Students 2018

Brandie focused on combining art with science to show that they are not mutually exclusive. Thirteen UNF students and 15 community members participated in five events, each in a different park, where they learned how to use both sides of their brain through creative writing, music, poetry and art while learning about the science and ecology of our parks. Services projects were also included and the participants logged 90 hours of community service, consisting of invasive species removal and removing litter from waterways. The events were held at Julington-Durbin Creek Preserve; Huguenot Memorial Park; Ribault Club and McCoys Creek in the Emerald Necklace. The wrap-up event took place in UNF’s Sawmill Slough Preserve. Other partners include: National Park Service, Florida Park Service, Duval Audubon Society

Creating the next generation of shark advocates is Cailla’s passion. Her partnership with Sharks4Kids is enabling her to take her passion into the classroom to teach first through fifth graders the importance of sharks, remove the fear factors and teach them about conservation. She is also raising awareness with UNF students by holding “Shark Yoga & Beach Cleanup” events. Different yoga positions have been created to mimic sharks and as participants are performing the yoga movements, Cailla shares facts about sharks. Following the shark yoga, participants then do a beach clean-up. To date, she has educated over 150 students (elementary and college); collected 75 cigarette butts; 32 bottle caps; 18 straws; and 20 fishing nets. Other partners include: Conversation Research Education

Bridging the gap between the classroom and our local parks is the goal of Caleb’s project. Utilizing virtual reality (VR) 360 degree technology, 4th graders in economically-disadvantaged schools will be “transported” to our parks and preserves. Jacksonville has 37 schools where the students are considered economically disadvantaged. Simply put, these students have few resources to access these parks. The videos will focus on Northeast Florida’s cultural history and environmental science which will create opportunities for teachers to use this technology as an educational tool. Assessments can be conducted to measure the impact VR has on the students’ knowledge and awareness. Also, immersing students in their parks will help foster a strong environmental ethic. Other partners include: National Park Service, Timucuan Parks Foundation

Bella’s project addressed a controversial topic by utilizing communication strategies developed by the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation (NOCCI) to train enough voices to shift the national conversation to be more productive, creative and solutions-driven. Her project focused on strengthening the Jacksonville NOCCI chapter to better engage and empower college students to be leaders of climate change in their communities and everyday lives. She organized and co-facilitated a Climate Change Communications Summit, where over 50 UNF students and faculty were taught some of the NOCCI communications strategies. Bella also served as the communication director and created an online monthly newsletter to better inform and gauge the needs of the NOCCI chapter. Other partners include: National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation, UNF Hicks Honors College

Thoren wanted to raise awareness on campus of the importance of land conservation, so he partnered with the North Florida Land Trust (NFLT). He and NFLT staff conducted classroom lectures followed by field trips to visit some of NFLT’s Preservation Priority Areas. The lectures were planned around the course syllabus so the professor could interject at times and connect theoretical concepts to the practical applications of NFLT’s work. The field trips provided students a more immersive, hands-on experience of what they were learning in class. Thoren’s plan for phase two will be to create a “How to Advocate for Land Conservation” handbook to continue to raise awareness and support for NFLT and land conservation.