Director, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program

30 years of university horticulture research and education 

University of Florida faculty affiliations

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Environmental Horticulture Academic Department Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology

Dr. Esen Momol is the Director of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) program. The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program, a partnership between UF/IFAS Extension and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, teaches science-based management practices directly to homeowners and landscaping professionals; practices that not only save water and reduce fertilizer and pesticide use, but save money by preventing surface and ground water contamination. FFL program applies scientific principles to designing and maintaining attractive and sustainable landscapes that also conserve water and protect natural resources. Of the nine principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, the first is “right plants, right place,” which minimizes the need for supplemental water, fertilizer, and pesticide application. The other key principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ are efficient watering, appropriate fertilization, mulching, attracting wildlife, managing yard pests responsibly, recycling yard waste, reducing storm water runoff, and protecting the waterfront. Esen became the Director in 2008. Prior to that she worked as an Environmental Scientist at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Esen has been a research scientist and university professor since 1992, with appointments at the University of Florida, Cornell University and Akdeniz University Antalya in Turkey.

Ph.D. in Plant Pathology,, University of Florida
M.S. in Plant Pathology, University of Florida
B.S. in Pharmacy, University of Ege Izmir, Turkey