Lagoon Loyal Business Spotlight: Change of Greenery

At a Glance

Business Name: Change of Greenery

Owner: Skip Healy

Location: Melbourne, FL

Lagoon-Friendly Practices:

Native and edible landscaping
Living shoreline restoration
Pesticide-free designs
Reduced yard maintenance

Contact Info:

📧 changeofgreeneryfl@gmail.com

📞 321-536-0655

📍 Instagram & Facebook: @changeofgreenery

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In Their Words

“It’s time that native plants get the respect they deserve, and our waterfront communities are where we can make the biggest impact for the lagoon.”

— Skip Healy, Owner, Change of Greenery

*Change of Greenery transforms residential, commercial, and waterfront landscapes into thriving native ecosystems using Florida-native plants.*

Their Story

When fish kills and algae blooms began ravaging the Indian River Lagoon, Skip Healy knew he wanted to do more than watch from the sidelines.

“I grew up fishing and was always on the lagoon, so it was a real bummer when we started seeing major fish kills,” Healy said.

With a background in agribusiness and horticulture from Mississippi State University, Healy was already working with plants—but the lagoon’s decline pushed him to rethink how landscaping could be part of the solution.

In 2018, Change of Greenery was born. What started as a small operation quickly grew into a mission-driven business focused on restoring ecological function to residential, commercial, and waterfront landscapes throughout Brevard County.

For clients unfamiliar with native gardening, Healy takes on the role of educator—introducing plants that provide nectar for pollinators, food and shelter for wildlife, and bold color and texture that rival traditional landscaping.

“Our customers are all different,” Healy explained. “Some are all-in with native plants, and some are new to the area and excited to learn more.”

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Change of Greenery was recognized by Keep Brevard Beautiful for its work at Heritage Park at Crane Creek, a community that integrates affordable housing with native plant landscaping. The site supports more than 200 native plant species and provides habitat for butterflies, birds, and other wildlife while offering residents access to shared green space and nature.

‍How Change of Greenery Helps the Lagoon

Change of Greenery’s work is grounded in the idea that healthy landscapes protect healthy waters across Brevard County.

Rejuvenating the Concrete Jungle

Large commercial properties are transformed into living green spaces that absorb stormwater, reduce runoff, and showcase the beauty of Florida-native plants.

Shoreline Landscaping

Deep-rooted native plants are used to create waterfront buffers that stabilize shorelines, prevent erosion, absorb excess nutrients, and provide habitat for lagoon wildlife.

Cutting Out Fertilizer

Florida-native plants are adapted to low-nutrient soils, meaning they require little to no fertilizer—reducing the nutrients that fuel harmful algae blooms.

Low-Impact Maintenance

Maintenance techniques are designed to mimic natural systems, eliminating the need for commercial herbicides and reducing reliance on gas-powered equipment.

Ecosystem Boost

Native landscaping integrates seamlessly into Florida’s climate, providing food and habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Native plants don’t just survive in Florida—they thrive, and create a habitat that supports the entire food web within ecosystems.

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*Native landscaping supports pollinators, birds, and other wildlife that depend on healthy lagoon-connected habitats.*

‍Why Native Landscaping Matters

🌼 Native plants support cleaner lagoon waters
💧 Reduced irrigation needs
🌱 Living shorelines reduce erosion and nutrient runoff
♻️ Gas-free maintenance reduces emissions and noise pollution

Giving Back

Change of Greenery actively partners with community-focused organizations, including Steadytown, a private foundation dedicated to community development, affordable housing, and services that help reduce homelessness.

Steadytown’s founders share a passion for bringing the environmental and social benefits of native plants into community landscapes—creating greener, healthier spaces for residents.

Healy also serves on the board of the Florida Association of Native Nurseries, supporting native plant professionals statewide, and has previously served on the board of the Florida Native Plant Society’s Conradina Chapter.

Supporting Community Action

In July 2024, Change of Greenery supported the Lagoon Loyal Neighborhood Competition, a month-long community effort that encouraged pollution-reducing actions across Brevard County.

During the competition, 58 neighborhoods participated and 320 Lagoon Loyal actions were reported, with three communities earning native plant installations as recognition for their collective efforts.

Change of Greenery provided design expertise, time, and materials to create a native butterfly garden for the River Groves neighborhood at the Frank T. Forester Recreation Center in Rockledge. The garden features native flowering plants that support pollinators while providing a welcoming green space for residents and visitors to enjoy.

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*Designed and installed with support from Change of Greenery, this native butterfly garden provides habitat for pollinators at the Frank T. Forester Recreation Center in Rockledge.*

‍Business Impact

By normalizing native plants across Brevard County, Change of Greenery is helping shift how the community views “curb appeal.”

“We want to show that native plants can be functional as well as beautiful,” said Healy.

He hopes Change of Greenery’s hand-precision, low-impact maintenance approach can inspire other landscaping businesses to move away from over-fertilization, routine herbicide use, and excessive gas-powered equipment.

“There’s a need for more native plant pros in the commercial maintenance sector,” he said. “I welcome the competition, too.”

Community Vision

*Native plant installations maintained by Change of Greenery demonstrate how residential and public spaces can support local ecosystems*

Looking ahead, Healy hopes to see more municipal native plant projects across Brevard County, like those he installed and maintains at Founder’s Museum and Heritage Park in Melbourne.

He also advocates for stronger, more consistent standards for long-term landscape care on large commercial properties.

“Landscape architects are starting to incorporate more native plants into their designs, which is great,” Healy said. “But the care of those installations should follow the same low-impact values.”

Join the Movement

Change of Greenery is proud to be part of Lagoon Loyal.

🌱 Join the Lagoon Loyal Community
Learn how local actions contribute to a healthier lagoon.

💧 Learn How to Protect the Lagoon
Explore practical steps that reduce pollution and support wildlife.

Through native plants and low-impact care, Change of Greenery shows how everyday landscapes can support a healthier lagoon.

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Learn More & Get In Touch

🔗 Contact Change of Greenery

📞 321-536-0655📧 changeofgreeneryfl@gmail.com
📍 Instagram & Facebook: @changeofgreenery

Illustrated scene of a suburban neighborhood during a rainstorm, with sprinkler heads raised in a lawn that doesn’t need watering due to heavy rainfall.