August 2013 Volume 2, Issue 16

CONTENTS

Announcements 1

Arboretum 2-

Campus Opportunities 3

Community Events 4

The UCF Arboretum is

located behind CRE-

OL/EngIII. For more in-

formation please visit our

website:

www.aboretum.ucf.edu,

The Scotch Bonnet pepper

a.k.a Capsicum chinense, is a

spicy pepper grown in trop-

ical regions. This plant is a

perennial plant and comes

in colors such as, yellow

and red-orange.

Come learn how to grow food and help the Com-

munity Garden have a successful start to the Flori-

da planting season! Learn about plants, meet new

friends, and get outside. Shifts begin promptly at

8am and do not require any appointment. Please

wear closed-toe shoes, and don’t forget your reusa-

ble water bottle. Groups of 5 or more, please reg-

ister in advance (see website). All shifts are mini-

mum of 2 hours.

Page 2 News from the UCF Arboretum Volume 2, Issue 15

Arboretum Adopt-A-Program Opportunities

Are you interested in adopting a pond or a

road for your organization? Are you interest-

ed in beautifying the campus? The arboretum

currently has 3 ponds and 4 roads ready for

adoption! Contact arboretum@ucf.edu for

more information.

Report Sandhill Cranes

Here’s Why:

You can be a Citizen Scientist by contributing to our un-

derstanding and protection of the threatened Sandhill

Crane. Your participation contributes to undergraduate

research, and preserving our natural heritage!

Here’s How:

-Take picture or note location of Sandhill Cranes on

campus

-Email nature@ucf.edu with subject line “cranes”

-Include date, time and location of sighting.

Paid Arboretum Research (RAMP) Opportunity The UCF Research and Mentoring Program (RAMP) is providing a paid ecological research op-portunity beginning fall 2013. The student participates in a variety of workshops designed to in-crease their awareness and knowledge of the graduate application process.

Eligibility Criteria: Student must possess a desire to pursue graduate education in ecology,

environmental science or related field; a minimum overall GPA of 3.0; enrolled as a full-time stu-dent at UCF and having completed 60 credit hours with approximately four semesters remain-ing in program of study; preference given to student with financial need.

More FAQs can be found at www.ramp.ucf.edu. This opportunity will begin Fall Semester 2013.

Application: Interested and qualified students should email their resumes with a letter of interest

to arboretum@ucf.edu. Application deadline is Tuesday, September 3rd at 10am.

Page 3 News from the UCF Arboretum Volume 2, Issue 16

Campus opportunities

Lead Volunteer Opportunity

Want to get more involved in the Arboretum and tone your leadership skills

for your future career? Well here is a chance to kick your volunteer status up

to the next level. The Arboretum is looking for lead volunteers where stu-

dents will gain more responsibilities and use their knowledge to help others.

Lead volunteers will be in charge of volunteer shifts and promoting the Ar-

boretum through tabling at the UCF Farmers Market this semester. Training

and materials will be provided to the student. This is volunteer opportunity

to boost your resume and is a chance to network and gain new relation-

ships. For more information contact: Tina Richards at

Tna.Richards@ucf.edu

Our new compost setup!

SGA Positions

The New Student Government Association has open applications.

Here is a chance to receive opportunity for the various University Commit-

tees, Election Commission, and our three mentorship programs (Student

Body President's Advisory Council, Senate Leadership Council, and The Jus-

tice League). If you’re looking to boost your leadership skills and learn new

ones as well, apply now. So don’t miss out on

your chance to get involved in campus activities.

This is an opportunity that may help you and

your fellow knights. Please check the website at

http://ucfsga.com, which lists the details for

each position or contact Melissa Westbrook, the

Student Government Association Student Body

President, at sga_pres@ucf.edu .

Page 4 News from the UCF Arboretum Volume 2, Issue 16

September 28th 2013 9:00am-10:00am

Hands across the Lagoon events are occurring in all five lagoon counties to call attention to the declining condition of our In-dian River Lagoon and to ask our leaders to make the health of the lagoon a top priority. Devastating algae blooms in 2011 and 2012 destroy 60% of the lagoon sea grasses. Since the fall 2012, and continuing this year, the lagoon’s wildlife is under threat, with the unexplained deaths of many brown pelicans, manatees and dolphins. Meet at the South Causeway (SR 44) of New Smyrna Beach FL. At 9:45a.m. participants will join hands for 15 minutes to show that we care about the lagoon an want to see it restored to a healthy condition. For more information con-tact: India River Lagoon National Estuary program at (321-722-5363) or khill@sjrwmd.com There will be a UCF event after this to help at the Fellers House field station in Canaveral National Seashore filling and deploying oyster shell bags to prevent erosion and create living shorelines. Activities will run from 11 AM – 2 PM as part of National Estuary Day. We need folks with strong backs and arms for this effort. Lunch will be provided!

Hands Across the Lagoon

(407) 823-3583, arboretum@ucf.edu

Mailing List **Our newsletters inform the UCF Community of upcoming green events and opportunities. We also strive to share important developments in sustainability. To unsubscribe, please email arboretum@ucf.edu.