University of Florida
IN-11: Grounds Certification

In May 2017, UF was recertified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary through a cross-disciplinary effort including representatives from multiple departments at Facilities Services; Planning, Design and Construction; the Office of Sustainability; Business Affairs; and Faculty from Agronomy, Entomology, and the School of Forest Resources & Conservation. Recertification consisted of revisiting UF’s efforts in the areas of Environmental Planning, Wildlife and Habitat Management, Water, Resource Management (including energy conservation, waste management, and pest management) and Outreach and Education. Additionally, UF identified goals to continue working on moving forward, including developing an ongoing inventory of birds and mammals, and increasing outreach and education efforts such as Green and Clean events. A report including an overview of UF’s current efforts was submitted to Audubon International for review, and UF received confirmation of recertification in May 2017. UF was first certified as a Tree Campus USA in 2013 thanks to the efforts of dedicated students in Student Government in coordination with the Office of Sustainability. Since then, the Office of Sustainability has managed the recertification process, working with Grounds, the campus Lakes, Vegetation and Land Use Committee, and other campus groups. (https://www.arborday.org/programs/tree-campus-higher-education/campuses.cfm)