Urban & Agricultural Field trip #8

Before watching Untold Stories of Ft Myers I and II and visiting Down town Ft Myers, I never gave to much thought on my surrounding's history. In the mid 1800's Ft Myers was one of the first forts build along the Caloosahatchee River as a base to fight against the area's current residents, the Seminoles. Years after the war people came to Ft Myers in search of material. Bamboo was known to grow in Ft Myers and this is one of the reasons what drew Thomas Edison to the area. Edison was captivated by Ft Myers's beauty that he decided to build his home, laboratory, and, Seminole Lodge, on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. Edison became Ft Myers most famous resident and was the cause of Ft Myers's growth and development. Hendry Ford moved to Ft Myers after Edison encouraged him to quit his job in New York and pay full attention in fulfilling his lifelong dream of building a gasoline driven automobile. During my experience in Downtime Ft Myers I was able to walk through the first Arcade build in Ft Myers where Edison enjoyed attending.  During the depression Ft Myers suffered just like the other parts of the United States. A combination of poor publicity, hurricanes, and inadequate planning brought a end to Florida's thriving growth. Nonetheless, during this difficult time of the country, Ft Myers still managed to build the Federal building and the Edison Bridge was constructed making it easy to travel to the north. Through war, depression, and prosperity Ft Myers has evolved and led Lee County into the future.

University Colloquium experience #7

The best part of the colloquium course was my service learning.  The volunteer work at Barefoot Beach was much needed not like other areas you go and volunteer, and your help is needed.  Not only was the help needed but, the volunteer service provided was rewarding.  Removing exotic plants within the mangrove trees was rigorous; nonetheless, the volunteers worked together, making the task move smoothly. While we worked our volunteer supervisors educated us on the plants that were being removed and the reason they were removed. The experience was physically demanding, rewarding, and educational.  It also reinforced the crucial aspect of learning together with other to obtain the same goal.  The course has made me more conscious about the earth and the influence we have in it. I am currently looking into solar panels for my home. The other trip I enjoyed was the “ding” Darling trip I learned about how many species of birds survive and thrive together even though the changes in the preserve are many and quickly happen you go from high tide to low tide quickly and if you’re in the wrong place at a certain time you become a bird meal rather fast.  I also learned how many species survive in fresh water and in salt water even when they mix together in a matter of yards. From the beautiful manatees to the feeding osprey I saw nature and its inhabitants are beautiful when they are preserved by our government, away from human development that destroys our natural beauty.

Even though the scheduling of the field trips was a little challenging overall the course was exceptional!

J.N Darling Tram #6

Before 1926 Sanibel Island was mainly used for farming. However, in  1926 a severe hurricane destroyed the agricultural industry. Due to the island's beauty construction of the Sanibel Causeway was completed to attract tourism to the island. A wildlife conversationalist, known by the name of  Jay Norwood Darling convinced President Harry Truman to sign a Executive Order creating the Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge in 1945.  The refuge was then named after Darling. The island's wildlife is now being protected and maintained due to its importance to the ecosystem.  The Darling Refuge has an extraordinary ecosystem. In the tram we were able to see the an array of different animals in their natural habit. From the fiddler crabs that reside in the mangroo teeth coming out after low tide to feed to the top of the food chain the baby alligator we were able to see in the beginning of our tour. We went from fresh water where the baby alligator was at to salt where we saw the crabs. Mangroo trees are known to absorb 40% of a hurricane's system. Birds and other animals use the mangroo trees as shelter and as food.  

The Snowy Egret conserved it's energy by waiting patiently at one of the water runoff sites while keeping a keen eye out for its next dinner. It is important that egrets conserve their energy for other matter like avoiding predators.

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Birds are attracted to far out rookery islands. They enjoy sleeping in these islands and also use them to make nest in Spring.

Journal Entry #5

           ·Discuss the historical trends leading to preservation of habitat and species at Corkscrew.

Corkscrew Sanctuary has been threaten since the 1900's. An array of battles over birds, lumber, water and land spanning more than a century has transformed Southwest Florida. In the early 50's Lee-Tidewater Cypress Company had moved north to Corkscrew where they pulled out many  great cypress trees and sent them off to Europe. Corkscrew locals became worried about the idea of losing all the great cypress forests to logging and began a campaign to save the sanctuary. The National Audubon Society, individuals and organizations worked hand in hand to raise enough funds to purchase the 700 acres of old growth forest.  In 1955 Audubon took ownership of great Corkscrew. The Audubon Society build a board walk in 1956 for individual to enjoy the beauty of an unspoiled forest.

  · Describe the value of wetlands in protecting water quality , maintaining biodiversity, and preserving the watershed.

Wetlands at Corkscrew Sanctuary plays an important role in supplying water for Southwest Florida, water sanitization, natural flood protection, safeguarding of wildlife habitat and recreation.  The Corkscrew Swamp is part of the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed. Rain water flows from Lake Trafford, through Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, and then south and west to Gulf of Mexico via Cocohatchee River

·         Describe the role and value of fire, water, elevation, and other climatic events and how they impact the habitats of Corkscrew.

The rainy season typically runs from May through October. During this time water flows across the Everglades and Big Cypress. Fish, amphibians and insect numbers explode which create a productive food web. When the rain stops the elevation of the land create receding pools which trap fish thus creating an abundant food source for wood storks and wading birds during nesting season. Periodic fires naturally maintain the pine flatwoods and wet prairie habitats, these areas are home to an array of large mammals such as panthers, dear, bears and bobcats. There is also a small animal population such as snakes, raccoons and a vast number of birds like hawks, woodpeckers and cardinals. During the drier winter months deeper lakes are found in the heart of the cypress swamp. These lakes attract gators, turtles, otters and wading birds. During this time the cypress trees lose their needles which allow more sunlight to filter to the forest floor, creating an abundance of plant life and also a microhabitat for insects, reptiles and small mammals.

·         Identify the main species from each habitat at Corkscrew.

The pine flatwoods habitat main species are large mammals such as panthers, bobcats, white-tailed deer and black bears. The wet prairie main species is the various types of herbaceous vegetation such as sand cord grass, sedges and rushes. The pond cypress habitats main species are plants such as ferns, sawgrass, air plants and a variety of flowering plants. The bald cypress forest  is home to the largest population of wood storks in North America thus making it the main species in this habitat. The aquatic habitat found in the heart of the cypress swamp which consists of deep water lakes has a main species that consists of mammals such as gators, turtles and otters.

 

· Identify sustainable and environmental initiatives at Corkscrew

Corkscrew’s Boardwalk made from IPE has twice the strength and is five times as hard as pine, fire resistant, termite proof, and does not rot. The boardwalk opened in 1996 and it protects our natural resources from visitation. When constructed the path it took left the 3” in diameter trees untouched. The same example of using sustainable resources was used in the construction of the energy efficient Blair Center. The Living Machine also represents environmental and sustainable initiatives by treating and cleaning wastewater which is recycled back into the toilets. It converts harmful gasses in nitrites which plants then release as harmless nitrogen gas. The living machine uses 3 stages to complete the process the water is filtered through a series of tanks, at the completion approximately 90% of the water is recycled and the other 10% is lost in evaporation.

Journal Entry #4

Husband and wife researchers Stephen and Rachel Kaplan developed the well-established attention-restoration theory. This theory states individuals who have more exposure to nature report more positive emotions and less anger compared to people with less exposure. In a nine year study they conducted they found that people who participated in their wilderness program experienced sense of peace and an ability to think more clearly. In Louv’s article he explains how children with ADHD benefit from beaches, forests, dunes, and rivers.  He goes on to say how nature engaged and soothe them. Dutch researchers explain how people who live close to a park or wooded area experience less anxiety and depression. These studies reveal that nature maybe a useful therapy for ADHD. Nature can be used to medicate individuals with similar disorders instead of the high cost medications. According to The American Journal of Psychiatry (2005) cost for children with ADHD where more than double compared to children without ADHD.  This is a perfect example why we should care for our environment because they are natural remedies for human kind.  In Flannery’s article he depicts how the coral reefs are being destroyed by pollution.  The consequence of ozone layer damage has caused global warming. The climate change-induced damage on the reefs is depleting the colorful natural architectural structures. Reefs provide homes for many species. Species like dolphins, whales, algae, and fish either live or visit the reefs. These species are detrimental for human kind. Nature is the world’s best science and medicine and we must find creative ways not to harm it and maintain it for our own benefits.

ECHO FIELD TRIP #3

I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.

 ~George Washington Carver

My eight year old son, Joel joined me on the ECHO field trip on May 25, 2012. I thought it would be a good idea for him to learn  about God and ourselves through nature. ECHO is a Christian organization that has helped 180 countries by equipping the poor with agricultural resources and skill to reduce hunger . Our tour guide did an excellent job in educating us on how people can use what they have to sustain themselves.  For example the man-made fish and duck pond . As we walked about a corner we saw a duck enclosure over a pond.  Our guide explained how the duck's manure stimulated the growth of algae, providing food for the tilapia fish. In addition, the duck's eggs and meat provide protein for people. I also thought the "wash hand station" was a clever idea. There was a hanging detergent bottle filled with water  connected to a pedal; where when you stepped on the pedal   water poured out of the bottle.  A bar of soap was also attached to the device.  The idea was to encourage frequent hand washing to prevent diarrhea and other illnesses.

I love nice landscaping especially at home but, after this field trip I will be looking for creative ways of placing plants together that complement each other.

 At the end of the day my son said to me, " Mom I had the best day ever with you today".  In addition of having a great time with mom he learned how God created the earth to sustain its self.

ECHO FIELD TRIP PICTURES #2