Ellen Peterson

Entry #3

5/27/2011



Ellen Peterson (President of Happehatchee)



I noticed in the "History of University Colloquium" video that Ellen was against the development of Florida Gulf Coast University.  Ironically, she doesn't mind Florida Gulf Coast University students volunteering at Happehatchee.  Happehatchee is an eco-spiritual center that offers yoga, canoeing, luscious preserved land, etc.  I wonder what she currently thinks about the whole situation and how everything turned out.  I think FGCU could be a potential asset to Ellen and her environmentalist endeavors.  She has a lot of knowledge as far as sustainability and natural resource preservation.  I feel both organizations have a lot to gain by working more closely to one another.



My Backyard

Entry #2

5/25/2011

I live in Lehigh Acers in a very "woodsy" area that is surrounded by plants, animals, and houses.  Upon my recent visit to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary I noticed how a certain area resembled my backyard.  My backyard resembles the Pine Flatwoods of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.  It is full of sabal palms, slash pines, and its own array of wildlife.  I’ve seen rabbits, vultures, lizards, frogs, etc. in the surrounding area.  I decided to take some time and attempt to reflect on what I've been learning.  If no one took the time to preserve land would the Pine Flatwoods be somebody else's backyard?  Probably yes and it would probably not be appreciated.  I enjoy living where I do more now that I take the time to see what it offers. 

On a side note, I felt very peaceful and clear-minded while photographing outside.  I couldn’t help but to contemplate on Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Wood.  Nature is the cheapest and arguably the best stress reliever.

 My Backyard

Pine Flatwoods

1st Field Trip

Entry # 1

May 17, 2011

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Pine Flatwoods

This environment is actually the first one out of six you will experience when entering the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.   This area is in fact elevated; as a result, it gives plants and animals an advantage during the summer flooding season.  Most of the plant life I noticed was very typical of Florida: saw palmettos, slash pines, cabbage palms, sabal palms, and some hardwood hammocks.  Unfortunately, I didn’t see a whole lot of the wildlife this area provides.  I managed only to witness a mockingbird, lubber grasshopper, and some lizards.

Central Marsh

The Central Marsh is encircled by the cypress forest.  This soil has built up over dead plants for hundreds of years, and has flourished regardless of Florida’s climate.  It contains various forms of plant life such as saw grass, pickerel weed, cattails, bulrush, and moon vines.  I found the moon vines to be the most beautiful form of plant life in the marsh.  Furthermore, the animal life in the marsh ranges from cardinals to raccoons.  I happen to notice, in particular, a turkey vulture scouring the marsh for any tasty decomposing morsels. 

Bald Cypress Forest

The cypress trees in this forest are not only well over 100 feet, but they’ve been around for more than 500 years.  These bald cypress trees provide a sturdy environment for their inhabitants and thrive due to their swamp base.   Moreover, having weathered their fair share of storms and hurricanes these trees are a testament to the overall strength of the forest.  In addition, the Bald Cypress Forest has plenty of wonderful vegetation and wildlife throughout the whole forest.  Such vegetation includes rigid epidendrum orchids, alligator flag blooms, buttonbushes, swamp lilies, and bald cypress trees (obviously).  Various types of critters actually live in the cavities of these trees and in the surrounding area.  This forest is home to an array of animals such as the barred owl, alligator, and soft-shelled turtle.

Water is a very important element in the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.  The summer raining season is crucial to this area because of the abundance of water it provides to the land.  On the other hand, how does this ecosystem get by without the rain?  The swamp’s vegetation actually absorbs and retains enough water to get everyone by and in till the rains come.  For example, the lettuce lakes provide floating plants that are themselves food for various animals and help manage this ecosystem’s water supply.

The relationship between these environments and people has grown for the better.  In the beginning, South Florida’s population explosion within the last decade or so has resulted in the destruction of much of these habitats.   For example, the pine flatwoods suffered greatly to this population growth and the housing development that came with it.  However, the National Audubon Society has done a great job of preserving the pine flatwoods and other natural resources through various methods.  One such method for instance is “controlled burning”; which is the burning of a portion of the land in order to mimic wildfires and to clear some land for fresher vegetation to populate.National Audubon Society  Furthermore, I think people are more self-conscious of the environment nowadays and there are efforts being made.  Gradually but surely there will be more eco-friendly awareness and respect in the years to come.