UNF, City of Jacksonville and Partners Celebrate Arbor Day Florida

The University of North Florida (UNF), in partnership with the City of Jacksonville (COJ), Public Trust for Conservation, COJ Tree Commission and Greenscape of Jacksonville celebrated Florida Arbor Day with a ribbon cutting ceremony to honor a substantial tree planting at the University of North Florida and UNF's designation as a Tree Campus for Higher Education on Friday. Greenscape of Jacksonville will also hold an 1,800-tree giveaway and paper shredding event on Saturday, January 17 at UNF.

Today's event marked the culmination of phase one of a planned multi-year, multi-phase tree planting initiative at UNF aimed at expanding Jacksonville's urban tree canopy. Phase One, valued at $300,000, began installation in November 2025 and represents the first step in a larger effort that plans to plant nearly $1 million worth of trees at UNF over three to four phases.

The costs for the trees planted at UNF were provided through the City of Jacksonville's Tree Mitigation Trust Fund and include one year of maintenance, reinforcing a shared commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship and long-term community impact.

"UNF is grateful for the City's generous gift of trees and support in helping us maintain the beautiful, natural surroundings and environmental landscape that define our campus," said UNF President Moez Limayem.

On Saturday, January 17, Greenscape of Jacksonville will host one of the largest free tree distributions of its kind in the United States, giving away 1,800 trees to the public as part of their initiative to get trees planted on private land across Northeast Florida.

Today's event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the collaboration between partners, a Mayoral proclamation of Florida Arbor Day, and a free tree giveaway to the first 30 attendees. Attendees included: UNF President Moez Limayem, Will Lahnen, City Council representative, Ashantae Green, COJ sustainability manager, John Henry November, Public Trust for Conservation executive director and general counsel; along with students, faculty, staff and residents.

"This ribbon cutting represents more than the planting of trees-it marks a long-term investment in Jacksonville's future," said John Henry November, Executive Director and General Counsel, Public Trust for Conservation. "By bringing together the City, UNF and the community, we are making a long-term environmental impact that provides shade and additional wildlife habitat on campus."

The celebration also provided an opportunity to recognize UNF's designation as a Tree Campus for Higher Education, a prestigious honor the University earned in 2024. Additionally, the City of Jacksonville is celebrating its 42-year legacy as a Tree City USA, highlighting decades of commitment to urban forestry. Together, these recognitions showcase UNF and the City's shared dedication to sustainability, environmental leadership and community engagement.

Learn more about Greenscape Jacksonville's tree giveaway and paper shredding event here.