An Alumna of UCF, Tina Richards fostered an interest in nature early in life. She became acquainted with The UCF Arboretum as an undergraduate student through self-guided tours and assisting to organize Arboretum events. After graduating with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies she returned to Florida to begin a “crash course on the Everglades” with the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation. This internship allowed her to intensively study Florida biology and develop her love for environmental education.

Upon completion, she helped to start a local, organic food co-op and studied herbalism. Since May 2008 she has been helping to grow the Arboretum's volunteer program and coordinate the UCF Organic Community Garden since it started in February 2009. She currently offers educational tours and workshops, grows community partnerships and supervises within the department. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the League of Environmental Educators of Florida. Tina has been accepted for the Professional Science Master's in Conservation Biology and is working towards the completion of that degree.