University of North Florida Botanical Garden

05/21/2026

What an incredible day at UNF

More than 100 Wounded Warriors Project staff and volunteers joined us in the Sawmill Slough to take on invasive Coral Ardisia for the organization first nationwide Day of Service and the impact was immediate. Over eight cubic yards removed and a huge step forward in restoring native habitat and protecting the health of our preserve.

Days like this remind us that this work matters. Healthy natural lands support our entire region and being out here together is just as powerful. Nature has a way of grounding us, connecting us, and supporting us physically and mentally.

We wrapped up the day with lunch, fellowship, and a few fun team awards for everything from most berries collected to biggest root pull. And yes, there was some serious competition out there.

A heartfelt thank you to Maj. Christopher Ricciardi and UNF ROTC for helping make this connection possible, and to Wounded Warrior Project leads David Paradis and Kevin Sosa for making a 100+ person workday feel effortless.

We are so grateful to have been a part of this.

Photo credits: Shaneen Calvo, UNF BG Volunteer

Wounded Warrior Project UNF Institute of Environmental Research and Education University of North Florida UF / IFAS Extension Duval County Agriculture Florida Invasive Species Council American Public Gardens Association Northeast Chapter - FNGLA FNGLA (Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association)

04/24/2026

🌱🍊 Edible system planting at the UNF Botanical Garden Potager Garden 🍊🌱
Right next to the Café and full of good energy
As part of Earth Week and Arbor Day, we teamed up with an incredible group of IERE students for a collaborative mini renovation and their first ever edible tree planting guild at the UNF Botanical Garden.
This project began with thoughtful stewardship. Students removed an existing bed of snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata), aloe (Aloe vera), and rhoeo (Tradescantia spathacea).
• Aloe will be reused in another succulent garden
• Snake plants were potted for indoor use only
• Rhoeo and snake plants are listed as not recommended by Florida Friendly Landscaping due to potential invasiveness, so other materials were responsibly removed
Then the fun started.
Soil was amended and a self fertile Fuyu persimmon (Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’) was planted as the anchor of this new edible system. Around it, students designed and installed a supporting guild that feeds people, pollinators, and the soil.
🌿 Planting guild includes
• Bee balm (Monarda spp.)
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• Florida native wild petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis)
• Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
• Italian oregano (Origanum vulgare)
• Burpee’s Garden Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
This is especially exciting because while we have planted edible trees with the cohorts before, this is thier first true system planting, intentionally layering plants to work together as a living, resilient whole.
Huge thanks to our partners and future environmental leaders from the UNF Institute of Environmental Research and Education and the Environmental Sustainability Living Learning Community. Your joy, teamwork, and care for the land made this day truly special and we are still smiling.
We plan to continue this edible system planting tradition annually and even welcome student support with watering and care for future cohorts.
Come visit, grab a bite at the café, and watch this living system grow.
💚🌳🌼

Institute of Environmental Research and Education
Also celebrating our Living Learning Communities

04/24/2026

💚🌿 Happy National Volunteer Week 🌿💚
We are beyond grateful for our UNF Botanical Garden volunteers. You show up with muddy shoes, open hearts, and a deep love for this place. You plant, w**d, teach, welcome, mentor, and care for the garden in ways seen and unseen.
Because of you, the garden is a place of learning, healing, connection, and joy for our campus and community.
From long time Garden Keeper Friends to new volunteers just getting started, thank you for giving your time, talent, and care. The garden truly grows because of you.
With gratitude always
UNF Botanical Garden 💚

04/22/2026

🌍 Earth Day in the preserve with GE Unison’s Green Team 💚
Today we were honored to welcome GE Unison’s Green Team for a day of service focused on continuing the restoration work tackling invasive coral ardisia. The team made a significant impact, all while enjoying beautiful weather and great company in the woods.
✨ Full circle moment. This program launched two years ago, and several GE team members who helped start the initiative were amazed to see just how much progress has been made. What once felt like a lofty, almost unattainable goal is now clearly within reach. Full control is in sight.
The group also enjoyed a well earned lunch and time together celebrating what dedicated, long term stewardship can accomplish.
These photos tell a powerful story of persistence, partnership, and progress. Happy Earth Day 🌿🌎

04/21/2026

What an amazing FUN day with Publix 💚
We welcomed 62 incredible Publix volunteers who helped protect our preserve by removing invasive coral ardisia and setting a new record with over 8 cubic yards removed in one day. Huge impact for our forests.
Thank you to our wonderful BG staff and Master Gardeners DM and Margarette for setup and check in support, and to Nicole Kresse with Greenscape Jacksonville for lending a hand and sharing why removing invasive plants is so important for tree health.
After the hard work, volunteers enjoyed kayaking and paddle boarding thanks to Eco Adventures, plus the most amazing homemade treats from MG Diana, including Beautyberry jelly, teas, and rosemary cookies worthy of a bakery case.
Grateful to Publix for donating water, snacks, and PB and J supplies to fuel future volunteer days.
Community at its best 🌿

04/21/2026

What an amazing and FUN day of service at the preserve with Publix.

We were truly blessed to welcome 62 dedicated Publix volunteers who showed up ready to work and make a difference. Together, this incredible crew helped protect our preserve by removing invasive coral ardisia and absolutely crushed our record for the largest one day removal ever, hauling out more than 8 cubic yards. That is conservation in action.

Huge thank you to our wonderful UNF staff and BG Master Gardeners DM and Margaret, who helped with setup, organization, and volunteer check in to keep the day running smoothly. We could not do this work without you.

We are also grateful to Nicole Kresse with Greenscape Jacksonville, who jumped in to lend a hand and shared why removing invasive plants like coral ardisia is so important for overall tree health and forest resilience. Her insight helped connect the work on the ground to the bigger picture of caring for our urban forest. She was also our photographer for the day.

After all that hard work, lunch that hit the spot, volunteers were treated to some well deserved fun thanks to Eco Adventures for providing kayaking and paddle boarding.

And a very special shout out to Master Gardener Diana for the homemade goodies. Beautyberry jelly, four delicious teas, and rosemary cookies so good they honestly deserve a feature in the Publix bakery case.

We are also incredibly grateful to Publix for their generosity beyond volunteer hours. Thank you for donating water and snacks for future volunteer groups and for stocking us with peanut butter and bread for PB and J sandwiches for lunch that will fuel many more days of service.

Days like today remind us how powerful community can be. Thank you, Publix, for showing up big for our campus preserve. 🌿💚 Publix

04/16/2026

Greenscape is excited to kick-off our new Canopy Coalition initiative on 4/27 with world-renowned pruning expert Dr. Ed Gilman. The Canopy Coalition is a quarterly continuing education program geared specifically to arborists and other urban forestry professionals in need of CEUs to maintain their certifications and build capacity.

Huge thanks to Dr. Gilman, JEA, University of North Florida, and UF / IFAS Extension Duval County Agriculture for their support to kick-off this continuing education initiative for urban forestry professionals.

This 2 CEU-course open to 50 people on a first-come, first-served basis. Our target audience is arborists and professionals needing the CEUs to maintain their certifications. Please sign up here to get a spot - https://greenscapeofjax.org/event/canopy-coalition-structural-success-starts-at-planting/

04/06/2026

UNF Giving Day starts April 8th at 12:01 am! Help the University of North Florida plant possibilities!

Why Give?
Grow Our Garden: Your donation will help us expand our plant collections, ensuring a diverse and thriving ecosystem.
Uplift Education: Support educational programs that inspire and teach the next generation of botanists and nature enthusiasts.
Reach New Heights: Fund new projects and initiatives that will elevate the garden's beauty and functionality.
How You Can Help
Donate: Every contribution, big or small, helps us soar to new heights.
Share: Spread the word about our Giving Day on social media and encourage others to join in.
Volunteer: Offer your time and skills to help us grow and maintain the garden.
Let’s Soar Together!
Your support on this Giving Day will make a lasting impact. Let's come together to uplift and grow the University of North Florida Botanical Garden. Thank you for helping us reach new heights!
Thank you for joining me to . Your gift (no matter the size)
and your help encouraging others to give, supports the University’s mission and
help provide life-changing opportunities for our students & community!

04/03/2026

Happy National Gardening Month!

04/02/2026

April is Water Conservation Month in Florida and the extension service office in southwest Florida wraote a great article on how Florida has been celebrating Water conservaation Month. Check it out here.

Let's continue the tradition! Learn how to conserve water this April in your landscape from tips to rebates.