Timucuan Parks Foundation is the recipient of University of North Florida’s inaugural Environmental Service Award.
The award was presented at the Environmental Luncheon, hosted by UNF and the Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board (JEPB) on Dec. 30. The award was given in recognition of TPF’s notable contributions to the community, the environment and UNF students, including its involvement in the university’s Youth Environmental Leadership Program (YELP).
“It is such an honor to be recognized for our work connecting the youth with our wilderness parks and preserves,” said Mayda Velez, outgoing executive director of TPF. “We hope the work we do with the next generation of environmental leaders will instill a lifelong love of these natural spaces and a passion for protecting and promoting them for years to come.”
Six students from area high schools were selected to participate in YELP through UNF’s Institute of Environmental Research and Education. This year-long, pre-college program allows participating students to collaborate with mentors from UNF and TPF in the development of service initiatives and projects to expand and encourage park access and contact with nature in Jacksonville. Students work closely with Felicia Boyd, TPF program outreach coordinator, and other TPF staff, to implement various service projects in local preserves and wilderness parks, ranging from volunteer park cleanups and program development to recording and tagging the parks’ flora and fauna.
“Felicia Boyd’s mentorship and support has been especially instrumental in the success of initiatives such as the Youth Environmental Leadership Program and others,” said Erin Largo-Wight, Ph.D., UNF Director of IERE and Professor of Public Health, Nature and Health Laboratory. “Felicia and TPF staff have worked with our students to educate and empower them, fostering a deeper personal connection with nature and a stronger commitment to environmental stewardship. Their efforts truly have made a significant difference.”
Chris Bravo, TPF volunteer and trail team member, was also recognized at the luncheon. He was awarded JEPB’s Individual Award for his work at Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park, where he spearheaded reparations of the park’s historic brick road and regularly volunteers to clean up and maintain the park.
