IFS Program Biologist Pete Rossi Providing a Field Trip To HCC Students at the English Creek ESC (Photo Credit: Dr. Peter Germroth)

The Institute of Florida Studies at the Hillsborough Community College is a community based educational Center designed for the study of ecology, biology, earth sciences, and natural history of Florida. The mission of the Institute is to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the biological, economic, recreational, and aesthetic importance of environmental systems, and of the natural history of Florida through education, training, research, and information. The Institute of Florida is committed to providing quality programs.

Cockroach Bay, Ruskin FL

The Institute of Florida Studies (IFS) and the Department of Environmental Programs began with the development of HCC Environmental Studies Center(ESC) through the efforts of several community organizations such as the Tampa Junior League, Tampa Audubon Society, and Save Our Bay. Approximately, 22 acres of land at Cockroach Bay (Ruskin, FL) was donated to the Hillsborough Community College and field trips to this site began in 1975. In addition to hosting The Annual Conference on Coastal Restoration (currently known as The Annual Conference on Ecosystems Restoration and Creation), in 1970’s the Institute entered into an agreement with the Hillsborough County to conduct the formal environmental education programs at the Upper Tampa Bay Park in Tampa. The Hillsborough Community College Foundation obtained approximately 120 acres of land at English Creek, a $1.4 million grant was obtained for construction of facilities, and the English Creek Center has been offering educational programs since 1991. Starting 2007, the IFS is providing educational programs at the Hillsborough River State Park as well. Besides providing educational field trips to approximately 5000 children each year and hosting the Conference, the IFS conducts other educational programs to include: Basic Prescribed Fire and Certified Burner’s Program, non-credit courses for the general public, water and wastewater operator’s certification courses program, sediment erosion certification course program, tree climbing and tree canopy studies, and various other grant-funded projects.


Contact Us:
Dr. Sudeep Vyapari
Director and Program Manager
Institute of Florida Studies
1206 North Park Rd.
Plant City, FL 33563-1540
svyapari@hccfl.edu
(813)757-2144