You Can Help: Volunteer

The UF Clean Water campaign is always looking for volunteers who are committed to making a difference for campus waterbodies.

• Label storm drains
• Monitor campus water quality
• Creek clean-ups
• Education and outreach events

Label Storm Drains

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 Dr. Mark Clark.

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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:

1. In the lab: preparation of filters and sample materials
2. 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
3. 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 Dr. Mark Clark for training details.

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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.

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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 Dr. Mark Clark.

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 Dr. Mark Clark.

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