Florida-Friendly Landscaping / Go Native
The City of Cape Coral is surrounded by water on three sides. Additionally, the City includes over 150 linear miles of saltwater canals and over 250 linear miles of freshwater canals. The environmental health and appearance of these waterways are very much dependent upon the quality of the water that drains from our yards and landscaping. The quality of this water can be improved through the implementation of environmentally friendly landscaping and landscape maintenance techniques. Communicating these techniques to residents, and encouraging their implementation are the goals of the Florida Friendly Landscaping Program.
The Florida Friendly Landscaping (FFL) Program is a partnership between the landscape industry, the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Florida's National Estuary Programs, Florida's Sea Grant College Program, and various State and local environmental agencies.
The Go Native program focuses specifically on Cape Coral landscapes, as they are the connecting link to area estuaries, rivers, lakes, aquifers, and the City's canal system.
The Florida Friendly Landscaping and Go Native Programs adhere to basic principles that, if implemented properly, are designed to reduce the adverse impacts of a yard on water quality. Each principle contains a series of actions that landowners can take to improve the environmental health of their yards and the health of the waterways these yards drain to. The principles encourage landscape changes to
require less water and other chemicals, while promoting more wildlife.
Plant choice and care- Irrigation, Fertilization and Pest Control
- Managing Stormwater runoff to decrease impacts on the waterfront
- Mulching and recycling
- Making a place for Wildlife
Area residents are invited to attend classes and receive training materials on the principles. Introductory classes are offered regularly at Rotary Park and other locations throughout the year. Yard Tours are offered in March and September. Home Garden Design Classes are offered in April, and Rain Barrel classes are offered in April and July. Native plant sales are held in conjunction with the Rain Barrel classes. Depending on the type of class, there may be an associated cost.
Florida Friendly Landscaping
- Dates to be announced
Go Native!
- Friday, April 24, 2026: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
- Friday, July 24, 2026: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Rain Barrel Workshop -- $65 each
- April 25, 2026: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
- July 25, 2026: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Native Plant Sale at Rotary Park
- April 25, 2026: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- July 25, 2026: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Go Native! Yard Tours -- $15 per person
(Ideas and inspiration from others. Requires advance registration.)
- Dates to be announced
Unless specified otherwise, all classes offered at Rotary Park in Southwest Cape Coral, 5505 Rose Garden Road. For directions, or to register for classes, call (239) 549-4606.