Service Learning Reflection

For my service learning hours I volunteered at Koreshan State Historic Site. I learned all about when Koreshan first started to how it declined. It was interesting to learn Koreshan was meant to be utopia for pioneers of all kinds. I had no idea Koreshan used to be a village; I thought it was just a nature park. I learned so much about Koreshan State Historic Site. While I was volunteering I was able to identify a few different species such as a gopher tortoise, bamboo, a raccoon, cabbage palm, pond apples, and mangoes. I was lucky enough to help Koreshan sustain their beautiful park by picking weeds. When we were finished I felt really good about myself because we made the trail look so much better and more presentable.

Neighborhood Questions and Answers

Answers to my questions:
1. Why does the water level change so often throughout the year?
In Southwest Florida there are only two seasons. Both seasons blend into each other subtly. The two seasons are the wet and dry season. The wet season begins in the spring, in April or sometimes late May. The rainy season can last all summer. During the wet season rain pours over all the land; therefore, causing the water level to be high. Then there is the dry season when it will not rain at all or very little. The dry season usually starts in late August, or sometimes even September. This causes the water levels in Florida to decline greatly.
2. How long does it take for a bottle to decompose in nature?
"According to Penn State University, a plastic bag takes 10 to 20 years to decompose, where as a plastic container takes 50 to 80 years to decompose. The worst though is a plastic soda bottle. A plastic soda bottle takes 450 years to decompose!"
3. Why do alligator flag plants dominate the surrounding are of the pond?
Alligator flag plants are found in ponds, swamps, and marshes. Surprisingly, it is not widely distributed, but it is locally common due to the amount of ponds, swamps, and marshes in Southwest Florida.
4. Why was there so much litter in the pond?
Many people are inconsiderate towards the environment, and they do not realize the effect littering has on nature.
5. What kind of animal did this used to be?
While on my nature walk in the beginning of the semester I found a dead animal that had been eaten up. I found its vertebra, and after examining it for a little and more in the pictures I realized it was once a raccoon.

Field Trip - Freshwater Environment - Corkscrew Sanctuary

One day after my Mental Health clinical I decided it would be a good day to go to Corkscrew Sanctuary. I was not sure what to expect going to this site; however, when I arrived I was very excited to walk the boardwalk. While I walked along the boardwalk I stopped to read about all the various species that I might be able to identify. I found it fascinating I was able to identify a few of these species without seeing pictures of them. I was shocked to see various animals such as, alligators (even baby ones), birds, squirrels, and lots of lizards. I was surprised to find myself at corkscrew sanctuary for 3 hours; I thoroughly enjoyed this field trip, and I can definitely see myself going back.

Field Trip - Urban Environment - Downtown Fort Myers

I have been to downtown Fort Myers many times before, but I have never looked around. I was unaware of everything downtown had to offer. When I arrived to downtown I fell in love with the brick roads throughout the city. I have always loved seeing the old fashion parts of a city. While driving into the city I saw the court house, which I was lucky enough to go into with a friend of mine to pay a ticket. I was able to see the art center for the first time, the architecture of the building was intriguing. While I was walking the streets I came across I building that was unfamiliar to me. It was the Art of the Olympians building; I had no idea this building was in Fort Myers. During my visit I was also able to see the Southwest Florida Museum of History, which had a very unique structure. I was also able to see the downtown library. I have never been there because it is quite a distance from my house, but I was able to go in and take a look around for the first time. While wandering downtown I arrived at Centennial Park. I have been here before, and I find its environment to be inviting and relaxing.

Reading #17 - Love it or Lose it: The Coming Biophilia Revolution

Dr. Ed Wilson states that biophilia is an innate bond between human being and other living things. I do not believe there is a biophilia revolution in the near future. I believe that one day people will realize the world is worth saving; however, I believe it will take a disaster before this can occur. David W. Orr discusses many reasons why we have been unable to achieve biophilia, and I completely agree with him. The first obstacle we need to overcome is denial. I believe this is the hardest aspect to overcome because I believe many people deny that our world needs to change. The second obstacle we need to overcome is imagination. It is much easier to view a biophilia-centered world than to accept denial. We are far away from becoming a biophilia-centered world. The last main obstacle we need to overcome is the problem of modern mind’s desire for drama, excitement, and sexual sizzle. I believe most people are too caught up in their own lives to understand or believe on world needs help.

I understand people do not like nature; however, they should not try to destroy it. Biophobia is a bad things, and it is destroying our environment.

PERSONAL JOURNAL #5 - Exit Reflection on Accomplishment

During the first week of University Colloquium I was shocked with the amount of work I had to accomplish in ten weeks. Once I did all the work week by week it did not seem like too much work at all, and I was actually having fun with it. From the beginning of this course I hoped to become more aware of my local natural world and the environment. Throughout this course I have been able to visit various habitats that were not only educational, but also beautiful and calming. I will definitely be returning to a few of these places on my days off in order to relax. I now find myself going outside to the nearby park to read. I would have never done that before taking this class. I love being outside more than ever now because I am able to observe nature and understand its growth and beauty as a whole. This course has taught me a lot of new things about nature, and I have achieved everything and much more in this course than I thought possible.

My Random Nature Walk

The other day my roommate and I went on a nature walk through campus. Her and I used to go a lot the first two years we lived on campus. I love going out into the woods and seeing what I can find. I took a bunch of pictures of all the different things I found. I was fascinated by the amount of deforestation going on in the woods on campus. I also found two trees that formed together; I thought it looked awesome! I thought I would just add this blog even though it was not necessary.