Newsletter September 2026

UNF's Institute of Environmental Research and Education (IERE) is partnering with local organizations, including the Northeast Florida Regional Council, to conduct research assessing aquatic connectivity at road-stream crossings throughout the region. Funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the project examines culverts, bridges and other crossing structures to evaluate aquatic organism passage, floodwater drainage and infrastructure conditions along three major river systems in Northeast Florida.

Led by IERE's research team, including Lead Faculty Scientist Jessica Barnes, Ph.D. and Research Coordinator Sydney Barrett, M.S., a group of UNF student researchers spent the summer traveling across the region to collect field data.

Kaitlynn Twichel, one of three student research assistants working on the project, shared how the motto, "think like a fish," helps the research team look at road crossings from the perspective of the many aquatic animals trying to move through them. Twichel said, “We have to pay attention to every small detail as even minor changes in water depth, flow, or obstructions can make a crossing difficult for a fish to navigate.” This perspective helps the team better understand barriers that contribute to aquatic habitat fragmentation and increased flooding risks. 

The project provides students with valuable opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges while gaining hands-on professional experience. Student researchers are learning to use a variety of geospatial and field tools and the National Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative (NACC) protocol to collect, manage, map, and analyze data. These skills allow them to identify patterns and trends across hundreds of sites and contribute to meaningful environmental research. 

While she acknowledges the challenges of hiking through dense vegetation in Florida's summer heat while carrying field equipment, Kaitlynn says, "what I love most about this research is the ability to get out in the field and experience these often unseen habitats in our local ecosystem. You drive over culverts all the time and don't even realize what's happening underneath and how much life is actually in these little waterways. I really like being able to see that firsthand and knowing that the data we're collecting can help us better understand where aquatic animals are able to move and where they're running into barriers." 

The findings from this research will help inform future regional planning efforts aimed at improving waterway connectivity and flow. These improvements can benefit fish and other aquatic wildlife while also reducing flood hazards and enhancing coastal resilience throughout Northeast Florida.

IERE is excited to welcome seven new residents to the Environmental Sustainability Living-Learning Community in Osprey Commons. Students recently participated in an IERE-led orientation and retreat to the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, where they connected with one another, met IERE staff and explored Northeast Florida's unique ecosystems. Throughout the year, residents will complete Sustainable Living and Environmental Stewardship digital badges, participate in Florida Field School and Nature Prescription outings and build their environmental knowledge and leadership skills through hands-on experiences on campus and beyond. 

This summer, two IERE team members had the opportunity to represent UNF and share their research with the international environmental and health research community.

In June, IERE Research Associate Sydney Barrett, M.S. traveled to the University of Surrey in Guildford, United Kingdom, to present Nature and Health Lab research titled Warm Glow and Going Green: Affective Responses to Sustainable vs. Unsustainable Actions at the International Association for People-Environment Studies Conference. Her presentation explored the psychological impacts of sustainable behaviors and aligned closely with the conference's focus on the interconnected well-being of people, communities and the environment.

In July, IERE Director, Erin Largo-Wight, Ph.D. traveled to Florence, Italy, to present Nature Contact, Health, and Well-being: Exploring Dose, Type, and Setting at the International Congress of Applied Psychology. Alongside researchers from around the world, Dr. Largo-Wight shared her work examining practical and effective strategies for understanding, harnessing, and applying the health benefits of nature in everyday life.

For both Barrett and Largo-Wight, the opportunity to connect with leading scholars from around the globe was both professionally rewarding and personally inspiring. According to Barrett, "Connecting with researchers from diverse disciplines around the world and learning from the innovative work of others in the field was an incredibly fulfilling experience."

These international presentations highlight IERE's growing contributions to the fields of environmental research, nature and health and community well-being while providing valuable opportunities to share UNF's work on a global stage.

On June 1, more than 40 high school students from across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia gathered at UNF's University Center for IERE's inaugural Youth Environmental Summer Summit. Designed for students in grades 9–12, the free event introduced participants to the exciting world of environmental science through interactive presentations, discussions and hands-on activities.

IERE faculty and staff provided an overview of environmental science at UNF, highlighting current research, student programs and career pathways. Students worked together in small groups to develop solutions to real-world environmental challenges and shared their ideas with their peers. Attendees also had the opportunity to learn from current Youth Environmental Leadership Program and UNF Environmental Leadership Program participants, who presented project posters and discussed their experiences.

The enthusiasm, curiosity and creativity displayed by these students were inspiring. IERE looks forward to seeing where their environmental journeys lead and hopes to welcome many of them back to UNF as future Environmental Science majors and environmental leaders.

IERE continues to invest in the next generation of environmental leaders through scholarship support and increased access to financial resources. Last year, IERE awarded more than $43,500 in scholarships to UNF students, helping them pursue environmental learning, research and engagement opportunities. Thanks to the generosity of community foundations and donors that champion environmental education, IERE anticipates awarding even more scholarship funding this year. 

To help students easily discover and apply for these opportunities, IERE recently launched a new Scholarship Programs webpage. The site features scholarships affiliated with IERE, as well as awards offered by UNF and external organizations, providing opportunities for Environmental Science majors, Environmental Studies minors, and students from a variety of interdisciplinary fields. 

By connecting students with financial support, IERE is helping remove barriers to opportunity and empowering students to pursue meaningful environmental education and career pathways.