Field Trip 3

The relationships between the marketing, production, distribution and consumption is extremely well maintained. They have to market their products to get them into distribution and then obviously consumption.
The relationships between the soil, water and climate is different for each plant. They send different plants to different climates and monitor how they produce. Some produce really well and that’s how we get plants in areas that were never once there. Others don’t produce at all and we have negative results.
The economic relationship with the state is good. As we have an organization right here in southwest Florida. Also Bonita Springs Middle School is developing their very own garden to “help stop out hunger”. as well as Lakes Park is making room for a garden. The nation is okay with the economic relationship. The nation could do a little more to help but is doing some necessary items. As far as the world and the economic relationship it is good. ECHO sends seeds all over the world to help produce plants.
the environmental issues of this business is growing plants that should not be here and economic issues would be taking away money from local businesses.
I interviewed a wonderful lady named Kim and her perspective on the environment, production and distribution. She thought that this was a great organization. “We send about 10 seeds over to any one farmer and those seeds can produce up to thousands of vegetables or fruit.” “It is sometimes their only means of surviving”.
You can become involved by volunteer for ECHO or even doing an internship with them. There also plenty of other organizations that help feed the hungry that are looking for volunteers.
Is this activity sustainable? Absolutely! They are using natural resources to help others out.
What do we have to do to feed the one billion people? We would have to do a whole lot more than what we are doing. I think if we knew what we could do to feed everyone then we would have done it by now. There is not just one set answer to feed the hungry. It takes many efforts and a part on all of us to do so.

Class discussions?

As i reflect on class discussions I realize they aren't discussions. This past week I was a discussion leader and had commented on several peoples post about the few topics we had and no one wrote back to me. It seems as every week it is just a one way conversation. I'm sure it wasn't just me who didn't get a response but why is it called a discussion, if we aren't discussion? I am guilty of this too. as the past weeks have just been so busy, I am happy to get on and post my discussion and let alone reply to others. Are these discussions really worth it? Maybe it would be a better idea if we took quiz es or found some other way to prove we have read the materials? Or maybe after all, I am the only one that nobody is replying too. lol

Lovers Key-Field trip 2

Lovers Key State Park

I am sitting on a park bench looking out over the water in a nature trail and it’s absolutely gorgeous. There is a slight breeze coming off the water that is cooling me off and I‘ll can help but feel is a calm, relaxing, and at peace feeling. It is incredible how the outdoors can make you feel. The birds are chirping, branches swooshing. Its nature, at its best.
The natural elements have shaped this environment by the water and weather. The water shaped it by the waves. As the waves come up on the shoreline it washes away some sand over time creating a new shoreline. The weather has shaped it by the way the sun hit’s the plants. Some plants need more sunlight and are growing better on that side versus the ones that need a little shade.
The surface features affect the plant and animal life because not everything can grow and survive with salt water surrounding it. Certain plants need fresh water to flourish and Lovers Key is surrounded by the ocean.
There is many plants growing wildly at Loves Key State Park. Just to name some of them there is; beach sunflower, tropical sage, Spanish bayonet, strangler fig, Spanish moss, prickly pear cactus, catclaw blackbead, common persimmon, Florida silver palm, and cabbage palmetto. Some bird species located in this area are; American kestrel, reddish egret, white ibis, piping plover, and boat-tailed grackle. I saw some animal life. There is great [potential to see many others but they weren’t out while I was there. The ones I did see were Julia butterflies, gulf fritillary butterflies, a brown anole lizard, a ton of red fire ants, and even a few great land crabs. The park ranger said I could see tortoises, squirrels, raccoons, bottled nosed dolphin, manatees and some marsh rabbits.
A unique characteristic about this park is that it has something for everyone. It has beaches, nature trails, and pavilions for picnics, kayaks and canoes. Many places around this area don’t have much stuff to do. It’s either just a beach or just a nature trail. Lovers Key is an exception. It is great tourist attract as well as a getaway for locals.
In the 1900’s the islands were accessible only by boat. A road was built in 1965. Fish camps were located on Black Island from the early 1900s’ until late 1950’s. Then in the 1960s the four islands were slated for development. Preparations for development damaged the islands. So the state acquired the islands in 1996 and they merged with the adjacent Carl E. Johnson County Park to become Lovers Key Carl E. Johnson State Park,
As you walk through the Black island trial you can see all the mangroves sitting on the shore lines. The estuaries are a great sauce for animal and plant life. These animals and plants can adapt to this ever changed lifestyle.

ecological footprint

I went to the website and did my ecological footprint. It was an eye opening website. It told me if I keep living the way I live and everyone else lived like me we would need over 400 earths! That is crazy! So its a good thing everyone doesn't live like me.Since doing that website I am definitely trying to change my ways. Its hard but I am trying. By the way, if you have not visited that website, you must do it now! its a real good source.

Sustainability

What is sustainability to me? It is about keeping the earth clean and not using all of the harsh products we offer. Use some organic items and eat organic foods. We don't need all the harsh fumes in the world. It is harmful to us, everyone around us and the environment.

Sustainability is something we all need to work on. I myself am not the greatest person with organics. I tend to chose man made objects which is not helping the earth at all.

current position on Colloquium

I would like to get several things out of this class. I want to know about our community and the parks its offers,the environment around us and what other people think about our environment.

I think I could use this class and what i learn in everyday life. This class will hopefully teach me about the environment and how much use it is to human race. I could use a new appreciation for the environment.