Common gardening practices can have a negative impact on Florida’s water supply. In Leon County, where the majority of the population lives in the urban and suburban environments of Tallahassee, the demand for landscape management is high. Without reliable information, the misuse of fertilizer, water, and pesticides can be harmful to the environment. To increase knowledge and awareness of this issue, UF/IFAS Extension in Leon County has implemented the Green Industry-Best Management Practices, or GI-BMPs, in order to train green industry professionals on recommended landscape practices. GI-BMPs are a science-based educational program created by UF/IFAS Florida Friendly Landscaping^TM. The program teaches environmentally safe landscaping practices that help protect Florida’s ground and surface waters. They can also save contractors money, time, and effort while increasing the beauty of the landscape. The residents and landscape businesses in Leon County now have the tools they need to help protect water quality and reduce nutrient runoff in our watershed.

UF/IFAS File Photo