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 (IFS) at Hillsborough Community College (HCC) is a community based educational center designed for the study of ecology, biology, earth sciences, and natural history of Florida. Our mission 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. IFS is committed to providing quality programs.

Cockroach Bay, Ruskin FL

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 HCC 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 IFS entered into an agreement with the Hillsborough County to conduct formal environmental education programs at the Upper Tampa Bay Park (Tampa, FL). The HCC Foundation obtained approximately 120 acres of land at English Creek (adjacent to another 266 acres of ELAPP land), a $1.4 million grant was obtained for construction of facilities, and the English Creek Center has been offering educational programs since 1991. Starting in 2007, IFS has been providing educational programs at the Hillsborough River State Park as well. Besides providing educational field trips to approximately 3,000 children each year and hosting the Ecosystems Conference, IFS conducts other educational programs that include: Basic Prescribed Fire and Certified Burner’s Program, non-credit courses for the general public, water and wastewater operator’s certification courses, horticulture professional certification course program, tree climbing and tree canopy studies, and various other grant-funded projects.

Please browse our website to find out more about what IFS has to offer.  Feel free to contact us if you would like any more information about our programs.