University of North Florida Environmental Center Annual Report 2016 Natalie Sassine

University of North Florida UNF Digital Commons

Annual Reports Environmental Center

2016 University of North Florida Environmental Center Annual Report 2016 Natalie Sassine

Tiffany Torres

James W. Taylor University of North Florida, [email protected]

Maria Mark

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/ecenter_annual Part of the Environmental Education Commons, Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, and the Sustainability Commons

Recommended Citation Sassine, Natalie; Torres, Tiffany; Taylor, James W.; and Mark, Maria, "University of North Florida Environmental Center Annual Report 2016" (2016). Annual Reports. 2. https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/ecenter_annual/2

This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Environmental Center at UNF Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Annual Reports by an authorized administrator of UNF Digital Commons. For more information, please contact Digital Projects. © 2016 All Rights Reserved 2016 ANNUAL REPORT YEAR IN SUMMARY

19 PARKS VISITED 71 K 12,933 24 NEW GIFTS STUDENT 399 K LITTERED CIGARETTE EMPLOYEES $NEW GRANTS BUTTS PICKED UP

S T U D E N T PRESERVE DIGITAL ARCHIVE VOLUNTEERS 252 NEW SPECIES 12 119IDENTIFIED COMMUNITY TOTAL EVENTS 1,133 SPECIES 600 LBS OF BOOKS COLLECTED 2 3 CONTENTS

7 MEET THE TEAM

8 This year’s annual report documents and celebrates the accomplishments of an amazing team of passionate individuals who have come together to work toward a shared mission. Our projects fall into one of three focus areas: Parks and Preserves; SEED GRANTS Rivers, Coasts and Springs; and Sustainability. These categories directly refect the unique needs of the Northeast Florida region and the UNF campus. In order to address these needs, we believe that it takes a diverse team (from all disciplines) comprised of UNF students, staf, faculty and, importantly, community members who provide diferent perspectves, experi- 9 ence and skills, and are anxious to collaborate in order to achieve our goals.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS The Center could not make as much progress toward its goals without the contributons of our student staf members and volunteers. We are so proud of their accomplishments this year, and we are very focused on creatng even more opportunites to get more students involved next year. As a direct result of the leadership provided by James Taylor (Center Coor- 10 dinator), as Chair of the UNF Sustainability Commitee, the team also includes UNF departmental representatves who are commited to contnuing the traditon of environmental responsibility and campus sustainability. This year, over 20 faculty ENVIRONMENTAL members have directly contributed their tme and expertse to the mission of the Center. We are partcularly grateful to LEADERSHIP PROGRAM our faculty Board members for their contributons and guidance. It is also noteworthy that all three of the former Center Directors (Dr. Ray Bowman, Dr. Radha Pyat and Dr. Stuart Chalk) contnue to be actvely involved in the Center. Finally, our community collaborators round out our team and keep us grounded by reminding us of the realites and challenges we face 17 in achieving our mission in the “real world.” RIVERS, COASTS AND SPRINGS Our mission includes research as well. This year, our “Seed Grant” initatve is supportng faculty doing some really in- terestng research. Dr. Pyat’s signature project called the “St. Johns River Report” was funded for three more years, and we received a two-year grant to develop the “Duval Maritme Management Plan” in collaboraton with JU and the NEFL Regional Council. In additon to our applied-research actvites, we are pleased to announce that our signature annual 23 transformatonal learning opportunity called the “St. Johns River Experience” is now a credit-bearing course for the student PARKS AND PRESERVES partcipants.

Creatng the next generaton of environmental leaders is now the top priority of our mission. Current longtme environmental leaders in the region have been very clear that they think the Center can make the biggest measurable impact on 29 the region by focusing on environmental leadership development. Hence, we are very excited to report on the accomplish- SUSTAINABILITY ments from our “pilot year” of the new Environmental Leadership (ELP) program. And, we are very proud to welcome Maria Mark to our team as the full-tme ELP Coordinator! Maria brings a wealth of experience and credentals to our team, and has done an amazing job since she joined us last fall.

34 Finally, we are very grateful for the generous support of our donors. Since the Center’s business model dictates that the STUDENT COALITION vast majority of our programs must be supported by donatons from the community, our donors are truly essental members of our team!

CREDITS

Writen by: James W. Taylor and Maria Mark Designed by: Natalie Sassine and Tifany Torres J. David Lambert, Ph.D. Director Cover Photo: Justn Lemmons 4 UNF Environmental Center 5 PARTNERS PROFESSIONAL STAFF

J. David Lambert, Ph.D. Maria Mark James W. Taylor Director Coordinator Coordinator MEET THE TEAM

STUDENT STAFF

Kate Nicholson Natalie Sassine Tifany Torres Joey Vokec-Gordan Volunteer Coordinator Communicatons Graphic Designer Video Productons Major: Coastal Biology Major: Fine Arts Major: Graphic Design Major: Video Producton

J. David Lambert, Ph.D. Associate Professor DONORS HOW TO SUPPORT US EXECUTIVE BOARD Department of Economics and Geography Coggin College of Business Cummer Family Foundaton All of our programs are 100 percent funded with Christopher Baynard, Ph.D. Felburn Foundaton grants and private donatons. If you would like to Associate Professor Erin Largo-Wight, Ph.D. UNF Foundaton Board learn more about supportng our programs, please Department of Economics and Geography Associate Professor contact: Coggin College of Business Department of Public Health Charles “Chuck” Ged Brooks College of Health James W. Taylor Lee Anderson Charles Closmann, Ph.D. Chair and Associate Professor Brian Zoellner, Ph.D. J. David Lambert, Ph.D. Director of Development, Academic Afairs Ofce Assistant Professor [email protected] Department of History Radha Pyat, Ph.D. College of Arts and Sciences Department of Foundatons and Secondary Educaton 6 (904) 620-5213 College of Educaton and Human Services 7 To help stmulate the creaton of multdisciplinary research the preparaton and submission of a proposal to an exter- projects related to the environment, the Environmental nal funding agency. The grants are compettvely awarded Center ofers grants to faculty, or teams of faculty, from all to the most meritorious proposals, but there is an empha- COMMUNITY PROGRAMS six UNF colleges. The grants are intended to support envi- sis in projects that create efectve collaboratons between ronmentally-related research that subsequently results in faculty members and students from diverse disciplines.

Jacksonville Environmental Symposium SEED GRANTS Partner: City of Jacksonville Environmental Protecton Board

Willingness to Pay for Safe Drinking Water: Metallic Nanorods as Efectve 20.40 Talks Series A Contngent Valuaton Study in the Environmentally Benign Bioflm Inhibitors Partner: U.S. Green Building Council City of Jacksonville Dr. Stephen Stagon “Solar and Renewable Energy” Dr. Chris K. Johnson Department of Mechanical Engineering “Vision, Growth and Energy in Jacksonville” Dr. Chiradip Chaterjee Dr. Russell Triplet Dr. Amy Land Department of Economics and Geography Department of Chemistry Green Carpet Film Series

Dr. Parvez Ahmed Partner: U.S. Green Building Council Department of Accountng and Finance “Who Owns Water” The objectve of this study is to examine how The U.S. Navy estmates that biofouling increases “Sand Wars” measures of socioeconomic background, social drag on the hulls of its ships by up to 40 percent, “Tapped” capital and media exposure infuence the willing- resultng in an annual cost of over $1 billion. “Water Blues, Green Solutons” ness-to-pay (WTP) for water quality improvement. Biofouling occurs through a multstep process, “Cowspiracy” The purpose of this study is threefold. First, we beginning with the atachment of microorgan- “The Future of Energy” will estmate residents’ monetary valuaton for the isms and the formaton of a bioflm, which larger improvement of tap water quality. Second, we will fouling organisms preferentally atach to. Bioflm explain the infuence of social capital and other formaton may be mitgated using two approach- Sierra Club Program: NPS Urban Agenda socioeconomic factors on WTP. Finally, since es: chemical or mechanical. Chemically, surfaces Partner: Natonal Park Service and Jacksonville’s tap water quality has atracted both are coated with a toxic substance that kills the Sierra Club of Northeast Florida positve and negatve media atenton, we will bioflms if they are to atach. This approach is investgate to what extent the media atenton in- Photo: Jennifer Grissom environmentally negatve, as the toxins are ofen Eagle Watch Volunteer Training fuenced the monetary valuaton for the improve- nonspecifc and impact organisms in the entre Partner: Duval and Florida Audubon ment of tap water quality. marine ecosystem. Mechanically, surfaces can be featured in such a way that the bioflm forming We propose a household phone survey of ran- microorganisms physically cannot atach or fnd Public Service Lecture domly selected residents in the City of Jackson- them nonpreferable. While there is literature Partner: UNF Department of Politcal ville by the Public Opinion Research Laboratory at detailing the interacton of bioflm forming mi- Science and Public Administraton UNF with a target sample size between 500 and croorganisms on microstructured surfaces, there 1,000 respondents. Students enrolled in Business is almost no investgaton of the efects of nano- and Economic Statstcs (ECO 3411) will staf the structured surfaces. Natural Wonders of Northeast Florida phone bank. This will help to ofset costs and Partner: UNF Contnuing Educaton ofer students practcal exposure to data collec- In this project we aim to investgate the efects

ton procedures and the mechanics of random of nanofeatured surfaces, being metal nanorods, sampling. Looking ahead, we plan to use this data made of environmentally benign materials on the Screening of “Forgoten Coast” in support of proposal(s) for external funding for formaton of marine bioflms. This project may re- Partner: UNF Eco Adventure a more detailed in-person survey within the JEA sult in a novel means of preventng bioflm forma- service area and to develop a GIS map of water ton and will serve as preliminary data to atract quality diferentals across zip codes. funding from the Navy or the Natonal Science Foundaton. 8 Photo: Jennifer Grissom 9 ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

As the “silver tsunami” of environmental leaders grows, the pool of our next generaton of environmental leaders is shrinking. In 2016, the Environmental Center (ECenter) answered the growing need with a soluton — the ofcial launch of the Environmental Leadership Pro- gram (ELP). It is designed specifcally to engage freshmen and sophomores, who are passionate about cultvatng a more just and sustainable environment, and retain them in the ELP throughout their college tenure, so they have sufcient tme to develop a community project that addresses a local environmental need.

The students are “project leaders” because they are required to “lead” their project. The skills gained range from business proposal development to public speaking to leadership development.

At the conclusion of their project, they have a project portolio that documents their project from “creaton to implementaton,” giving them solid career-building experience and a compet- itve edge from other similarly-situated gradu- ates. Meet our project leaders!

10 Photo: Jolie Schlieper 11 PROJECT LEADERS

DISCOVER SHOSHANNA ALAMINA AMY BROWNFIELD KIM DALY-CREWS Major: “Partcipatng in the ELP Major: “My work as a project Major: “I valued my tme spent has been a wonderful leader planning the Anthropology Biology Biology working at the Environ- and positve experience. spring class provided mental Center and being I am very grateful to invaluable experience. CHANGE Hometown: Hometown: part of the ELP. The skills have been selected for I have gained experi- Hometown: Corozal, Belize Jacksonville, Fla. Weston, Fla. learned while develop- this program. This new ence in public speaking, ing the citzen science venture as a project marketng, budgetng, Project Title: Project Title: program were invaluable. leader has given me the prioritzing tasks, verbal Project Title: The ELP Program is an St. Johns River Lower St. Johns River opportunity to focus and virtual communica- Citzen Science- invaluable asset to UNF, CREATE Experience Basin Report on the St. Johns River, ton, interviewing, and Jacksonville Zoo and and I look forward to which is one of the most geographic informaton Gardens and Sawmill seeing it grow into some- important features of systems (GIS). These Slough Preserve thing even more won- Jacksonville.” skills will be extremely derful than it already is.” useful as I work toward my goals.”

ASHLEIGH ELKINS MATT GROTH RENEE HUTCHINS CAITLIN KENGLE

Major: “Since partcipatng in Major: “As project leader, I was Major: “The ELP gave me many Major: “I had the opportunity Biology the ELP, I’ve learned Biology able to pursue my inter- Anthropology opportunites to network Civil Engineering to start working at the about the importance ests in the UNF Sawmill with park managers to ECenter in August 2014, Hometown: of group efort, how to Hometown: Slough Preserve. My Hometown: understand the difer- Hometown: before the ELP existed. West Palm Beach, Fla. develop an idea into Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. project included doing Jacksonville, Fla. ent management skills Boynton Beach, Fla. During my two-year ten- acton, ways to enhance ecological research and needed to manage these ure, I saw the growth of my public speaking skills, maintaining the Pre- parks. The ELP goes the Center and the ELP Project Title: writng memos and much Project Title: serve’s natural habitats. Project Title: much deeper than one Project Title: parallel my own growth Coastal Polluton more. This opportunity Sawmill Slough The Environmental Lead- Beyond the Trail: would expect from an Garbage on the Green as a student, employee, Tracking and Acton has really allowed me to Preserve Natural Trail ership Program has made Park Discovery internship, and I am cer- and Campus and person..” Plan grow as a student and Interpretaton a lastng impact on me Series tain my experiences will Sustainability is giving me the skills to and has given me a great signifcantly impact my become a community experience working as a career as a park ranger.” leader.” leader.”

12 13 SEAN LAHAV MADISON MASTERS DANIEL NOREZ KEVIN O’HALLORAN “The ELP has helped me “The Environmental Cen- “The ECenter and ELP Major: Major: Major: Major: “My ELP experience has grow, mature and excel ter has given me numer- have given me the best Politcal Science Anthropology Public Health been an overall reward- as a rising environmen- ous positve experiences opportunites for real Internatonal Relatons ing experience. Having tal leader. I also beter as a project leader in the world applicaton of my Hometown: Hometown: the opportunity to work understand the com- Environmental Lead- Hometown: major. My resume is very Hometown: Boynton Beach, Fla. Lakeland, Fla. with the USGBC linked plexites behind environ- ership Program. I have Chihuahua, Mexico professional with the Lakeland, Fla. me to an organizaton mental work by working gained real-world ex- experiences gained from I hope to stay involved Project Title: with the people who Project Title: perience in professional Project Title: working there. As the Project Title: with throughout my ca- Discovering North- are dedicated to being Tree Rx: Prescribing environments, network- ELP grows, the future Tree Rx: Prescribing Jacksonville reer. The opportunity to east Florida’s “Special stewards. The ELP is an Urban Trees for ing with the community’s generatons will do Urban Trees for Sustainability network with community Places” exceptonal program that Community Health business professionals, amazing things, and I will Community Health Report leaders has been a great has signifcantly impact- and public speaking. The be proud to have been a resource as I enter the ed my life and future experience gained will be part of the program.” Jacksonville job market.” career.” a great asset as I enter the work force.”

KELLY RHODEN DANIELLE TIPLEY

Major: “The Environmental Major: “Working with the Public Health Center has given me Biology Environmental Center a tremendous amount and the Environmental Hometown: of experience, partc- Hometown: Leadership Program Charleston, S.C. ularly in public speak- Fort Pierce, Fla. was an overall positve ing, project manage- experience. Through ment and team work. I these opportunites, I Project Title: have learned so much Project Title: was able to improve on Tree Rx: Prescribing about the professional Sawmill Slough certain skills like emo- Urban Trees for world as well as the Preserve Algae tonal intelligence and Community Health environmental world. I Inventory my potental as a leader. have gained and built They allowed me to go relatonships with further with my research many of my co-work- than I would have been ers and community able to do on my own.” members.” 14 Photo: Jolie Schlieper 15 RIVERS, COASTS AND SPRINGS

The landscape of Northeast Florida is defned by water. The St. Johns River, the longest river in Florida, runs through Jacksonville and emptes into the Atlantc Ocean, forming an expansive saltmarsh estuary. And like much of Florida, Jacksonville has miles of beautful coastline.

Through partnerships with organizatons like the St. Johns Riverkeeper, Florida Springs Insttute and the City of Jacksonville Environ- mental Protecton Board, the Environmen- tal Center is focused on getng faculty and students involved with research and community-based learning.

16 Photo: Kathy Stark 17 Trip Leader: James W. Taylor ST. JOHNS RIVER Environmental Center Academic Leader: Dr. Rick Troendle EXPERIENCE Department of Chemistry

Outngs Leader: Jake FitzRoy Eco Adventure

Student Leader: Amy Brownfeld Environmental Center

2016 Students

Kathleen Nicholson, freshman Coastal Environmental Science

Mat Dent, senior The St. Johns River Experience is a unique and physically through classroom lectures, History full-immersion course that combines classroom assigned readings, student presentatons and actvites and experiental learning to facilitate lab work. The highlight of the St. Johns River Shawna Melby, junior a deep understanding of the St. Johns River, its Experience is the weeklong trip during spring Ecology and Evolutonary Biology importance to surrounding communites and break, in which students have an opportuni- the issues threatening its future. The course is ty to explore the river’s watershed through Ali Schweers, sophomore designed to challenge students, both mentally kayaking, hiking, swimming and boatng. Psychology

Billy Howard, freshman Ecology and Evolutonary Biology

Zach Sincage, sophomore Economics

Kai Lister, junior Chemistry

Nikki Adams, junior Ecology and Evolutonary Biology

Myranda Parker, junior Biology

18 181917 FLORIDA SPRINGS INSTITUTE PARTNERSHIP STATE OF THE RIVER REPORT

The Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Insttute (FSI) is focused on improving the understanding of the ecology of the springs and fostering the development of science-based educaton and management actons needed to restore and protect springs throughout Florida. The Environmental Center regularly collaborates with FSI on both research and educatonal programs.

Research Photo: Kathy Stark The Environmental Center is involved in ongoing restore and protect springs throughout Florida. research being conducted by FSI. The Environ- Give Springs a Break is an annual weekend event The Eighth Annual State of the St. Johns River been seen; fecal coliform levels are decreasing in mental Center has provided expert advice and has focused on college students from throughout Report was published in the summer of 2015 by a the tributaries, but are not yet close to fnal tar- deployed water quality probes. In additon, the the state. At the event, students learn from ex- team of scientsts from UNF, Jacksonville Universi- get levels; and both fsheries and threatened and Environmental Center encourages UNF students perts, network with other like-minded students ty and Valdosta State University. This project, sup- endangered species are stable. Members of the to partcipate in research opportunites provided and enjoy the recreatonal opportunites springs ported by the City of Jacksonville Environmental report team discussed these fndings with several by FSI. provide. This year the Environmental Center was Protecton Board, has provided an annual baseline media outlets, including the Florida Times-Union, a sponsor of Give Springs a Break and provided of the lower basin’s health since 2008. The 2015 WJCT, Acton News, and WJXT, as well as several Give Springs a Break volunteer assistance. There were a total of 22 report revealed the following fndings: nutrient City of Jacksonville Citzen Planning Advisory com- In additon to research, FSI aims to improve un- college students in atendance, 11 of whom were concentratons in the basin are decreasing gradual- mitees. Please visit www.sjrreport.com for more derstanding of springs ecology and the need to UNF students. ly, but a concomitant drop in chlorophyll-a has not informaton. UNF Principle Investgator: Radha Pyat, Ph.D. JU Principle Investgator: Lucy Sonnenberg, Ph.D. MARITIME MANAGEMENT PLAN

The Environmental Center received a two-year Crowley (Civil Engineering) and Mackenzie San- grant to develop the “Duval Maritme Manage- chez, a graduate student in the Coastal Engineer- ment Plan” for the City of Jacksonville. The grant ing program. The objectves of this applied-re- is a collaboratve efort with the Northeast Flori- search project are to assess the current status of da Regional Council and Jacksonville University’s maritme facilites (such as boat ramps), determine Marine Science Research Insttute. The UNF team current and future needs (with community input), is comprised of Dr. J. David Lambert, Dr. Raphael and develop a long-term plan that assures future public access to our river and coastal resources.

20 21 PARKS AND PRESERVES

With over 80,000 acres of parks and preserves, Jacksonville is home to the largest urban park system in the entre country. From upland pines to swamps to coastal marshes, Jackson- ville has it all when it comes to diverse ecosys- tems.

UNF even has its own nature preserve. The 382-acre Sawmill Slough Preserve is a living laboratory that provides students and faculty with opportunites to explore nature and conduct research.

Through partnerships with organizatons like Timucuan Parks Foundaton, Natonal Park Service, North Florida Land Trust, Florida State Parks and the City of Jacksonville, the Environ- mental Center is focused on getng faculty and students involved with research and community-based learning.

22 Photo: Sean Lahav 23 PROJECT LEADER: KIM DALY-CREWS SAWMILL SLOUGH animals and natural resources with the Citzen science utlizes the help of general public. Citzen science is an ex- volunteers to collect data for scien- cellent way to achieve both missions of tfc research. The data collected by the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and PRESERVE volunteers is submited to natonal the Environmental Center. The Citzen programs to help achieve a common Science Volunteer Corps is an existng goal. The process not only engages program in the Jacksonville Zoo and the community, but also encourages Gardens educaton department. The scientfc discovery and improves the goal of the collaboraton between the community’s connecton and under- Environmental Center and the Jackson- standing of natural systems. Cit- ville Zoo and Gardens is to increase the zen science programs help promote range of citzen science opportunites All Photos: Justn Lemmons awareness and conservaton of plants, at both insttutons.

The Sawmill Slough Preserve (SSP) is a 382-acre protected area located on the UNF campus. The area was designated a preserve by President John A. Delaney in May 2006. Winding through the preserve are the Robert W. Lofin Nature Trails, named afer the distnguished UNF professor. The SSP is a campus asset that serves CITIZEN SCIENCE as a living laboratory and provides students and faculty with amazing opportunites to connect with nature, provide inspiraton for art, conduct research and much more. CURRENT PROJECTS: Wildlife cameras Mammal monitoring DIGITAL ARCHIVE Bird monitoring The Environmental Center launched the Digital Archive in 2015 Phenology monitoring to be a scientfc, cultural and historical archive of the Sawmill Tree frog monitoring Slough Preserve. The online scientfc and educatonal resource documents years of research and management eforts. Water quality monitoring

Visit the Digital Archive at preserve.unf.edu. WILDLIFE CAMERA

As part of the inventory process, Envi- PROJECT LEADER: MATT GROTH ronmental Center project leaders deployed wildlife cameras throughout the As a way to help educate people about the diversity in the SSP and Preserve. The cameras help capture encourage people to explore the area, Project Leader Mat Groth elusive species that roam the preserve. began developing trail interpretatons. While this has previously This process has been very reward- been done for the nature trails, this would be the frst atempt cre- ing and has helped confrm multple atng digital versions for the trails. The project involved conductng species, including a bobcat and, most research on the types of habitats, fora and fauna hikers would see recently, a coyote. on each trail. In additon, a digital tour of each trail will be created to 24 give people a glimpse of the preserve’s beauty. 25 BEYOND THE TRAIL PARK DISCOVERY SERIES EXPLORING NORTHEAST FLORIDA’S SPECIAL PLACES

All Photos: Sean Lahav PROJECT LEADER: RENEE HUTCHINS state park and a City of Jacksonville preserva- “Beyond the Trail: A Park Discovery Series” PROJECT LEADER: SEAN LAHAV ton park where they learned about the his- gave students and community partners a FEATURED PARKS: tory, culture, fora and fauna unique to each “Exploring Northeast Florida’s Alimacani Park and Boat Ramp behind-the-scenes experience by visitng local park. Each park visit included tme for students Special Places” is a project Betz Tiger Point Preserve parks and learning from the park managers to network with community partners, com- focused on showcasing the Big Talbot Island State Park about managing and operatng their specifc prised of business leaders, civic leaders, envi- natural beauty found in Duval Camp Milton Historic Preserve parks. They visited a natonal park, a Florida ronmental engineers and nonproft leaders. County. Partnered with the Castaway Island Preserve UNF Environmental Center Cedar Point (NPS) and Public Trust Environmen- tal Legal Insttute of Florida, Cedar Point Preserve Sean Lahav set out in the Duton Island Preserves spring of 2016 to create a vid- Fort Caroline Natonal Memorial eo series that highlights one Fort George Island Cultural of the most expansive park State Park systems in the United States. George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park The project will feature video Huguenot Memorial Park episodes dedicated to each Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve St. Johns River tour and Kingsley Plantaton park, showing the recreatonal Julington-Durbin Preserve amenites, ecology, history, Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park and cultures each has to ofer. Kingsley Plantaton Each episode will include Litle Talbot Island State Park an interactve map, detailed Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve footage of the park and fun State Park facts. The vision is to inspire Reddie Point Preserve people to explore their park Seaton Creek Historic Preserve system and develop a sense Sal Taylor Preserve of environmental awareness Theodore Roosevelt Area to ensure the preservaton of Thomas Creek Preserve these special places now and Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park Big Talbot Island State Park Tideviews Preserve 26 for future generatons. 27 SUSTAINABILITY

Jacksonville is the largest city in area in the contguous U.S. and with more than 800,000 people in the metropolitan area. It is contn- ually growing to meet demand. Furthermore, Jacksonville, like many cites in Florida, will be impacted by climate change and sea level rise. City leaders will need to look to sustainability for ways to balance economic needs with environmental and social needs.

The UNF campus serves as a perfect laboratory for students to gain an understanding of sustainability in practce. With nearly fve million square feet of building space and a total populaton of nearly 20,000 students, faculty and staf, UNF has plenty of operatonal challenges. Student project leaders help identfy and address needs on campus through research and program development.

The community also presents plenty of opportunites to work with organizatons such as U.S. Green Building Council, Groundwork Jacksonville, Northeast Florida Regional Coun- cil, Jacksonville Electric Authority and the City of Jacksonville. Through this interacton, the Environmental Center helps faculty and students to get involved with research and community-based learning.

28 29 CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY

UNF has a long-standing commitment to environmen- ton and Princeton Review. The Environmental Center tal stewardship and sustainability. The campus fea- serves an important role in campus sustainability. tures a nature preserve, 13 LEED-certfed buildings, Environmental Center staf chairs the campus Sustain- water botle flling statons and many other sustainability Commitee, student project leaders organize able features. For its eforts, UNF has been recognized volunteer and educatonal programs and research as- by organizatons such as Sierra Club, Associaton for sistants conduct applied research to beter understand the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Educa- UNF’s environmental impact.

BIN WARS: RECYCLING BIN DESIGN COMPETITION AT ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION DAY DURING CAMPUS All Photos: Kelly Rhoden UNF HOMECOMING 2016 SUSTAINABILITY MONTH GARBAGE ON THE GREEN Coordinated by the Environmental Center, with opportunity about waste reducton, recycling and the support of Physical Facilites, “Garbage on liter preventon. Having a direct experience with the Green” utlizes student volunteers to con- campus sustainability, an event like Garbage on duct a campus waste audit. The event provides the Green gives students, faculty and staf a dy- volunteers with a fun and interactve educatonal namic perspectve on the ecological impact they make in their everyday lives. PROJECT LEADER: CAITLIN KENGLE PROJECT LEADER CAITLIN KENGLE AT FLORIDA “SWOOPIN UP THE BUTTS” CIGARETTE BUTT LITTER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH CONFERENCE 2016 CLEANUP AT UNF HOUSING AUDIT RESULTS

Post Sort Material by Category Electronic waste Presort Material Type by Receptacle White office paper Hazordous waste 0% Liquids 8% 0% 16% White office paper

Glass

Aseptic packaging Mixed paper 0% Metal

Mixed paper Cardboard Food packaging 29% 14% Plastics

All remaining trash

Liquids

Compostables Compostables 7% Cardboard Food packaging 3% UNF’S FIRST ELECTRIC VECHICLE CHARGING STATION TEXTBOOK AND INK CARTRIDGE COLLECTION BIN Metal 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 3% Plastics Glass Garbage Recycle INSTALLED AT UNF HICKS HALL LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE UNF BOOKSTORE 18% 2% 30 31 SUSTAINABILITY OUTREACH

TREE Rx: PRESCRIBING URBAN

Educatng the public about sustainability and PROJECT LEADER: KEVIN O’HALLORAN how they can make a diference is an important, TREES FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH As one of the sponsors of the LiveSMART trail- yet difcult task. The U.S. Green Building Coun- er, the Environmental Center has been involved A PARTNERSHIP WITH GROUNDWORK JACKSONVILLE cil (USGBC) North Florida region took up that in the development of outreach materials. ELP challenge and developed the LiveSMART (Sus- Project Leader, Kevin O’Halloran, facilitated the tainable Materials and Resources Trailer) program creaton of electronic educatonal materials, which to provide direct educaton to the general public PROJECT LEADERS: KELLY RHODEN, will be sent to visitors who are interested in learn- on how to make their homes more sustainable. MADISON MASTERS, DANIEL NOREZ ing more about sustainable living. The materials The USGBC wants to create smart consumers cover a wide range of topics, including energy ef- and help families save money while also being Groundwork Jacksonville partnered fciency, water conservaton, household chemicals environmentally responsible. The mobile unit will with the ELP to assist with assess- and much more. be deployed at community events such as fest- ing the tree canopy in Springfeld/ vals, professional games, home and pato shows, Eastside to determine the best schools, home owner associatons, business cam- opportunites for plantng the right puses and churches. tree in the right place. The health benefts of trees were also part of this assessment, which included re- spiratory benefts, crime reducton, The LiveSMART trailer was eco-system services and property debuted at Greenbuild, an values and developing an outreach internatonal conference and expo organized by the USGBC. educaton brochure. Project Lead- The conference took place in er, Madison Masters, conducted Washington, D.C. on Oct. 5 the tree canopy assessment ut- through Oct. 7. Faculty and stu- lizing ArcGIS and feld work. Kelly dents from the Environmental Rhoden and Daniel Norez re- Center, including Project Leader searched the benefts of trees and Kevin O’Halloran, atended the developed a white paper based on conference. their research. They are currently creatng the outreach brochure. 32 33 STUDENT

COALITION PROVIDENCE CANYON TALLULAH GORGE PROVIDENCE CANYON CAMPING TRIP CAMPING TRIP CAMPING TRIP LUMPKIN, GEORGIA TALLULAH FALLS, GEORGIA LUMPKIN, GEORGIA The Student Coaliton is a student-led organizaton focused on atractng students interested in adventure, nature and conservaton. Launched this year, the Student Coa- liton has already atracted many students and organized ADVENTURE. NATURE. CONSERVATION. a number of great programs including day trips to local parks, camping trips, volunteer events and educatonal programming. The Student Coaliton provides students with leadership and network- ing opportunites.

In additon to providing students with opportunites for adventure, the Student Coali- ton will also be a mechanism YOGA BEACH CLEANUP DEVILS DEN TALLULAH GORGE for recruitng future project JACKSONVILLE BEACH, CAMPING TRIP CAMPING TRIP leaders for the Environmental FLORIDA WILLISTON, FLORIDA TALLULAH FALLS, GEORGIA Leadership Program.

“SWOOPIN’ UP THE BIG TALBOT HIKE CLEANUP ALONG ST. MARYS BUTTS” CLEANUP AND CLEANUP RIVER WATERFRONT UNF STUDENT UNION JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA ST. MARYS, GEORGIA

34 35 1 UNF Drive J.J. Daniel Hall, Building 1, Room 2200 Jacksonville, FL 32224 904-620-5804 www.unf.edu/ecenter