Every month, I share my very best and most practical Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL) tips—simple ways homeowners can add beauty to their landscapes. I am often asked why I emphasize “Florida-Friendly Landscaping.” After all, UF/IFAS offers many excellent gardening programs. Why highlight this one?
The short answer is that FFL is the perfect match for Indian River County. Created by the University of Florida, FFL is more than a gardening guide; it is a philosophy that beauty can be at the center of practices that protect and conserve water. Ecological stewardship is not landscaping martyrdom. The Indian River Lagoon is already influenced by seasonal rainfall swings and decades of drainage alterations, so the way we manage our residential landscapes matters. FFL reflexively helps us cultivate yards that are as functional and sustainable as they are beautiful.
That default setting sometimes causes me to lose touch with the “why” behind sustainable landscaping. Environmental care can feel lofty or abstract unless we step outside and experience the places we’re trying to protect. I go to the beach often; it is part of my routine. Sometimes it takes a visit to another local natural treasure to reconnect with the beauty that depends on our everyday choices.
Though February is often cooler than I prefer, it is one of my favorite months for field trips with and without the Master Gardener volunteers. Walking keeps me warm enough to explore the places that inspire my work. I encourage you to lace up your shoes, grab a friend or family member, and spend a morning or afternoon discovering one of our county’s gems. Reconnect with the bonus effects of your landscaping projects.
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
Our nation’s first national wildlife refuge remains one of the most meaningful places for a leisurely stroll. Pelican Island is peaceful on February mornings. I gander at migratory birds of all kinds along the lagoon’s edge; very few of them I know by name, but I am not against a familiar “Bob,” “Susan,” or “Valencia,” in a pinch.
The boardwalk keeps me from getting stuck while I ogle the plants thriving in their native ecosystems. Many of the plants that flourish here are also suited to residential yards. If you find something interesting, email us the photo and we can help you identify the plant and the correct placement for it.
North Sebastian Conservation Area
If you prefer a quieter destination, North Sebastian Conservation Area offers a variety of entrances and trails that range from super-dry scrub areas to marshy and completely wet habitats. It is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. When I am out there, I enjoy seeing the beautiful blue Florida scrub jays and the adorable gopher tortoises. They are very comfortable on this well-managed property. Conservation lands are some of our greatest reminders of what Florida really looks like.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping is ultimately about the seamless connection between our individual landscapes and the overall area in which we live. Aesthetics, water resources, and wildlife can coexist without significant friction or undue bother. The principles guide our decision-making process so that by default our personal desires benefit our favorite recreational areas and other ecologically sensitive properties.
So, this February, step outside. Wander, observe, and enjoy the places that make our county extraordinary. Sustainable beauty begins with paying attention; what we love, we protect.
Nickie Munroe is an environmental horticulture agent with the University of Florida’s IFAS Indian River County Extension.
True Tails is a series written by Amy Robinson for Vero Beach’s dog lovers. Ask Amy about your dog’s behavior by clicking below.
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