Water Hyacinth
Floating Heart
Butterfly Leafed Snowflake
Tad Pole
Mud Crab
Mangroves
Purple Marsh Crab
Peanut Plant
Friday, July 8, 2011
More Species Discovery
Water Hyacinth
Floating Heart
Butterfly Leafed Snowflake
Tad Pole
Mud Crab
Mangroves
Purple Marsh Crab
Peanut Plant
Field Trip #4 - Agricultural Environment
Place: Sizemore Farms
Location: Plant City, FL
Experience: Awesome!
There has been dramatic change of how we grow our crops over time. The mechanisms, chemicals and technologies that we use are always changing. It is now becoming more common that people are trying to have organic gardens, which cut back the use of pesticides. Without the use of pesticides the overall costs are cut back and the crops produced are better for people in a healthy manner … all of the hormones in food today is just ridiculous!
The goals we hope to reach through sustainable agriculture are very important. To satisfy the needs of the community as to how much food we have on our table especially related to fiber is one. Another would be to make the most of the non-renewable resources we have at hand. Water techniques (discussed in following question) is a main key to ensure the capability to use water later on. Supporting the economic power of farm operations. Also, most importantly, prolonging life of farmers and the human race as a whole.
Money is an all time inevitable problem. The United States farmers are pretty well off, but not in other countries where poverty soars. This ties into being able to manage crops in order for them to flourish and then for a family to make a profit by selling to farmers markets and other sources. A solution to this is to make better use of the food that is produced. This could be done by changing what food is produced aka what is suitable to grow in an area in particular; if a farmer lives in Florida don’t try to grow apples because the weather is not suited for that but grow oranges. We need to make better use of what we already have!
I went to Sizemore Farms that is a family run farm in Plant City Florida. I have learned about crops through the readings in State of the World text given by this class and am surrounded by orange groves everywhere in my town. Sizemore Farms offers strawberry and cantaloupe crops and thought it would be interesting to stop and see that instead of the usual.
Strawberry production occurs November to April and then dies out because of the heat. Cantaloupe grow in two seasons both two months long: April and May along with October to November. During the off season it is crucial to rejuvenate the soil in preparation for the next growing season to come. I came to learn that Central Florida is the best to grow in our state. Most of Florida has sandy soils but in the central region the soil is more clay and peat based providing more abundant harvests.
I very much liked Sizemore Farms because they pride themselves on the product quality of their food along with safety of their food meaning they try to be as organic and natural as possible!
Location: Plant City, FL
Experience: Awesome!
There has been dramatic change of how we grow our crops over time. The mechanisms, chemicals and technologies that we use are always changing. It is now becoming more common that people are trying to have organic gardens, which cut back the use of pesticides. Without the use of pesticides the overall costs are cut back and the crops produced are better for people in a healthy manner … all of the hormones in food today is just ridiculous!
The goals we hope to reach through sustainable agriculture are very important. To satisfy the needs of the community as to how much food we have on our table especially related to fiber is one. Another would be to make the most of the non-renewable resources we have at hand. Water techniques (discussed in following question) is a main key to ensure the capability to use water later on. Supporting the economic power of farm operations. Also, most importantly, prolonging life of farmers and the human race as a whole.
Money is an all time inevitable problem. The United States farmers are pretty well off, but not in other countries where poverty soars. This ties into being able to manage crops in order for them to flourish and then for a family to make a profit by selling to farmers markets and other sources. A solution to this is to make better use of the food that is produced. This could be done by changing what food is produced aka what is suitable to grow in an area in particular; if a farmer lives in Florida don’t try to grow apples because the weather is not suited for that but grow oranges. We need to make better use of what we already have!
I went to Sizemore Farms that is a family run farm in Plant City Florida. I have learned about crops through the readings in State of the World text given by this class and am surrounded by orange groves everywhere in my town. Sizemore Farms offers strawberry and cantaloupe crops and thought it would be interesting to stop and see that instead of the usual.
Strawberry production occurs November to April and then dies out because of the heat. Cantaloupe grow in two seasons both two months long: April and May along with October to November. During the off season it is crucial to rejuvenate the soil in preparation for the next growing season to come. I came to learn that Central Florida is the best to grow in our state. Most of Florida has sandy soils but in the central region the soil is more clay and peat based providing more abundant harvests.
I very much liked Sizemore Farms because they pride themselves on the product quality of their food along with safety of their food meaning they try to be as organic and natural as possible!
Reading #17 - Love It or Lose It: The Coming Biophilia Revolution.
Dr. Ed Wilson states that sociobiology is “the systematic study of the biological basis (including genetic) of all forms of social behavior in all kinds of organisms.”
Dr. Wilson also states that biophilia is “the genetic (inherited) tendency to affiliate with – appreciate and get pleasure from – other forms of life … other animals and people and natural environment.”
I believe that there is a biophilia revolution on the verge as the world becomes more educated on what we must do to sustain our way of life … change. As word is either spread, educating others on the pollution we have caused our planet and all that we must do to secure life for future generations I like to think that people are slowly accepting this as truth and making steps to remove his or her ecological footprint.
The unclear boundary I believe lies with the wealthy. Are they stuck in a denial phase or joined the biophobia team? People that have money fall on either the helpful or hurtful side. The helpful, being that since they have the means to afford the expensive materials to make a house green friendly so they can set an example for those who look up. The hurtful however, could be that the wealthy are so comfortable in the homes and luxury cars why would they take the time out of the lavish lifestyle to walk in the forest, go kayaking instead of taking a cruise, simply really taking the time to look around at the bearings we have set forth and decide if we are in a good place or not.
I took the initiative to ask some of my friends why he or she do not go outside much anymore. They said when they lived up north they were outside all the time. It is because of the Florida humidity that they are not outside too often unless its sports orientated. So now I wonder if our view of how much time is spent online is skewed? Are people in Indiana or Kentucky spending the time as children the same as we are here?
When I was in California I came down with biophilia. I had to be outside doing something active all the time. I went hiking and jogging up the beach. It would be 6 mile jogs instead of a 2 miles jog like here in Florida. Maybe spending more time outdoors is linked to where we are located. Maybe we are unaware of the actual potential of a biophilia revolution because of what we see around us.
An out of focus thought from the video Lord of Ants … if there are so many unidentified species lying beneath our feet why have scientists not labeled them yet? If there is something there that we are certain of why are we not studying them further yet?
Dr. Wilson also states that biophilia is “the genetic (inherited) tendency to affiliate with – appreciate and get pleasure from – other forms of life … other animals and people and natural environment.”
I believe that there is a biophilia revolution on the verge as the world becomes more educated on what we must do to sustain our way of life … change. As word is either spread, educating others on the pollution we have caused our planet and all that we must do to secure life for future generations I like to think that people are slowly accepting this as truth and making steps to remove his or her ecological footprint.
The unclear boundary I believe lies with the wealthy. Are they stuck in a denial phase or joined the biophobia team? People that have money fall on either the helpful or hurtful side. The helpful, being that since they have the means to afford the expensive materials to make a house green friendly so they can set an example for those who look up. The hurtful however, could be that the wealthy are so comfortable in the homes and luxury cars why would they take the time out of the lavish lifestyle to walk in the forest, go kayaking instead of taking a cruise, simply really taking the time to look around at the bearings we have set forth and decide if we are in a good place or not.
I took the initiative to ask some of my friends why he or she do not go outside much anymore. They said when they lived up north they were outside all the time. It is because of the Florida humidity that they are not outside too often unless its sports orientated. So now I wonder if our view of how much time is spent online is skewed? Are people in Indiana or Kentucky spending the time as children the same as we are here?
When I was in California I came down with biophilia. I had to be outside doing something active all the time. I went hiking and jogging up the beach. It would be 6 mile jogs instead of a 2 miles jog like here in Florida. Maybe spending more time outdoors is linked to where we are located. Maybe we are unaware of the actual potential of a biophilia revolution because of what we see around us.
An out of focus thought from the video Lord of Ants … if there are so many unidentified species lying beneath our feet why have scientists not labeled them yet? If there is something there that we are certain of why are we not studying them further yet?
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Reading #16 - The Earth Charter
I am in complete and full agreement to the Earth Charter. I wish that a speaker would come to our college campus and give a lecture on the Earth Charter to raise awareness of its existence.
I thought before reading up on the lesson that the Earth Charter was just protecting the Earth but it digs deeper than that. It is also about protecting ourselves and also heightening an individual’s self esteem.
Section III on Social and Economic Justice speaks on the riddance of discrimination, the promotion of human development and affirming gender equality. If we as people could even treat other beings as equals it would be a more capable transition to other people to view animals deserving of respect as well.
If we start with our kind, humans, than people that are not green friendly and conscious of his or her actions on the world might be able to slowly work towards a better way of life.
I feel that there is some way to make a connection, reach a weak spot to each person, making him or her able to wake up and see the light on how important it is to take care of where we live. For instance, people that smoke weed are stereotypically Earth-lovers. Some may want to just fit the stereotype. If we illustrate saving our planet as being at peace with war and other illnesses residing in our human population, than perhaps they will work towards a more environmental friendly way of life.
The Earth Charter should however list examples of how to start off saving the world. Make a list of small things to do and then work towards big things. The Earth Charter should also have funds to help donate to perhaps a monthly winner that allocates funds to improve a home and make it greener friendly.
There is so much to be done and it seems as if there isn’t any time to catch up with the damage we have already caused. Hopefully this act will help.
I thought before reading up on the lesson that the Earth Charter was just protecting the Earth but it digs deeper than that. It is also about protecting ourselves and also heightening an individual’s self esteem.
Section III on Social and Economic Justice speaks on the riddance of discrimination, the promotion of human development and affirming gender equality. If we as people could even treat other beings as equals it would be a more capable transition to other people to view animals deserving of respect as well.
If we start with our kind, humans, than people that are not green friendly and conscious of his or her actions on the world might be able to slowly work towards a better way of life.
I feel that there is some way to make a connection, reach a weak spot to each person, making him or her able to wake up and see the light on how important it is to take care of where we live. For instance, people that smoke weed are stereotypically Earth-lovers. Some may want to just fit the stereotype. If we illustrate saving our planet as being at peace with war and other illnesses residing in our human population, than perhaps they will work towards a more environmental friendly way of life.
The Earth Charter should however list examples of how to start off saving the world. Make a list of small things to do and then work towards big things. The Earth Charter should also have funds to help donate to perhaps a monthly winner that allocates funds to improve a home and make it greener friendly.
There is so much to be done and it seems as if there isn’t any time to catch up with the damage we have already caused. Hopefully this act will help.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Personal Journal #4 - My Personal Land Ethic
As I entered the class I honestly thought that I was very aware of how I treated the environment and my impact upon it. However, I have come to find that I make a huge impact on my planet even trying to be conscious of my actions. I notice when I throw my gum out the window, I notice how many times a week I do the laundry or run the dishwasher. I also notice if I run the heat, or air, with the fan on at the same time. I see how much energy my friends and family use as well. After dinner time there is so much wasted food that leaves the dinner table that I wish was only eaten or left in the fridge for further consumption later on.
I have read some of my classmates journal entries and have learned from them as well. From the past journal entry they notices hanging electrical lines and how much property is actually used when someone is building a house.
I wish that this class was a requirement by law knowing how much people would learn and realize not just about Earth but about themselves. It’s not hard to help and improve actions moving towards the ‘greener way of life’. Is there hope? Will people really wake up and change? Or are we all just doomed to walk the path of a browning future?
I have read some of my classmates journal entries and have learned from them as well. From the past journal entry they notices hanging electrical lines and how much property is actually used when someone is building a house.
I wish that this class was a requirement by law knowing how much people would learn and realize not just about Earth but about themselves. It’s not hard to help and improve actions moving towards the ‘greener way of life’. Is there hope? Will people really wake up and change? Or are we all just doomed to walk the path of a browning future?
Field Trip #3 - Marine Environment
Place: Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Experience: Awesome!
To start there are many niches in an estuary environment like the rocky shore or the barrier. Barrier Islands are offshore low narrow areas parallel to some coastlines. There are sand dunes here that provide as the first defense mechanism against waters. Most animal species live underneath the sand and are hidden from view. Beach Flees, Clams, a variety of Shrimp, Sand Dollars and other small crustaceans populate here. An estuary is an intermediary of water where two streams or rivers dump. This is brackish water, which is both saltwater and freshwater.
Main species in an include several types of grass, the main type being Smooth Cordgrass and the Salt Marsh Hay. Snails, Alligators, Crabs and Cranes are easily found in these waters. In past history, they render to give timber reliably to human communities.
Mangroves are vital to the survival for many animals. They also protect against erosion because Mangroves’ stems are elongated enabling the consumption of more water than other plant species. There are three types of Mangroves: red, which and black and 69 different tree species that grow in salt water. They help to maintain water quality by dissolving pollutants and absorbing other harmful things in the water. When storms come, they also help to store the excess water (erosion) and give homes to animals in the form of protection. Mangroves are fundamental to the purity of our drinking water because they help prevent the leakage of salt water into our aquifers.
In the Mangrove environment there are mostly fish and invertebrates found … being a water environment. Mud Skippers (my favorite), Carangids, Clupeids, Serranids, Mullets, Hilsa, Seabass and Milkfis are some of the main fish found in Mangrove environments. Over time we have come to find the important role to the ecosystem and now we fight for the survival of Mangroves.
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Experience: Awesome!
To start there are many niches in an estuary environment like the rocky shore or the barrier. Barrier Islands are offshore low narrow areas parallel to some coastlines. There are sand dunes here that provide as the first defense mechanism against waters. Most animal species live underneath the sand and are hidden from view. Beach Flees, Clams, a variety of Shrimp, Sand Dollars and other small crustaceans populate here. An estuary is an intermediary of water where two streams or rivers dump. This is brackish water, which is both saltwater and freshwater.
Main species in an include several types of grass, the main type being Smooth Cordgrass and the Salt Marsh Hay. Snails, Alligators, Crabs and Cranes are easily found in these waters. In past history, they render to give timber reliably to human communities.
Mangroves are vital to the survival for many animals. They also protect against erosion because Mangroves’ stems are elongated enabling the consumption of more water than other plant species. There are three types of Mangroves: red, which and black and 69 different tree species that grow in salt water. They help to maintain water quality by dissolving pollutants and absorbing other harmful things in the water. When storms come, they also help to store the excess water (erosion) and give homes to animals in the form of protection. Mangroves are fundamental to the purity of our drinking water because they help prevent the leakage of salt water into our aquifers.
In the Mangrove environment there are mostly fish and invertebrates found … being a water environment. Mud Skippers (my favorite), Carangids, Clupeids, Serranids, Mullets, Hilsa, Seabass and Milkfis are some of the main fish found in Mangrove environments. Over time we have come to find the important role to the ecosystem and now we fight for the survival of Mangroves.
Field Trip #2 - Freshwater Environment
Place: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.
Location: West Palm Beach, FL.
Experience: Awesome!
10,389 acres of Loxahatchee Slough was purchased from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in October 1996. There are works in progress to combine forces with the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, the West Palm Beach Water Catchment Area, and Jonathan Dickinson State Park. This will expand the wildlife area and conserve more land area as well. Loxahatchee Slough is part of a countywide system for natural areas to be protected and help watch out for all environmental walks of life in this area.
My overall experience of the site was a very nice experience. I stayed a lot longer than I would because I was surprised at how many different types of birds I saw. I also loved watching the saw grass sway in the wind. I very much liked how at the entrance of the park there were different kinds of species listed on the bulletin board that gave me things to keep my eyes peeled for right off the bat.
Location: West Palm Beach, FL.
Experience: Awesome!
10,389 acres of Loxahatchee Slough was purchased from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in October 1996. There are works in progress to combine forces with the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, the West Palm Beach Water Catchment Area, and Jonathan Dickinson State Park. This will expand the wildlife area and conserve more land area as well. Loxahatchee Slough is part of a countywide system for natural areas to be protected and help watch out for all environmental walks of life in this area.
My overall experience of the site was a very nice experience. I stayed a lot longer than I would because I was surprised at how many different types of birds I saw. I also loved watching the saw grass sway in the wind. I very much liked how at the entrance of the park there were different kinds of species listed on the bulletin board that gave me things to keep my eyes peeled for right off the bat.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)