Week #6

February 11^th, 2013

As usual, Marie Selby is a wonderful place to visit and I was really looking forward to finding about their agriculture initiative. After being handed off from person to person, I landed in front of the desk of the Horticulture Manager/Director, Mr. Mike McLaughlin. Unfortunately Marie Selby does not participate in any crop agriculture such as ECHO, aside from some fruit trees on the grounds.

I had a wonderful time regardless of my disappointment. I did learn they utilize cisterns to collect rain water which they recycle constantly and run through a sprinkler system set up sporadically throughout. The tubes are run up instead of through some of the trees instead of through the ground to cover a larger radius. Mr. McLaughlin touched upon the use of pesticides as well. They do not treat the grounds regularly but only at the onset of a problem, which on the topic of pesticides this week seems to bode well for them! They also use non-toxic pesticides versus utilizing non-organic.

I must say I am on the fence in regard to them being “sustainable.” Yes, they use recycled rain water and non-toxic pesticides but have not begun to use organic pesticides for whatever reason, perhaps cost is a major factor. Unfortunately no, I don’t believe their work is relevant in the developing world as they do not have a central focus on it like ECHO does. It feels though their mission is to continue Mrs. Selby’s dream of sharing her passion of nature with others.

As far as service learning goes, I would enjoy volunteering but it wouldn't be applicable to the course objectives. I would rather use my efforts toward preservation or conservation than being a tour guide.

On an unrelated note, I sat down and watched the short movie they play and learned that Marie Selby has the largest orchid and bromeliad collection in the US – over 20,000 species!!

Week #5

February 6^th, 2013

Again for me, I equate a negative connotation to anything dubbed as “sustainable” or “organic”, even farming. Although the premise may be genuine, I cannot get past government involvement and the fire and brimstone environmentalists that have created widespread panic and fear.

That being said let me get to the root of the questions here. Sustainable farming basics are less pesticides and a more efficacious way to grow crops and utilize water better. Ecological principles are the very premise in organic farming. With the population on the rise on a finite space we are running out of room and resources to be able to feed the world properly. Organic and sustainable farming is trying to reach out to traditional farmers and have them re-think the way they farm to make safer food more effectively and still be profitable. 

This way of farming keeps people and the environment in mind and shows how to utilize water better, try safer pesticides on crops (which are safer for human consumption and for the land and water as well), and create healthier fruits and vegetables for consumers.

I don’t buy organic or “naturally” labeled food as I believe the movement is a fallacy. The only part I liked out of the three videos was the second one - Food and You when Dr. Bruce Chassy said “there is no evidence that organic food is healthier, nutritious, safer, or sustainable.” Again, this very statement goes back to something I have mentioned before – the science isn’t there. It seems to me that facts are twisted to suit theories because some side wants it to fit their agenda. That being said, I do not deny the fact that we could use better farming techniques and utilize our resources better, but on volition, not government intervention and regulation.

In all honesty, I don’t know what “feeling connected to the food system” means. I shop weekly at Wal*Mart or Publix and buy food we enjoy eating. But to answer the question – sure I am connected to the food system because I need sustenance in order to survive.

If there were space on campus for a garden I would not participate. Not because I am a poor sport but because my husband has the proverbial “green thumb” and finds value in growing a garden for us as a family. 

Week #4

January 28^th, 2013

Having such a primitive perspective and knowledge of the most pressing global environmental factor, I can hardly begin to sift through what may me important, but here goes.

I feel like everyone is vying for their cause to be the most important and destitution will rain upon us if we don’t fix that problem now. But perhaps a more overall look would be best. How about something to do with a few things that are co-dependent on one another - Natural gas, shale and gasoline! Fracking is becoming a more common term people hear about and unfortunately is getting a bad rap by the environmentalists. The US is full of untapped resources that could not only get us off foreign oil, but facilitate in finding better ways of extracting it, becoming self-sufficient and providing more American jobs. Fracking would thus provide all of those aforementioned options above.

If Rockefeller were to offer me $100 billion dollars to me, I would give half to a fracking company perhaps up in the North East where it is already being done, to continue doing it or begin my own company. I would give 25% to subject matter experts in the field to study and try better ways of perfecting the art of fracking or finding a new way of extracting these resources all together. The remaining percentage of the money would be saved for future endeavors in the field.

The environmentalist platform seems to always be that we are squandering our resources and we must study, protect, and save them. But alas, as humans we are always on the cutting edge of technology and are finding better and newer ways of doing something, thereby saving and protecting said “fill in the blank.” This seems to fit the bill of that very framework and would be doing more than just becoming self-sufficient.

Week #3

January 25^th, 2013

My trip to Myakka River State Park was such a nice treat. I had never been before but was glad to go. I noticed right before I turned in to the park how the landscape changed. It almost felt like the plains of Africa or something.

I walked about 2-3 miles and on my way observed tons of acreage of palmettos (which I noticed many covered the ground. Perhaps were still in their infancy of growing), oaks covered in Spanish moss and ferns. Then suddenly the landscaped changed and I could sense this particular area had water in the ground. There were reeds and chutes all over and the vegetation was lush and green. Sure enough, I look out at there was a small pond with birds in it and I followed it back up to the reeds in front of me and I could see the water everywhere. My deduction was correct! The scenery changed back to dense forest again and as I hit the end of the tree line there was the first river meander I saw. I continued to walk and crossed over the first bridge and saw HUGE alligators sunning themselves on the bank. I continued further and the forest engulfed me once again and I came to my first nature trail. I was not expecting a view structure at all, especially one so big. But I headed up and was pleased that I could reach out and touch the trees and ferns growing on them. I enjoyed watching the landscape change from acres of forests, to empty glens, marshes, rivers, and back!

The Civilian Conservation Corps developed Myakka in 1934. Florida EPA manages the park however the staff on duty participates in removal of invasive plant species, as well as burning the Cogongrass. I also saw on my way up the Canopy Walkway that many donors and volunteers help continue with preservation and stewardship for the park as well.

To me, it seems quite obvious that like-minded folks have been providing monetary and physical efforts toward the preservation of this park for the last 80 years. To me, volition is key. People who find value in preserving nature will do what it takes and along the way find others who feel mutually and become a powerful, driving force behind restoring and protecting wildlife areas such as this.

I had no idea how special and sought after this park was (and I’ve lived here almost 5 years!) and how many people come to see it each day. All the efforts and money put in to preserving this park are immense. Evidently this park harbors “dry prairies” which are quite rare (again, I had no idea) and through intense efforts have been preserved and are now thriving from it. I expect this park to be here for a long, long time. The surrounding area outside of the park is filled with enough gated communities!

Week #2

January 15^th, 2013

State College of Florida has three campuses – Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice. Established in 1977, Venice is the smallest both in population and physical size (man-made buildings). I’d almost go so far to say that is doesn’t feel like a college campus when driving up to it. The entryway is lined with oaks, pines, and of course tons of palm trees and there is a small waterway to the left. When you make the left on the road that brings you to the parking lot you are faced with a gorgeous view of the lake and then you finally see the eight educational buildings there. My drive is never short of armadillo sightings, Sand hill Cranes, alligators resting on the bank, and yes the occasional snakes (which I almost stepped on one a few years ago!).

The campus is nestled off US41 South on a hundred of acres of land. You could call it rural as it is surrounded by Venice to its north and North Port to its south. I’ve always known the school was integrated well but had no idea to this magnitude. The founders, planners, and builders did a great job keeping the natural integrity of the surrounding woodlands and also keeping water sources nearby.

As mentioned earlier, there are only 8 educational buildings, accompanied by a few trailers for maintenance and such. Having such a small campus all the buildings are within a few seconds walking distance. I’d say the lay out if efficacious for students and faculty members not having to make treks across campus but also keeps the impact on the local environment lower.

Because the population is so small here, I wouldn’t go so far to say there is “hustle and bustle”, however for all intensive purposes yes, there are some spaces that are conducive to getting away. Upon stumbling on the Environmental Education Center trail, I spotted two hammocks nestled in the shade and a huge fitness trail with benches scattered throughout to relax and have reflective time.

I also never noticed (or perhaps they are new) there were solar panels here, which is the epitome of sustainability and “going green.”

A sustainable campus to me would be more geared toward each building having an abundance of solar panels to reduce energy costs, recycling initiatives, perhaps a smaller, more centralized smoking area (although I could care less about it). At this point, that is all I have in my “eco-friendly” bag of ideas. Since I don’t think in the “green” movement terms my ideas are really quite primitive. 

Week #1

January 9^th, 2013

My first ever blog post and I never thought it would have to do with my education!

At this point I am not certain of my expectations for this class. When my brother in-law told me this was a graduation requirement and spoke of its contents I rolled my eyes and scoffed. He has long since graduated and though we agree on many fronts about the environment, he did say he enjoyed this course. So that perhaps is a ray of hope for me!

Unlike many of my friends, schoolmates, and others I come across, I hold deep anathema for the “man-made” global warming movement. I for one believe it to be fraudulent as another way to create crisis among the population to continue and maintain control. Please do not think I am a conspiratoralist (I am not, I assure you) but given the nature and history of how this movement came about, I find it difficult to believe that the so-called facts haven’t been twisted to suit theories in order to fulfill personal agendas and power.

I hope to learn more about our rich environment here. Perhaps my husband can accompany me as he loves nature and our local areas’ history. He teaches me things I never knew as he explores the land for hours at a time!

Sustainability in itself derives from the “green” movement. No one had any idea what that concept was until very recently. Case in point, the fact that this course has come to fruition or was part of the building process of the school, again is a derivative of the global warming “epidemic.” Being “green” and “sustainable” are interchangeable terms and are thrown around quite loosely in my opinion. I attended SWFC’s Interior Design school for a year and many of our classes and curriculum were based on such notions. I have the most familiarity with those concepts and my understanding of sustainability comes from that field. Whether it be a building (hotel, hospital, commercial work space) or a product specified in a project, it means to me that the product or products were made by an eco-friendly company or perhaps taken from a true natural resource (cork from the Cork Tree) and was designed to last longer than it’s more man-made synthetic product (which can be refuted in some instances).

Being a business major I’m not certain yet where it could fall in my career directly but it is omnipresent anyway, whether I notice it or not.

I think everyone likes to think they have good, “sustainable” habits. But the truth is, unless you have a lot of money to drive a true hybrid car, have solar panels on your home, and a great water system (or cistern), most of us have a dirty “carbon” footprint. Unless we all would like to be thrown back into the stone-age and live in mud huts next to candle light we are not willing to give up our creature comforts. I for one certainly won’t! The sustainable attitude I have is purely selfish – me, me, me. Nothing I do that is "sustainable" is for the environment, it is from my own volition, satisfaction, and is purely money driven (by that I mean our financial budget, i.e., we don't own big cars, frigid thermostat, etc. All that costs more money than we are willing to pay for not because we care about being "green"). I find value in small things such as recycling (I hate the term and concept but that is for another day) because I am not forced to do so, I pick up larger pieces of trash sometimes because I find value in doing so, I cut up the plastic rings from our soda cans in the event that it ever did get in the water systems wouldn’t potentially hurt marine life. Again, for my own satisfaction. When or if I am governed to do so, I will stop.