Viva Florida Landscape Demonstration Gardens Grant
Application Planning Document
The Florida Wildflower Foundation is requesting from Florida botanical gardens, nature centers, public parks and public lands proposals that will increase the awareness and knowledge of native wildflowers among their visitors by demonstrating the benefits and beauty of Florida native wildflowers in cultivated landscapes. The benefits of native wildflowers are becoming increasingly known, yet no mainstream channel in the state adequately demonstrates the link between native wildflowers and the history and culture of La Florida, “land of flowers,” while educating the general public about native wildflowers’ role in supporting native crop pollinators, decreasing air and water pollution, providing wildlife habitat, and in general, creating a better environment for all Floridians.
Up to three grants of up to $3,000 each will be awarded annually to establish a new native wildflower demonstration garden or meadow, or to expand or enhance an existing garden or meadow. Grant funds will be distributed based on the project timeline. Funds are delivered in two payments: one-half after the project manager submits a signed agreement, and one-half after the Foundation receives and approves a final report. Projects the Foundation deems successful may be eligible to apply for additional funding. Partnerships with local community groups, non-profit organizations and area businesses are strongly encouraged.
This is a matching grant program; applicants must provide evidence of in-kind or monetary contributions of 50 percent or more.
Grantees must:
- Establish or enhance a native wildflower planting in a highly visible location that experiences frequent pedestrian traffic.
- Use at least 80 percent of the grant funds to purchase herbaceous Florida native wildflower plants from members of the Florida Association of Native Nurseries and/or the Florida Wildflower Growers Cooperative.
- Integrate visits to the native wildflower planting into educational programming.
- Submit three progress reports, and a final report that includes but is not limited to:
-a narrative describing the project and its results;
-an itemized expense report, design plan, plant list, construction methods, and maintenance schedule plan for the next year;
-photos of the area before and after native wildflowers are planted, as well as during periods of peak bloom;
-and qualitative data about visitor impressions and impact of the native wildflower gardens and educational programming.
In addition, Florida Wildflower Foundation staff, consultants, volunteers and/or board members shall be allowed to periodically evaluate the native wildflower garden's establishment, maintenance and aesthetics, receiving complimentary admission to do so (with advance notice), if needed.
Applications may be submitted at any time. Grant awardees will be notified of acceptance or denial within 45 days of applying. The application will close after all grants for the year have been awarded.Funding will be awarded to projects meeting program goals and judged as having the best chance of success and exposure. A preliminary site visit by a Foundation member or representative may be necessary. Projects should be designed to be installed during the spring or fall planting seasons, shall be established by a date agreed upon by the Foundation and project manager, and shall be maintained for a minimum of one year from installation date.
Projects that have received funding within the past 365 days are not eligible for additional funding unless preapproved by the Foundation. If you received a Viva Florida grant in the last year and would like to apply for additional funding for the same project, please contact Stacey Matrazzo, program manager, at .
When you are ready to submit an application, copy and paste the following URL into your browser: (The link will work only while the application window is open, from January 1 through June 30.)To submit an application, ALL QUESTIONS MUST BE ANSWERED IN ONE SESSION. It is recommended that you review this planning document prior to beginning the application process in order to prepare answers and collect required materials.
Other documents and resources that may be necessary or helpful for the application process may be downloaded here (copy and paste the URL into your browser):
-Viva Florida Budget Worksheet (required)
-Viva Florida Site Prep Guidelines (may be required)
-Viva Florida Landscape Demonstration Gardens Grant online application (required)
-Florida Wildflower Foundation’s definition of native wildflowers
-Florida Wildflower Foundation’s definition of native cultivars
-Atlas of Florida Plants
-Florida Association of Native Nurseries
-Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's (FLEPPC's) List of Invasive Species
-Florida Native Plant Society’s Plants For Your Area
-Florida Wildflower Growers Cooperative
-Plant Real Florida
This program is funded by donations made through the sale of Florida’s State Wildflower license plate. To purchase a tag or become a member of the Florida Wildflower Foundation visit the Membership web page.
VIVA FLORIDA LANDSCAPE DEMONSTRATION GARDENS GRANT
APPLICATION PLANNING DOCUMENT
* indicates questions that require an answer
I. Project Manager Contact information
- A project manager who is accountable for all responses in the application and reports, and is responsible for project oversight and responding to all inquiries must be identified.*
First name:
Last name:
Address:
City:
State:
Postal / Zip code:
Email address:
Phone number:
II. Project location
- Name of botanical garden, nature center, public park or public land where demonstration garden will be located.*
- Is the planting site owned by the organization whose land on which it is located or is the property leased?*
- If leased, please provide the following information:
Landowner organization's name:
Landowner representative's name:
Landowner's contact information (address, phone, email):
Date lease will end or expire:
Letter of support from landowner acknowledging permission to install native demonstration garden on property (upload):
- What is the annual number of visitors to the botanical garden, nature center, public park or public land?*
III. Planting project proposal and site details
The following questions pertain to the site selected for the native wildflower demonstration planting (“planting site”).
- Tell us about the location of the planting site (e.g. It is located at the entrance of the park; It is accessible from a trail; It is next to the visitor center; etc.).*
- If available, provide the GPS coordinates of the planting site.
- Provide the dimensions of the planting site.*
- What are the soil and light conditions of the site?*
- Describe the current and past conditions of the site. Include a list of the native, non-native and invasive speciesŧ that are or have been growing within and around the site. If invasive species have been removed, please tell us how long ago they were removed and what removal methods (herbicide application, mechanical removal, hand removal, etc.) were employed. (Must be at least 100 words.)*
ŧInvasive species can make or break a planting. It is important that invasive species within and around your site be removed and managed effectively to ensure the success of your project. If invasive species are present in or around your proposed site, you will be required to follow the Foundation’s site preparation requirements. If you are unsure if a non-native present on your site is an invasive, please refer to the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's (FLEPPC's) List of Invasive Species.
- In the space below, provide a preliminary list of wildflower species (both common names and scientific names) to be used in the planting.*
- Please provide a narrative of the proposed planting, including project timeline/schedule, site preparation planŧ, construction methods, and maintenance methods and schedule. (Must be at least 100 words.)*
ŧInvasive species can make or break a planting. It is important that invasive species within and around your site be removed and managed effectively to ensure the success of your project. If invasive species are present in or around your proposed site, you will be required to follow the Foundation’s site preparation requirements. If you are unsure if a non-native present on your site is an invasive, please refer to the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's (FLEPPC's) List of Invasive Species. - Upload a current photo of the proposed planting site. (A JPG is preferred. If you would like to send multiple images of the site, please email them to Stacey Matrazzo at .)*
- Upload a sketch of the proposed project and its site. (A PDF is preferred; a JPG is also acceptable.)*
IV. Expert review
- An expert review of the selected planting site is required to determine suitability and sustainability prior to planting. Please provide the name, organization affiliation and contact information of the expert who performed/will perform your site review. (Experts can be internal or representatives from organizations such as the Florida Native Plant Society, University of Florida/IFAS Extension office, etc.)*
If you are unable to identify an expert in your area, the Foundation may be able to suggest someone. Contact Stacey Matrazzo, program manager, at prior to submitting this application.
First name:
Last name:
Organization/Affiliation:
Phone:
Email address:
- List any comments, concerns or suggestions indicated by the expert. If an expert review has not been conducted at the time of this application, please indicate the date on which the review will be conducted. Results of the review must be submitted for your proposal to be considered for funding.*
V. Community support and sponsors
- List community groups, non-profit organizations, government agencies, businesses and other project sponsors and briefly describe their participation. Include a contact person for each, along with a phone number and email address.*
VI. Budget summary
- Completethe budget worksheet, which includes instructions on how to submit budget details and a sample completed budget worksheet. This worksheet must be submitted for your proposal to be considered for funding.*
Please remember that the Foundation requires a match of at least 50 percent, which can be monetary contributions and/or in-kind goods and services. Include the amount being requested from the Foundation in your income total.
- Please summarize your budget as follows and enter in the space below:
- Total Income (broken down by total cash and total in-kind donations)*
- Cash:
- In-Kind Donations:
- Total Expenses*
- The Florida Wildflower Foundation requires a match of at least 50 percent, which can be monetary contributions and/or in-kind goods and services. Please include an itemized list of each donor, their contribution, and the dollar value of each contribution.*
- Would a partial award (to be determined by the Foundation) be of benefit to your proposed project?*
- List any other information related to the funding of your project.
VII. Project goals and requirements
- Describe how the planting will help achieve the goals of the Viva Florida Wildflower Demonstration Garden grant program. (Must be at least 100 words.)*
- Outline your plan for native wildflower educational materials and programming as it relates to the project and the goals of the grant program. At least one visit to the native wildflower demonstration garden must be incorporated into each program. (Must be at least 100 words.)*
When responding to the following question, refer to the following resources to help determine if a native wildflower species is appropriate for you planting: Atlas of Florida Plants, Florida Native Plant Society’s Plants For Your Area, Natives For Your Neighborhood, and Plant Real Florida.
The Foundation strongly suggests that you contact the Florida Association of Native Nurseries and/or the Florida Wildflower Growers Cooperative about the availability of the plants and/or seeds needed for your project.
- Wildflowers to be established will be:*
Native and herbaceous
In accordance with the Foundation’s definition of native wildflowers
In accordance with the Foundation’s definition of native cultivars
Appropriate for my region of the state
Appropriate for the wildflower site conditions
- Regarding the planting, please respond to the following:*
At least 80% of funding provided by the Foundation shall be used to purchase native plants or seeds.
The site shall be planted with 100% native species. (See definition above.)
Foundation funding shall not be used for maintenance, except for the purchase of mulch.
The following will not be used as mulch: cypress mulch, grass clippings, pine bark, compost or man-made materials (e.g. recycled rubber).
The native wildflower demonstration planting will be in a highly visible area frequented often by garden visitors.
The planting site will be properly prepared prior to installing plants. For assistance with site preparation, please contact Stacey Matrazzo, program manager, at .
The planting will be installed by a date to be determined by the Foundation based on the proposed project timeline.
The planting will remain in place and be maintained for a minimum of 365 days from the installation date.
Economically and ecologically sustainable practices will be used to establish and manage the wildflower plantings.
If pesticide use is necessary (for example, for fire ant control), all pesticides will be utilized in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, regulations and rules. Systemic fertilizers with insecticides are not permitted.
(1.continued) Regarding the planting, please respond to the following:* / Agree / Disagree
Wildflowers will not be fertilized during the first growing season after planting; if subsequent fertilization is deemed necessary, it shall be approved by the Foundation prior to application.
A sign provided by the Foundation will be installed in a prominent location within the site upon completion of the planting.
Weather-resistant educational signage about the planting (e.g. plant identification labels) will be installed.
Educational signage and other materials related to the planting will be approved by the Foundation prior to production.
The number of visitors to your facility, and the number of those attending native wildflower educational programming at your facility will be reported.
Your site currently has the staff and/or volunteers to maintain and care for the planting.
A minimum of two site visits (to be conducted by the program manager or a Foundation representative) will be scheduled: the first will be upon installation of the garden; the second will be scheduled within 30-60 days of the end of the grant project period.
Progress reports and a final report will be submitted on dates to be determined by the Foundation based on the project timeline. Reporting format will be provided in advance of the due date by the Foundation’s grant administrator.
- The outcomes and impacts of the Viva Florida Wildflower Demonstration Garden Grant Program are important to the Florida Wildflower Foundation. Regarding educational programming, please respond to the following:*
Your site currently has the staff/volunteers and facilities to conduct native wildflower educational programming.
Visits to the native wildflower planting will be incorporated into all associated educational programming.
The target audience(s) for educational programming will be noted in the final report.
- OPTIONAL
Visitor surveys will be conducted to gauge the impact and impressions of both the planting and programming and to record to what degree visitors gain knowledge of 1) landscape uses for native wildflowers, 2) availability of native wildflowers, and 3) historical and cultural significance of native wildflowers.
- An important goal of the Viva Florida Wildflower Demonstration Garden Grant Program is to increase awareness and knowledge of the environmental, historical and cultural significance of Florida’s native flora. Select the media outlet(s) in which an article or video that describes the native wildflower planting and includes information about the above will appear. Choose all that apply; you must select at least one media outlet that you intend to pursue. Stories must attribute funding to the State Wildflower license plate and the Florida Wildflower Foundation.*
□Newspaper □Newsletter □Television □Website □YouTube
- List any additional methods that will be used to increase awareness and/or knowledge of the environmental, historical and cultural significance of Florida’s native flora.
VIII. Reporting
Three quarterly progress reports and one final report are required. Report due dates will be determined by the Foundation based on the project timeline. Report formats will be provided in advance of the due date by the Foundation’s grant administrator. Photos of the installation/preparation, wildflower display, and educational and volunteer programs are encouraged as part of progress reports.
The final report shall consist of:
•a narrative describing the project and its goals and result
- an itemized expense report
•a design plan
•a complete plant list
•construction/installation methods
•maintenance schedule for the year following the grant project period end date
•information on media coverage (including scans of or links to articles, videos, etc.)
•details of educational programming, including photos of signage and digital copies of related materials
•quantitative and/or qualitative data about visitor impressions as well as the impact of the native wildflower demonstration planting and related educational programming.
The final report shall also include a minimum of six high-resolution photos:
- a minimum of two images showing the planting site before and after installation
- a minimum of two images showing the native wildflower planting in peak bloom
- a minimum of two images that are people-oriented (for example, site preparation, planting, a school group visiting the site, etc.)
- Photos must be sharply focused, in JPG format, and at least 8”x10” at 300 dpi.
Please respond to the following regarding the reporting requirements:* / Agree / Disagree
Interim progress reports will be submitted by the dates determined by the Foundation (to be outlined in the contract).
A final report will be submitted within 30 days of the grant project period end date.
A minimum of six high-resolution photos (as indicated above) will be submitted with the final report.
IX. Forfeiture clause