Background/Question/Methods College/university campuses comprise a unique urban interface, with distinctive spatial patterns of permanent structures, parking lots, and green spaces. The campus of the University of West Florida (Pensacola) was constructed among second-growth longleaf pine stands recovering from extensive logging and was designed to maintain natural habitats, including minimal tree removal. The extended campus includes natural areas with fire-excluded longleaf stands and active gopher tortoise burrows confined to powerline right-of-ways. This study addressed the following questions: (1) what are the effects of burrowing on plant communities and soils? (2) does composition and structure vary between two separate, expansive campus natural areas? (3) how do soil characteristics change under fire exclusion? (4) what is the age structure of longleaf pine at UWF? Gopher tortoise sampling identified three areas per burrow: apron (redistributed soil outside burrow), burrow (soil above burrowed cavity), and matrix (unaltered surrounding soil). Within one 0.1 m2 quadrat/sample type for each of 16 burrows, density was determined for all vascular species; mineral soil was taken to a 5-cm depth, airdried, and analyzed. Fifteen 0.04 ha circular plots were established in each two natural areas to assess stand composition and structure and sample mineral soil. All live stems ≥2.5 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) in each plot were identified to species and measured for DBH. Mineral soil was taken to a 5-cm depth, air dried, and analyzed. Age of longleaf stems was estimated from DBH. Results/Conclusions Plant density was reduced by burrowing 7-fold on apron versus burrow and matrix sites, which did not vary between each other. Soil variables did not vary between burrow and matrix samples. Apron soils were significantly lower in pH, OM, CEC, and cations, but higher in soil NO3-. Basal area and density were closely similar between the natural areas, as was canopy dominance (live oak and longleaf pine), but with contrasting sub-dominant species. Soil analyses revealed no significant differences between natural areas, but suggest that fire exclusion has decreased soil organic matter and fertility with establishment of hardwood species. Age structure of longleaf pine contrasted sharply between natural areas and with the main campus, suggesting different land-use histories prior to campus construction. Most stems were between 75 and 125 years old, consistent with the cessation of extensive logging of longleaf in this region. College/university campuses, like that of UWF, that have been designed with natural habitats in mind represent a unique opportunity for ecological study.