Mission Statement

TROPARC's mission is to develop and advance environmental planning and design in the neotropical region of the America's through research, projects, and education.

The neotropical world is facing increasing demand for environmental planning and design. Drawing on UF's teaching, research and service experience, TROPARC can play a key role in assisting the region with this expertise. In addition, we are uniquely positioned biogeographically, Florida is the only state in the Continental United States with a tropical climate and the entire state is located in the humid subtropics. Culturally, Florida has a significant Spanish speaking population and a cultural heritage that creates opportunities for cross-cultural design influences.

While the center will continue building on TROPARC's twenty-two year history at UF, we will address new priorities. Of great importance is addressing the increasing demand for design and planning professionals in regions that face threats from rising population pressures to their human dominated ecosystems. Another area of importance is the inclusion of environmental planning and design principles in environmental education programs and graduate studies.