Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is an excellent example of Southwest Florida’s efforts to preserve habitat and slow down development, which is the leading cause of the destruction of biodiversity. Each day, on my way to work and school, I watch the vegetation and forest that support our wildlife being swallowed up by the relentless construction that is taking place in Southwest Florida. Animals, especially bears and panthers, are being displaced at an alarming rate. It is no wonder that the Florida panther is an endangered species. The National Audubon Society, a private entity, owns Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. This society makes the Sanctuary available to the general public who in turn helps support the Sanctuary through donations, entry fees and memberships.  The interaction between this private and public partnership is vital in protecting this amazing slice of biodiversity. This partnership assures that future generations will be able to enjoy the beauty of Corkscrew Sanctuary, while the wildlife and vegetation will also be protected from human encroachment.

During the semester and throughout our field trips we learned about the complex relationships of humans and all the plants and animals in our ecosystem. We discussed the implications of the negative consequences of over development and poor planning as they affected the delicate balance that we depend on for survival. FGCU’s efforts at conservation and preservation are a great example of a public funded institution working with the surrounding community to protect biodiversity. I must compliment the University on developing a curriculum that focuses on the issue of protecting biodiversity. This class is a prime example of that philosophy. The essence of the problems facing our disappearing ecosystems and the importance of developing solutions are reflected in this quote; “To achieve successful protection of both terrestrial and marine biodiversity, it is absolutely key that already designated as well as newly assigned areas are far better protected and that the local and national authorities are allocated the resources and means to protect the land and sea.”(Moving toward sustainable prosperity, pg.176)

Reference:

Assadourian, Erik, Michael Renner, and Linda Starke. State of the World 2012: Moving toward Sustainable Prosperity: A Worldwatch Institute Report on Progress toward a Sustainable Society. Washington, DC: Island, 2012. Print.

Welome to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary 

The boardwalk that extends throughout the entire conservation 

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Pine Manor Community Garden

Pine Manor Community Garden opened my eyes to the challenges that face Lee County’s urban poor. The urban poor have limited access to technology needed to help them locate and find jobs. Perhaps, the biggest problem facing this community is the lack of availability of fresh and healthy foods. This is known as a food desert. The nearest grocery store for them is about 20 minutes away.  Since many of them rely on others for transportation, it’s an all day affair just to get groceries.  After hearing these challenges they face it made me more appreciative of my environment, which I tend to take for granted. The realization that this urban food desert exists less than 20 minutes away from the FGCU campus was surprising. The fact that they can be found so close to affluent communities made me wonder why the problem is so overlooked.

Urban agriculture can help with the problems faced by the urban poor. Gardens like the one I observed at Pine Manor can help offset the challenges the community faces with access to a healthy food supply. The modern agricultural industry struggles with issues such as resource depletion and contamination of the ground and water supply by the prevalent use of pesticides. Small urban gardens do not create the stress on the environment that big agriculture does. When urban gardens replace abandoned land within the city they create a more efficient and productive use of the land resources. Increased utilization of urban gardens can help negate the desertification process that large-scale agriculture can create.

It is entirely possible that I may be employed in a school district that contains an urban poor population. I must be sensitive to the issues faced by my students that apply to nutrition, transportation, technology limitations and socioeconomic stresses. The needs of the urban poor are different from mainstream society. If you don’t have personal experience with these particular needs it is important to learn as much as you can about them in order to be a more effective teacher.

Pine Manor Community Garden

Individual garden plots

Center of the garden 

Beautiful red flower

My favorite plant apart of the garden 

Our recent visit to Barefoot Beach Preserve was quite informative. I learned of several important functions of the Mangrove trees that make up a large portion of the preserve. The Mangroves serve as a filter that traps debris. They are also natural nutrient producers for the sea-life around it. Perhaps the most fascinating fact about Mangroves is that it acts as a protective barrier during major storms and hurricanes. The estuary that surrounds Barefoot Beach Preserve provides habitat to many forms of sea life, including fish and shellfish. It serves as a natural place where the sea life to breed and reproduce. Humans benefit from estuaries because many of the commercial fish and shellfish that we consume are found in estuaries. Estuaries are vital to the fishing industry, both recreationally and commercially. If estuaries are damaged by human development then the negative consequences on the marine environment and fishing industries would be severe.

Barefoot Beach Preserve is an example of an undeveloped barrier island. There are very few of these left along the gulf coast of southwest Florida. I am concerned about development on barrier islands because of their instability. The constant shifting caused by wind and waves make these islands less than ideal for development. Development, if any, on barrier islands should be extremely limited. The more dense the development, the more stress you put on their unique ecosystems. If environmentalists and developers are willing to work and compromise with one another then there is a possibility of achieving balance. Unfortunately, given the amount of development already in place on many of our barrier islands indicates that profit seems to outweigh preservation. Much of what I learned on our field trip to the preserve ties in with our class focus on sustainability and preservation. For example, the loss of essential habitats continues to have an adverse effect on our environment. Industries and food sources that we depend on are threatened by these actions. This lack of preservation limits the possibility of developing sustainability in the natural world. Society must be educated in order to recognize the dangers of overdevelopment. We must also be aware of the dangers of our own selfishness in regards to these unique habitats. Our guides pointed out an example of this in nearby Bonita Beach the residents of the many condos wanted to remove the natural vegetation along the shore in order to get a clear view of the ocean. They failed to see that the vegetation are an extremely important natural barrier that provides protection against flooding that would accompany a major storm. Supporting efforts such as Lee County’s proposed bill Conservation 20/20 which seeks to acquire land in order to protect and preserve for future generations.  I am grateful that I live near such a place that reminds me of all the beauty the world has to offer. I hope that our society continues to take steps in fighting to preserve what is left of these precious natural environments.

walking trail through the preserve

we have arrived

crystal clear water

my view

Barefoot Beach Preserve

Barefoot Beach Preserve

                  On September 13^th 2016 we took a field trip to downtown Ft. Myers. It was my first time experiencing this beautiful city. Downtown Ft. Myers has a southern charm feel to it that also contains a wealth of historical background. This is evident in the old post office turned art center. Further illustration of this city’s unique history is on display with the “Uncommon Friends” memorial that plays tribute to the contributions of Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone. This memorial sits on the historic waterfront of the Caloosahatchee River. The architecture, in many buildings, still reflects the old Floridian style that was prevalent in the late 19^th and early 20^th century. My favorite downtown building was the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center. The buildings exterior was made out of coral from Key West. I was impressed that the majority of the businesses were local owned and there was not a heavy presence of business chains. Some of the downtown housing included apartments and offices were located above the shops, restaurants, and businesses.  In class we discussed what a complete street consist of and First Street is a prime example of a complete street.  A complete street is defined as a safe and comfortable street that accommodates common modes of transportation, which include pedestrians, bikes and automobiles. The number of people walking the streets of downtown Ft. Myers along with bikers and flowing traffic patters were evidence of the concept behind complete streets. Downtown Ft. Myers is unique in the fact that it offers ample amounts of green space for people to enjoy. Examples include the downtown harbor, the park of palms and the abundance of trees and vegetation.

            

First Street

Old post office made out of Coral from the Keys

Caloosahatchee River

"Uncommon Friends" memorial

      Naples, Florida the place I call home has a positive effect on my s and satisfaction. I moved here based on a conscious decision to live near the ocean and to escape the long harsh winters that were part of my home in Columbus, Ohio. That decision has been validated through my change in mood and outlook on life. The dreariness of the weather in Ohio that caused me to often feel melancholy has been replaced by a sense of optimism. I find trips to the beach and swims in the ocean to be both physically and mentally therapeutic. Exposure to the sunlight, flowers and greenery year round keeps me in a consistent healthy state of mind. The design of cities, like Naples and Ft. Myers, promote outdoor activities that can lead to healthier lifestyles. City designs that focus on a balance between commercial and recreational activities and a well-developed infrastructure can reduce stress among the population. The field-trip to downtown Ft. Myers reminded me of the many reasons I enjoy living in southwest Florida.

Journal 2: Lucia Netti

FGCU's Food Forest

Our Professor, Mrs.Mendes, educating us on what the Food Forest has to offer.

Although skeptical at first, I found the wet walk and food forest to be quite informative and interesting. I was somewhat fearful of entering the water in the beginning of the wet walk but as we got further into the water my fears subsided. When we arrived into the heart of the Cypress Dome I was pleasantly surprised at the serenity I felt. I am impressed with the fact that FGCU had the foresight to develop this example of a permaculture, known as the food forest, on the grounds of a bustling college campus. I wish that more of the student body would take advantage of the free and healthy food that is available at their fingertips. I can see the value of developing these stainable food systems. They are healthier for the environment than the traditional agricultural methods. The foods they produce are safer for consumption than the non-organic, pesticide-ridden food processed by the modern food industry. The length of time that it takes for a pineapple to grow, 2 years, was fascinating to learn. What was even more surprising was that you could grow a pineapple tree by simply planting the stout-stem into the ground. I never realized how much moisture banana trees needed to flourish. That’s why they are planted in the lowest elevation the food forest has to offer.

After gaining more knowledge from the food forest tour, I have come to realize the healthier alternatives there are to my normal diet. It is unfortunate that so many people don’t recognize some of the drawbacks and dangers, both to the individual and environment, which the modern food industry presents.  In the future will be more conscious when making decisions about selecting fruits and vegetables. How and where they are grown have become important questions to me. Research and development regarding the resources needed to feed the words exploding population must become a priority.

The concept of the food forest and the Cypress Dome are excellent examples of FGCU’s commitment to sustainability. Though the campus is experiencing rapid growth, it is imperative that places like food forest and Cypress Dome are left intact and unspoiled. Our recent class discussion, regarding the rapid growth and the need for preservation in Southwest Florida, is a prime example of the challenges related to sustainability. If goals of preservation are not being developed and emphasized than Southwest Florida’s precious ecosystem and natural beauty will be at serious risk. 

After the wet walk to the Cypress Dome I felt, firsthand, the restorative powers nature has on the human body. This experience correlated well with Richard Louv’s book “Last child in the woods.” I came away with the feeling that I was one of the children Louv described in his book. In the technology driven world we live in too much time, in the current generation of young people, has been spent inside. This has led to an epidemic of the Nature Deficit Disorder. As an aspiring Elementary school Teacher I hope to educate the importance of sustainability to my children. Their generation will be the one that is affected the most, as they become the caretakers of our fragile planet.