The ordinance
No nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizer from June 1 to September 30.
Brevard County's summer fertilizer ordinance is already on the books. Project: BLACKOUT shares the rule through flyers, shelf tags, and neighborhood outreach.
Fertilizer runoff and the lagoon.
Fertilizer applied during the rainy season can move through streets, driveways, and storm drains into the lagoon. Extra nitrogen and phosphorus fuel algal blooms, block sunlight, and weaken seagrass beds.
Seagrass is a primary food source for manatees. In 2021, more than 1,100 manatees died in Florida during a severe mortality event tied to habitat and food loss.
1,101Manatee deaths in 2021
58%Seagrass lost in the lagoon
4,300+Species supported by the estuary
Jun 1Blackout period begins
Sep 30Blackout period ends
Chapter 62, Article IX
The ordinance appears in Brevard County's code for fertilizer management.
June 1 through September 30
The date range covers the rainy summer window when runoff moves quickly.
Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer
The rule applies to lawns, landscapes, and turf during the blackout period.
Voluntary compliance
Public visibility helps residents make the compliant choice before they buy or apply fertilizer.
Fertilizer information for residents.
The team surveys residents before and after outreach and shares reminders at stores and storm drains.
Survey
Wave 1 baseline
The first survey documents how many residents know about the ordinance before outreach begins.
Retail
Fertilizer shelf tags
Tags bring the June 1 to September 30 rule into the aisle where people choose lawn products.
Stormwater
Drain markers
Storm drain reminders connect neighborhood runoff to lagoon health at the curb.
Public outreach
Simple language
Flyers and social posts explain the dates and fertilizer restrictions.
Survey
Wave 2 follow-up
The second survey checks whether outreach increased recognition and intent to comply.
Continuity
Reusable materials
The team keeps copies of flyers, survey questions, and outreach records for other volunteers to use.
Why manatees
Manatees depend on seagrass.
The fertilizer ordinance reduces one preventable pressure on the lagoon. When fewer nutrients reach the water during the rainy season, blooms have less fuel and seagrass has a better chance to recover.
Impact plan
Resident surveys.
Project: BLACKOUT tracks awareness before and after outreach, then pairs the results with retail participation, drain marker placement, and public materials delivered.
Baseline
What residents know
Wave 1 captures recognition of the ordinance and the blackout dates.
Reach
Outreach locations
The team places reminders near fertilizer displays and storm drains.
Follow-up
What changes
Wave 2 compares recognition and intent after the campaign is visible.
Flyers, shelf tags, and survey tools we built.
Plain-language ordinance reminders for retail aisles, storm drains, and neighborhood outreach. Email us for printable copies.
Ordinance
Fertilizer blackout flyer
Summary of Brevard's June 1–September 30 nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer rule.
RetailShelf tag designs
Tags placed near fertilizer displays in partner stores.
StormwaterDrain marker artwork
Reminders connecting neighborhood runoff to lagoon health.
SurveyWave 1 and Wave 2 awareness surveys
Questions we used to measure whether residents know the ordinance before and after outreach.
Team
Brevard student volunteers.
Project: BLACKOUT is run by Brevard County students who share information about the county's fertilizer restrictions.
Research and outreach
Survey design, public messaging, partner communication, and project documentation.
Local retailers
Hardware and garden retailers can host shelf tags near fertilizer displays.
Outreach records
Project materials are organized so the outreach can continue across school years.