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.