LAND REMEMBERED - My area and I

Southwest Florida is a unique environment. We are close to the beaches and surrounded by many marine waterways. The area around Florida Gulf Coast University has grown and developed dramatically in the past 8 years alone. Shopping centers appeared out of nowhere! The entire area is building up very fast.

In Naples even with the fast building of restaurants and shopping centers, the plazas are more so built into the watery areas. The preservation is sustained by incorporating a great view.

Southwest Florida is different than other rural and urban areas because I believe that the forestry and wildlife in the town still exists more than other cities. There are many refugees and preserves within 5 miles of my home. Outdoors activities amongst the students are abundant as well. So many students go kayaking, wakeboarding, to the beach or take yoga classes outdoors in Estero area.

I also believe that since our university prides itself on being environmentally friendly the students are more aware of his or her actions and even if not actively involved in being green friendly are at least educated upon the subject.

I believe that there is change happening faster than we realize. Take for instance how Florida Gulf Coast University has almost doubled in size since it began. New garages are being built along with independent colleges within the campus. If we as a community plan and act as if we were already in the future instead of planning for the future we would do better for ourselves in present time. It is more effective to act as if we were already having problems instead of procrastinating until we are in a rut.

I see that we are trying to make adjustments for the future but we are growing too fast as a nation. In Southwest Florida the college, for instance, is trying to build upwards instead of outwards. We only have so much land and water in this world that we cannot keep building over and around it. The sky is the limit and excluding the aspects regarding air pollution, there are no limitations up high.

If we do not make changes now while we still have time, we could be looking at the end of our population. Even little enjoyments like the zoo will not be around because every animal we love will become extinct.

I personally have acted to make a few changes. Instead of going out to buy new furniture when I go back to school I will get used furniture to reduce my spending. I also have decided to use less water by hand washing my dishes more instead of the dishwasher and taking quicker showers. I want to drive less but I don’t know if that would happen. I would love to bike more or walk more but since Estero is so spread out I feel as if that is an intangible idea.

I hope that as I go through my day-to-day routines I can make better on my actions towards my environment. This class has very much widened my eyes to things I have been doing poorly and things I hope to improve upon and let my knowledge impact others.