The Michael I. Cousens Herbarium of the University of West Florida (UWFP) was established 30 October 1974 (as the Herbarium of the University of West Florida) for the purpose of documenting the Flora of the Florida panhandle and neighboring states. Currently, its holdings include approximately 22,000 vascular plant specimens of 3500 species and smaller collections of bryophytes and macroalgae.

Important collectors represented are R. K. Godfrey, L. C. Anderson, J. B. Nelson, B. F. Hansen, J. R. Abbott, J. R. Burkhalter, and O. Degener. The core of the permanent exsiccatae collection consists of approximately 10,500 specimens from over 600 locations in Escambia County, FL, representing 1,600 species, making it one of the most biodiverse county floras in the United States.