PRESS RELEASE—For Immediate Release

Date: February 2, 2006
Contact: Alex Montalvo, Program Manager
Phone: 305-648-0000
Fax: 305-648-0175

“Go Native!” Guidebook Promotes Native Trees
and Shrubs Over Exotics

MIAMI, FL: The 2005 hurricane season wrecked havoc on residential landscapes throughout South Florida. With the 2006 season only months away, making the proper choices in what to replant is critically important. “Go Native!: a pocket guide to choosing Florida natives over commonly found exotics” is a bi-lingual guidebook developed by Citizens for a Better South Florida (Citizens) to help the public make the switch from exotics to natives as they replant their yards. The pocket-size guidebooks, printed by the City of Miami, are being distributed for free through the City of Miami Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) offices in February and March.

"What you plant in your yard makes a big difference in South Florida’s environment in terms of water usage, replenishing our groundwater supply, and habitat for wildlife. Native trees and shrubs are also better adapted to survive Florida’s natural cycle of hurricanes and usually need less maintenance," said Edith McClintock, Executive Director of Citizens for a Better South Florida.

Designed by the brand design firm Cre8tive Juice, the guide employs a fun and colorful layout to highlight 28 plant species and 2 landscape scenarios in a contrasting “Plant this...Instead of this…” format -- making the often-difficult task of distinguishing between similar native and exotic species easier than distinguishing a cup of Folgers from Café Bustelo.

Citizens for a Better South Florida is a Miami-based environmental education non-profit founded in 1989. Citizens provides a foundation of understanding on environmental issues in South Florida to diverse constituencies so that they can become involved in making decisions that lead to a stronger community and healthier environment. “Go Native!” was produced with funding from the City of Miami, the National Tree Trust, Miami Dade College, the Miami-Dade County Departments of Water and Sewer, Solid Waste and Environmental Resources Management, and the South Florida Water Management District.