Gulf Coast Living Lab

The Gulf Coast Living Lab (GCLL) is a student-led organization that transforms FGCU’s Food Forest into a hands-on hub for regenerative agriculture, ecological research, and sustainability education. Our mission is to create a collaborative space where students of all majors can apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges while building skills in soil health, permaculture, agroforestry, and sustainable food systems.

Through workshops, research projects, and community outreach, GCLL fosters leadership, innovation, and interdisciplinary learning. Members engage in practical experiences such as maintaining living soil systems, testing regenerative groundcovers, and exploring ecological design in the Food Forest. In partnership with faculty, local farmers, and environmental organizations, GCLL supports FGCU’s role as a leader in sustainability while empowering students to contribute to resilient agricultural and ecological systems in Southwest Florida.