USF Forest Preserve

A student activist talks about the latest in conservation efforts, and the new USF director tasked with managing the land discusses goals for the property.

Workers were able to collect about 10,000 gallons of the sewage and return it to the main collection line. That left about 6,000 gallons flowing into wetlands owned by the university.

Law joins at least 11 other candidates who have already applied to succeed Steven Currall.

USF Interim President Rhea Law announced in a university-wide email Tuesday that none of the development ideas submitted last year for the USF Forest Preserve and Claw golf course will be considered.

Committee members considered recommending low-level development of the forest preserve, such as an observation center and boardwalks.

Put on your hiking boots because we're trekking through the USF Forest Preserve in Tampa. The University of South Florida has requested and received proposals to build on this undeveloped property. Student researchers, turned activists, show us what makes this parcel of land so special.

More than 450 acres is covered by wetlands, making development permits difficult to obtain, the report commissioned by USF said.

An advocate with Save USF Forest Preserve doesn’t think the university is willing to sell the land, although she hopes Hillsborough County’s interest in preserving it reinforces their efforts.

The USF SG Senate passed a resolution for “conservation easement” of the land instead of pursuing development proposals.

An organizer for a group that's been fighting the University of South Florida administration over a proposal to develop a preserve in Tampa said he was “quite surprised” about the sudden retirement of USF’s president.

As USF reviews development proposals for a wooded preserve and golf course on the northern edge of the Tampa campus, a recent fine arts graduate is releasing a short film about student activists who are working to save the parcel of land.

Most of the plans include building apartments, hotels, and restaurants, but one hopes to preserve the land entirely.