About the Forest Preserve

SGEF Boardwalk Project

Student Green Energy Fund (SGEF) Bull鈥檚 Nature Trail Boardwalk Project

The Student Green Energy Fund SGEF Bull鈥檚 Nature Trail Boardwalk Project is a student-led conservation and access initiative designed to protect sensitive habitats within the USF Forest Preserve while providing sustainable, educational access to the public. Funded in part by Mutual of Omaha鈥檚 Wild Kingdom and the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), this project reflects USF鈥檚 commitment to ecological preservation, experiential learning, and human-wildlife coexistence by doing as followed:

  • Protect habitat for threatened species  
  • Create a low-impact boardwalk to reduce habitat disturbance  
  •  Conduct wildlife monitoring using motion-activated trail cameras and acoustic sensors sponsored by NWF
  •  Engage students in fieldwork, outreach, and research
  • Develop educational signage and a digital resource hub accessible via QR codes on-site. 

The USF Forest Preserve is home to a rich diversity of species, including the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)鈥攁 keystone species that supports hundreds of other organisms. However, urban development, human activity, and habitat fragmentation threaten these delicate ecosystems. 

This project creates a model for integrating conservation with education and recreation by designing a path that respects the natural terrain, avoids critical nesting and burrow zones, and provides space for learning and exploration.