The learning I experienced in this Colloquium class definitely fulfilled my perceptions before taking this class. It was my first Colloquium class at FGCU, and I anticipated learning about our campus and the surrounding communities in Florida. In particular, I expected to learn more about the values of ecological preservation that our University was founded upon, and how these values affect the city of Fort Myers, the state of Florida, the United States, and the world. I also expected there would be a considerable amount of knowledge gained regarding climate change and sustainability. All of this was accomplished through field trips, which related to the class readings, along with the service learning hours.
The Colloquium class made it easier for me to understand the idea that one person making small adjustments in her own life can indeed make an important difference in sustaining the environment. Dr. Ndiang’ui is passionate about our environment we live in and about our future, and it made me want to know more about it. I particularly enjoyed our field trips where we learned more about the FGCU campus and all the extensive planning that has gone into its design. I was overwhelmed by the simple, yet environmentally and energy efficiency of our school. I was enlightened on ways that the school keeps improving its environmental footprint such as going paperless in so many different areas, including logging our student service hours.
The field trips were all so different and I liked that we began at our home at FGCU, then we broadened our field to downtown Fort Meyers and learned about the history. Fort Meyers is a unique city, with many different ecosystems, that embraces its history but also looks to the future and sustainability. I enjoyed reading A Land Remembered before going on the field trip to downtown Fort Meyers because it contained a lot of information about the history of the area. The field trips to ECHO farm and the Six Mile Cypress Slough were enlightening on a global level, and I understood the importance of the environment and technology that aims to preserve it. Our trip to Lover’s Key made me aware of how we need to implement sustainable programs so that we don’t lose beautiful places. The field trips were all very different but they offered me a chance to take time out of my busy schedule, stop for a moment, and learn to understand how every element of nature functions as an integral part in our ecosystem.
I am looking forward to sharing the knowledge I learned in the Colloquium class with my family and friends. I am also starting with my own ecological footprint by implementing some of the ideas we discussed in class and in our group discussions. For instance, I have begun making a conscious effort to turn off lights when I don’t need them and will only buy LED light bulbs from now on. I have also been using re-usable bags at the grocery rather than plastic, and my grocery lists are now more focused on local growers. Plastic water bottles have been replaced with a Yeti cup that I can refill during the day. I have also joined Costco so that I can buy items in bulk and this saves excess packaging as well as gas because I don’t need to go to the store as much when I can load up on items.
This class was a great opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and learn about issues that really matter on a global scale. The most important thing is that I am more conscious about my surroundings, its beauty, and the future of our world. I am aware of the impending climate change and its dire consequences and will do my best to support sustainability. I know I can’t solve all the problems of the world myself, but by doing small things like helping at the Harry Chapin Food Pantry, I can at least play a small part.
Lovers Key Field Trip
Welcome Center to Beach
Welcome Sign
Welcome Sign
I learned that this area is made up of four barrier islands: Lovers Key, Inner Key, Black Island, and Long Key. Back in the early 1900s, the only way to get to these islands was by paddling a boat. It is said that mostly lovers made the effort to go to this beautiful island, which is why they named it Lovers Key. These barrier islands protect us against storms and are usually adjacent to the coast.
Boardwalk
Red Mangrove
As we walked down the boardwalk, we saw red mangroves growing on either side of us. These mangroves protect fish, prevent erosion, filter water, and other important tasks for marine life. Without these plants, the ocean’s health would collapse. A fun fact we learned about mangroves is that they can take 1500 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. At Lovers Key, they made it a law that if you even pull out one propagule, or seedling, you could be fined thousands of dollars.
Beach
Sea Shell Chart
Lovers Key Beach
Getting to the beach, we learned that barrier islands are guaranteed to have sea shells. Unfortunately, many people have been taking these beautiful shells off the beach for souvenir purposes.
For our activity, we were asked to choose one sea shell that stands out to us and to be able to pick that shell out from the rest in a pile. I chose what is known as a Florida Fighting Conch. What stood out to me was its unique spiral-like shape and faded orange color. I remember as a kid that I would pick up shells like these all the time because I believed that if you put it up to your ear, you could hear the ocean.
Nature Trail
Black Island Trail Sign
Mimosa Plant
The nature trail we went on is known as the Black Island Trail. One plant that stood out to me was known as a mimosa plant. One cool thing about this plant is that its leaves fold inward and droop when touched or shaken. Its mechanism was actually used back when there were slaves. The slave owners would plant these around the house so that if the slaves tried to escape, they could see exactly where they went by which plants were closed. After learning about this, we actually got lost in the nature trail and it took at least a half hour to find our way back. Personally, I did not mind getting lost because of all the beautiful trees and plants around me.
Works Cited
Photos from Racquel Fournet’s iPhone
Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization
One of the books our class read was, Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization by Lester Brown, and it discusses present environmental concerns and possible solutions for the immediate and distant future. There was a lot of new information that I learned from reading his book. Since the Industrial Revolution and the subsequent increase in the world’s population, we have significantly damaged our environment and Plan B 4.0 offers the bold changes that need to be immediately implemented in order to preserve our habitat. I am glad that I had the opportunity to go on the class field trips, where we learned about the past, present, and foreseeable future, as they helped me to visualize the solutions that Brown suggests.
I was assigned to discuss the global climate change and the different types of energy resources that are available. In the chapter titled, Climate Change and the Energy Transition, Brown explains why climate change is something everyone must understand as important and what its impact is on the world. Reports that have studied climate change have proven the Earth’s temperature has risen one degree Fahrenheit since 1970 and will continue to rise up by eleven degrees Fahrenheit by the end of this century. One factor for the rise in temperature are the greenhouse gases and other pollutants that are released into the atmosphere. This includes carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and other lesser gases. Other causes for climate change are the atmospheric brown clouds that are made by burning coal, diesel fuel, or wood. Rising temperature will most likely produce more extreme weather events that will affect animals, plants, crops, and human lives. Sea levels are also rising and eventually the oceans will expand as continents shrink in mass. This is a result of the thermal expansion that takes place as ocean water warms and ice sheets melt. With the rising temperature, we are projected to experience more extreme weather events such as destructive storms, drought, and flooding.
All of these events will affect animals, plants, crops, and ultimately human lives. We have never seen a challenge like this before, and consequently there will be differing opinions on the seriousness of it and the solutions. Lester Brown realizes the dangerous signs and believes that we have now put ourselves in a situation where we need to “stabilize climate, stabilize population, eradicate poverty, and restore the earth’s natural systems” all at the same time (75). I was reminded of the ecological footprint quiz we took at the beginning of the class, and most of us required 4-5 earths to fulfill our lifestyles.
Plan B recommends a solution of completely changing what we have done in the past for the future by shifting to energy-efficient technologies, and eliminating the huge wasting of throwaway materials. Resources such as oil and coal are also declining, as they are nonrenewable resources. Furthermore, they both have damaging effects on the environment. Conclusions our group came up in the discussions included the need to shift from nonrenewable resources such as oil and coal to energy-efficient and renewable technologies such as solar and wind energy. We saw solar energy used at FGCU on our campus tour and at ECHO farm’s water pump. Brown suggests replacing all fossil fuels such coal-fired power plants with clean energy wind farms by 2020. In the reading from Plan B, we learned that the quickest form for reducing energy worldwide has been by changing light bulbs from incandescent to fluorescent to LED. Other appliances, including computers, are becoming more energy efficient. Electric and hybrid transportation are also significant means of cutting atmospheric emissions. Plan B proposes “the transportation system will be electrified with a broad-based shift to plug-in hybrids, all-electric cars, and high –speed intercity rail. And in the Plan B world, cities are designed for people, not for cars” (76). Recycling materials such as steel, beverage containers, glass, plastic, and paper all help to reduce carbon emissions. I thought of our trip to ECHO farm, where even old tires are used as planters. Plan B also talks about shifting to zero-carbon building construction and using renewable energy systems such as solar panels. It is possible to design buildings without the use of fossil fuels.
The most important solution that stood out to me is the need to spread this knowledge to everyone, whether it occurs in education or in programs passed by the government, as it would inspire change. If every person did something simple like recycle materials such as steel, beverage containers, glass, plastic, and paper, we will be able to greatly reduce carbon emissions. We learned so many different ways to help reduce our personal and worldwide environmental footprints during our class discussions and field trips!
Works Cited
global-warming-climate-change-tree_1big_stock2.jpg
Brown, L. R. (2009). Plan B 4.0: mobilizing to save civilization. New York: W. W. Norton.
Six Mile Cypress Slough Field Trip
Last week our class visited the Six Mile Cypress Slough (pronounced “slew”), and we were lucky that it did not rain. I was looking forward to seeing the wildlife, especially the otters, but unfortunately my group did not get to see any of the otters, alligators, birds, turtles, ducks, or fish on our boardwalk tour. However, I did enjoy just being surrounded by nature and its quiet calmness. I would say that this serenity was the most captivating feature of the trip, along with the harmony and respect that I felt with the wildlife there.
Amphitheater
Slough Facts near Amphitheater
Cypress Trees
Amphitheater
In 1976, a class of elementary students visited the Six Mile Cypress Slough and studied the important role of cypress domes. The students were concerned about the rising numbers of these natural sites being destroyed by building construction, so they decided to make an effort to preserve this beautiful area. This slough is a home to a variety of plants and animals and is technically not a swamp because it has moving water. It is a natural drainage system that filters and cleans moving water during times of heavy rainfall. Its main functions include flood control, water purification and recharging the aquifer.
Alligator Lake
We did not see alligators sunning themselves on any of the stands that have been built on the water for them and other cold blooded animals at Alligator Lake. The alligators were probably hiding from our large group walking through their territory. People are not allowed to fish here or feed the animals. A fun fact is that sunlight is able to penetrate all the way to the bottom of the lake so plants can grow on the bottom, which is an example of good primary production.
Wood Duck Pond
Wood Duck Pond
Air plant
The wood duck pond is home to many ducks, but unfortunately we did not see any out in the open. Around the wood duck pond were plants up in the trees known as air plants. These plants can grow without soil and are usually attached to other plants. Most of these plants grow where the air quality is exceptional.
Otter Pond
Otter Pond
Cypress Knees
Otter Facts
The otter pond was also empty of animals during our tour. Around the otter pond and the other areas we visited we saw what is known as Cypress knees. These are the roots of Cypress trees that stick up from the water and supply nutrients and water to the tree. We could see a mini ecosystem on these stumps.
Pop Ash Pond
Pond Apple
Pop Ash Boarded Room
Tree with Resurrection Plant
The Pop Ash Pond has a standing area that is boarded up so that the animals cannot see humans. This way, the animals are more likely to come out of their hiding places. We learned that this area of the slough will be one of the only spot to have water during a drought, and many of the animals will come here during dry spells. One of the plants we saw was called the pond apple. This type of fruit typically grows in swamps and can tolerate salt water. It is eaten by many animal species and is edible for humans as well. Another plant we saw was a resurrection plant growing on a tree. This plant goes into dormancy and is able to survive extreme dehydration for months or years.
I know that during our six weeks in class all we talked about was how important nature was to us, but as we walked the trail I reflected on the previous field trips, our class discussions, and our readings. I quickly felt the bond with the natural environment we have been focusing on in this class, and I felt connected with the plants, the trees, and the animals that inhabit the area. I kept thinking to myself, “how are we able to destroy something so beautiful?” I would rather be surrounded by this environment any day rather than roads and buildings. I would not label this site as my sense of place, but it made me think about how sad I would be if my sense of place was all of the sudden destroyed due to new construction. We should make an effort to preserve these natural sites not only because of its beauty, but also because these are the homes to so many animals. We are destroying their habitat and causing these animals to wander out onto busy roads and get killed. This is a sign that our ecological footprint has become too big for our planet and if we keep this up, future generations will not have a planet with the necessary resources.
Works Cited
Pictures from Racquel Fournet’s iPhone
Field Trip to ECHO Farm
Our class field trip to ECHO farm was unlike anything I have ever seen before, as it involved sustainable gardening and farming in order to reduce hunger. ECHO stands for Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization, and they are focused on helping other countries by educating and training them to use the resources they have to grow and maintain their own crops. I learned that there are multiple ways of organic farming without the use of GMOs or pesticides. I also learned that there are different styles of farming for different climates and locations. This organization is really making an effort to end world hunger, and it has become a very important factor in helping sustain lives in developing countries.
There were so many simple, yet significant methods and tools that were being used which have no environmental footprint. An example of using adaptive technology at ECHO is the incorporation of discarded tires into gardens. This way, these gardens can be placed anywhere and require very little soil as long as fertilizer is added into the tire.
A plant we encountered on our tour was the Chaya plant, which is fast-growing, resistant to disease and pest, and can grow in many areas except the very cold. The leaves of this plant are very nutritious. They contain iron and multiple vitamins, but you have to boil the leaves for five minutes before eating to release their deadly toxins.
Another tree we encountered was the banana tree. These trees are easy to grow, and they also grow very fast and produce delicious fruit. The banana is not actually a tree since it is not made of wood, but it the largest herb known.
Rabbit
Pig
There were several different animals that we saw at ECHO such as, pigs, rabbits, ducks and goats. Each animal has a special purpose for being on the farm. We saw the cutest pigs while we were on our field trip, but the smell was absolutely horrible! All of the animals on the farm have a duty and are integral to the farm system. For example, the pigs help with producing composts and natural fertilizers for the soil. They also eat the banana stalks that are left over when the banana bunches are harvested. The rabbits’ droppings can also be spread directly into gardens for fertilizer.
They don’t use electricity or gas, but rather solar and gravity to power water towers.
Simple huts such as this one can easily be built just about anywhere. Bamboo plants are excellent for making huts because the plant grows very quickly and is very strong.
I do not have much experience with growing plants and gardening, except that my grandparents grow tomatoes. My family relies on buying products at the grocery store or eating out at restaurants. I think that if I had to grow my own food, I would not know how to start and my life would be a lot tougher because there would be a lot of work that would have to go into it such as finding the right crops to farm with the right soil. I feel that in general I wouldn’t overeat as most Americans do since they don’t have to worry about farming plants and food themselves.
There was a time when I felt very hungry one summer when I had to play five consecutive softball games without any kind of break. I was sluggish and in a bad mood, and that didn’t even last for a whole day! I cannot imagine what it is like for people in other countries who go days without having a meal. I have been very blessed my whole life with parents who have provided me with all the necessities of life. Most of my food is likely imported since it is from grocery stores or restaurants. I do think that it contains pesticide residues, and all though my mom tries to buy mostly whole foods, some are processed foods. I think it is important to buy foods that do not contain pesticides and are considered whole foods. In order to live a more sustainable lifestyle and to help reduce my own footprint, I should begin by buying locally grown foods at farmer’s markets and at the grocery when possible.
I observed and learned many new things on the fieldtrip to ECHO. I really admire what ECHO is doing because they are not just giving poor countries food, but they are actually teaching them how to fish, farm animals, grow their own plants for food, and even how to maintain them.
Works Cited
Pictures from Racquel Fournet’s iPhone
Downtown Fort Myers Field Trip
Last week, our class had the opportunity to visit Downtown Fort Myers and learn about its history and its current main functions. Downtown Fort Myers is an amazing place, and there are so many interesting aspects we learned about the environmental issues and the historical conservation that happening there.
Walking around Downtown Fort Myers reminded me that the history of the city is deeply embedded in the brick streets and rooted in the various palms and banyan trees that inhabit the area. The original inhabitants were the Seminole Indians. I learned that there was actually a fort located here during the Civil War, and there was also a battle fought on this land between the Confederates and the colored Union soldiers of the 2nd Regiment. There is a buffalo soldier statue dedicated to them, also known as Clayton.
Some of the key people involved in the city were 3 fathers of the American Industrial 20th century, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone. They were very influential men and there is a statue in Centennial Park called Statue of Uncommon Friends dedicated to them.
The Downtown area is unique in that the city government has intensely pursued conserving some of the historical buildings, and even making some of them mixed use. One of my favorite buildings was the Pleasure Pier because I certainly would not have appreciated it unless I knew its historical significance. This building was part of another building that was located elsewhere and declared unsafe. It was divided in two sections with one being relocated to Fort Myers. Thomas Edison had parties here and entertained often. It sticks out like a sore thumb amongst the other modern buildings, and needs a lot of expensive renovation. Many people disagree as to whether it should be saved or not. Given its history, I believe it should be saved!
The city government has been ambitious in promoting sustainability and addressing environmental issues. For example, the downtown detention basin was built in order to filter water more efficiently by cleaning the storm water runoff before it enters the Caloosahatchee River.
Sidney & Berne Art Center (old post office)
Sidewalk Art
Banyan Tree
Aspects of biophobia, biophilia, and topophilia can be applied to Downtown Fort Myers. For example, the old post office was constructed out of Florida key limestone, which has coral formations and sea shells embedded in the buildings’ walls. This was an expensive building, and funds ran out during construction. Coral harvesting is also now illegal. Biophilia is the love of nature, and the downtown area promotes interaction with the natural environment with: the various statues and plaques found in Centennial Park; the various species of palms in Palm Park; the shaded and enormous banyan trees; and even the sidewalks have pieces of art that engage the pedestrians. Topophilia is the love of a place, and it is apparent that the downtown has much to offer and people love being there.
The field trip to Downtown Fort Myers and learning about the city relates to the book, A Land Remembered, especially the descriptions of pioneer Florida and the importance of herding cattle during and after the civil war. The alternative history mural by Barbara Jo Revelle also connects to the book by including pictures of Indians, farmers, and the 2nd Regiment Colored Troops alongside the Seminole Chief, Billy Bowlegs.
I appreciated all that we learned on the field trip, and can relate the information to the course objective, “To assist in developing an ecological perspective and a commitment to community awareness and involvement in order for students to know the issues related economic, social, and ecological sustainability, analyze and evaluate ecological issues locally and globally, participate in projects requiring awareness and/or analysis of ecological and environmental issues.” The field trip touched upon many of these issues, and I felt that it linked together effectively.
Works Cited
Pictures from Racquel Fournet’s iPhone
University Colloquium Syllabus
Why Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed Through Jared Diamond’s Work
I enjoyed reading the chapter, A Tale of Two Farms, which is an excerpt from the book by Jared Diamond titled Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. He has studied the lifestyles of people all around the world and the causes of societies that have collapsed in the past, even those who had people who were “the most creative and (for a time) advanced and successful of their times, rather than stupid and primitive (Diamond 26). He references Norse Greenland, Easter Island, the Anasazi Indians in the southwest United States, Mayans, Romans, and the Soviet Union as examples of once successful civilizations that collapsed. We must learn from these civilizations’ fate, and Diamond is devoted to saving the world environment. He says that we have choices to make that will determine if we are to succeed and not fail.
Huls Farm, Montana
Gardar Farm, Greenland
Jared Diamond begins his book with a look at 2 dairy farms he visited that are located thousands of miles apart. One of the dairy farms he studied is located in Montana, and the second dairy farm is located in Greenland. These 2 farms become a metaphor for the environmental challenges he discusses in the rest of the book. Both dairy farms that are both at their peak of success, and he highlights their similarities as well as their shared vulnerabilities. Why is this of interest? The answer is that the farm in Montana is currently prospering as a family owned enterprise, while the farm in Greenland was abandoned over 500 years ago when the Greenland Norse society completely collapsed.
There is not just one simple answer to the rise and fall of civilizations, it is complex. There are five main reasons that a society collapses: 1.) inadvertent environmental damage 2.) climate change 3.) hostile neighbors 4.) friendly trade partners, and 5.) society’s response to its environmental problems. The environmental problems we face today include; deforestation and habitat destruction, soil problems, water management problems, overhunting, overfishing, effects of introduced species on native species, human population growth, increase per-capita impact of people, human caused climate change, build-up of toxic chemicals in the environment, energy shortages, and full human utilization of the Earth’s photosynthetic capacity. All 12 of these needs to be addressed, not just some or a few. Most importantly we need to perceive the problems, and work together with big businesses and environmentalists to tackle them. We are not doomed, but we are on a non-sustainable course where continued economic and population growth is not possible.
After reading Diamond’s work, and knowing how much knowledge he has acquired on the subject, I have realized that the Earth’s environment is not unlike the 2 farms he mentioned. I admit that I have not been concerned with the failure of our society because it seems so strong and prosperous. I am so glad that I am attending a college such as FGCU, and learning that I can make a difference, starting with my ecological footprint.
Works Cited
FGCU Campus Trail Tour
Ecological Footprint Quiz Results
After taking the Ecological Footprint quiz, the results reflected that I need approximately 5.4 Earths to live my daily life. I chose to make changes by eating fewer animal-based foods and purchasing products that use less packaging or that are made out of recycled material. By making these improvements, I reduced my footprint to 4.6 Planet Earths.
- FGCU Efforts on Sustainability
One of the most interesting things about FGCU is that it was constructed to be an environmentally friendly university. During the first part of the field trip, we talked about some environmental facts unique to FGCU and how our school strives to be “environmentally friendly”. For example, there are Big Belly Solar Compactors placed around the most populated areas on campus. The nearby placement of these bins ensures that they will be used often and help reduce litter scattered around campus. These compactors frequently compact the waste inside so that trash pickup is limited. There are also recycling bins for paper, plastic, and aluminum cans located next to most trash cans on campus which encourages recycling by making it easy to help the environment.
Another interesting fact I learned is that FGCU has plans to build up instead of outward so that the future buildings do not take up too much ground space. This would enable the University to continue to grow, while also preserving the environment on campus.
Another fun fact from the campus walk is that the Seidler Hall building has a high performance painted “reflective” metal roof which reduces the potential for heat island formation. I thought that the continuous effort and strategic design FGCU makes to stay environmentally friendly was the most interesting because there are so many creative ways to make significant contributions that help the environment. The people who have designed our campus care about our planet and have made a big impact with small details.
- Pine Flatwoods
Nature Trail Sign
Slash Pine Trees
This is where we officially began our second section of the nature trail. The trail was wide enough to walk through, but it was on the narrow side only allowing a single file at most times. I feel they were designed this way so as not to disturb the natural beauty. I learned that the Slash Pine is more tolerant of wet sites than other pine trees, while at the same time it can also survive a drought.
As our class hiked deeper into the trail, we were surrounded by cabbage palm trees. I learned that these trees are our state tree. However, they are not technically trees, they are a member of the grass family. The tree can also be used as a food source. Its heart or core is the main food source, but by removing the core, you also kill the entire tree.
During this part of the trip, I realized that if FGCU did not make an effort to provide and environmentally sustainable campus, this beautiful area would most likely not be established. This university deserves to be qualified as an “Environmentally-friendly University”. I have not seen any other university to even come close in putting in the effort that FGCU has to keep nature’s beauty standing. Maybe this nature trail is not my primary sense of place, but that doesn’t mean that it is not someone else’s. As people, we should make an effort to shorten our ecological footprint so that we do not damage any more of nature’s beauty. I realized that I should reflect on my own ecological footprint as well and make changes in my daily life.
- Oak Hammock
Oak Tree
Poison Ivy
When we made it to this section of the nature walk, I noticed that the environment around me slightly changed. There was more shade around us due to the enormous oak trees surrounding us, which made the temperature slightly cooler. There was also poison ivy scattered around our feet, so we had to be cautious where we stepped. A fun fact I learned was that deer can actually consume poison ivy.
- Cypress Dome
Our last section of the nature walk was the most interesting in my opinion. We walked though water as high as our knees, without being able to see what was below the surface of the water. Here we learned that Cypress trees having a hard time rooting themselves, as you can see in the picture. The roots actually curl up out of the water in order to obtain more oxygen.
Alligator flag grows in water and has a waxy coating on its leaves to keep dry. The white dots on the alligator flag are actually snail eggs. Hunting spiders are in this area as well and are able to glide on top of the water.
While walking through the water, I noticed a temperature change when the water was deeper versus when it was shallow water. The deep water was nice and cool while the shallow water was warm.
I personally enjoyed this nature walk because I have not had the opportunity to enjoy the campus like this. I have passed the “Welcome to Nature Trail” sign many times and have wondered what was on the trail, and I am glad I had the pleasure of experiencing it with my Colloquium class and tour guide. I immediately felt a sense of calmness during the trail as my senses opened up to the outdoor atmosphere, like Louv described. I can also see how a person who has experienced nature at a young age, like Orr explained, would be more comfortable walking the trails. I was accustomed to nature at a young age, so I was not bothered by the plants and animals, such as the poison ivy, spiders, and bugs. However, children who grow up in the technology age might not enjoy nature nor this nature walk. I do feel that with the proper tour guide and education, anyone would learn to respect and enjoy such a beautiful natural environment.
Works Cited
Photos taken with my iPhone
Biophilia, Biophobia, and a Sense of Place
One of the first tasks our class was assigned involved describing our personal “sense of place”, which can be defined as a location, usually a natural landscape, where one connects with on a profound level. It possesses unique qualities and characteristics that we students value and find meaningful and spiritual. Unfortunately, schools have been cutting recess, and decreasing time that children spend outdoors. Richard Louv believes that there is a correlation between more children now experiencing symptoms of ADHD and their experiences with nature. In a study performed by Stephen and Rachel Kaplan, subjects were engaged in a wilderness program for two weeks. According to Louv, “subjects reported experiencing a sense of peace and an ability to think more clearly…’the restorative environment’” (Louv 5). This supports the idea that people can directly benefit from access to nature and a “sense of place”, and that it affects our well-being.
David Orr presents two terms: biophobia and biophilia. Biophobia is defined as fear of nature, while biophilia is defined as the love of nature. Orr states “we will not enter this new kingdom of sustainability until we allow our children the kind of childhood in which biophilia can put down roots” (Orr 205). He explains that people who have ‘a love for nature’ are usually exposed to its beauty at a young age. On the other hand, Orr states “biophobia, is increasingly common among people raised with television, Walkman radios attached to their heads, and video games and living amidst shopping malls, freeways, and dense urban or suburban settings where nature is permitted tastefully, as decoration” (Orr 186). Biophobia is now more commonly seen today due to the dependence on and distraction of technology.
The readings and presentations we did this week in class encourages the idea that I am biophilic. At a young age, I was playing sports with my friends, going on bike adventures, or playing hide-and-seek in the neighborhood. When I turned thirteen, I got the opportunity to go to a three-week summer camp in North Carolina. There was no technology and the only way of communication was by writing letters. During these three weeks we had the options of going on nature walks, swimming in the lake, learning crafts, shooting rifles and arrows, or even rock climbing. I remember mainly shooting the rifles and arrows as well as going on the nature walks. I can vividly remember absorbing the green beauty around me with the smell of fresh pine. Although I missed my friends and family back home, I didn’t want to leave this serene place and go back to the crazy traffic, noise, and endless concrete.
I officially found my sense of place years later, when I started playing softball competitively. The FGCU softball field is the perfect place to go to improve my well-being or reduce stress. The beautiful palm trees in the background sway when it is windy, and birds are usually chirping or flying in that beautiful blue sky. I have yet to see an eagle soar above, but I certainly hope that I do before I graduate! The green grass in the outfield is usually freshly manicured as well as the red clay I step on. I know for a fact that every time I leave that field, my mind is always in a better place and I feel like I can accomplish any obstacle that gets thrown at me. I also learned that having a love for nature starts with how your family raises you. If my parents didn’t let me have my freedom outside, I don’t think that I would have gained a love for nature and probably wouldn’t have found my sense of place. When I have kids, I will expose them to nature at a young age so that they can also foster a deep connection and live a life of biophilia.
Works Cited
Introduction To Colloquium Class
About Me
Hello Ft. Myers! My name is Racquel Fournet and I am a sophomore at FGCU where I am majoring in Biology in preparation to attend medical school. I am also a student athlete who plays on the FGCU softball team. It is pretty easy to find me on campus when I’m not in class because I am usually on the softball field, in the batting cages, or in the gym with my teammates. My jersey number is #13 and my hashtag is #RacCity, and our games are always intense and fun to watch.
Expectations
I will be starting my first Colloquium class at FGCU this summer, and I am expecting to learn about our campus and the surrounding communities in Florida. In particular, I expect to learn more about the values of ecological preservation that our University was founded upon, and how these values affect the city of Ft. Myers, the state of Florida, the United States, and the world. I also anticipate that there will be a considerable amount of knowledge gained regarding climate change and sustainability. I am looking forward to gaining this knowledge since the media is often biased and distorts facts.
My Favorite Outdoor Places
FGCU Beach and Lake
FGCU Softball Field
My two favorite outdoor spaces are the FGCU campus beach at North Lake Village and the FGCU Softball field. Each of these two spots has a different sense of place for me, and they both bring me tranquility and happiness. I have lived in North Lake Village by the beach for two years, and the sense of smell from the lake and sand remind me of the new friends and home that I have found here at FGCU. The sunset over the lake reflects beautiful colors, and my eyes are treated to a colorful display of another day’s end to which I will never tire of viewing. Another favorite outdoor spot is the softball field, where the green grass, red clay, and towering palm trees on the other side of the outfield fence have become a sanctuary under the bright blue skies. Here I become more than a student, I become a competitor and a teammate which makes me feel passionate.
College Major and Colloquium Connection
As a Biology major, I am also interested in learning about the local ecosystems. It will be exciting to learn about sustainability, and realistic steps that can be implemented to make our world a better place. My current views regarding climate change are probably a bit naïve. I am hoping that this class will help me clarify the real issues that are happening in the Earth’s climate, and the potential effects on humans.
Works Cited
Racquel Fournet -fgcu colloquium 
