As a University of Florida graduate student in the School of Natural Resources and Environment, Hal Knowles worked on resource efficiency issues under the direction of Dr. Mark Hostetler. Hal’s four committee members were from three different Colleges. An integral part of his degree program was the development of training modules on wildlife habitat preservation and management in residential communities. His 4-hour program, Preserving Wildlife Habitat in Residential Developments, is approved for four Continuing Education Units for licensed Builders, Landscape Architects, and Engineers.

The program was beta tested at the 2004 Florida Green Building Coalition annual conference. Funding for Hal’s work came from revenue generated from current training programs. In turn, his modules will be integrated into continuing education programs that will generate revenue to fund future program development.