Chris Landaeta, a nearly lifelong resident of Gainesville, is super active in the local environmental scene. He finds joy in bringing people from UF and beyond together to work on the common goal of protecting the environment. Chris defines sustainability as a Venn diagram where environmentally friendly, economically feasible, and socially just actions overlap.

Valentina Padron-Rasines is a Sustainability Studies major who has a passion for social justice and preserving the environment. We talk to her about her internships as a LEED for Cities Intern and a Sustainability Intern with Alachua County. Her experiences have given her a positive outlook and an understanding of how to implement successful public policy!

Jess Mercier is the Assistant Director of Outreach and Marketing for UF Study Abroad. She’s dedicated to sustainable event processes, committed to exploring the intersection of sustainability and international travel, AND she’s running her own vintage and secondhand thrift resale business!

Mayssa Shalhoub hopes to serve as an example of how living sustainably can allow a person to tap into their personal creativity and connect with their community – and she’s doing a great job! Learn more and read her unofficial guide to sustainability at UF.

Are you passionate about conservation and ready to be a change agent on campus? Look no further than the Biodiversity Internship with the UF Office of Sustainability! We’re thrilled to offer a paid internship starting in Fall 2023 that provides hands-on experience and a chance to engage the campus community in our conservation areas.

Jim Vignola, Project Manager for Planning, Design & Construction, is leading the way on new building projects at UF. Find out more about the awards his team won on the new Special Collections building and about the priority he puts on repurposing!

David Flores has it all – impressive internships, robust student involvement, experience in exciting sustainability courses as a dual degree student majoring in both Environmental Engineering and Sustainability Studies. You don’t want to miss his recommendations and advice for other sustainable Gators!

Join us in celebrating everyone who plays a part in receiving and maintaining the Tree Campus designation from the Arbor Day Foundation year after year.

The Sustainable UF interns contribute to day-to-day tasks and projects for the Office of Sustainability. From social media posts to new ideas to research projects, they all help make UF a more sustainable place!

Office of Sustainability Intern Kendall Brockelman takes a visit to local zero waste refillery Life Unplastic to see what it is all about.