Final Thoughts

As every student at FGCU knows, we all are required to take University Colloquium. A class that emphasizes sustainability in nature and focuses on aspects of the world. At first, I was probably less than excited about having to take this course. But now that it is done and over with, I feel that I learned a lot of things that you probably won't learn in another class. This class made me realize my own emissions, and to become more aware of society and how everyone else around me uses the resources that are given to me. I think that if anything though, to change the class I would suggest maybe making the lecture part of the class more hands on. Instead of just giving a lecture for over 2 hours to a bunch of sleepy, bored college kids. I think maybe making it more interactive would benefit the students more and make them appreciate it a lot more. Maybe doing a lot more activities, power points and videos to emphasize the points stated would be a good start. I think all the assignments given were appropriate because they all had a specific purpose to teach everyone and they all did that well. Yes, no one likes writing the blogs because it requires time and effort, but it really makes you think about how you use the Earth's resources, and what will happen to the younger generations. All the essays as well just reinforced what we discussed in class and they evoked creative thinking out of all of us, which I think should be the point. Honestly, most of the readings were boring and it took everything I could to keep my attention focused on them, but I like how they all related carefully to what was being discussed in class, and I liked reading about other peoples points of views as well. I like reading David Orr's work because it always gets my attention and he always makes points that are relevant to now, so that its not just pure torture to read. I liked all the field trips as well, with the obvious exception of the first field trip we took. The Wet Walk. But I'm sure that I'm not the only one who wasn't too thrilled about being knee deep in cold water in the middle of a swamp. But these field trips were used as reinforcement tools for what was topics were being introduced and it only helped me solidify what I was learning inside of the classroom. I really don't have any suggestions on how to improve the field trips because they all help teach something different, and they all give us the chance to see something that we probably wouldn't do on our own time. It was nice to see all the nature, animals and everything that I have not been able to experience before. With all of this being said, I enjoyed Colloquium more than I thought I would and I have nothing else to offer on how to make it any more enjoyable than I already thought. Well done.

Downtown Fort Myers

For this field trip, we all got the chance to go down into Downtown Fort Myers, see the historic districts and also take a trip to the Southwest Florida Historic Museum. Overall, I liked this field trip because I personally have not had the chance to see downtown Ft. Myers, and I really enjoyed seeing the historic streets, and how everything used to be. It always intrigues me to see old buildings and even how all the architecture and decorations have changed. I feel like however that most of the time that we spent downtown just walking around, would have been better spent at the museum. I really enjoyed the museum and I wish that we had been given more time to explore it more, and to take the time to read all the information that was provided. My favorite part of the museum was looking at all the Indian artifacts that had been found and replicated. It really makes me wonder how they were able to survive the way they did and also if I could even survive like that if I had to. It really intrigues me to learn about the Indians of Southwest Florida, and how they lived off of all this land until everything was urbanized. Another thing that really impacted me was seeing all the historic landmarks, like the fountain that has Edison, Ford and Firestone all around a small campfire. I thought this was really unique and how it incorporated them together as friends. I thought Downtown Fort Myers was nice and I am glad that I finally got the chance to see some of it and I feel that maybe to make it more sustainable that there should be less construction going on, and maybe make more walker friendly areas, so as to reduce car emissions, and that people will want to spend more time outside.

Environmental Justice

For this blog, I actually looked up the definition of Environmental Justice, and the definition it gave me, I'm not entirely sure if it's completely accurate, but it basically sums up to "the fair treatment of all people regardless of race, gender, color, etc. And implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. Environmental Justice seeks to address topics such as pollution, industrial facilities, and crime. This meeting a place of social and environmental isSues because it is recognizing the main problems of human society, and the affects it directly has on the environment as well. Recognizing that there may be differences between humans, whether race or gender or simply how much money is made, and working to better these situations will help better social controversies and in turn help the environmental issues as well. Whether it's decreasing pollution, or watching industrial output, etc.
"NIMBY" is the acronym that is used to describe the phrase "not in my backyard." This phrase is used whenever something in a residential area could be proposed, that could take away the beauty of why some people chose to live there, and decrease land properties. NIMBY is significant because it also shows that there are people who are trying to stop the continuous march of industrialism and that they also want a better world to live in. For people to use this phrase requires a deal of sacrifice on their part, because they could be going against what they majority of people want, and having to deal with the repercussions of it. A current local issues that came to the top of my head when I was thinking what to write for this part of my entry, was the solar panel field that is not sitting at the main entrance of FGCU. Yes, these solar panels run Academic Building 7 and they cut down energy costs, but they provide a huge eye sore, making the land look sparse, and this doesn't include that hundreds of trees had to be cut down, destroying the habitats that utilized this area before we did. The stakeholders in this project would be the people funding these panels, because not only are they gaining from the costs, but potentially being seem for a moment as trying to be environmentally positive, although it is clear they are not looking at both sides of the spectrum. For these panels, of course they could gain money, but if you think about it that's it. But they could also lose money if things went wrong, their stature could be ruined, etc. So to me, I don't understand why people feel the need to demolish acres of land just for some solar panels. It doesn't seem fair to the environment and the animals that once thrived there.

Environmental Health

I think it's safe to say that the environment and human health closely correlate together. We as humans live in the environment, breathe in the air, scents, we touch what we see and so on. If something goes wrong in the environment then it is guaranteed that something will change in our health. If acid rain starts to occur, it can damage any kind of crops maybe that we depend on as a food source, thus affecting our health. Same goes for fires, the flames can engulf a home, or the inhalation of the smoke can cause lung problems, congestion and sometimes even death if humans are exposed more than they should be. The environment and human health exist I think in a delicate balance where one can easily manipulate the other if it really wanted to. Using the knowledge that I have gained from taking Colloquium, I have becomes more aware of the red tides that are now invading Southwest Florida's shores, due to the excess of nitrogenous rich fertilizers that pour into our water systems. These red tides can cause various health problems, ranging from symptoms that resemble allergies to possibly hospitalization from direct exposure to these tides. They not only create eyesores to look at in Southwest Florida, but they endanger residents and increase the worry among citizens. Luckily, the Sierra Club is trying to do something about these tides. Campaigning around the areas where these tides are known to break out, and educating people on what other sources of fertilizers they can use, and how much to use as to avoid more runoff, which also kills the various marine life. With further disrupts humans lives. I think the Sierra Club is doing a good job so far. They are providing the foundations for effective learning about the tides. Teaching people their mistakes and better alternatives decreases the chance of the mistake happening again. I feel like I can do my part in this by also telling my friends and neighbors what can happen if they have fertilizer that runs off into water sources, and to just promote further awareness as best as I can.

Environmental Ethics

My personal views regarding the environment are relatively simple ones. We should protect the environment, that there is no official right or wrong way to deal with it. Nature has been around for thousands of years before us humans came and bulldozed it out, so in reality what gives us the right to just clear more of it away? To build more shopping malls so we increase our spending revenue and debt? I justify this because I feel like people nowadays are becoming more and more selfish and they just don't care about nature anymore, the way our ancestors before us did. What is ironic to me, is that some people would rather see a shopping mall than a preserve, but what happens when our resources run out? Who will be there to take the blame? But it can also go both ways as well, the scenario I have been asked to consider if the town isolated off, in need of a hospital. But provided with only a natural area with endangered plant species found. What is more important? The communities needs or the plants? This argument could run both ways, if a population of humans dies off due to isolation then that area becomes inhabitable, allowing nature to accrue. But at what cost? In this case I would have to say the needs of the community would prevail, rather than the needs of nature. Because nature can be preserved with care. Us humans, our internal workings are a bit more complicated and we will die off with insufficient medicine. The endangered plant species before mentioned, that could be preserved with proper care and respect. If the humans only used it when absolutely necessary, and had a respect for this plant and also took care of it, then the two could exist in a mutual relationship. But when one is aiming to become more dominant, then unfortunately nature will lose. This is why I feel that all humans should respect nature, and do what they can to preserve it. Nature gives us the air we breathe, shade, protection and even food sources. Why shouldn't we give it rights after all it does for us?

Trip to Estero Bay

March 20, 2012

Today our class took the trip to the Estero Bay Historic Cottage/ Matanzas Pass Preserve. Overall, I found this trip to be enjoyable because I learned some new things and got to explore the Preserve, not to mention it was a great day outside, so it felt nice to be doing something productive. At first, my initial impression of going on this trip was that it would be secluded from society, and that we would see a cottage just full of old memorabilia having to do with nature and how time has altered it. But after going on the trip, the only thing I was wrong on was the isolation of the cottage. I had no idea that it was literally right across from Fort Myers Beach. But if I think about it, it makes sense because a long time ago, all the buildings, hotels and everything that make up Fort Myers Beach weren't there. Making the cottage by itself. I enjoyed the history lecture we received because Mrs. Jo really knew what she was talking about and its refreshing to hear someone who can provide detailed and accurate information on how Florida used to be so different from how it is now. It is hard for me to picture Edison and Ford coming down to this area to vacation because they loved it so much, but I have not seen what Florida used to look like, before Industrialization took over. It was interesting to learn that they used to have to black out their windows at night because of the Germain submarines patrolling the shoreline, and how they dealt with mosquitos, and basically made a life for themselves by fishing and living off the land. It was new to me to learn that the name "Mantanzas" actually means "massacre" and the reason they named it so was for the Caloosa Indians who were destroyed by the Spanish. I thought the lecture was really interesting and it taught me alot that I didn't know. I prefer listening to someone who has actually lived through something, rather than just reading about it in a textbook.
I liked the boarwalk because of all the sights it had to offer. We learned about the mangroves, and how to identify which are black, white, and red mangroves, which I thought was interesting because I had previously not known how to tell the difference between the three. I liked how Sara showed us all the new species of tree that could be identified, all the little insects we saw; the little crabs, the crab spider, and lots of butterflies. This was really neat to me,and it astounded me that all of this is free to the public. I could go back and bring my friends and family and let them see what I have been able to see.
Conservation 20/20 has done a good job with the Matanzas Pass Preserve because one, they have eliminated most, if not all of the exotic species that were over running the other populations, and it for the most part has been restored to its original beauty. I think they have done a good job and that more people should visit a Preserve just to see what they are like, and maybe they will find a newfound desire to protect it.

20/20 Conservation

Before this class I had actually never heard of Conservation 20/20. Looking upon the website, I'm in fact a little embarrassed that I haven't because this website provides so much information and I fight it incredibly insightful. Conservation 20/20, essentially is a Program overseen by Lee County and its goals are to gain land, protect it the right way without harming that environment,restore the land to what it once was, and to allow us as people to visit and even have recreations in the proper way, while exploring all that the nature has to offer. One thing I liked about the website is that it provides a list of all of the Preserves that have been acquired by this mission, the dates that the lands were acquired, and also a list of recreational activities that would be appropriate, yet still fun to do should you ever decide to visit one of the preserves. Sadly, I have not been to any of these preserves. However, this weekend I am going up to Koreshan State Park to do the Nature Walk that they offer, along with some kayaking. I feel that I should take the time out of my life to go visit some of the other preserves because I think that it would be a great growing experience, and to see all of the lands that have been restored to their original beauty and to learn more about what I can do to care for the environment around me. I actually do not know of any other programs that do such amazing work as Conservation 20/20, being from Orlando there really isn't much to be preserved there, considering everything has practically been industrialized it seems like, which is really disappointing to me considering that Orlando actually has some nice areas that could have made nice Preserve areas; before they were made into shopping malls. When I think of what my tax dollars are going to, I want it to be for a good cause. I don't want my money paying for people on Unemployment who are too lazy to look for jobs, or to prisoners who have it easy by just doing labor doing the day and that's it. I would like to see my tax money go towards preserving the land because if we don't start becoming more aware of how valuable our land is, then I think we will be in serious trouble. The trees provide us with oxygen, and all the vast acres of preserves offer beauty, activities, and can help people relax and get away. If we also don't start becoming more serious about preserving our land, then the animals that provide Florida with such a rich diversity will die, and then eventually we will too when we have run out of all of our resources.