The UF Clean Water campaign is always looking for volunteers who are committed to making a difference for campus waterbodies.
Label stormdrains
Storm drain marking is usually conducted by a small group of people, divided into pairs or groups of three. This allows one person to survey each drain for nearby pollutants, while another prepares and places the marker.
If you see a storm drain that needs a replacement marker, or if you or your organization would like to label an area of campus that has not yet been labeled, please contact Italo Lenta.
More
- Learn about the impact of storm drain markers in preventing pollution
- Find more Clean Water Campaign volunteer opportunities
Monitor Campus Water Quality
Every month, student volunteers collect data on the water quality of creeks, ponds and lakes on the UF main campus. Sampling is a great way to see some less frequented areas of campus and fantastic Florida wildlife!
There are three ways a volunteer can help in sampling:
- In the lab: preparation of filters and sample materials
- In the field: visiting the 15 sampling campus and golf cart locations to collect water samples, and record data measured by a multi-probe sensor
- In the lab: preparing samples for professional analysis
Before you can participate in a monthly sampling event, you must attend a training session to review the equipment and processes. New volunteers will be matched with experienced samplers. Because of the training involved, a multi-month commitment from volunteers is preferred. If you are interested, please contact Italo Lenta for training details.
More
- Detailed information in what is involved in the monitoring process, and summaries of 2004 and 2005 sampling results.
Creek Clean-up Events
Each semester, the UF Wetlands Club hosts an organized cleanup on Tumblin Creek, a creek that flows through the UF campus and exits on the SE side, heading toward Bivens Arm Lake.
There are also special cleanup events held in campus natural areas as part of organized service events.
Education and Outreach
Group and Class Presentations
The UF Clean Water Campaign gives presentations to classes, student organizations, and residence halls about campus water quality. If you are interested in helping conduct these presentations, or if you know of a class or group that would be interested in having a presentation, please contact Italo Lenta.
Special Events
The Campaign also hosts information tables at university events, including the annual Earth Day Festival. We are always looking for volunteers who can answer expertly answer water quality questions at these events. If interested, please contact Italo Lenta.