Green Gator of the Month: Looking Back on Two Years of Sustainable Advice
April 2025
Since October 2022, we’ve been giving you a Green Gator of the Month. Each Green Gator recognized has demonstrated a daily commitment to sustainable habits in the UF community.
This month will be our final edition of the Green Gator of the Month articles! It’s time for us to envision a new format for celebrating the wonderful Green Gators here in Gainesville.
We have featured:
- 6 Faculty
- 7 Staff
- 15 Students
…And they all had their own fantastic ideas on how to be sustainable at UF. Let’s take a look back at the incredible advice from our Green Gators!
Sustainable Advice From Green Gators
We’ve pulled some of our favorite quotes and insights from various Green Gators at UF.
Dr. Danny Coenen
“Be a good role model. Being welcoming and non-judgmental when talking to others about your work will encourage them to adopt more environmental practices.”
Madeline Stewart
“When I am wrapped up in the noise of wind gently blowing through branches, or the sight of sunlight dappling leaf-covered trails, I remind myself that every individual from every generation deserves a chance to connect with nature the way I do.”
Zoe Richter
“I try not to get swayed by the internet into buying little trinkets or clothes I don’t need, which is great for your bank account AND the Earth.”
Jess Mercier
“Travel and sustainability are both huge interests of Gen Z. With Gen Z especially, we have so many opportunities to be innovative and forward-thinking… What does the future of travel look like? What is the future of sustainability? How can those things intersect?”
Mayssa Shalhoub
“Take advantage of Gainesville’s robust thrift scene – Flashbacks and Outreach are great options. Swap clothes you no longer want with your friends or attend a clothing swap hosted by UF Thrift Club.”
David Flores
“Sometimes it can be hard to be sustainable. Maybe your apartment complex doesn’t recycle. Maybe your hometown doesn’t have much public transportation. Maybe there aren’t affordable and sustainable products in the stores you frequent. Focus on the things you can do, rather than the things you can’t do, especially as a college student.”
We’re feeling inspired now! How about you?
Green Gators, Forever!
There’s plenty more where that came from! You can view the Green Gator of the Month archive to read each Green Gator feature in full.
It’s an excellent reminder of the vast efforts across UF to support and promote sustainability in the UF community on a regular basis. It’s proof that we can all work together to support common goals and interests. So let us know if you want to collaborate – whether with the Office of Sustainability or other areas, and we will help you get connected.
Stay tuned in the fall to see what’s next!
