Land Conservation
Mission:
To encourage "Keys-Friendly" landscaping, fertilizing, irrigation and mulching through the GreenThumb Certified program. Involve municipalities, agencies, utilities, nurseries and consumers in promoting and utilizing the program.
Why GreenThumb:
Although the Keys are known as a tropical paradise to many people, it’s a pretty harsh climate for plants. Coral rock soils, seasonal rains, salt water intrusion and hot summers can spell disaster to Keys gardens and landscapes.
Utilizing the right mix of plants, fertilizers, irrigation and mulch not only ensures a beautifully landscaped yard, but also protects our wildlife, forests and water quality.
GreenThumb Successes:
- GreenThumb Pilot: In our first year, GLEE certified 10% of Keys nurseries! Plant experts produced, printed and gave away an "AlterNatives" guide which showcases the variety of natives available for your landscape. GLEE also secured almost $3,000 in free promotion for our nurseries from our sponsors (see below).
- Rainbarrel Workshops: GLEE was given $10,000 from South Florida Water Management District’s Alternative Water Grant. In return, GLEE has given away 100 rainbarrels during a series of workshops at GreenThumb nurseries throughout the Keys. During the 2-hour workshop, participants construct their own rain barrel from scratch & learn tips about Keys-friendly gardening and landscaping.
GreenThumb Goals:
For now, GLEE wants to focus on promoting the existing nurseries and encouraging more retail nurseries to join. In the future, GLEE hopes to expand the GreenThumb Certification to include landscapers.
What You Can Do:
No one can change the world in a day. Pick one of the following items to work on each month:
- Visit a GreenThumb Nursery
- Make and install a rainbarrel
- Change your fertilizing practices
- Learn about proper watering
- Join the GreenThumb Committee!
- Books
- Waterwise - South Florida Water Management District
- Stormscaping – Pamela Crawford
- Florida Keys Wildflowers – Roger Hammer
- Native Trees & Shrubs of the Keys – J. Paul Scurelock
- Seashore Plants of South Florida & the Caribbean – David W. Nellis