The Restoration project consists of two distinct areas: the natural lands east of Gemini Blvd. and the restoration land west of Gemini Blvd.
Arboretum Natural Lands
The natural lands has over three miles of recreational trails that feature native plant and animal populations found throughout central Florida. Our marked trails work as an interpretive guide through the Natural Lands, which doubles as an 18 "hole" disc-golf course, both open to the public dusk til dawn 7 days a week.
Restoration Lands
Since its founding 25 years ago, the UCF Restoration land has been one of the most unique features of the University's campus. 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.
Part of UCF's responsibility for maintaining the Restoration lands 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 in the Restoration lands 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 of the Restoration lands for our students, faculty, staff and the community. However, some of the work was done in a 7.62-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, 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 these activities. However, the 70-acre preserve across Gemini Boulevard to the east remains open. UCF invites visitors to hike the five trails, play its new Frisbee disc golf course, picnic in the Oak Hammock or relax in the Nature Pavilion.
Part of UCF's responsibility for maintaining the Restoration lands 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 in the Restoration lands 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 of the Restoration lands for our students, faculty, staff and the community. However, some of the work was done in a 7.62-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, 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 these activities. However, the 70-acre preserve across Gemini Boulevard to the east remains open. UCF invites visitors to hike the five trails, play its new Frisbee disc golf course, picnic in the Oak Hammock or relax in the Nature Pavilion.
Psychology Building
The psychology building was one of the first buildings on campus to showcase sustainable landscaping. The landscape features waterwise, Florida friendly, and firewise vegetation.
Arboretum Medians
Median strips running along East Gemini Blvd. and the entrance to UCF at Central Florida Blvd. and Gemini Blvd. South are brimming with color thanks to the Restoration lands's planting efforts. Selected plant species for the strips were based on their ability to thrive in Central Florida's climate. Not surprisingly almost all of the plants selected are native to the region. Species seen include: Dune
sunflower (Helianthus debilis), Tropical sage (Salvia coccinea), Swamp lily (Crinum americanum), Coontie (Zamia pumila), Walter's viburnum (Viburnum obovatum), Simpson's stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans), Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria), Fakahatchee grass (Tripsacum dactyloids), Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto).
Biogeographic landscapes on campus
The new "biogeographic" landscapes on campus have speckled the campus and provided aesthetic beauty for students, faculty and visitors.
