Corkscrew Sanctuary

          There is a place in Southwest Florida called Corkscrew Sanctuary.  I have never experienced this place before until the field trip we took there this past week.  The Corkscrew Sanctuary is a beautiful view into the wildlife and ecosystems that Florida has to offer.  I am very familiar with Florida wildlife; however, I was not aware of the plethora of ecosystems that can be in a seemingly small area with very distinct eco tones separating each one.  The first ecosystem we came across was called the Pine Flatwoods.  This ecosystem is flat and open because of natural forest fires that occur every 3-6 years.  This ecosystem is also at a higher elevation so there are plants here that would not survive in the lower wetlands.  The next ecosystem we came across as we walked out of the Pine Flatwoods was the Central Marsh.  The Central Marsh is a large area between the Pine Flatwoods and Cypress Forest.  It is in this ecosystem that you can see the distinct ecosystems.  This Marsh provides sources of food for many small animals and provides a nesting ground for many birds.

The edge of the Cypress Forest

            My favorite of all the ecosystems was the Cypress Forest.  When I walked into this mass of trees it did not feel like I was I Florida anymore.  I am very familiar with Pine Flatwoods, however, I do not live near any Cypress Forests.  This is the more wetland area because it is lower in elevation.  We saw a few alligators in some of the swampy areas and a few different types of birds.  Another interesting characteristic about the Cypress Forest is that, because the cypress trees lose their needles for several months in the winter, light can get to the forest floor and create a rich diversity of plants.

            Along with the natural ecosystems in Corkscrew Sanctuary there was also an interesting manmade structure called “The Living Machine.”  This is a natural way that Corkscrew has created to filter water using “nutrient-absorbing plants”.  A complete breakdown of how this system works can be found at the following link:

 

http://www.corkscrew.audubon.org/Information/LivingMachine.html

        When I think of conservation and stewardship, Corkscrew Sanctuary will now come to mind.  Conservation is defined as the careful utilization of natural resources in order to prevent depletion.  Stewardship is defined as the care and keeping of resources.  Private non-profit organizations such as Corkscrew Sanctuary encompasses these two terms based on their actions and techniques they introduce to their visitors.  The first thing you see walking into Corkscrew is the Living Machine.  Right away they are sharing their efforts in their conservation of natural resources.  Like-minded people can be inspired by the steps Corkscrew is taking and make some changes in their own lives, whether it is using a reusable water bottle or turning the water off while they brush their teeth.

            Civic engagement is another class that is offered here at FGCU and a term widely used in society, which ties into the idea of conservation and stewardship.  Civic engagement is addressing issues of public concern and taking action on those issues.  A major public issue is concerning our natural resources, which we can all take a part in.

            Corkscrew Sanctuary started because a group of people known as the Audubon Society wanted to preserve a forest of old growth cypress.  Old growth cypresses are cypress trees that are hundreds of years old and have never been touched.  The Society fought the government and settled on a deal to pay the government the value of the lumber contained in this particular acreage.  The deal went through and they purchased the land, which has grown into the vast Corkscrew Sanctuary.  The proper role of government in this situation should have been them siding with the Audubon Society, in my opinion. The government should have a part in the conservation of our land and resources; however, that is not always the case.  Bulldozing this land would have removed all of the old growth cypress trees and we may not have any today if the Audubon Society had not obtained the land.  This land being left alone has allowed many different ecosystems to thrive, as well as providing a beautiful piece of nature for the community to enjoy. The following are a few more pictures from my experience:

An Alligator!

Our Sustainable Meal & Campus Adventure!

         This week in my colloquium class we had what we called a “sustainable meal” or, as some defined it, an “unsustainable meal.”  Each person in the class brought in something different and, based on what they brought, they had to explain to the class whether it was sustainable or grossly unsustainable.  My contribution to our class meal was trail mix.  Trail mix can be made in many different ways, with an endless choice of ingredients.  The diversity of this snack is what allows it to be sustainable if you choose to make it that way.  Because of the ingredients I used, my trail mix was sustainable, except for one ingredient and the way I purchased these items.  My trail mix consisted of peanuts, raisins, cheerios, and M&M’s (the not-so-sustainable ingredient).  With the exception of the M&M’s, the ingredients I used are all healthy for you.  Nutrition was one of the factors of sustainability that we discussed in class. The raisins and peanuts can be grown locally.  The cheerios, on the other hand, cannot be created locally; however, they are one of the healthier choices when it comes to quick snacks and they are proven to lower your cholesterol.  I know the M&M’s do not have any nutritional value but they do taste very good and I could not help myself and, therefore, had to add them.  I am completely aware of their unsustainable status and will admit I only added them for their deliciousness.

            The way in which I purchased these items also plays a role in the sustainable status of my trail mix.  Packaging was another factor we discussed in class that can contribute to the sustainable status of a product.  Each of the items I included in my trail mix was bought in bulk. I even bought the M&M’s in a large bag instead of a value pack containing small individual bags. Buying these items in bulk resulted in much less packaging and waste on the production end as well as less waste on the consumption end because I can take just the amount I want in a smaller, reusable container.  The packaging of each item I used in my trail mix was recyclable, also adding to the sustainability of the items.

            I know that there are different brands of trail mix that you can buy pre-packaged at the store, however, making it yourself saves money, creates less packaging waste, and also allows you to control the calorie and sodium content.  When comparing “eco” and conventional products side by side, these are the factors you must take into consideration.  An “eco” product will be better for you health wise and its’ packaging is usually better for the environment.  The cost of an “eco” product is not always cheaper; however, one perk of my homemade trail mix is that it is less expensive to make in bulk.  Being a part of this sustainable meal has opened my eyes to even small changes I can make in the food I choose to eat that will be better for me and the environment.  I think we all taught each other sustainable tips about our everyday food choices.

Our Tour Guide

            The second part of class we took trail walk around campus.  I had no idea there were trails in the woods around the main buildings, so this walk was very interesting to me.  The following pictures are things that I experienced on our campus trail:

Marker for the trail

You can't see it very well in this picture but this is an area that was once the
area of a forest fire that has now grown up with vegetation.

This is one of the ponds on campus that serve as a diverse ecosystem
for many small animals.

This is another example of a burnsite on campus.

This is a melaleuca tree that is a foreign species that is taking
over the native species of plants on our campus,

Matanaza's Pass Preserve and Historic Cottage

This class has provided me with opportunities to visit places I have heard of but never been to before.  Just like Echo, I had never been to the Estero Island Cottage or Matanzas Pass Preserve.  I think that this place is a great way to preserve the history of Fort Myers Beach as it once was in lieu of the changes that are taking place.  I am thankful that there is an historical society that has dedicated their effort to protect the Matanzas Pass Preserve from developers, preserving even a small portion of the island’s natural beauty.  The Cottage, being in its original state of wood walls and floors, adds to the character of the small historic landmark.  Walking into that cottage is like walking through a time machine, seeing the artifacts from the early 1900’s up to the 2000’s.  

Some of the artifacts are pictures of the island as it progressed from year to year and how the shape and development of the island has changed, as shown in the photo to the right.  This photo is displayed in the cottage and was taken by Jay Ursoleo looking South from the North end of the island. Alongside this photo there were similar photos but taken in different years.

Surprisingly, as we took our walk through the actual preserve, there was little sign of civilization, other than the occasional can or cup from previous visitors.  There were many types of trees within the preserve that I was unfamiliar with, which I was able to see because of the boardwalk going through the middle of it.  One thing that stood out to the entire class was the amount of mosquito’s that were in the Preserve.  They were biting us like crazy, but that is because Mosquito Control is not allowed on or over the Preserve to keep the vegetation and ecosystem safe.  I never realized how big of a difference that Mosquito Control makes.  The local quality of life is being enhanced by the Preserve and historical society.  The historical society is trying to preserve Estero Island so it can continue to provide people with a beautiful and enjoyable place to live and visit.  However, it is also being enhanced in a different way by developers.  Developers have built many condos and larger businesses and shops that have created a very large tourist area, which has boosted the local economy but is overrunning the original history and community of the island.

If you are wondering what these are they are old swimsuits that they had displayed in the cottage.
I thought they were interesting and good pieces of history to share with you.

I know my own hometown, Fort Myers, has changed tremendously since I was little.  The development that has taken place is unbelievable.  I can count at least 4 shopping center constructions I have witnessed, roads have been widened, and the population has definitely increased.  I do think the sense of community has decreased as things have grown.  When communities grow, it is difficult to keep tight-knit relationships.  If a developer offered me 300% of the market value of my childhood home to develop condos I would probably take the deal.  I don’t plan on living in my childhood home forever.  I would take the money from the developer and start my own life and find a new home that would be my own children’s childhood home. There is a program known as the 20/20 program where the county buys land and does not use it for development purposes but uses it as land that is to be preserved.  If the county approached me about purchasing the same land under the 20/20 program, for only 80% of its market value I would be in a dilemma.  I could either sell my land for more money, but have condos on it taking away from the actual piece of land, or sell it for less money and have it preserved for years to come. I think the deciding factor would have to be which offer I got first. Both would seem convincing so it would definitely be the timing with this situation.

Sustainable Consumerism

     When discussing the topic of sustainable consumerism, the two ways I view this term are; first, it is the responsibility of the companies and brands to create environmentally friendly products that would drive sustainable consumerism and, second, I view this term as it is the consumer’s job, when purchasing goods, to act in an environmentally friendly way and to lead a more sustainable lifestyle.  The following statement is from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development explaining their take on sustainable consumption.  

A statement of intent:

From the WBCSD’s (World Business Council for Sustainable Development) Business Role Focus Area workstream on Sustainable Consumption & Consumers

“Current global consumption patterns are unsustainable. Based on the facts and trends outlined in this document, it is becoming apparent that efficiency gains and technological advances alone will not be sufficient to bring global consumption to a sustainable level; changes will also be required to consumer lifestyles, including the ways in which consumers choose and use products and services. We recognize the need for business to play a leadership role in fostering more sustainable levels and patterns of consumption, through current business processes such as innovation, marketing and communications, and by working in partnership with consumers, governments and stakeholders to define and achieve more sustainable lifestyles.”

     From this statement we can clearly see that the business world is recognizing their role in sustainability.  Therefore, globalization and capitalism can be both a positive or negative thing. If more businesses and corporations realize their role, such as the ones apart of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, then the world would be taking much larger steps towards the goal of sustainability.  However, there are still those major corporations and businesses that only care about the dollar signs at the end of a process and do not care what rainforest they have to cut down and how much pollution is given off into the atmosphere.

 This type of company reminds me of a movie I used to watch called “Fern Gully”, where fairies were being driven out of their homes by a “monster” that was actually a large machine or the more recent movie “Avatar”, where the natives are also being driven out of their homes by machines. The movies are drastic renditions of this situations, but the greed possessed by these companies is real.  These types of companies that do not care about the environment may use a technique called “greenwashing” to make consumers think that they do care.  This technique is when companies use “green’ marketing to make their policies or products look environmentally friendly.  These companies know that people want more environmentally-friendly products, and are taking the measures necessary to please the people while still hanging on to their big bank accounts.

These two adds are examples of greenwashing:

      The organic foods that have been showing up on our grocery stores shelves in bulk are items that are priced very high.  There are also “local” and Fair-Trade” items that are highly priced as well.  These are items that are seemingly better for the environment and people, but I always find myself to be more hesitant to purchase them over cheaper commercial brands. When the developing world figures out a way to produce organic items for less, then we will be one step closer to Sustainability.

      I go out to stores, I frequent chain stores such as places at the Gulf Coast Town Centers, mainly because I am unaware of the mom and pop stores that are in Fort Myers, such as the ones down town.  I have heard people discuss them, but I never ask where they are in town or what kind of prices they have.  I think as a college girl in her 20’s the most frequent social trap that I succumb to are these large chain stores.  When I am bored and with a few of my friend’s one of the most entertaining things to do is to go shopping.  I think I will start making more of an effort to find out about those mom and pop stores and visit them to help out the economy of my local community instead of large chain stores.

My First ECHO Experience!

The field trip my Colloquium class took to Echo was the first time I have ever been there.   After living in Fort Myers my entire life, I cannot believe I have never experienced this place before.  Echo is a global farm that does studies on different types of agriculture that could benefit third-world countries and provide education for them on sustainable farming.  This “global farm” was completely different than what I expected.  I expected rows of plants, similar to a normal commercial farm.  Echo is in no way similar to a commercial farm.  The examples of different methods of sustainable farming that were showcased there make “American” agriculture seem wasteful and very unsustainable.  At Echo, every piece of the land serves a purpose.  A steep hill is cut out to provide flat ground for crops while another smaller hill is covered in a thick net-like grass that conserves the soil and provides food for smaller animals, such as the ducks.  In America, commercial farms consist of rows and rows of crops on land that is only used for that purpose and only yields that particular crop, nothing else.  To some people, Echo may not seem relevant to the developing world; however, I think that it, as well as programs like it, should be an important part of our developing world.  The way Echo runs their global farm may be a little more labor intensive, but, ultimately, it is so much better for the environment and everyone in it.  There were techniques of irrigation that Echo used that would save thousands of gallons of water if used on a large commercial farm.  These are the types of technologies that American farms could benefit from.

This photo depicts a drip technique of irrigation, in which a 5 gallon bucket can provide water to quite a large area through the use of hoses that are circulated throughout the rows. Our guide said that the bucket shown can water the area it is supplying for up to 8 hours.

When discussing the appropriate technologies needed for agriculture, I think it depends on what part of the world you are in, which is the reason for such different techniques of farming around the globe.  However, agencies like Echo are trying to close this gap in appropriate sustainable farming technologies.  What they are studying is being shared with the rest of the world and, the best part of it is, they already know it is beneficial for man and the environment.

The bottom right hand corner of this photo is one of the technologies that echo has developed. The object you see that is made out of PVC pipe is actually a water pump that can be operated manually to pump up water from the pond below.

I would love to perform some of my service learning hours at Echo.  The best part of it would be the wealth of information I could absorb from this experience.  I have always wanted to have a garden of my own; what a better way to learn than from individuals whose goal is to preserve our precious earth for future generations.  From the field trip alone, I learned I can grow plants in plastic bags, kiddy pools, and using bottles and cans as a soil substitute.  I would also enjoy learning about the people who are working and interning there.  Every intern at Echo spends one week living off of the farm alone.  They pick their own vegetables, create their own shelter, and even slaughter their own animals for meat.  These are skills they will need when going to different countries to educate people on sustainable agriculture.  Echo is such an interesting and amazing place that I most certainly will visit again.

This is displaying what I spoke of earlier when I learned that bottles and cans can be used as a soil substitute.

The following are a few more photos from my ECHO experience!



Agricultural Biotechnology??

For this week’s blog, I am going to do an exercise with this given hypothetical scenario:

Given the hypothetical scenario – ArborGen (a biotech company) has expressed a desire to plant test plots of genetically modified eucalyptus here at FGCU!  This GM eucalyptus has been engineered with enhanced cold tolerance.  This allows it to grow not only in Southwest Florida, but potentially as far north as South Carolina.  As an eco-aware citizen, the USDA has subpoenaed you to testify on the merits and pitfalls of this plan.  The following is my prepared statement:

            There are over 700 species of eucalyptus trees found on all parts of the globe.  The eucalyptus plant may only grow to be a small shrub or take on the form of a tree, some as tall as 300 feet.  This tree has long slender leaves and flower buds that have hair-like petals.  The flowers can be different shades of white, cream, yellow, pink or red.  Most eucalyptus are not cold tolerant; therefore, they are mostly found in tropical areas.  A downfall of the eucalyptus tree is that, because of the oil that is produced on the leaves, it is a high fire hazard.  There are also benefits to the eucalyptus tree.  This tree is a fast growing plant which provides an excellent and plentiful source of wood.  Eucalyptus trees are also used as a drainage tool because they absorb a tremendous amount of water.

            Referring back to my hypothetical scenario, genetically modifying this type of tree so that is can grow in more places would be beneficial in the ways I just mentioned; more sources of wood, drainage mechanism, and also a beautiful tree for landscaping.  This tree would be a great addition to the campus of FGCU.  Some of the intrinsic concerns might be the fire risk that these trees have.  Florida gets very dry in the winter and early spring and begins to become hot in late spring and summer, two favorable criteria for a forest fire.  This happening on a multi-million dollar college campus would not be ideal. We also have the occasional frost during winter but with their enhanced cold tolerance it would not be a problem. An extrinsic factor that would also be a concern would be the wetlands we have on campus.  The eucalyptus tree is known for is drainage mechanism and drying up wet areas.  The wetlands on campus provide an eco-system for our wildlife and bringing in a single species of tree that could destroy that would be terrible.

            These test plots could be a good and bad thing at the same time.  However, there are reasonable and cost-effective steps that can be taken to mitigate these risks.  If we integrate this study into our curriculum, you could have year round care and maintenance of this research.  FGCU could also make any extra work with the crops be a part of the service learning hours that we need for graduation.  By getting the students involved, it would decrease the need for expensive labor costs.

            If this study was successful it would bring merit and recognition to the University and everyone involved.  I think that the benefits would outweigh the costs if this was a successful study.  Just like any other study, it would not be beneficial if the study was a failure.  It would be hard work, but I think an overall good and beneficial experience for the students, University, and the rest of the world if we could create this cold-tolerant eucalyptus tree.

This photo depicts a large species of the Eucalyptus Tree.

In this photo you can see a bright red version of the flowers found on the Eucalyptus.

This photo depicts the shrub species of Eucalyptus.