Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium

With Kathryn, I did my service learning hours (and more) at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium - and we loved it!  Not only did we leave there eager to go back, but wanting to tell others about it and bring them along with us every time we visited.  What I really enjoyed about the Planetarium, which I feel really made all of the difference, was the employee's and volunteer's eagerness for us to volunteer, learn, and give them a hand.  They would also love to show off their skills to us, whether it be in snake-handling, animal-feeding, or fact-sharing.  They were also always happy to see us, and always had something for us to do (which is hard to come across when volunteering somewhere).  We prepared food for numerous animals; fed opossums; met a skunk; saw an albino raccoon for the first time; almost gotten my arm eaten off by an enormous pig named Elvis (right after the snake-handler guy Steve talked me into a picture with the pig shown above and to the right); watched children chase baby pigs until they could catch one; threw fish into the mouths of impatient pelicans; surrounded our ankles with ducks, chickens, and roosters; cleared an area out for turtles; handled huge, dead rats to feed to enormous alligators; stood just feet away from a rattlesnake; marveled at birds of prey; and were apart of the mini tours that occur around the time when the animals would be fed... and those were just the types of things we did I could come up with off the top of my head!  It wasn't until an hour or so after we got there on our first visit that I had realized that I had been there before, when I was around 13 or so.  I remember enjoying it, but not being able to experience the things we did during our service learning hours.  We thoroughly enjoyed our time there, and I plan on going back yet again.  Although I probably wouldn't have gone there unless it weren't for IDS 3920, I am glad I did.  I felt like a kid again and I enjoyed getting dirty with the animals.  I highly recommend this place for service learning, and I just hope that a requirement doesn't force my next visit there... 

Downtown Fort

The word “downtown” evokes words in my mind such as: party, bars, shopping, clusterf*ck of people, dirty, pollution, and others… I really couldn’t say for sure how their stature in communities have changed over time, because not only has the idea of downtown always been the same to me but I have not spent much time there.  I am not sure how they’ve changed, if at all, and if they are anything like I know them as.  Fort Myers is experiencing something of a renaissance in their downtown area because it evokes, presents, and tries to hold a lot of the history of Fort Myers within its downtown area.  The most prominent architectural feature that really stood out to me was of the mural a ways past Starbucks that had pictures of the (who I believe to be) the Calusa Indians, images of the civil war, incoming ships onto a beach front, and possibly other things that I cannot envision and recall at the moment.  It was, however, magnificent and represented quite a few different historical events and peoples.  They are designed to rekindle the “pedestrian spirit” by being displayed in modern-looking murals through images that are probably not as graphic or true to history as they display.  They are displayed in a more positive manner and through mediums that will attract people’s attention.  Other “nods” to history I observed, which I thought was kind of odd, were the multiple palm trees displayed in a courtyard where each tree had a plaque that gave the scientific and non-scientific name of the palm tree.  It was odd to me, though, because I see palm trees all the time.  If I were a tourist I probably would have appreciated that a lot more.  The economy of Ft. Myers has evolved from past to present as any other city would, with construction.  In relation to sustainability, a small bit of nature and some history are probably the only things that downtown Fort Myers and the rest of the city has attempted to sustain. 

"Is That Sustainable?"

The major elements of “sustainable” farming include things such as how the land is utilized and tilled; the types of  pesticides being used, if any; how the crops are watered and tended to; and how they are packaged and where they are shipped – among other things.  As for me, no, I do not buy organic or “naturally” labeled foods.  A lot of it has to do with my lack of money; if I had more money I probably would try and do the “right” and “sustainable” thing because I do when I can, however, it is the fact of not exactly knowing how “sustainable” the products are that would hinder me from purchasing them.  I am not exactly sure how many people in the United States and developing world could feel opposite of me, but I feel very disconnected from the current food system.  Of course I do not see or really know where my food is coming from, but a lot of what I eat isn’t exactly ‘real’ anyway.  I feel disconnected because I am not exactly eating real, natural, or decent food.  This disconnection from food that I (and I am sure many others) feel is a major and integral part of the “Third Frontier” phenomenon.  Part of the “Third Frontier” is characterized as having a disconnection to the current food system and lack of knowledge on where and what food comes from and essentially is.  If I had the space, support, time, friends to do it with, and could eat them afterwards, I would definitely like to grow my own vegetables and/or fruits on campus.  The reason why I don’t, however, is because I lack one or more of those things to carry it out with.

Estero Island Cottage and Matanzas Pass (**where our bus broke down)

My overall opinion of the Estero Island Cottage and Matanzas Pass was a good and lasting one.  In fact, my boyfriend and I have been planning on going to see the sunrise at Matanzas Pass, where the tour guide assured us a good view.  I felt that the Estero Island Cottage and Matanzas Pass was a great display of the “old” Fort Myers Beach, and did its best to educate and somewhat conserve what little bit of history and nature it had left of the former beach.  The woman who talked to us about the beach and the cottage was not only a lovely woman, but very knowledgeable and caring towards Fort Myers.  The sight at the very end of Matanzas Pass was my favorite, where we were able to see a great view of the ocean and wildlife across a long stretch of land and weren’t constricted by bushes and a small boardwalk.  The enhanced, local quality of life around the Estero Island Cottage and Matanzas Pass include the many shops and restaurants that surround it, the many hotels, homes, and resorts that bring in tourists and revenue, and the numerous people that come to enjoy those very things by boat in the many canals that have been constructed over the past fifty years and more.  It has and hasn’t included the quality of life, however, in multiple ways.  And as for the environment and the beaches themselves, the quality has not been enhanced.  My hometown has changed drastically over the years, mainly into a dump.  It is not so much the town it is now that brings me a sense of community, but the memories I get when I try and look at the crummy town that was my home many years ago.  If a developer offered me 300% the market value of my childhood home to develop into condos, I have no idea if I would take it or not.  I am not exactly sure if I’d necessarily want to change my old home (even if it is a dump now) with my own actions, however, condos would probably look much nicer there and do much more good in the neighborhood.  If the county approached me about purchasing the land under the 20/20 program, again, I am not exactly sure what I would do.  Since that will never happen, I guess for the sake of this blog I will respond that for both scenarios I would turn down the offers and leave everything (to rot) as it is…

Energy

Energy?  Too cheap?  If anything, I feel that energy is too expensive.  In order to create or implement things that do not use a lot of energy or diminish the use of energy, the costs are enormous.  Creating a LEED certified building such as Lutgert Hall has a much bigger price tag than Ben Hill Griffin Hall, for example.  As far as conservation being a dirty word, my view is that it’s not.  What could possibly be dirty about conserving?  Well, conservation must be a dirty word because we fail to conserve anything in America or truly believe in anything ‘conservation.’  In regards to alternative energy sources, I am not exactly sure whether I believe in being more of a “free-marketeer” or in the government’s intervention in steering the U.S. away from fossil fuels.  I don’t necessarily believe the government should be the sole proponent behind our movement away from fossil fuels, but I do believe they could take some action in getting society to believe and want to act in accordance with the use of less fossil fuels.  Using less fossil fuels is going to take more than just “free-marketeering” and will need some help and action from the government, however, the desire and force of action should be from the American public.  Although I know it seems difficult and nearly impossible to utilize properly and find real, usable energy from, I feel that if the energy of the ocean could be harnessed it could prove an amazing and great energy source - especially since the majority of our world is the ocean.  Perhaps the tools and ideas on how to do so are not available, but perhaps in the future there will be.  Steps I could take in order to limit my energy footprint could include actions not limited to: trying much harder to carpool; buying bulbs and other items that conserve energy; doing research on energy and how to conserve it at home on my own; recycle; limit my consuming; and do my best as a teacher to promote energy conservation in as many ways as I can (among many other things).

Climate change, shlimate change

In my opinion, I am not exactly entitled to an opinion on climate change.  Not only do I lack the scientific knowledge on the multiple views on the issue, but the fact that there is nowhere near an agreed upon view about climate change and that the theories are all so drastically different makes it difficult to have an opinion or even feel that climate change exists.  The way climate change was so simply put for me, though, makes me learn towards the idea that climate change is a more naturally occurring phenomenon than we think.  Although the idea that perhaps the speed of the Earth may have increased due to humans’ presence here, the initial movement of the Earth (which is what allows climate change to occur in the first place) is under no one’s control but nature’s.  In the media, climate change is portrayed as something that exists due to humans’ actions, is a completely negative occurrence, is happening rapidly and dangerously, and will (probably) be the demise of us.  The fact that the media, which is our main source of information, exaggerates climate change so drastically not only doesn’t cause me to alter my lifestyle but makes me question whether or not it really exists or is even a problem.  In my opinion, whether it is a pressing issue or not, the effects will not be as drastic or influential during my time, my children’s time, or even my grandchildren’s time.  I feel that the projected effects of climate change, if any are accurate, will take much longer than expected to go into effect.   

My ECHOing Thoughts



My visit to ECHO in 2008

 My overall opinion of ECHO was a great one!  I feel that it is a wonderful organization that is truly caring, hard-working, and legitimate in their goal(s).  What really stood out to me was ECHO’s general ingenuity in how they set up and planted their crops.  Not only did they try and use every bit of land that they could, but they worked to maximize their product.  They cleverly placed plants in appropriate places, used natural pesticides, and even used the knowledge they have of other plants to strategically plant them in places where each crop would benefit from the other (while even using the same land).  The examples of crops that were showcased compared to my view of “American” agriculture by the simplicity, resourcefulness, naturalness, and relationship and fulfillment from nature that I view comes from the field of agriculture.  In regards to their work being relevant to the developing world, it can be seen both ways.  ECHO offers their knowledge of farming and works to help enhance and advance other countries’ ways of farming, however, is not exactly preparing them to develop “industrially.”  I am not sure, however, if they want to develop as we have, which I feel ECHO is not attempting to do.  Even if it is not for the remainder of my service learning, I have once before and intend on once more completing service learning hours there.  Not only do I feel that what they are doing is noble, beneficial, respectful, and much needed, but it would be a great opportunity to spend time in nature all the while serving others who do not have the luxuries that we do.

I wanna be a billionaire so fricken bad...

In my opinion, the most pressing global environmental issue facing us today is the wasting of resources, such as food, clothes, finite resources such as oil, etc. from immense consumerism.  I believe this is one of the most pressing issues because of the outrageously exponential amount of waste that results from consumerism.  Not only is the initial waste a problem due to things such as pollution and the fact that those things could go to others, but it has had multiple effects on various other environmental issues and has trickled down to an even worse problem.  If I were given $100 billion by a benefactor like the Rockefeller Foundation, I would allocate the funds in a couple different ways concerning the issue(s) of consumerism and waste.  I would use the money to first help raise awareness of and come up with prevention strategies to try and diminish immense consumerism and waste.  In addition, I would want to create organizations that help use “waste” to give to other countries whom don’t even have anything to waste.  Educating people on the issue and in turn using “wasteful” resources into useful things for others, I feel, would be an appropriate and beneficial way to deal with the results consumerism and waste has had on the (global) environment.  While trying to address, educate, and prevent the source, I would simultaneously be creating organizations that will take the waste and results of consumerism that we have and turn them into something that isn’t waste.  A lot of what is wasted in the first place shouldn’t be, and could be something so profound in the lives of others who don’t have anything to begin with.

Thinking About Louv

The Louv readings proved not only to be extremely interesting but shockingly true, as well.   Pretty much everything he stated in regards to the average person (namely American) in society today followed the Nature-Deficit Disorder and Third Frontier trends.  I believe there to be true connection between humans and nature, and when that is taken away or there is a lack of use negative affects and ignorance arises.  I see the effects of the Nature-Deficit Disorder and the Third Frontier in myself and in the circles I run with, and that is probably a big reason why I feel Louv's views are quite plausible.  Ask a tribe in the Amazon about it, and they will most definitely disagree; if they even know what is being referred to.  Everything is perception, and from my perception Louv is very right (from an American standpoint).
Due to technology and other 21st century ideals, trends, etc., our (Americans') need for nature, I believe, has definitely been diminished.  Technology, for example, offers us entertainment that doesn't allow any effort on our part, whereas the outdoors requires our imagination and physical effort in order for enjoyment.  Let's say that most of Americans really did want to spend time in nature and really enjoyed it; who would have the time?!  Our society demands that we be so many things and multi-task our lives that we feel no other choice than to gravitate away from nature.  Due to this mindset, our inital want to be a part of nature has been diminished.  We are so used to being away from it that we feel disconnected and have no real need of it (or so we think).  In the long term, I do believe that a lack of natural exposure does have effects on individuals.
Of course this mindset and lack of natural exposure hasn't been around forever, but has been increasing more and more.  Technology has been a huge proponent in the hustle and bustle of society, but also a huge proponent in the decrease in use and love of nature.  The more we have been able to link our lives with technology, the more it seems we have had less of a need and enjoyment of nature.  A lot of some people's time spent outside is trying to gain service from their cell phone to make a call!  My personal need to work, attend class, do homework, relax, and spend my recreation time indoors can definitely be attributed to technology and my 'full-speed ahead' lifestyle.  My need to be apart of so many things and better myself with business requires me to spend a lot of time on my Dell, indoors, and exhausted.  I have found myself even spending days where I should be doing homework neglecting it and telling myself that I have to be outside.  Since I don't allow myself the ability to spend time in nature, I go outside when I am at my wits-end; when I need to go outside, not because I necessarily want to.  I guess it's a good thing that I crave my time with nature, but it should be something on the top of my list.  My guess is I wouldn't be so stressed and rushed all the time if I just spent more time in nature to help calm my nerves and anxieties. 
To fix these problems would take a change of mind and values, which is not only nearly impossible but usually only happens when things are terribly wrong and a change is the only way.  More of an education on the benefits of the outdoors could probably help change that mindset (for a time and for a few).  Perhaps to help remedy the problems of Nature-Deficit Disorder and the Third Frontier might be the practice of other activities by other people.  Gandhi stated that "You must be the change you wish to see in the world," and it holds a lot of truth to it.  Perhaps if those of us who are aware of the effects of Nature-Deficit Disorder and the Third Frontier counteract them with opposing actions, we can show others through our lives the benefits and ways we can enjoy, be a part of, and live holistically through nature.

Corkscrew

I absolutely loved our trip to Corkscrew!  It was beautiful, fascinating, a great escape, and right in our back yard - I could not believe something so unique was in Naples!  It was crazy not only to find that there were multiple ecosystems that made up the sanctuary, but that we were able to stand in the middle of three and see them all distinctly; I honestly do not know if I have ever knowingly experienced that.  The pond cypress, wet prairie, pine flatland, and bald cypress forest (if my memory is serving me correctly) were beautiful scenes that did not make me question once why they were preserved.  It was shocking and quite eerie hearing that the sanctuary was the savior of the last remaining cypress forest in the world.  It made me wonder if and why we, as a human species, really needed all that space to have to eliminate nearly every cypress forest in the world!  It was amazing to see the habitat of just the area of Naples; I cannot imagine what all of the other various cypress forests looked like... and unfortunately I never really can.
Civic engagement ties in directly with the Corkscrew site due to the simple fact that a group of people are all involved in the upkeep, preservation, and belief of the cherished cypress forest.  In addition, the sanctuary involves the community by allowing them to observe and also cherish the preserved forest, as well.  What they do is pretty much a basic definition of civic engagement.  Civic engagement also has to do with the interaction between the government and the community in order to solve a problem; I am sure that the Corkscrew Sanctuary has had plenty involvement with the (local) government in order to be able to preserve the forest, however, I am unable to recall exactly what happened or what steps were taken in their quest (or continuing preservation) of the last remaining cypress forest that is the Corkscrew Sanctuary.     

My Campus Walk

Our class walk through the multiple ecosystems of FGCU was, in my opinion, an extremely enlightening and enjoyable one.  Aside from the interesting facts and history that surrounds our campus, the walk really made everything that was presented to us come to life and give us the ability to really surround and experience our natural campus.  I think it was a wonderful and much needed experience.  It is not enough that the nature walks are there for us, because not all of our students would take advantage of it.  I liked the fact that through this course, we are required to not only learn but experience our campus.  Even if some of the students never walk the nature trails ever again, at least they gained more knowledge about our school history and (hopefully, on some level) became more connected with the campus.
In my opinion, FGCU is (or is at least trying its best) to fulfill its mission of "eco-empowerment."  Universities (and FGCU is no exception) are run (and seen to businessmen) more like businesses, and in regards to a business I feel that FGCU is not doing too bad of a job at trying to become somewhat 'sustainable' and 'eco-friendly.'  I feel that FGCU is doing the best they can and the best they know how, in regards to a business trying to fulfill an environmental mission/promise/obligation.  Even though I feel that a lot of  the reason our mission came about because of all of the controversy and protest around its construction, the school is trying its best to please its community of people and nature in being sustainable and 'green.'  Our tour guide, Tyler, mentioned that everything is a trade-off, and in the case of FGCU it is a perfect example.  My being an Orientation Leader and Orientation Team Leader as a representative of the university for two years has allowed me to feel extremely passionate about this school, good and bad.  I am always in defense of the university and trying to see situations from the perspective of the school, especially since I was trained to as a representative and as just a naturally positive and spirited person by nature.  I feel that the building and mission of FGCU may not have necessarily been out of good will, but I feel that its mission is good, nonetheless.  I see it as a positive movement, regardless, and that as long as we are trying our best to uphold that movement that the university is setting out what it was meant to do - and in my opinion, it is doing the best it knows how to.

The Dewey Readings

Even though Dewey’s first passage was difficult to get through, as it is not exactly the kind of text I am used to, it helped grease the wheels in helping me to understand his complex writing and revolutionary ideas in the following two articles.  As an aspiring teacher myself, it was an extremely interesting experience for me to read the works of one of the most influential people in the area of educational philosophy.  What I really admired and liked about Dewey’s articles were that he was very adamant for replacing traditional education with progressive education.  He essentially wanted to replace the type of teaching where educators would recite information out of textbooks (usually from the past) to students and expect them to memorize it with a new type of teaching that centered around learning “of, by, and for experience.”  Dewey argued his point without bashing the ways of traditional education, supporting progressive education with viable examples, and revealing that it would not be easier but more beneficial to incorporate progressive education into schools.  He expressed that the traditional education methods produced a stagnant type of education that did not inspire students to learn nor assist them in being able to think critically or transmit their learning properly into their present and future.  But progressive education, he argued, could use actual student experience to take what students were learning in textbooks and mold it into a more effective learning experience.  Dewey believed that progressive education could be more appreciated, by students and teachers alike, and used more effectively in transmitting what is learned into a student’s present and future.