LAUSR

Abstract Many institutions of higher education have sustainability initiatives; however, not all consider the importance of proximity to nature in the psychological well-being of their associated human community. Florida International University (FIU) is near the Florida Everglades, and, thus, is strategically positioned to educate the community about South Florida's rich natural history. In the past, the FIU Nature Preserve was underutilized, under-managed, and even dangerous. With minimal visitation, investment, and administrative support, its future looked dim. By enhancing the facility to appeal to a larger target-audience and expanding educational programming for a wider array of participants, a dramatic increase in visitation took place. Visitation grew from <1000 people a year in 2010, to 30,586 in 2015. These changes led the university to invest in and protect this forested park, which has long served as an important outdoor classroom for the FIU community.