Sustainability Organizations
UF Campus
- Office of Sustainability at the University of Florida
- Going Green at UF
- Whether you are a new student, faculty member, employee, or a parent or family member of a student, we extend our warm welcome to the Gator Nation! We hope that you make your time at UF as memorable – and sustainable! – as possible. To get you started, we’ve put together some quick links for information that will help start you off on the ‘green’ path.
- Green Recognition for Offices and Workspaces (GROW) Program
- Departments and colleges have the opportunity to address environmental sustainability concerns within their offices and work spaces, through the GROW program. The mission of GROW is to support and promote offices that are taking steps toward reducing their environmental footprint. It covers a wide range of sustainability topics including support for alternative modes of transportation, understanding building systems and ways to conserve energy resources in the workspace.
- UF Campus Initiatives
- Neutral UF Coalition
- The Neutral UF Coalition program was unveiled in April 2016 at the annual Campus Earth Day Celebration and was officially launched in September 2016. UF is working toward major institutional changes to reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2025, and the Neutral UF Coalition program provides an easy way for individuals to participate in helping the campus achieve its goal. The program is envisioned to reduce the GHG emissions of the university by impacting the footprint of various areas.
Gainesville/Alachua County
Florida
- Sustainable Initiatives Programs
- Sustainable Initiatives are voluntary, non-regulatory programs within the Department of Environmental Protection that assist Florida industry and residents in protecting Florida’s environment. The goal of the Sustainable Initiatives Programs is to promote sustainability in Florida businesses, schools and homes. Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present population without compromising the ability of future populations to meet its needs.
- Green Lodging in Florida
- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection designates and recognizes lodging facilities that make a commitment to conserve and protect Florida's natural resources through the Florida Green Lodging Program. The program's environmental guidelines allow the hospitality industry to evaluate its operations, set goals and take specific actions to continuously improve environmental performance.
- Green School Designation
- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recognizes schools that make a commitment to conserve and protect Florida’s natural resources through the Green School Designation Program. The program’s environmental guidelines help Florida primary and secondary schools evaluate operations, set goals and take specific actions to improve environmental performance.Designated Green Schools create a healthier environment for students, employees and communities. Reducing water and energy use and reducing waste help lower operating costs.
- Florida Master Gardener (IFAS Master program)
- To become a Master Gardener Volunteer, you must complete our training and internship programs. An Introduction to the Master Gardener Volunteer Program is typically held in April. We strongly encourage you to attend before applying. The training program is every Tuesday from 8:30am-4:30pm usually in the fall. The internship program includes training for office/telephone duty and completing a minimum of 75 hours of volunteer service and 10 hours of continuing education during the succeeding twelve months upon completion of the training program. Then the volunteer becomes "Certified" as an UF/IFAS Florida Master Gardener Volunteer.
- Florida Master Naturalist (IFAS Master program)
- The Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is an adult education program developed by the University of Florida and provided by participating organizations. FMNP training will benefit any persons interested in learning more about Florida’s environment, seeking educational contact hours, or wishing to increase their knowledge for use in education programs as volunteers, employees, ecotourism guides, and others.
- The mission of the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is to promote awareness, understanding, and respect of Florida's natural world among Florida's citizens and visitors. The FMNP teaches those who teach others about Florida's unique ecosystems and wildlife. FMNP Instructors teach participants about Florida's environment using science-based information and interpretive techniques that prepare participants to share their knowledge with others. In turn, FMNP graduates share their knowledge and foster principles of sustainability, connectivity, and biodiversity to assist others to understand and respect Florida's natural world as a community to which we all belong.
- Who Should participate?
- Any adult (18 years of age or older) interested in learning more about Florida’s unique natural history
- Volunteers and employees at parks, nature centers, museums, historical sites, and any facility or organization that provides environmental education programs
- Ecotour guides and natural resource professionals who wish to enhance their knowledge or programs
- Teachers and professionals who wish to acquire educational contact hours for continuing education
National/Worldwide Organizations
- Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
- AASHE empowers higher education faculty, administrators, staff and students to be effective change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation. They work with and for higher education to ensure that our world’s future leaders are motivated and equipped to solve sustainability challenges.
- 1% for the Planet
- 1% for the Planet represents a global network of businesses, individuals and nonprofit organizations tackling our planet's most pressing environmental issues.
LGBTQ+ Organizations
- OUT for Sustainability
- Mission: OUT for Sustainability provides a platform for co-creating climate resilience and environmental justice by and for LGBTQIA+ communities. We do this through advocacy, training, fundraising, and relationship-building.
- Capital Pride Alliance Sustainability Initiatives
- Organizers and participants of Capital Pride are, together, taking concrete, achievable steps toward reducing and eliminating harmful environmental impacts from the events. This is an important step in laying the foundation for more impactful and incremental improvements over the coming years.
