FLORIDA FIELD SCHOOL

2022 Spring Break Field School trip focused on Florida’s newest aquatic preserve, the Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve. Participants traveled as a group to various sites along the nature coasts exploring upland habitats, rivers, springs and estuaries. During the trip we met a range of scientists and professionals from FWC, US Fish and Wildlife, UF/IFAS, FDEP and more learning about the many career opportunities connected to the environment. 

Students experienced a one-day field trip adventure to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge maximizing the opportunity to meet with researchers and professionals to examine relevant environmental issues. A panel discussion provided in depth conversation regarding different career paths and opportunities and a boat tour included the history of the refuge.

This Field Friday focused on forestry and prescribed fire. Many Florida ecosystems are fire dependent, yet for many years there was an exclusive focus on fire suppression. Florida is now one of the leaders in the nation when it comes to prescribed fires.  During this Field Friday, we met with staff from the Florida Forest Service (FFS) and learn why fires are important and what benefits they provide to ecosystems and humans. After a hike in the state forest looking at the benefits from prescribed burns, we learned about potential careers in FFS and other related agencies.

This Field Friday, held as part of the Florida Field School program, focused on careers in the National Park Service (NPS). Students visited the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve to meet with park rangers from all departments (resource management, interpretation, community engagement, administrative, maintenance, supervisory, and more) to learn about various career options within NPS. After the talk students visited the museum and Visitor Center at Fort Caroline National Memorial and explored the park. 

IERE hosted the Global Shapers Community, in partnership with the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation and Impact by Design for a communication-oriented, skills-building workshop — in a psychologically safe environment — with the goal of supporting students in having productive, solutions-oriented dialogue about climate change with others, and to help them feel more positive and confident in having those conversations. 

UNF students had the opportunity to learn communication techniques that can assist in building healthy, solutions-focused dialogue when discussing climate change with others at the Climate Conversation Workshop held in January 2024. By being better equipped with the skills to promote civil discourse, community members can be effectively advocate for climate solutions either in personal or professional settings.

Through our on campus partnerships volunteers have and continue to restore and enhance natural habitats on campus. The projects are a continual effort to encourage biodiversity and ecosystem support on UNF's campus and the Sawmill Slough Preserve.

Students explored JEA’s state-of-the-art Solar Facility at the Northwest Jacksonville Solar Partners LLC in April 2024. This unique experience provided UNF students with insights into sustainable energy production, environmental conservation, and the future of renewable resources in our community.