Florida-Friendly Yards Workshop at SFCC Hardee and DeSoto Campuses

Learn how to transform your property into a beautiful oasis for people and wildlife that will not only conserve precious water resources and reduce pollution but may also save you time and money.

Join us for a free Florida-Friendly Yards Workshop on Saturday, Sept. 8, 8:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m., South Florida Community College (SFCC) Hardee Campus, Bowling Green, or on Saturday, Oct. 13, 8:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m., SFCC DeSoto Campus, Arcadia. The workshop registration begins at 8 a.m. Lunch is provided, and all workshop participants will receive a complimentary native plant along with other helpful landscaping items and information. Participants and area residents are welcome to take advantage of the native plant sale that begins at noon. For a complete workshop agenda, visit www.CHNEP.org.

One of the highlights of the day is a plant overview with John Sibley of All Native Plant Center, Charlie Foster of Deluxe Trees and Shrubs, Brooks Armstrong of Pine Lily Nursery, and Lorna Ransom of DeSoto County Parks and Recreation. Also on the program are a discussion of the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program; demonstrations on mulching, planting, and planning your yard; a guide to site analysis and steps to make your lot or acreage more Florida-friendly; pest management; and pond management.

Lunch for all participants will be sponsored by Sun State Landscaping on Sept. 8 and by Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority on Oct. 13.

These workshops are offered through the cooperation and generosity of the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (CHNEP), the Peace River Basin Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, Sun State Landscaping, Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority, South Florida Community college, Pine Lily Nursery, Deluxe Trees and Shrubs, DeSoto County Parks and Recreation, the guest speakers, and many others.

For more information about using native plants to conserve water, eliminate the use of harmful chemicals, attract/provide habitats for wildlife, and require less maintenance, visit www.CHNEP.org or www.watermatters.org.

The SFCC Hardee Campus is located 4.1 miles north of Wauchula at 2968 U.S. 17 North, Bowling Green. The SFCC DeSoto Campus is located at 2251 N.E. Turner Avenue, Arcadia. For more information about the workshops, call the SFCC Hardee Campus at (863) 773-3081, the SFCC DeSoto Campus at (863) 993-1757, or the CHNEP at (866) 835-5785, ext. 240.

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