Corkscrew Sancutary

While at Corkscrew Sanctuary we explored a few different ecosystems.  We explored a pine forest, cypress dome, and a prairie marsh.  All of these ecosystems work together to protect the natural environment.  These ecosystems protect the natural vegetation and allow it to grow and flourish.  They also help protect varying species of animals that all provide a special service for the environment.  They allow rain water to flow in the appropriate directions, as well as allow the rain waiter to recharge the aquifers.  Recharging the aquifers replenishes the ground water supply, providing more water for nature and us humans.  These ecosystems help keep a general balance in nature. 

Conservation is the limited use , allocation, and protection of natural resources.  Stewardship is the cooperative planning and management of natural environmental resources.  Private non-profits work to bring conservationism and stewardship together to help protect our natural environmental resources.  They want to make sure we properly use the land and conserve the natural resources that we are quickly depleting. 

Like-minded people can ban together to make change happen.  If a group of people come together for a cause it can help make changes.  The Corkscrew Sanctuary was started because one guy sent a letter to a newspaper and other people saw it and got together to preserve the land.

The location of the Corkscrew Sanctuary was selected to preserve one of the largest remaining strands of virgin bald cypress and pond cypress from logging.  Most of the trees on the sanctuary are over 100 years old. 

The government should acknowledge that we are depleting our remaining natural resources. They should offer help monetarily and legally to ensure the ecosystem is preserved.  Without laws we can't ensure that our environment will be protected.

We should NOT bulldoze the sanctuary to build condos.  This sanctuary is a very crucial asset to the environment it needs to be protected.  Once its demolished we can't get it back.  The sanctuary is doing a lot of good for the environment as well as educating people on the importance of conservation. 

FGCU Eco-Friendly?

The placement of FGCU's campus is consistent with the eco-empowerment mission of the university.  The university is centrally located in Southwest Florida, which will help lower commuting times for most of the students a faculty.  This lessens the need for gas, as the commute will be reduced for most students.  The university is trying to maintain the natural environment as best as possible.  They maintain approximately 350 acres in the natural environment.  This helps maintain the natural eco-system that is seen throughout campus and southwest Florida. 

FGCU has nature trails throughout campus.  This allows students to see the natural environment that once flourished in the area before the urban sprawl.  In the nature trails students can see a pine forest as well as a cypress dome, and all the natural vegetation that comes with that.  The university is getting rid of the Melaleuca tress, which were once thought would help the environment.  These trees soak up all the water that is much needed to help the environment.  FGCU has successfully removed approximately 90 to 95 percent of the Melaleuca trees on campus. 

Melaleuca

While exploring the different eco-systems seen on the nature trails, students can see lots of different vegetation.  They can see poison ivy, American beauty berry bushes, and alligator flag, to name a few. 

Alligator Flag

American Beauty Berry Bush

Poison Ivy

FGCU also does other things to continue with the eco-empowerment mission of the university.  FGCU has a solar panel field that is giving power to most new buildings on campus, which will cut electric costs significantly.  FGCU also has solar powered trash compactors on campus, limiting the need for the trash to be changed as often and need for as many garbage bags.  FGCU encourages students and faculty to bike to work by offering showers, so they can clean up after the bike ride.

With all these things combined FGCU is being very sustainable.  Everything about my background and lack of love for nature should make me not want to live sustainably.  However, while attending FGCU, I discovered that I have the opposite thoughts of most people with my background.  Everyone on campus should be able to openly see that FGCU is sustainable and is definitely pushing forward with their eco-empowerment mission.  If they weren't they wouldn't require every student to take this class. 




Colloquium: What it is and What I Expect

I personally was not looking forward to taking Colloquium, but that all changed after sitting through the first day of class.  I didn't know what to expect with this course, but now I expect to learn how to live a more sustainable life.  I am looking forward to learning what little things I can do to help the environment.  How the smallest of actions can make the largest impacts. 

Sustainability means the ability to maintain an environment so that it can remain productive and replenish itself.  This relies on us humans not overusing the land and being aware of how our reactions impact the environment.  

As an accounting major, I am able to help companies explore the costs of becoming more sustainable as well as perform audits of a company’s impact on the environment. Accountants have a lot of influence over companies, as they can tell how many resources the company is using and can help them limit the resources to become more sustainable.  

I personally have some different behaviors that are unsustainable.  I have been known to take long shower; I will sleep with the TV on and leave various electronics plugged in longer than necessary.  I can be wasteful in everyday life, by throwing out recyclable items, wasting gas in my car by sitting in it while it’s on, and I will leave the door to my lanai open while the air conditioning is on.  I personally don't like nature, but my attitude towards it has always been one of a caring nature.  I don't want to see us deplete the remaining natural resources we have.  We need to work together to preserve what we have left.