With hundreds of species of animal and plant life, the 82-acre Arboretum stands as a longstanding symbol of UCF's dedication to educating students and the community about nature, while protecting our environment. The Arboretum consists of three programs: natural lands, where recreational and learning opportunities exists, restoration lands, where 8 acres of the Arboretum are being converted to historic habitat conditions, and demonstration landscapes, where different landscape themes are demonstrated throughout the campus.

 
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Arboretum Restoration

Part of UCF's responsibility for maintaining the Arboretum (west of Gemini Blvd.) includes working with local and state agencies to ensure we provide proper maintenance and care. Earlier this year, the St. Johns River Water Management District notified UCF that some of the work the University has performed may be unauthorized. That work included installing a baffle box, a device that traps sediments and garbage in water runoff from parking areas; modifying a drainage canal and a storm water pond; and creating several raised plant beds and pathways. UCF undertook all of that work to improve the environmental value for our students, faculty, staff and the community. However, some of the work was done in a 7.85-acre portion governed by a conservation easement, an agreement with the St. Johns River Water Management District that calls for retaining the property in its natural condition. UCF is working closely with the Water Management District to develop a work plan for the conservation easement area which will promote the natural habitat.

Alaina Bernard, assistant director of the UCF Environmental Initiative & Arboretum, will lead the project. She is developing a plan that will focus on replicating a natural system within the wet and mesic flatlands. "The Restoration lands will be healthier than it has been in years," Bernard said. "It will be a natural Florida habitat that will sustain native flora and fauna, and it will be a sustainable educational resource for generations to come." The Restoration lands lost most of its natural tree canopy during the 2004 hurricanes and has been further altered by non-native plant materials that were installed to educate the campus and community about landscaping techniques from around the world.

We are looking at the project as an opportunity to rehabilitate and enhance the habitat quantity and quality for native plant and animal species by undoing the past - including the destruction caused by hurricanes, alterations made by people, and take-over by invasive species - and by returning the habitat to a more natural ecosystem," said UCF Associate Vice President Lee Kernek, whose responsibilities include Landscape and Natural Resources. As part of the new work, the international landscapes will be relocated throughout the campus core, giving the UCF community greater access to them.

The Arboretum site west of Gemini Boulevard will be closed to the public during restoration activities.