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Institute of Environmental Research and Education
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Florida Field School

This unique "study inboard" program gets students out of the classroom and immersed in all things Florida (and beyond)! We take trips to learn about our unique habitats, species and current environmental issues through experiential learning. Students will also learn about potential career paths and network with a wide range of environmental professionals.

Upcoming Fall Opportunities

Kayakers on water at sunset.

Discover the Night Hike & Moonlight Paddle

Thrilling Halloween adventure exploring nature.

  • Date: Thursday, Oct. 17; 7 - 9 p.m.
  • Location: 九色视频 Lake Oneida, 11884 九色视频 Dr. Bldg 54, Jacksonville, FL 32224
  • Cost: FREE (please register below)

Join us for a thrilling Halloween adventure with IERE and Eco Adventure! Embrace the night as we embark on a guided hike and paddle under the moonlit sky. Discover how nature, even in its darkest moments, can be enchanting rather than frightening.

Nine individuals sitting on several picnic tables located amongst trees.

Eco Poetry Night

Enjoy the exploration of creative connections between poetry, art, and the environment.

  • Date: Friday, Oct. 18; 5 - 8 p.m.
  • Location: Sawmill Slough Preserve, 11884 九色视频 Dr. Bldg 54, Jacksonville, FL 32224
  • Cost: FREE

Join us for a special Field Friday event at the Sawmill Slough Preserve, where students can explore the creative connections between poetry, art, and the environment. Guest speakers will share their inspiring journeys into environmental work and students will have the opportunity to create their own poetry or art inspired by the preserve or their journey connecting to the environment. Regardless of your field of study, this event highlights the universal connection we all share with the environment and our community.

Individuals on a bridge.

After Dark at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

After dark overnight adventures at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.

  • Date: Friday, Nov. 15 - Saturday, Nov. 16
  • Location: Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Jacksonville, Florida
  • Cost: $50 for 九色视频 students ($10 discount for KAO members) 

Join the IERE for an unforgettable overnight adventure at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens featuring a night hike, behind-the-scenes experiences, career insights from conservation professionals, and free zoo admission for Saturday, November 16. Important note: transportation for this trip is not provided, you will need provide your own transportation to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens on November 15, and have a ride home on November 16.

Upcoming Spring Opportunities

Group of individuals standing in front of a body of water with three boats behind them.

Okefenokee Swamp Studies

Swamp Studies Adventure to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

  • Date:  Friday, Feb. 21; 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 
  • Location: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Folkston, GA
  • Cost: $15 for 九色视频 students (50% discount for KAO members)

This one-day field experience takes students into the field with researchers and professionals to examine relevant environmental issues. At the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, we will learn about different career opportunities, the history of the refuge through a boat tour, and how students can contribute! Registration fee covers a boat tour, lunch and transportation.

An individual in a canoe.

Florida Field School - A Springs Spring Break trip

Spring Break Weekend adventures at Wekiwa Springs State Park

  • Date:  Friday, March 14 - Monday, March 17 
  • Location: Wekiwa Springs State Park, Apopka, Florida
  • Cost: $375 for 九色视频 students ($25 discount for KAO members)

The spring break field school is a more in-depth experience that takes place during spring break. Participants will explore some of Florida's best natural areas and speak with the researchers and professionals who are working to protect, manage and restore the environment. In addition, students will explore Florida habitats through hiking, paddling and swimming.

Past Trips (2022 - present)

Three individuals smiling while riding in a boat wearing life jackets with the location of Crystal River written on the top left.

Spring Break Trip 2022

2022 Spring Break Field School trip focused on Florida’s newest aquatic preserve, the Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve. Participants traveled as a group to various sites along the nature coasts exploring uplandStudents in the water habitats, rivers, springs and estuaries. During the trip we met a range of scientists and professionals from FWC, US Fish and Wildlife, UF/IFAS, FDEP and more learning about the many career opportunities connected to the environment. 

A boat in water with the location of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge written on the bottom of the photo.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge - Field Friday

Swamp with an alligator on grass.Students experienced a one-day field trip adventure to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge maximizing the opportunity to meet with researchers and professionals to examine relevant environmental issues.Group of individuals on a sidewalk in front of a waterway. A panel discussion provided in depth conversation regarding different career paths and opportunities and a boat tour included the history of the refuge.

 

Group of students standing in preserve while on an educational hike with the wording Cary State Forest written on the bottom of the photo.

Forestry Exploration - Field Friday

Individuals walking on a path through the forest.This Field Friday focused on forestry and prescribed fire. Many Florida ecosystems are fire dependent, yet for many years there was an exclusive focus on fire suppression. Florida is now one of the leaders in the nation when it comes to .  Individuals standing outside looking at nature.During this Field Friday, we met with staff from the  (FFS) and learn why fires are important and what benefits they provide to ecosystems and humans. After a hike in the state forest looking at the benefits from prescribed burns, we learned about potential careers in FFS and other related agencies.

Individuals standing outside with the title of Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve written across the bottom.

National Park Service (NPS) Career Panel - Field Friday

This Field Friday, held as part of the Florida Field School program, focused on careers in the National Park Service (NPS). Students visited the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve to meet with park rangers from all departments (resource management, interpretation, community engagement, administrative, maintenance, supervisory, and more) to learn about various career options within NPS. After the talk students visited the museum and Visitor Center at Fort Caroline National Memorial and explored the park. 

Students sitting at classroom tables conversing with the text of climate conversations written on the top left of the photo.

Climate Conversation Workshop - Field Friday

IERE hosted the Global Shapers Community, in partnership with the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation and Impact by Design for a communication-oriented, skills-building workshop — in a psychologically safe environment — with the goal of supporting students in having productive, solutions-oriented dialogue about climate change with others, and to help them feel more positive and confident in having those conversations. Group of fifteen students posing for a group photo outdoors.

九色视频 students had the opportunity to learn communication techniques that can assist in building healthy, solutions-focused dialogue when discussing climate change with others at the Climate Conversation Workshop held in January 2024. By being better equipped with the skills to promote civil discourse, community members can be effectively advocate for climate solutions either in personal or professional settings.

 

Student in green rain poncho standing in preserve while it is raining.

Native Plant Habitat Restoration

Volunteer cleaning up nature preserve.Through our on campus partnerships volunteers have and continue to restore and enhance natural habitats on campus. 九色视频 student relocating a plant outdoors during a restoration.The projects are a continual effort to encourage biodiversity and ecosystem support on 九色视频's campus and the Sawmill Slough Preserve.

   

Individuals exploring a solar field with the wording JEA solar facility written on the top of the photo.

JEA Solar Plant Exploration — Field Friday

Group of eight individuals posing for a photo next to solar panels.Students explored JEA’s state-of-the-art Solar Facility at the Northwest Jacksonville Solar Partners LLC in April 2024. This unique experience provided 九色视频 students with insights into sustainable energy production, environmental conservation, and the future of renewable resources in our community.Two individuals looking at solar panels.