Timucuan Parks Foundation (TPF) has been deemed the first-ever recipient of the University of North Florida’s Environmental Service Award.
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The award recognizes TPF for its significant contributions to UNF students, the community, and the environment.
“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 high school students from area high schools were chosen to participate in the Youth Environmental Leadership Program (YELP) by UNF’s Institute of Environmental Research and Education (IERE). The students are participating in the year-long pre-college program, where they are collaborating with mentors from UNF and TPF to develop projects and service initiatives to increase and promote contact with nature and park access in Jacksonville.