Journal 10 - invasive species

When walking into nature, there are several of different species of wildlife. Ranging from animals, to plants, and little insects. It is hard to believe that all these animals belong in that same ecosystem. Yet, after taking colloquium I found that there are so many species that live in our area, that do not belong. The most infamous is the Burmese Python. The Burmese Python found it’s way over to Florida after escaping several of holding cells during a massive hurricane. They then made their way into the wild and took over. It is three times the length of Florida’s native and biggest known snake. The Burmese Python is not dangerous to humans, yet they will turn around and eat an alligator. Imagine walking up to a lake or through the woods and seeing a fifteen-foot snake, then walking down to the nearest lake and seeing that same snake eating an alligator. A snake eating a creature than millions of people fear, absolutely amazing! There are also several of invasive species that take over Florida. The beautiful Royal Palm tree that thousands of people have decorating their yard. They are as well invasive. They are native to the regions of Cuba and the tropics. They made their way over here in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They are beautiful, yet are not supposed to be dwelling around in Florida. There is also the Tiger Mosquito that made its way over here during the Vietnam War. This mosquito is an amazing species, and very dangerous. They are a very big mosquito and have the strips of a tiger. They will bite you and they carry a very dangerous disease, the dange fever. It is also coming up into summer and it is wet season. Be sure to be on the look out for the Tiger Mosquito because it is the one invasive species that you do not want to come into contact with!

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Journal 9 - Reflections of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Upon our arrival to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, I was excited to experience what I had in store. I have heard plenty of great things about this field trip from fellow classmates that have previously taken colloquium. They told me that there are so many animals that I will see that I have never seen before, wish was very true. When we began to walk to the boardwalk, I immediately spotted a bird I have never seen before. There it was soaring in the sky, a red-shouldered hawk. This bird was so big, flying in confidence, looking for prey. The sight was amazing, and the binoculars made the experience like the bird was flying right in my face. As we made our way through the boardwalk, traveling through different ecosystems. I became amazed when our group entered the swamp area. I have never been so close to such a large alligator in my life. The sight of watching it trying to feed itself was a once and a lifetime experience. It was creeping, slowly, and patiently in order to eat the swimming fish around it. Also, waiting for an ignorant bird to get to close, so it would have a filling meal. Once we left the amazing alligator sighting, we than ran into a kite, floating itself around also looking for a meal for the morning. The birds are corkscrew sanctuary were absolutely breath taking. I have been out in the wilderness millions of times. It took just one fieldtrip to see a handful of birds that I have never seen in my life. I also heard an amazing story about the life cycle and food chain that has taken place there before. Apparently, a German family witnessed a deer get attacked by a Florida Panther. It is amazing to know that on the same land that I walked, 1 of 100 of the dying species of Florida Panther ate on that same land. I will be paying several visits back to the Corkscrew Sanctuary in the future.

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Journal 8 - List of Consumer Goods

April 13th 2011

Wake up in the morning and make breakfast. Breakfast consist of eggs in which is package that is a Styrofoam substance. This packaging must be made out of several of different chemicals that are needs to produce this. I believe it would be a smarter way to use recycled materials in order to hold the eggs. I also had a single serving package of oatmeal and cottage cheese. The oatmeal package was made of paper. This paper was most likely used from a tree that was cut down, and not recycled paper. The cottage cheese container was made of plastic. I know plastic can also be recycled and it actually said on the label that the container was made from recycled products. This is a great step in order to make our environment that much more eco-friendly. On the way out the door to class, I grabbed a 20oz-bottled water that was made of plastic. Plastic water bottles take up most of the dumps all around the world. Therefore, plastic water bottles I believe need to be depleted. The convenience factor is why most people use it, and it why I use it as well. If they were not to sell bottled water, I would drink water out of the faucet. For lunch I had McDonalds. I have two cheeseburgers and a soda. The two cheeseburgers were wrapped in a paper material that by most will get thrown out and not recycled. The soda cup is made out of paper material that can easily be recycled. Yet, like most product packaging, people will throw them right into the trash and not recycle. I also had a protein bar later on in the day. The protein bar package was made of a plastic-like film. This film seemed that it could be very harmful if burned, which most trash is burned. At night for dinner I had chicken and veggies that both came out of a plastic freezer bag. The plastic freezer bags also usually get thrown in the trash and are not reused or recycled.
All in all, just through going by my every day routine, there is so much that I throw away and do not even realize. I need to become more self-conscious with toss things that can be recycled into the recycling bin, rather than the garbage. Every time I do this exercise I am able to learn from myself and able to grow in a more eco-friendly direction.

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Journal 6: Environmental Issue Current Event

Due to the recent earthquake that shook Japan on a 9.0 scale, nuclear pools are beginning to over heat. This can be very detrimental to Japan and cause a lot of radiation to steam out of the pools. Yet, on March 16, 2011government officials in Japan decided to fly over these pools five to seven times and pour seven million gallons of water into these pools to cool them off. The only problem was that when cool water hits something hot, it also causes steam. Therefore, the cool water created a lot of steam and now government officials are worried that the radiation is going to get into the atmosphere and cause damage to the humans that live in a ten-mile radius to these nuclear pools. This can cause a huge problem to the environment of the surrounding areas of Japan.
The nuclear fall out can cause many humans to become very sick and possibly come down with cancer. It can also cause babies of several fertile women to come out not normal. People in Japan are beginning to walk around with mask that cover their mouth and nose so that that may not inhale any of this fallout. Also, the government was thinking about issuing a medication to the people that live in the surrounding areas that will fight off some of the radiation that may have affected these areas. The Japanese need to be careful about there surrounding areas. They live in a very fragile area being surrounded by fault lines that will cause earthquakes and tsunamis. Therefore, if they become conscious about the decisions they make regarding their environment and peoples safety. Japan will be able to avoid minimal problems such as this. It will also be beneficial for the people of Japan and virtually the entire planet.
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Journal 7: Electrical List and gains

March 17, 2011
Lights:
Bathroom: 5 times on/off
Kitchen: 4 times on/off
Bedroom: 2 Times on/off
Kitchen:
Microwave: 3 times
Toaster: once
Oven: 2 times
Stove: Once
refrigerator: open and close 7 times
Other electrical based components:
Television: on for three hours at a time, twice.
alarm clock: remains on throughout the day
Laptop: used for 2 hours.
electric shaver that is plugged into outlet: once.
Shower (hot water heater): twice
washer and dryer: two loads each machine (four times)
Xbox console plugged into television: one hour of game play.
vacuum: 5 minutes
sink: on and off twice with hot water (hot water heater)
Dishwasher: ran once.
Blender for protein shake: once

When going through this list that I put together over a 24 hour period, it is safe to say that I use way to much energy and electrical appliances. If I were to take the amount of energy I use and consume, I could probably use enough power to energize a football stadium. As a college student it would be a smart idea to begin being more energy sufficient for the future, not only for an environment standpoint, but also from a financial standpoint. A lot of apartment complexes in college, as well as dorms, do not charge full price for the utilities. Therefore, a college student does not realize how much electric can put a damage on our “pockets”. This exercise for marking how many times I use an electric based object, can help me be more conscious when I turn on or turn off lights, use kitchen appliances, and how I can be more sufficient with the electric. Although we may not all think it, but electric plants do a lot of damage on our environment. As humans we can make a self-conscious effort to turn off lights, un-plug appliances that are not being used, and not use the television as much. This can help the environment make a turn around into a brighter future.
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Journal 5: Reflections of Fort Myers Beach

Fort Myers beach is a big “hang” out for my friends and I. Just like everyone who may go to the beach without any research would be in the same position about the beach as I once was, “clueless”. Yet, when the class and I traveled down to the beach and we got to listen to Fort Myers story from Joan Hughes, I was shocked. The island of Fort Myers has gone through so much incredible history. It has survived incredible hurricanes, battles between the Spanish and the Indians, tremendous technology and environment growth, and went from a tiny residency up to now residing 6,000 people in season. The amazing transformation of the island is amazing, and makes me wonder how it may look in sixty years from now. Also, I was fascinated because I did not know that the island used to of bigger size. Now because of all the hurricanes that have weathered the island, it is not even as close as it is today. I though it was amazing how weather can destroy landmass.

Also on our trip to Fort Myers Beach, we took a walk through Matanzas Pass Preserve. This journey through all the different mangroves and out to the water was amazing. The scenery was beautiful and I was amazed by how the mangroves play a huge role in preserving the environment by sheltering massive amounts of nutrients as well as housing fish
on our way back to the school we also stopped at a shrimp factory. This was amazing on how the business worked. Also the way that the shrimp industry became such a big business in Fort Myers, because of a lazy fisherman we now have pink gold here in Fort Myers. “Everything happens for a reason”, and him being lazy brought a lot of money to this area.
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Journal 4: Your Carbon Footprint

While playing, “Ecological Footprint”, I was able to learn a lot about how I impact the environment just by every day life. At the end of the game, the game uses a calculation to put together a number that represents how bad, I alone, am ruining the environment. My total score was calculated at 8.2. My score was so high due to two sections of my lifestyle that were through the roof on this rating scale. The first section was my transportation. Due to the fact that I drive a truck, and it burns gas at 12 mile per gallon. The carbon footprint took into account how non-environmentally friendly my truck is, and added a huge number of 21 to my score. This raised my carbon footprint from initially being, “1.6”, to the score of, “6.2”. This was a major jump in score and it was due to my transportation, which is a huge part of my every day life. The next score in which bumped my score from a “6.2” to an “8.2” was the section of foods, and what I eat. The reason this bumped up two whole points was because of all the meat, poultry, dairy, and fruits and vegetables that I consume on a weekly basis. Due to my healthier eating habits, I consume a lot of these foods in which may be more beneficial to the planet. Also, it may be from all the processing plants that the food may go through that can damage the earth’s environment. Therefore, I need to be more conscious on my eating habits and step back and look at the bigger picture before just grabbing food at my local supermarket.
All in all, I am glad I was able to play the carbon footprint game. It allowed myself to realize how much I actually am damaging this earth alone. Due to the game, I am going to be more conscious on almost everything I may do or did in the past. I alone can make an effort the change this environment, and I will do so at any cost.

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Journal 3: Reflections on the field trip to ECHO

While at ECHO (Educational Concern for Hunger Organization) there were several amounts of information that I was unaware of out hunger around the world. I was also very intrigued about the several of different things that ECHO does for the starving nations around the world. While watching the movie, we were giving a foundation on what ECHO does. ECHO serves 180 countries around the world for those who are in need of hunger. They use a strategy in which helps fight the hunger throughout these nations. They use a problem solving strategy to find out where the problem of hunger is coming from. Then ECHO provides seeds to these different areas in which vary from monsoon, summit dry arid, rainforest climates. All the seeds may be different because only certain types of plants can survive in certain types of climates. Yet ECHO finds the different type of plants that are able to provide for the different climates. I was also amazed at the education and training that ECHO provided to these people who are in hunger. There was several of different types of water irrigation pumps, and soap dispensers that were made out of the littlest things that can be found just about anywhere. The most amazing was the water drip irrigation that was simply made out of a bucket and two sticks which could provide water irrigation to a whole crop. Also, they made a level for the summit arid regions made out of a rock, string, and two sticks which would help level out the area in which the people may be planting their crops.

Yet when at ECHO, the most amazing thing that ECHO provides is the Moranga leaf, also known as the miracle vegetable. The Moranga leaf can be grown in almost all regions and the morgana leaf does not only provide all the extra vitamins, calcium, potassium, and protein that the human body needs, but it also purifies water. By ECHO sending one seed to all these areas of starvation. They can save several of these starving people from walking miles and miles just for water.

Also, another very interesting concept that ECHO has developed was the duck poop that drops into a pond to build up the size of tilapia. This simple and easy concept that ECHO developed allows a lot of these poor countries to have protein on hand and have enough to feed a village. It also allows these countries to maybe sell some of these duck and tilapia for money or even trade for other type of food for their villages.

All in all, ECHO provides the basic necessities to help cure hunger. They provide the specific seeds for the certain regions, the education that is needed for their surrounding environments, and the basic training needed to plant crops and let a crop grow to its full potential. ECHO does not just give the hungry food but they go by the saying, “give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and feed him for a life time”. They teach the hungry how to grow food and give them the ability to eat for a lifetime.

Word Count: 539

Journal 2: Your neighborhood-either at FGCU or at your childhood home. Use all of your senses to describe the things you care about and that you noti

When living in a certain neighborhood, it is always important that one cares about their surroundings and takes notice about how their neighborhood may intrigue their senses. In the neighborhood that I live in today, being FGCU, there are several of different factors that please my senses as well as turn them off. Being that I live in a college town, I generally walk to most places either being class or on the board walk that enters through the woods to the parking garage. I am able to capture different views, smells, and noises that help give notice to my surroundings.

There are times when walking to and from the parking garage that I am able to see several of things that are going on in my surroundings. For the past couple of weeks, I have taken notice that several sections of beautiful trees have started to disappear. This has hurt me knowing that people are tearing down what we have of natural life here on campus. This is going to begin to drive the important wildlife that is protected here on campus, to an unprotected area off campus. This in turn can lead to the possible death of those animals. Also, when walking on campus there is a smoking section where students congregate to have a cigarette break. I am able to smell the cigarette smoke from several of yards away. I believe that this takes away from the beautiful essence that FGCU has to give through the smell of trees and other various plants.

FGCU has not only become my new home, but also my place of higher learning. Therefore, I would love to see FGCU to turn back to the place is used to be. As a freshman I was able to take notice to all the beautiful smells and noises from the various wildlife and plants that would fill the campus scenery. FGCU is still a beautiful place to go to school. Yet with the growing population of students that are coming to FGCU some of these beautiful senses I once had, are disappearing. I care for this place because I live here, study here, and walk through campus and the surrounding Fort Myers area every single day. With the growing population, I believe it is imperative to try and conserve FGCU wildlife and environmental surroundings. Therefore we will all be able to keep those beautiful senses of sight, smells, hearing, and touch.

Word Count : 407

Picture from : picasaweb.google.com

Journal 1: Your connection to the Florida environment and how much time you spend out doors.

Being connected with the outdoors is a necessity for happiness, relaxation, and overall well-being. Therefore, it is imperative to spend time outdoors because it not only allows you to find your peace with nature, but it also allows one to become connected with their surrounding environments. Over the years of living in Florida and spending several of hours a week in the outdoors, I have earned a fond connection with the outdoors that I will keep with me for the rest of my life. Growing up on a farm allowed me to spend an unlimited amount of time in the outdoors and grew a connection with the outdoors from either playing in the mud, out fishing the back lakes, and exploring the back woods. Not only did I grow a connection with the outdoors, but also I learned several of things through hand-on experiences all the way to checking the Internet from being curious. I learned about several different animals such as snakes, alligators, all types of birds, and insects, to all the different types of plants that came along with being in the woods, poisonous or not. From my past experiences I am able to inform a lot of my friends when out in the woods on what may be harmful or not. Along with when going on my nature runs, which paths may pose a danger or which are the safe routes.

I believe that being in the outdoors has helped me remain distressed throughout my college career. Although I do not have the time that I once had when I lived on the farm to be outdoors, I find several of different alternatives to become connected with my environment. Being that I am joining the Marine Corp, I find myself running at least an hour a day. Yet rather than going to the gym to run on the treadmill, I will go outside and run in the fresh air, or find a nature path that will allow me to run through the beautiful wilderness. If I do not feel like taking a run for the day, I will go out to the poolside and enjoy some warm sunshine. This also allows me to get outside in the fresh air and let nature alleviate some stress.
All in all it is very important to spend time outdoors. Whether it is to go lay out in the sun, run through nature trails, or explore the back woods. It helps several of people become connected with nature and their surrounding environment which ultimately allows one to find happiness.

Word count: 429

Images from : http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/photo924168.htm

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