Botanical Life, Natural Lands Management, + Sustainability at UNF Tour

1 UNF Dr,Jacksonville FL 32224

07 May, 2021

Description

At OUTSIDE, our goal is to shift the Florida landscape paradigm towards more sustainable landscaping. Registration is limited. Register early to ensure your space on the tour. Part of the OUTSIDE Collaborative 2021 Tour Series, this interactive field tour will explore the landscape heritage, botanical gardens, natural preserved lands, and sustainability initiatives at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. The UNF campus covers 1381-acres including the 386-acre Sawmill Slough Preserve, nature trails, a 100-acre central core managed as a botanical garden, 11 LEED-certified structures, four of which have received gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for excellence in sustainability, and many examples of innovative sustainable landscape designs including The Frederick and Ophelia Tate Ogier Gardens, LID stormwater ponds, and much more. Learn More About the Tour LocationsCampus Core + Botanical Gardens The UNF campus was founded in 1969 and opened its door on Oct 2, 1972. The original 4 buildings were sited in the middle of a 1000 acre forest. Since that time, the campus has naturally grown over the years. Today it manages 1381-acres with the campus core sited on 100-acres. The campus core has been managed since 2013 with the goal of certifying UNF as a Botanical Garden. Through hard work and perseverance, the campus is set to officially launch the UNF Botanical Gardens in Spring 2021 to the public. The tour of the campus core will explore the many themed gardens throughout including: Edible gardenBamboo gardenPeace gardenHealing gardenPresidential gardenNative plant gardenReflexology gardenButterfly gardenEach garden includes a unique design theme and plant palette. The tour will discuss the design elements, plant selection, landscape management, and social perceptions of these diverse landscapes. The tour will showcase hundreds of Florida native and Florida Friendly varieties as well as many rare and endangered species. Tour participants will be invited to participate in a plant scavenger hunt which challenges them to find and identify over 25 unique varieties located along the tour. Sawmill Slough Eco-Preserve The Sawmill Slough Preserve is a 386-acre natural area on campus which was designated as a preserve in May 2006 by UNF President John Delaney. The Sawmill Slough Preserve includes the original Sawmill Slough, a wetland habitat stretching through the western portion of the campus from Central Parkway to J Turner Butler Boulevard. In addition to the wetland, areas of drier habitat include longleaf pine-turkey oak woodlands, mesic flatwoods, sandhills, and bottomland forests. The stated purpose of the Preserve is to "assure that the Sawmill Slough Preserve will persist in a natural condition." The Preserve will protect the natural water drainage of the slough through campus as well as the native plants and animals associated with this habitat. This portion of the tour will take participants into the preserve and focus on the following topics and themes: Natural lands management practices including the use of prescribed fire, exotic species removal, and trail maintenance.Social perceptions, public access, eco-tours, educational programming, and cultural benefits of natural lands. Understanding of ecosystem functions, plant communities, and wildlife of the various ecotypes found within the UNF preserved lands. Question + Answer with Lunch The event will culminate with a lunch and question and answer session allowing participants the opportunity to interact with presenters and campus staff for continued discussion of the topics and themes presented on the tour. FAQWhat is included? General admission includes the following: the Campus Core + Botanical Garden tour, the Sawmill Slough Eco-Preserve tour, question + answer, and lunch. What continuing education units (CEUs) will be included? AICP: Pending Landscape Architect DPBR: 2 credits Will I require transportation? No, once at UNF, transportation will be provided. Who will be speaking? Rhonda Gracie, Horticulturist, Landscaping, and Ground Department for the University of North FloridaAmy Stratton Costa, Assistant Director of Eco Adventure, Department of Recreation and Wellness at the University of North FloridaWilliam Conrad Smith, curator of the Sawmill Slough Preserve and Assistant Director Physical Facilities Landscape and Grounds Department for University of North FloridaWhat are the COVID-19 protocols? There will be fever checks upon arrival. Any attendee with a fever (100.4°F or greater) will not be permitted to join the tour and will receive a full refund. If unable to maintain 6 feet of social distancing, it is mandatory to wear a face-covering over your nose and mouth.We will have hand sanitizer available for your use. If you have questions, please email the organizing team at [email protected].