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 The dreariness of the weather in Ohio that caused me to often feel melancholy has been replaced by a sense of optimism.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.