Corkscrew Sanctuary Reflection

The distinct ecosystems we say on the trip consisted of pine flatwoods, wet prairie, Pond cypress, Bald cypress, and marsh. They all provide "ecosystem services" such as a potential food source for organisms, pharmaceuticals, purification of water and air, and nutrient dispersal and cycling. One of the main ecosystem service provided at the Corkscrew Sanctuary was the living machine that provided a "clean" water pump for the restrooms and waterfountains in the aread but only used one small machine and some pipes, the rest was from the plants in the area and doubled as a butterfly garden. 

Conservation is the preservation, protection and restoration of the natural environment, ecosystems, vegetation and wildlife. Stewardship is an ethic that embodies responsible planning and management of resources, in this sense in relation to the environment. Private nonprofit organizations that's main focus is conservation and sustainability of the environment are very important because the will not be regulated heavily by the government and most likely will not be bought out by major corporations because the people running them exhibit a certain stewardship that would not want their organization to be run to the ground and have apartments on it. 

Like-minded people can have a huge affect on change. The more people that are pushing for a change, the more likely it will happen. Civic engagement factors into this because when more people are civically engaged in a certain area, more things will be accomplished. The motivation to preserve the acreage at Corkscrew Sanctuary was because of the largest remaining bald cypress trees and the endangered wood storks that live in that ecosystem. From an ecological perspective we shouldnt just bulldoze and build condos because of how many endangered species and at risk species are living in that area and it would kill hundreds of tiny ecosystems that we wouldn't have anywhere else. 

Course Expectations

Over the course of the semester I expect to gain some brief knowledge on what sustainability really means and how much today's society really needs to worry about it. I also hope to explore some really neat areas both on and off campus but not have to venture through waist deep mud in the process. I want to learn about what Florida Gulf Coast University is really doing "behind the scenes"  to uphold the sustainability aspect and standards of the University. 

Sustainability to me is to make sure that all of the resources we have are being used to the fullest most useful extent and that they are not being wasted and taken advantage of so that they can last as long as possible. Eco-literacy is being able to understand what is taking place in our ecosystems and being able to recognize that we (humans) are not the only living organisms taking up the world. Sense of place to me is knowing where we are in relation to the rest of the environment and knowing where we belong in the ecosystem. 

I find myself being unsustainable a lot. I constantly leave a light on in my bedroom so that it is not pitch black when I come back. I leave things plugged in and sometimes I fall asleep with my TV on all night. I also see a lot of litter around and I do not pick it up even though I know it could potentially harm an animal or a part of an ecosystem. I do not recycle anything either even though it has been highly encouraged for as long as I can remember.