5- Sustainable Farming

Major elements of sustainable farming-


1- Environment: It is key for there to be bio-diversity in the soil. Healthy soild not only helps the plants to continue to grow and stay healthy, it has a strong effect on air and water quality. Organic farmers using the principles of organic farming are then independent from relying on oil based inputs. This allows the farmer to have a one up on others who have a reliance on these types of inputs.

2- Society: The benefit that organic farmers have on society is that they can offer a product that is untouched by pesticides. This helps to keep the food consumers take in "clean food". Today, a major fad is shopping at health food stores. The produce there can be very pricey  With that, growing local produce can be very cost effective to the ones around us. 

3- Economy: I found out that crops that are organic sell for twice the amount than a conventional crop. What does this do? It gives farmers a more stable income. Also, by farming organic, companies do not need to spend "secret money" on cleanup from excess run off. 

I personally love to shop for produce from my local farmers market. Not only are the vegetables fresh, they are clean. I do not have to worry about cleaning off the pesticides and soaking my fruit in vinegar to  remove the wax coating placed on the produce by the grocery stores to look fresh.

I incorporate 2 full servings or vegetables and four servings of fruit in my diet everyday, so cutting down on costs is an absolute necessity. The photos below are from an amazing farmers market in downtown Chicago. Not only does this market sell fruits and vegetables, it sells meat, seeds, and beans.

I moved into the house I reside in now last June. I had this grand idea that I would grow this fantastic garden. I started off by tilling the area that I eventually wanted to use to grow my garden. I then created two large compost piles. I studied the ratio of green items to waste items to brown items. Having a compost pile was very time consuming. With that said... I have a compost pile but still no garden!

4- Endangered Species

If asked what the most pressing environmental issue, I would respond with endangered species. Because I am such an animal lover, this issue touches close to my heart. Recently, many species have struggled to make comebacks, but more are under threat.

Indicator species, any biological species that defines a trait or characteristic of the environment, such as: whales, elephants, monkeys, cats etc. are the species that right now have to be watched very closely. When these species become threatened, it has a direct effect on the ecosystem and can even cause an ecosystem collapse.

If I was given 100,000.000 to help endangered species I would spend it very wisely. I would take 1/3 of the amount and send it to the school systems in the form of a unit for study. The unit would teach animals that are endangered, and ways we can protect them. Specifically, I would mention the American Alligator, Bald Eagle,Grey Bat, Key Deer, Bobcat, Green Sea Turtle and West Indian Manatee. These are animals becoming extinct right around us here in SW Florida. 

I would use 1/3 of the total amount to fund research. I would send the money to the following foundations that are non profit and strive hard to make advances in this field of study: US Fish and Wildlife, Audubon Society, The National Wildlife Federation and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

The last 1/3 of the money would be saved for natural and very unnatural disasters such as the BP oil spill. 

3- The Corkscrew Sanctuary

Corkscrew Sanctuary was a fantastic hidden gem. Located in NW Collier County lives a beautiful treat from nature. I feel very lucky to have been able to visit this sanctuary. As I entered, I did not know what to expect. I knew at the sanctuary, there was a long boardwalk but had no idea it contained so many different ecosystems and that is was two miles long!

The first ecosystem I came across was the Big Cypress Swamp. I thankfully, was there on a quiet day and had access to many guides along the way. These guides were volunteers and super helpful to answer questions. I learned that the swap land consisted of 11,000 acres. Throughout the acreage I saw many Virgin-Bald Cypress trees. At the Corkscrew Sanctuary live some on the countries oldest Virgin-Bald Cypresses, aging from 400 to 700 years old.

The next ecosystem I entered was the Sandy Pines. This area was prolific in Slash Pines. From reading the signage, I found that this area is very prone to fires, but without fires, the Slash Pines would take over the area. They would become intrusive, so it is actually a positive that their are  many fires. 

I continued through and around the 5,000 acre marsh. What impressed me with this ecosystem was that it acts as a water purification preservation. The sanctuary encompasses many ecosystems, and with that, it supports its own existence.

My boyfriend and I were lucky to see a coiled up Corn Snake as well as many baby alligators. When we ended up back at the beginning there was a group of young students standing by the finch exhibit by the audobon society. All the sudden we heard screaming. A red- hawk swooped down and took a finch. The kids were horrified but it was actually really funny.

Before I left I visiting the interesting "living machine . It looked to me like some old oil containers. I learned that this machine is self sustaining and able to organize, repair, and reproduce itself. The machine was designed by John Todd and is able to filter 15,000 gallons of water a day. Super Neat!

2 - FGCU Campus walk

FGCU CAMPUS WALK:

Before starting this course, I did not know the extent of the trails that surround the Florida Gulf Coast Campus. Before walking the trails, I decided to do some research at the FGCU library. While reading about the campus, I learned that over 400 of FGCU's 760 acre campus is land that is being conserved. Driving by the campus, you can also see the solar panels. I researched the panels as well and learned that the solar panels, visible from Ben Hill Griffin, contribute to 85% of 3 of the buildings on campus' electricity,

If we look at the definition of eco-empowerment, yes, the campus walk is consistent with the mission of the university, it is a trail that exhibits the diverse and changing environment of South West Florida. The empowerment comes more from the research of the trail and its surrounding assets. 

I can't say I went into touring this trail with any expectations. I was surprised that the trail was not maintained better. With all of the students at FGCU needing service learning hours, cleaning up this trail would be a great way to meet their expected hours. I also found that entering the trail alone was not a good idea. What should have been a short tour, turned into a few hours of trying to find my way back! I thought that the trail would be outlined better. Being from up north, I am used to hiking, but also used to a clearly marked trail.

(Something to think about!)

1- Expectations

I have many expectations for this course. 
I have been putting this course off so that I had more time to devote to the curriculum by taking the class over the summer. I expect to learn more about the SW Florida surrounding areas as well as the resources we have available on campus. I am excited to visit the sites we are outlined to visit, and look forward to blogging about the sites themselves.

In my own words, sustainability means the ability to continue regardless of the obstacles placed before you. When researched, the word sustainability directly means the capacity to endure. The places I will be visiting this semester will show the success of the ability to sustain throughout the years. 

As a future special education teacher, sustainability is very important. A healthy classroom environment will be able to sustain any left hook's thrown at it. If the classroom is strong it will be much harder to break down the learning environment into one which is unsuccessful. 

We all have behaviors that can be considered unsustainable. For example, if I keep waking up at five am to create blog posts, my energy for the day will be unsustainable. If we have a behavior that is unsustainable like this, it takes an intervention to help to keep sustainability.


unsustainable-
~not able to be maintained at the current rate or level
~upsetting the ecological balance by depleting natural resources

Welcome

Welcome to my Discover Nature SW Florida Blog!

In this blog you will find information pertaining to many amazing sites in the SW FL area. The commentary will be continuous with feedback, photos, and informative sections. I hope you Enjoy!

In co ordinance with: IDS 3920