Sustainability Studies

By Michelle La Roche Pietri As temperatures continue to rise this summer, Gators are seeking different ways to stay cool. Apartment pools are nice, but have you tried visiting any of Florida’s beautiful springs?   Rainbow Spring offers crystal clear waters, views of lush vegetation, and three main hiking trails decorated with man-made gardens and waterfalls. Its history as a mining site ...

The Sustainability Studies graduate developed the South Florida Sun Sentinel essay in a course examining the benefits and risks of emerging technologies. Sayri Proaño ’26 has taken work that began in a University of Florida classroom into a timely public conversation about artificial intelligence, infrastructure and environmental stewardship. On July 13, 2026, the South Florida Sun Sentinel ...

Riley Harper: What degrees did you get from UF when you were a student there?  Angela Melidosian: I’m a triple Gator, so all of my higher ed degrees are from UF. I started in 2014 as a Sustainability Studies major, of course. And then I also got a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies and Spanish. I did my undergrad in 3 years, then I went on to do the MDP program, which stands for Master of Sustainable Development Practice. That’s a 2-year program, and I got certifications in Health and Spirituality, Tropical Conservation Development and Latin ...

The Sustainability Studies Newsletter showcases the ways our community continues to learn, adapt, and lead. Published each fall, spring, and summer, the newsletter provides information about sustainable resources and events in and around Gainesville. It also presents interviews with Sustainability Studies students, graduates, and faculty who are making exceptional contributions.

By Riley Harper On April 19th, UF’s Public Interest Communications Student Association (PICSA) hosted their first annual Advocacy & Action Fair from 12-5 pm in the Plaza of the Americas. Several other environmental groups were tabling, including the Sierra Club, genCLEO, Sunrise Movement and the Sustainability Studies program. They had live music featuring The LaLas and ...

By Riley Harper On March 12th, 2026, the Sustainability Studies Program hosted a Professional Development Panel about careers in Environmental Communications. The panel is a part of a broader initiative spearheaded by Sustainability Studies faculty Dr. Anna Peterson and Dr. Glen Billesbach to showcase the many career pathways available to the program’s students.  Dr. Gabby Salazar, Cynthia Barnett, ...

Dr. Mitchell Thomashow will be present for a variety of events the week of March 2nd. This includes a lecture, lunch, and drop-in office hours. Check out the flyers for more information!   Read more "Dr. Mitchell Thomashow Events!"

CLAS Giving Day Names Sustainability Studies a Featured Fund and Calls for Community Support!   Sustainability Studies at UF is resilient, and we have some great news! We have been selected as a CLAS Giving Day featured fund that will allow us to further support student research and experiential learning. That is only the half of it, though: we ...

The Sustainability Studies Newsletter showcases the ways our community continues to learn, adapt, and lead. Published each fall, spring, and summer, the newsletter provides information about sustainable resources and events in and around Gainesville. It also presents interviews with Sustainability Studies students, graduates, and faculty who are making exceptional contributions.

By Paige Hughes If there’s one local food spot that perfectly blends sustainability, community, and great flavors, it’s the Vegan Gator food truck. This 100% plant-based mobile kitchen has become a go-to for Gainesville residents and University of Florida students who are passionate about environmental impact, delicious food, and animal rights. Vegan Gator offers an accessible way for both dedicated long-time vegans and first-time plant-based eaters ...