DATE: November 28, 2016
MEDIA CONTACT: Rose Bechard-Butman
Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division
PHONE: 954-519-0317
EMAIL: rbechardbutman@broward.org

BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Applications are now being accepted for the 2016 NatureScape Emerald Awards. This annual Broward County program recognizes homeowners, governments, business/commercial properties, schools and other groups that have demonstrated extraordinary efforts to promote or implement environmentally-friendly programs and principles.

NatureScape yards are designed to improve the environment by:
-Conserving water by reducing lawn areas and using native and Florida-friendly landscaping
-Providing food, water and shelter for wildlife
-Using the least toxic pest control practices
-Reducing storm-water runoff contaminated by pesticides and fertilizers
-Recycling yard waste into mulch and compost

Applications are due by December 31st. To qualify, yards must be recognized as a Florida-Friendly Landscape through the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program and/or be certified as a Wildlife Habitat with the National Wildlife Federation. Winners will be selected in February and recognized at an awards ceremony March 11, 2017.

For an application or more information, call 954-519-0317 or visit Broward.org/NatureScape.

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, call 954-519-1270, visit our website or follow us on Twitter.