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Water Resources Division

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NatureScape Broward addresses three of our most urgent urban environmental challenges:

  • Protect the quality and quantity of our water resources for the future.
  • Recover wildlife habitat that has been lost to development.
  • Create a more sustainable urban ecosystem by using landscape best management practices.
Our Mission is to protect local water resources by creating and certifying NatureScape sanctuaries throughout Broward County. Every home, school and business is invited to become a certified NatureScape. As these areas populate the map, we see greenways forming which help support our native and migratory wildlife populations. We hope that you will want your home to be a healthy dot on our map.

NatureScape Broward Goals:

  • Create a network of NatureScape sanctuaries throughout Broward County.
  • Increase the propagation and use of native plants by 50 percent.
  • Be a role model in the State of Florida for compliance with xeriscape statutes.
  • Become a nationally recognized program of environmental stewardship.
  • Educate and provide support to Broward County residents.

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NatureScape Best Management Practices

Florida-friendly yards are designed to reduce stormwater runoff, decrease nonpoint source pollution, conserve water, and enhance wildlife habitat. Your NatureScape can do all of this without sacrificing form to function; NatureScapes are beautiful, too. NatureScapes use the following nine principles:

  • Right Plant, Right Place: Select plants that have adapted to minimal amounts of water, fertilizer and pesticides.
  • Water Efficiently: Irrigate only when your lawn and landscape need water. Efficient watering is the key to a healthy Florida yard and reducing runoff.
  • Fertilize Appropriately: Less is often best. Over-utilization of fertilizers is hazardous to the environment. Choosing the correct combination of minerals for soil and plant needs is important.
  • Mulch: Maintain a 2-3" layer of mulch to help retain soil moisture, prevent erosion and suppress weeds.
  • Attract Wildlife: Plants in your yard provide food, water and shelter and help conserve Florida's diverse wildlife.
  • Control Yard Pests Responsibly: Use pesticides wisely. When improperly used, these chemicals can harm people, pets, beneficial organisms and the environment.
  • Recycle: Compost grass clippings, leaves and yard trimmings to return nutrients to the soil and reduce waste disposal.
  • Reduce Stormwater Runoff: Help prevent pollution from reaching waterways by reducing soil, debris, fertilizer, pesticides and household contaminants that run off your property.
  • Protect Waterfront: Waterfront property, whether on a bay, river, canal, pond or beach should be protected as a natural treasure.
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