It is a well-known concept, taught over and over again in University of Florida's College of Forestry classes:

Nothing is permanent in the forest and change is a constant.

UF officials say they had sad proof of that Tuesday.

A University of Florida facility used for classes, conference, and even weddings for more than 20 years was destroyed in a fire.

Officials are still investigating what ignited a fire that destroyed the conference building in the Austin Cary Memorial Forest in Northeast Alachua County.

Officials say around 2:30, Tuesday afternoon, black smoke -- and then fire -- was seen coming from the facility.

Emergency workers found the building engulfed in flames.

Crews used more than 20 thousand gallons of water, but that wasn't enough to save the building.

UF officials say the loss will affect many, including displaced students.

The facility was built in 1987.

Officials say it replaced another building that had been destroyed in a fire as well.