- Gainesville for Good: Advocacy & Action Fair
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 ...
- Knowing Yourself and the Audience: Careers in Sustainability and Communications
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, ...
- Vegan Gator: Fun, Fresh, and 100% Plant-based
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 ...
- Split Rock Conservation Area: Preserving Gainesville’s Karst Landscape
By Paige Hughes
Hidden in southwest Gainesville, just beyond the steady traffic of Interstate 75, the Split Rock Conservation Area preserves a limestone landscape that has been shaped over time by the persistent movement of water. Covering approximately 240 acres, this conservation area offers residents and visitors a chance to experience one of North Central Florida’s staple environments while reflecting the city’s long-term commitment to land conservation. Though modest in size compared ...
- Working Food’s Giving Garden: Building Resilience in Alachua County’s Food System
By Michelle La Roche Pietri
In 2022, Alachua County experienced higher than average food insecurity compared to the rest of Florida. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated statistic. According to Feeding America, food insecurity has been increasing since then, with scarcity reaching 15.2% in Alachua County the following year. As climate change worsens, food insecurity will escalate as more extreme weather will impact crop yields and ...
- Alumni Spotlight- Interview with Sofía Aviles
By Michelle La Roche Pietri
With the vast amounts of paths sustainability students can take to engage in climate action, it is easy to become overwhelmed. The interdisciplinary nature of UF’s Sustainability Studies program may ignite many passions, as was the case with alumna Sofía Aviles.
Aviles graduated from UF with a double major in Sustainability Studies and Political Science, as ...
- Gabby Salazar: Looking Through a Sustainability Lens
By Riley Harper
Photography is something that has always fascinated me. I loved how photos can share meaning without words, but I never pursued it further than a hobby. This is certainly not the case for Gabby Salazar. Dr. Salazar has been taking pictures since she was 11 years old and is now an award-winning photographer. However, she clarifies, “At this point in my career, I think of myself more ...
- Faculty Spotlight – Interview with Ron Chandler
By Riley Harper
Throughout my 4 years of classes at UF, I have never met anyone quite like Dr. Ron Chandler. He was my professor for PSY3626 Psychology of Sustainability, which fulfilled a core requirement for my Sustainability Studies major. However, I never could have guessed the impact he would have on my mindset. Dr. Chandler helped me identify and understand the choices that led me to become the person I ...
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