I have spent most of my life outdoors. I identify with nature; it is my home. But too many miss the opportunity to understand the value and relationship we have, or could have, with nature.Β 

When I started at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ more than 10 years ago as a graduate student, I was drawn to the 520 acres of natural lands on our 1,415-acre campus. We have such unique grounds that not only serve as home to migrating students, but host federal- and state-protected plants and animals, and a mosaic of Florida habitats. Since 2000, we have expanded the opportunities by creating more than five miles of hiking trails, managing the green space through a prescribed-burn program, and creating opportunities for the ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ community to get involved.

Some know of this hidden treasure on campus, but many do not. I’d like to share the significance of these natural features with you – but more importantly, convince you to connect to the great outdoors, wherever you may be.

The natural lands managed on campus comprise more than 320 acres of upland and wetland habitats preserved in perpetual conservation easements to the St. Johns River Water Management District. More than 200 additional acres of natural areas on campus have verbal commitments for preservation, and are currently being preserved and managed, such as the Arboretum and smaller isolated wetland areas.

In addition, the campus contains an extensive network of storm water ponds. These areas, in combination with the large area occupied by wetlands on the east side of campus, constitute a significant percentage of the ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ campus (approximately 50 percent of the campus acreage).

Similarly, ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s urban areas host unique plants and habitats, including approximately 7,000 trees, which shade about 60 percent of the campus. In 2013, ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ students completed an evaluation of ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s tree campus. They estimated that carbon emissions sequestered, or removed, by the canopy were approximately 5,000 tons, which is equivalent to the emissions of about 555,000 gallons of gasoline, or nearly 1,000 Β passenger cars annually. The total amount of pollutants reduced by the urban forest was estimated at 36,000 pounds per year. Primary pollutants removed from the canopy are ozone and particulate matter, which contribute to respiratory illness.

This success story is also noted nationally. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently finished the first assessment on the impact trees have in removing pollutants. The study found that trees within the continental United States successfully removed more than 17 tons of air pollution in 2010, resulting in a $6.8 billion savings in human health costs.Β 

While these statistics are meaningful, they still do not present a case for connection to the natural world. My opinion is that most of us understand the importance of nature, but still do not see how we fit into the fabric of the natural world.Β Β 

Beyond the bugs, snakes and heat, which I understand can be limiting factors in experiencing the outdoors, there are new experiences when we connect to something bigger than ourselves. As a child growing up in rural Louisiana just outside of New Orleans, my memories are of adventures in the nearby woods. We created rope swings over small creeks and built forts up in the trees for a nearby escape. I would have never known that those experiences as a child would connect me to my present career. However, the times have changed.

In 2005, Richard Louv wrote the book, β€œLast Child in the Woods,” which highlighted nature-deficit disorder, or the mental disorder that occurs in those who spend less time outdoors, especially in children. Although controversial, his findings are similar to the biophilia hypothesis presented by ecologist Edward O. Wilson, who suggested that humans have an instinct to connect to other forms of life, or nature.

With all the known benefits of our connection with nature, why do we stay inside!? I am sure you can think of at least five excuses immediately, but I invite you to find your roots and go outside.

Just take a short hike around campus, through the Arboretum or around Lake Claire. It will ease your mind, reduce stress, and connect you to the beauty of nature.Β 

One of my favorite quotes from Jeff Johnson, host of the exploratory documentary β€œ180˚ South,” is: β€œThe best journeys answer questions that in the beginning you didn’t even think to ask.”

I invite you to take a journey across campus — or wherever you are — to notice the lovely beauty of nature that surrounds you, and take the opportunity to learn something you didn’t even know existed.

My hope is that this experience will connect you to our true home, the outside.

Alaina Bernard is ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s assistant director of Landscape & Natural Resources. She can be reached at alaina.bernard@ucf.edu.

To receive the title, universities have to have a tree-advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for a campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and a student service-learning project.

β€œThrough ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s recognition as a Tree Campus USA and through our urban forestry and landscaping programs, we demonstrate our commitment to maintain a healthy tree community and urban forest,” said Alaina Bernard, assistant director of ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Landscape & Natural Resources. β€œThe Tree Campus USA designation is another step in demonstrating ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s continued commitment to urban ecosystem health.”

To celebrate this recognition, ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ will host Arbor Day in the Outfield on Monday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to noon at the ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Softball Complex off North Orion Boulevard.

The event will begin with a tree-planting ceremony, followed by a guided hike through the Natural Area trails led by Landscape & Natural Resources and the Arboretum. Grilled hotdogs and refreshments will be served.

ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ has maintained its Tree Campus USA designation by engaging the community in various educational and outreach activities. In addition, ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s Tree Team oversaw and planted more than 200 native trees and removed 40 invasive, exotic trees that are disruptive to the natural areas on campus in 2012.

β€œDiligence in improving the environment and quality of life at the ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ contributes to a healthier planet for all of us,” said John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, one of the world’s largest nonprofit conservation organizations dedicated to planting trees.

For more information about the Tree Campus USA program, visit .

Attendees of the Tree Campus Canopy Summit will learn how to maintain trees and create networks through hands-on learning sessions on college campuses. College campus grounds managers, landscape architects, facilities directors, students and other leaders will hear from experts in the field about topics such as maintenance, preservation, insect problems and community collaboration.

The one-day conference will include a tour of ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s grounds as well as a showcase of ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ student projects that focus on topics such as urban heat islands, canopy changes and the effects of urban forestry.

β€œThis summit is a great opportunity for ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ to showcase its land management and urban forests practices to professionals throughout the country while also providing ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ staff with valuable training,” said Alaina Bernard, assistant director for ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Landscape & Natural Resources.

The Tree Campus Canopy Summit is part of the Partners in Community Forestry National Conference to be held next week in Lake Buena Vista. The conference is hosted by the Arbor Day Foundation, a nonprofit conservation and education organization dedicated to planting trees.

In March the Arbor Day Foundation awarded ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ a Tree Campus USA recognition for promoting healthy management of campus forests and for engaging the community in projects to help preserve the environment.

To learn more about ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s β€œgreen” initiatives, visit . For more on the Arbor Day Foundation, go to .

Twenty-five schools were recognized by Tree Campus USA, and ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ is one of only three Florida schools that made the list. As part of the distinction, ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Land & Natural Resources will plant about 300 new trees on campus to celebrate Arbor Day and the national honor.

The recognition will be celebrated during an Arbor Day award ceremony beginning at 8:30 a.m. Friday, April 1, in Garden Key Room (221) of the Student Union.

Tree Campus USA distinguishes colleges and universities for promoting healthy management of their campus forests and for engaging the community in projects to help preserve the environment.

β€œBy encouraging its students to plant trees and participate in service that will help the environment, ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ is making a positive impact on its community that will last for decades,” said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation.

To receive Tree Campus USA status, ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ met the five core standards of tree care and community engagement.Β  The standards are: establishing a campus tree advisory committee; completing a campus tree-care plan; dedicating annual expenditures to the plan; involvement in an Arbor Day observance; and completing service-learning projects engaging the student body.

β€œOne goal of the Tree Campus USA program is to help create healthier communities for its citizens through the planting of trees, and the city of Orlando will certainly benefit from the university’s commitment to Tree Campus USA,” Rosenow said.

The benefits of trees include improved air quality and decreased energy consumption, said Alaina Bernard, ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s land manager.

β€œTrees improve the quality of life on campus by making it a more beautiful and enjoyable place to live, work and play, while mitigating the campus’ environmental impact,” she said.

ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½’s Landscape & Natural Resources department supports the university’s mission through its comprehensive outdoor laboratory that creates opportunities for relevant, experience-based learning, urban ecology research and human connection with ecosystems and landscapes.

The department seeks to enrich the community by creating and maintaining an inviting outdoor environment, providing high quality service for operational activities and generating research and educational initiatives that guide stewardship of natural resources.

To learn more about the Tree Campus USA program, go to.

For more information about ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ β€œgreen” initiatives, visit .

The station also reports hourly updates on temperature, humidity, dew point, wind speed and precipitation.

β€œThis station will be a beneficial tool for us during times of severe weather,” said ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Land Manager Alaina Bernard. β€œFor example, I was able to monitor the weather from home two weeks ago during the storms.”

ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ works closely with the Florida Division of Forestry, Orange County Fire/Rescue, St. Johns River Water Management, and other local land management agencies to conduct safe and successful prescribed burns on campus. Details of burn plans, dates of burns, and more information about prescribed burning can be found at www.green.ucf.edu.

If you have questions, please contact Alaina Bernard at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Landscape & Natural Resources, 407-823-3146.