Purpose

To raise awareness about the efforts of the BEEB while recognizing a Melbourne citizen’s home or business for their landscape beautification

Criteria

• Must be for a Melbourne residence, office or green space
• Must have a landscape that displays the features within the format of the “Gems” requirements
• Must be willing to have their landscape featured on the City’s website/social media

Reward

• Recognition on the City’s website and social media pages
• A recognition sign that can be placed within the landscape
• A certificate with their name, date, etc.
• City of Melbourne “swag”

Emerald Award – Plant Materials

Must meet at least three criteria to qualify:

• Incorporate some Florida native plants into the landscape
• Have an invasive-free landscape
• Have a habitat for butterflies and other pollinators
• Trees are used to prevent erosion, provide shade and wildlife habitat
• Have a seasonal organic vegetable garden
• Have less than 50% of the landscape planted in turfgrass

Sapphire Award – Sustainable Practices

Must meet at least three criteria to qualify:

• Composter
• Rain barrel
• Bat/bird housing
• Rain gardens and/or swales
• Gutters drain onto pervious surfaces
• Minimal use of pesticides and herbicides
• Solar lighting/features

Diamond Awards

Combination of Sapphire and Emerald Practices, plus must meet at least three criteria to qualify:

• Follow the City’s fertilizer ordinance
• Irrigate according to St. Johns River Water Management District guidelines
• Hire only Best Management Practices Certified and licensed landscape professionals
• If homeowner mows their own lawn,
  • Grass clippings remain on turf – not bagged or left on paved areas, including streets and parking lots
  • Electric or battery lawn mower used
• Micro irrigation or low flow irrigation used in landscape beds
• Rain sensor in working order
• Organic (bark, pine needles) mulch used to suppress weeds and conserve water

Make a Nomination

Residents or businesses can nominate themselves or others that meet the criteria of the program.

• Download the Gems Nomination Form

For more information, please email cheryl.caldwell@mlbfl.org or call Todd Cook, City’s Parks Maintenance Office, at 321-288-9633, or the ECO Division at 321-608-5080.

Gems Awardees

The first Diamond Gems Award presented to the Florida Native Plant Society, Conradina Chapter, for Lagoon Park.

On October 5, 2022, the Diamond Gems Award was presented to the Florida Tech Folliard Alumni Center.