Broward County opens submissions for the 2026 NatureScape Emerald Award celebrating eco-friendly landscapes
Broward County, Florida – Broward County is getting ready for another year of recognizing great environmental stewardship. The 2026 NatureScape Emerald Award is now accepting submissions. The annual program honors homes, companies, schools, government buildings, and community landscapes that show a strong dedication to gardening and wildlife support that is good for Florida. The prize has become one of the county’s most important ways to encourage greener, more resilient outdoor spaces. It focuses on eco-friendly design and sustainability.
The NatureScape Emerald Award goes to properties that use methods that have been shown to safeguard natural resources. Some of these are using mulch that isn’t made from cypress trees, composting, rain barrels, and landscaping that attracts local wildlife. Judges also look for apparent benefits to the environment, such as growing native plants, using water-wise irrigation, and adding features that restore or sustain natural habitats. Broward County wants to encourage individuals and organizations to use landscaping techniques that protect the area’s delicate ecosystems by giving them prizes for their work.
The 2026 awards cycle is now open for applications. All entries must be turned in by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025. If you have any questions, please email Anthony Gross at [email protected]. The winners will be presented with awards at a public ceremony on March 14, 2026, during the Annual Water Matters Day event at Tree Tops Park, which is one of Broward’s most popular eco-themed events.
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There are two parts to the judging procedure. In the first round, a committee looks at each landscape’s overall design, plant selection, curb appeal, tree canopy, wildlife value, and any special features, like smart irrigation systems. The entries with the highest marks move on to the second round, when judges look more closely at them to choose the final winners. Landscapes that work well usually have a lot of native plants, rain gardens, littoral plantings near water bodies, and other things that help local and migratory species.
Any landscape that has invasive plants in FLEPPC Category 1 or 2 is automatically disqualified to make sure the competition is fair. There are several different sorts of properties that can get an award, such as Homeowner, Business, Municipality/School/Government, Special Achievement, and a Legacy category for prior winners who have kept their sustainable landscapes in good shape for at least five years.
Landscape architects and designers are also encouraged to join, especially if their work follows the Florida-Friendly Landscaping guidelines set by UF/IFAS. Projects could be single-family residences, multi-family projects, new buildings, or big community landscapes. The UF/IFAS FFL program or the National Wildlife Federation’s Garden for Wildlife initiative must acknowledge the entries that are eligible. Designs that incorporate more than 50% native plants will get extra points when they are evaluated.
Broward County is now accepting applications from residents and groups who want to show off their environmental achievements and help make the neighborhood greener and healthier.
