County Audubon Society and Florida Department of Environmental Protection
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: restoration
• Location: Palmetto, FL

Feltz Audubon Preserve, Corner of 24th Avenue East and Experimental Farm Road , Palmetto, FL

Improvemets to disturbed uplads and wetlads to improve habitat quality and aesthetics.

Holding Residence

• Project Owner: Sharon Holding
• Project Designer: Sharon Holding
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location: New Port Richey

Conversion of a grass-based lawn into a landscape dominated by native plants.

Circle B-Bar Reserve

• Project Owner: Polk County Environmental Lands Program
• Project Designer: Laura Namm NeSmith, Water & Air Research, Inc.
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: restoration
• Location: Lakeland

Circle B Bar Reserve, 4399 Winter Lake Road  Lakeland, Fl 33803

Improvement of habitats using fire, mechanical treatment, and planting to restore uplands acquired by Polk County as pasture into higher quality wildlife habitat.

Camp Watercolor

• Project Owner: St. Joe Company
• Project Designer: Patricia Deyo / Post Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan
• Project Contractor: Post Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan
• Award Category: commercial
• Location: Santa Rosa Beach

Lake Seminole Park Pond Restoration

• Project Owner: Pinellas County
• Project Designer: Debbie Chayet and Jim Meyer
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: institutional
• Location:

Stormwater and borrow ponds were cleaned and planted with desirable native vegetation

Golub Residence

• Project Owner: Golub family
• Project Designer: Golub family
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: residential
• Location: New Port Richie

Passarella and Associates Office and Lake

• Project Owner: Passarella and Associates
• Project Designer: Patrick McCarley, Custom Earth Works
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: commercial
• Location: Fort Myers

Naida’s Native Plant Garden

• Project Owner: Southwest Florida Horticulture Learning Center
• Project Designer: David J. Driapsa
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Naples

Conversion of a parking lot into a garden

Chapman’s Pond and Nature Trails

• Project Owner: Gainesville Regional Utilities
• Project Designer: Meghan E. Pressley
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: restoration
• Location: Gainesville

7100 SW 41 Place, Gainesville, FL 
(Off Tower Road, east of Kanapaha Veterans Memorial Park)

District Seven Outdoor Advertising Sign Mitigation Tree Planting

• Project Owner: Florida Department of Transportation
• Project Designer: Will Moriarty, Fla Dept. of Transportation
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: restoration
• Location: Tampa

SR 64 East Gateway Joint Landscape

• Project Owner: Florida Department of Transportation
• Project Designer: Nancy West
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: transportation
• Location: Bradenton

Roadside plantings of native plants in road right-of-way.

Windmark Community

• Project Owner: Windmark Community
• Project Designer: Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: commercial
• Location: Port St. Joe

Landscaping in public areas of large development and management of areas outside of the development footprint

Davis Conference Center Park

• Project Owner: MacDill Airforce Base
• Project Designer: David Conner & Associates
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Tampa

Native landscaping and enhancement in a park on MacDill Airforce Base.

Orange City Rotary Park Waterwise Native Landscape

• Project Owner: Orange City & Water Authority of Volusia County
• Project Designer: Orange City & Water Authority of Volusia County
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: institutional
• Location: Orange City

Lake Forest Pond

• Project Owner:
• Project Designer: Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan
• Project Contractor:
• Award Category: restoration
• Location: Panama City Beach

Restoration of a lake shoreline and littoral zone.