County program receives FSA Excellence Award
Lee County’s fertilizer education and outreach program, Fertilize Smart, has been awarded a 2026 Stormwater Excellence Award by the Florida Stormwater Association (FSA).
Recognized in the Public Education Effort category, the program represents a decades-long commitment to educate county residents and visitors about Lee County’s ordinance and the impact that fertilizer can have on clean water and waterway preservation, the county reported.
The awards are given to local government and academic FSA member organizations that have demonstrated a high level of distinction in stormwater programs, projects and public education efforts.
The objective of the Fertilize Smart campaign is to engage and educate the community about proper fertilizer use, irrigation practices, proper disposal of pet waste, Florida-friendly landscape practices and other factors that affect water quality. The county noted that the goal is to prompt personal behavior change.
The desired outcomes include:
– Reduce non-point stormwater pollution sources
– Decrease impacts on local waterways
– Improve water quality in surface waters
As part of the effort, the county introduced “Lee the Gnome” in 2024 as a campaign mascot and marketing strategy element to capture the public’s attention and reinforce the campaign’s educational messages. In 2025, it brought the mascot to life. Lee can be seen at community events around the county, helping to spread the word about the Fertilize Smart initiative.
“Pre-and-post education campaign surveys show an increase in respondents’ awareness,” Lee County Department of Natural Resources Operations Manager Lisa Kreiger said. “This campaign has been a massive success for Lee County Natural Resources but, most importantly, Fertilize Smart is having a positive impact on public behavior as more people rally to protect our waterways.”
The 2026 Stormwater Excellence Award winners were honored on June 18 at the FSA’s annual conference, Rising to the Challenge: Navigating Stormwater Change Together, at the Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor.
The county’s fertilizer restriction is in effect from June 1 through Sept. 30, requiring residents — Captiva included — to stop the use of fertilizers to protect waterways during rainy summer months.
For more information, visit FertilizeSmart.com.