Protecting Roadsides

Open, sunny roadsides are prime locations for wildflowers. Learn how you can help create native habitat corridors for pollinators by helping to protect roadsides.

Roadside patch of Chapman's fringed orchid, Platanthera chapmanii

Regional Alliances

Regional Wildflower Alliances are active networks of wildflower enthusiasts that protect native wildflowers. Through communication, collaboration and information sharing, members support and inspire each other as they create knowledge and awareness of native wildflowers and their value to Florida’s environmental and economic health.

Wildflower Resolutions

In 2009, a model county resolution was developed by Florida Wildflower Foundation members Eleanor Dietrich and Jeff Caster. The resolution, which recognizes the historical, environmental and cultural significance of Florida wildflowers, is a pledge to conserve wildflowers through such management practices as reduced mowing.

Wakulla County enacted the first resolution, followed by Gadsden, Leon, Lake, Marion, Brevard and Volusia counties. Now, 37 counties and three municipalities have wildflower resolutions. Use the tabs and maps below to discover how wildflower enthusiasts have helped their cities and counties bloom. 

How to get started

  • Select your district tab above. Counties that are green on the district map have adopted wildflower resolutions. If your county is green, click on the county’s name below the map to see how the resolution was adopted there. Contact those who led the effort to learn more.
  • Team with a resident or organization that has ties with a county commissioner who supports environmental issues. If possible, organize a group effort by asking for help from Florida Wildflower Foundation members and local FNPS chapters, as well as from Audubon and Sierra Club chapters, garden clubs, civic organizations, and homeowners associations. Ask them for letters of support.
  • After getting a commissioner’s support, work with the county public works staff to get their backing. Ask their advice about the best way to proceed, including the resolution’s final wording, scheduling a presentation to the county or city commission, and securing the commission’s vote.
  • Download the model county resolution and model PowerPoint presentation (4.4 MB). Modify the presentation with wildflower photos from your county. Contact Stacey Matrazzo for pointers on making the presentation.
  • Work with the county public works department to identify county, state and federal roads with showy stands of wildflowers. Ask your county’s roadside maintenance supervisor and your county’s FDOT maintenance representatives (state, federal roads) for advice about altering mowing practices to allow wildflowers to flourish naturally. Agree on a management plan for each road that includes the mowing extent, width and frequency. Put this in writing from the county public works department and submit it to the appropriate FDOT maintenance representative.
  • Develop a follow-up plan. The adoption of a county wildflower resolution is only the first step in conserving roadside wildflowers. Organize periodic followups with county staff and issue reports on efforts. Develop a plan that includes publicity (newspapers, blogs), distribution of photos and educational materials, and site monitoring.

District 1

Click on the county or city name below to view contacts and a copy of the resolution.

District 2

Click on the county or city name below to view contacts and a copy of the resolution.

District 3

Click on the county or city name below to view contacts and a copy of the resolution.

District 4

Click on the county or city name below to view contacts and a copy of the resolution.

District 5

Click on the county or city name below to view contacts and a copy of the resolution.

District 6

District 7

Click on the county or city name below to view contacts and a copy of the resolution.

FDOT Wildflower Management Program

The Florida Department of Transportation’s Wildflower Management Program includes guidelines for nominating natural areas of wildflowers for special management to increase the abundance and visibility. The program laid the groundwork for reduced and carefully timed mowing to boost pollinator habitat while protecting the biodiversity needed to sustain healthy ecosystems and wildlife populations. 

Through the adoption of wildflower resolutions, counties and municipalities can nominate FDOT-maintained roadsides within their boundaries as Wildflower Areas. The district wildflower coordinator then will assess the nominations in terms of safety, opportunities to reduce mowing, and natural abundance of wildflowers. Once the district maintenance engineer approves the nomination, a management plan for the area is crafted and turned over to the district maintenance yard or the contractor maintaining the area. See a list of FDOT district wildflower coordinators.

Roadside wildflowers
The FDOT Wildflower Management Procedure adjusts mowing patterns and times to maximize seed dispersal and germination of existing stands of showy native wildflowers. Photo by Eleanor Dietrich