How do I report problems I find around campus, i.e.: standing water, irrigation, down tree limbs, broken benches, etc.?
LNR prides itself on maintaining the UCF campus. Ground crews work quickly to rectify any problems or difficulties that are found on the grounds. If you see a problem, please report via this Facilities Operations form.
Who do I notify about bugs in my dorm/classroom/office?
If you see a problem, please report via the Create a Work Request page on the Facilities Operations website.
Where can I find information regarding the next prescribed fire?
Prescribed burns require a permit that can only be obtained if weather and atmospheric conditions are favorable; thus we cannot schedule the burns ahead of time for specific dates. Therefore, it is difficult to plan for these burns. For more information, visit our Prescribed Fires page.
How do I get approval for signage?
Requests to place temporary outdoor signs on campus grounds must be submitted via the approval process outlined on the LNR website. Click here for more information.
What activities on UCF natural lands requires a site permit?
UCF encourages teaching and conducting research on its natural lands. To protect the campus resources, site permits are required. Please visit the Natural Resources Site Use information page here.
Are there any nature trails located on campus?
There are five trails total located on campus. Four of them are located in the Arboretum Natural Areas totaling three miles and take visitors through four unique Florida habitats. For maps and more information visit our Nature Trails page.
Are there available volunteer positions?
There are volunteer events and hours available to students, staff, and the community. Please visit the Arboretum website for more information.
What are some of the current projects?
At any given time, there are numerous on-going projects that are being worked on throughout the university campus. Our website keeps the community informed on all work being done through the Landscaping and Natural Resources division. Check out the this page to learn more.
Are we a Tree Campus USA?
UCF is a 2016 Tree Campus USA. UCF has made this list every year since the inception of this program by the Arbor Day Foundation. Read more about LNR’s commitment to our campus trees here.
What should I do when I see a gopher tortoise?
If you see a tortoise in the natural areas, enjoy the animal from afar but please do not interfere with the tortoise. Never take a tortoise away from the area you find it in, as its burrow should be nearby. Gopher tortoises are a keystone species in the scrubby and flatwood habitats, meaning they create livable habitats for many other creatures when they dig their protective burrows. Over 100 commensal species also call these burrows home. Gopher tortoises are strictly protected in the state of Florida. Often people will pick them up and try to “save them” by putting the tortoise in their car when they are found crossing a street but in doing so you are removing that animal from its home and creating more problems, not to mention the tortoise will most likely poop in your car.
What type of wetlands are found on campus?
The United States Department of Environmental Protection defines wetlands as:
“…lands where saturation with water is the dominant factor determining the nature of soil development and the types of plant and animal communities living in the soil and on its surface (Cowardin, December 1979). Wetlands vary widely because of regional and local differences in soils, topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry, vegetation, and other factors, including human disturbance.”
The following are a few examples of the types of wetlands that can be found on UCF’s campus: cypress domes, ephemeral wetlands, seepage wetlands, and freshwater marshes.
Can I pick the flowers?
There are many beautiful plants and flowers found on the UCF campus. While it is not illegal to pick the flowers, it is better to not pick a flower or plant if you do not know what you are picking. Please do not uproot any plants. Leave nature for others to appreciate!
What is the UCF Land Management Program?
UCF’s land management program focuses on the preservation of biodiversity within Florida’s unique habitats, promotion of responsible land use, and facilitation of intellectual opportunities for students, visitors, and faculty (i.e. environmental education, species interactions.)
The UCF Land Management Program is responsible for the maintenance and preservation of approximately 500 acres of natural lands on campus, which make up around 40% of the campus acreage. Learn more here.
How do I request a bike rack installation?
An AIM work order is required to request the installation of a new bike rack, or suggest maintenance on an existing bike rack. A username and password are required to fill out a work order. This protects the requester by not showing their information, as well as allows the requester to track the progress of the work order. Once the work order is complete, Landscape & Natural Resources will evaluate the request and inform the requester of the final decision.
What are some of the guidelines to follow while riding a bike on the nature trails and on campus?
UCF Parking Services have created a handy guide concerning safe biking practices to follow while on and off campus. The Guide can be found here. It is also encouraged to sign up for a free bicycle permit to help keep track and reduce abandoned bikes on campus.
Where can I find information regarding smart landscaping in Orange County?
You can visit the IFAS website, Orange County extension for help with landscaping. IFAS stands for the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. This website is managed by the University of Florida and is very helpful. You can find information on drought tolerant plants, pest management, gardening techniques and more.
Where can I find more information about the natural resources of UCF?
Visit the LNR and the Arboretum website. There is a lot of information on both websites.