Journal 7, Six Mile Cypress

I really enjoyed visiting Six Mile Cypress last Wednesday morning. I felt as though it was a perfect way to give me some much needed reflection and outside time. It was really cool being able to walk on the boardwalk and be able to identify different types of plants, animals, and types of wildlife that I've learned about throughout my time at FGCU. It was an incredible way to spend a couple of hours and an extremely appropriate last field trip.

This was my first time at Six Mile Cypress and when I got back to FGCU that evening I met up with some water polo players visiting from Vermont. I asked them about their stay and what activities they had done that day. They mentioned that they went to Six Mile Slough at around 3pm that afternoon and I couldn't believe it! Not only did this group of individuals want to take the time to explore the outdoors and Fort Myers, but just a few hours earlier I had my first experience at this park as well. I was able to share with them some information that they probably wouldn't have gotten elsewhere and later recognized the wide impact that this place has on Southwest Florida. It was by far one of my favorite field trips and I can't wait to go back!

Food Intake

Breakfast: Banana, Peanut Butter, 2 Cuties Clementines
Lunch: Cliff Bar, 2 Cuties Clementines, 1 Liter of tap water
Dinner: Chipotle burrito, 1 liter of water, cookie dough ice cream

I purchase the majority of my food from Publix, while some of it comes from restaurants like Chipotle. The oranges come from California, the Chipotle is mostly from the west coast as well. The water is from Lee County Water Treatment Plant in Fort Myers, and the ice cream (Bryers) comes from Maryland.

While I would like to eat more local food, it is not realistic financially (as a college student). It is economically sustainable however, employing truck drivers, food makers, other distributors. I think that the way I consume food is intentional because while 40% of food in America goes to waste, I try not to add to that statistic.

Estero Island Historic Cottage

Our trip to Estero Island was a refreshing change in pace from our normal 8-9:15am classroom setting. It had been some time since we went on a field trip and while the weather was once again overcast, it certainly didn't stop us from enjoying the experience.

We first got an introduction to the island and were treated to some stories about the legendary Jo Hughes, who unfortunately was not able to make it. After speaking with my roommates, who have all taken Colloquium and know about Ms Hughes, I had a realization about the impact that this class has on FGCU students. They all know her as the sea grape jelly lady at the historic site and as minor as that fact is, she has created a legacy within FGCU and in the community.

Our walk was filled with numerous random facts that all peaked my interest. These bits are information are always so fun to use to educate others about Estero Island or Southwest Florida. Sitting here with study guides and homework up to my neck and a million things standing in my way of Spring Break, I'd give just about anything to be able to have another few hours like we did on Wednesday to enjoy the trails of Estero Island.

I think that it was a good use of tax dollars to preserve this land, especially with how quickly the rest of the island is developing. It is unfortunate however that is has to be a constant battle between builders and those who wish to preserve certain lands. Throughout everything we've read it seems that land preservation agencies usually get the short end of the stick, but Estero Island Historic Cottage and the trails surrounding it was a huge win for Southwest Florida.

Water Usage

After calculating my water usage using https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/thepowerof10/ I found that I use 101 gallons of water per day. This obviously averages to more than 700 gallons per week and only gets exponentially larger while the time frame increases. While it is easy to brush that number off and justify it, I don't think many people realize how much water 101 gallons is. When I think of that number, I think of 101 gallons of bottled water scattered around my apartment. I also consider that it costs about a dollar per container which would add up quickly. This month my roommates and myself split a $60 water bill.

Fortunately, the cost of water through the tap in our area is relatively inexpensive. While it may not be an issue for us, it will be in the future for the next generation and for people that don't live as close to accessible, drinkable water. I've heard that water will be the next resource that is extremely valuable- like today's oil industry. I believe that desalination will become more popular in the coming years in order to utilize more of the ocean's/world's water.

We are able to reduce water consumption by taking shorter showers, fill the washing machines as much as possible to maximize space, and making sure the dishwasher is full when we run it. We are minimalists in my apartment but after knowing how many gallons we use per day, I'm committed to use less and less.

Urban Environments

Last week we took a trip to Downtown Fort Myers to analyze an urban environment in Southwest Florida. We split into groups and walked around town, recognizing the extensive use of complete streets and mixed use buildings. This trip was eye opening because the only times I've been downtown were in the evening to experience the nightlife in Fort Myers. Although I consider myself a relatively observant person, there were so many elements of the city that I've always failed to recognize.

We started out at the water reservoir that filters water in a retention pond type of structure that ten flows out to the bay. It was enlightening to see that these fountains and pool of water serve more of a function than a parking lot that used to fill that space.

We then walked over to the county library that was newly LEED certified. This building was so modern and was riddled with environmentally friendly elements. It was also a great spot to sit down, relax, and avoid the nasty weather that seemed to follow us for the entirety of the day.

 A tribute to the US colored troops that fought in the Civil War

A picture of the reservoir before and after

A picture made from small, black and white tiles

FGCU Food Forest

Visiting FGCU's Food Forest on 1/13/16 was not my first encounter with the area of land that sits between campus' main entrance filled with edible and useful vegetation. Our tour guides/ environmental naturalists spent about an hour explaining the different aspects of the Food Forest and how each plant and animal has a vital role in keeping the other vegetation in conjunction with one another.

I thought it was fascinating how all of the plants were arranged around each other, with a major focus on water drainage and elevations. It was also very interesting how some plants like the fire bush are in the Food Forest to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies rather than for human consumption.

The ability for students to create a place like the food forest with no initial help from faculty or staff- and with Student Government's funding is remarkable. The experience that those students got from starting this project must have been life changing. I think that so many students here are looking for a way to leave their mark on FGCU and these Food Foresters found a way by following one of their passions.

Week 1- 1/13/2016

Ever since I moved in I knew Timberwalk wasn't home. A townhouse maybe, but I-75 is a neighbor that doesn't bring you cookies when you move in or have an extra egg when you run out. It is simply white noise at this point that provides light pollution and white noise. This neighborhood the exact kind of suburbia that I hope to avoid for the rest of my life- with speed bumps protecting neighborhood children from drunken college kids and security gates keeping the bad guys out or trapping them in.

The only place I don't get sick of is on my bike, simultaneously turning the gears of the components of this simplistic yet complex machine and my brain in harmony. This summer my bike took me across the country- from Jacksonville, Florida to Monterey, California. The hardest part of this trip (besides climbing the endless mountains) was accepting that I had to recondition myself to everyday life once reaching the Pacific Ocean.

Brief moments still occur when I wish this bike could be my forever home, but I know that it is my responsibility to provide others with the opportunity that I have been blessed with- understanding the potential of nature and how much power it has to affect you. That is what I plan to commit my life to, and hopefully find a better sense of place in the process.
_________________________________________________________________________________

“It occurred to me, as it sometimes does, that this day is over and will never be lived again, that we are only the sum of days, and when those are spent, we will not come back to this place, to this time, to these people and these colors, and I wonder whether to be sad about this or to be happy, to trust that these moments were meant for some kind of enjoyment, as a kind of blessing. And if feels, tonight, as if there is much to think about, there is much we have been given and much we have left behind.” 

― Donald Miller, Through Painted Deserts