BROWARD COUNTY, FL - NatureScape Broward announces the winner of the COVID Re-LEAF rain barrel contest. Congratulations to Curtis Hood of Margate. Residents who participated in the Water Matters Day tree giveaway were asked to send in a picture of their planted tree to become eligible to win a butterfly painted rain barrel designed by Lorna Bravo, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Curtis also joined more than 4,800 NatureScapes in Broward by certifying his garden habitat with the National Wildlife Federation and becoming recognized as a NatureScape.

NatureScape is also accepting 2021 Emerald Award applications. The County presents Emerald Awards as part of the Water Matters Day event each year. The award recognizes businesses, municipalities, schools, government facilities and homeowners that have created and maintained model Florida-friendly landscapes or completed exceptional projects that demonstrate visible ecological practices.

CATEGORIES

• Homeowner
  
• Business
  
• Municipality/School/Government
  
• Special Achievement
  
• Climate Change Leader
  
• Legacy (for Emerald Award winners that have continued to maintain a sustainable landscape and/or have enhanced landscape for five or more years)
  
• Landscape Architects, architectural design firms and landscape designers are encouraged to submit projects that incorporate UF/IFAS Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Florida-Friendly principles for single family residences, multi-family, new construction, large properties, existing communities.
  See resources and guidance for professionals here. In order to quality, your project must be recognized by UF/IFAS and the National Wildlife Federeration Garden for Wildlife. Landscapes that exceed 50% native plant requirement will be awarded extra points by judges.

APPLICATION

To download the application, see attachment below and return via email or mail by January 3, 2021 The winners will receive their awards and trophies at a special ceremony during the Annual Water Matters Day. 

To learn more about NatureScape Broward, call Rose Bechard Butman at 954.519.0317 or visit NatureScape Broward. NatureScape Broward is a program of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division.

About Environmental Planning and Community Resilience 
Broward County’s Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division protects, restores and enhances the quality, abundance and diversity of the County’s natural resources through coordinated management efforts in five areas: water resource policy and planning, urban and natural lands management, beach and marine resources, energy and sustainability, and environmental monitoring. For more information visit Broward.org/NaturalResources or follow us on Twitter @BrowardEnv.

November 16, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT:
Rose Bechard Butman
Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division
954-519-0317
rbechardbutman@broward.org