Monroe County Extension Promotes Native Plants to Boost Resilience
The Monroe County UF IFAS Extension published its November 2025 newsletter on November 14, featuring an in depth article on native plants in the Florida Keys by environmental horticulture agent Liah Continentino. The issue outlines how native landscaping can conserve freshwater, support wildlife, and strengthen community resilience to storms, all of which matter to residents facing limited resources and climate driven risks.
The Monroe County UF IFAS Extension released Volume 25, Issue 11 of its newsletter on November 14, 2025, centering local conservation and practical guidance for gardeners and community groups. The lead horticulture piece by environmental horticulture agent Liah Continentino explains why native plants are uniquely suited to Keys conditions, including limited freshwater, porous soils, seasonal droughts and regular storm exposure. The newsletter uses local inventories to show how native landscaping can reduce irrigation and maintenance needs while supporting wildlife and coastal resilience.
Local data in the newsletter frames the scale of biodiversity in the Keys, with the Atlas of Florida Plants listing more than 700 registered plant species in the region. The Extension notes 108 species that are commonly cultivated in Monroe County and references site level inventories that can help residents choose appropriate plantings. Those practical details are paired with Sea Grant updates, Master Gardener volunteer achievements, and a schedule of free community plant clinics across the Keys to help translate information into action.
The public health implications are significant. Reducing irrigation and chemical inputs can lower nutrient runoff into nearshore waters, protecting fisheries and drinking water sources and reducing conditions that can exacerbate algal blooms. Plantings that favor native pollinators and habitat can support local food systems and mental health benefits tied to green space access. Landscape approaches that increase storm resilience may also reduce flood related health risks and infrastructure strain on emergency services, outcomes that matter most for households with limited resources.
The newsletter also highlights pathways for community engagement, including volunteer opportunities with the Extension and Master Gardener programs that provide training and support to residents. The four page newsletter is available as a PDF on the county site and is intended to inform residents, gardeners and community groups about conservation minded landscaping and Extension services. For Monroe County, the guidance offers a local toolkit for saving water, protecting coastal ecosystems and building more equitable community resilience.
