Journal 9

The FGCU Nature Trails!!

    On Friday, May 31st, our class took a walk down the FGCU Nature Trails. Florida Gulf Coast University as a whole was established around conserved areas. There are beautiful walks that you can go on, on your own, and experience nature first hand. The trail we went on was the swamp walk and the cypress dome.
    As you can see by the picture, water rises pretty high on the cypress trees in this area. We were lucky enough not to be standing in waist deep water, or any water for that matter. It was the end of the dry season. But once again Florida never ceases to amaze me. All of a sudden it just starts pouring on us while out there. The weather can just change so quickly. Its really crazy how nature can do that.

Blood Lichen

    As a class, we had a challenge to name 5 different species of plant life out in the wild. There were just so many different types of trees out there. Cypress trees are the majority of the plant life out on the trails. There are also Melaleuca trees which are invasive. The palms are more on the outside right before you enter the dome. As you can see to the picture on the left, there was a tree with lichen, blood lichen to be exact. This usually means that the air quality is exceptional. Blood lichen is known to be usually found only in Florida.
 
    The FGCU Nature Trails are just a wonder to see. They are there for a reason! And you can go when ever you would like. This is a great campus.

Journal 8

Foooood, Inc.! 
   In class we watched the film Food, Inc. It goes behind the scenes at what we don't get to see as consumers. Where do all your meats come from? What about your canned goods? Produce? Where does it all start? Well it all begins out in the fields where farmers grow certain goods. Cows may eat it, or chickens, or other livestock. This movie follows that trail into what is finally sitting in front of you. It could have flown thousands of miles ,while it all could have started right out your back yard.
   All of most foods are owned by only 6 or so companies. Thats it. We are under this spell from the companies and they completely keep us in the dark. They would never want us to see what actually goes on behind the packaging because most of us would never buy from them again, especially us carnivores.
    This movie has really opened my eyes to what actually happens. I hate eating meat but its just so good! I want to become a better eater but healthy foods, are just too expensive. Definitely a movie to see.

Journal 7

Waste to Energy Plant! (not the incinerator)

     Last Wednesday our class took a trip to the Lee County Waste to Energy Plant and was able to have a behind the scenes look at what goes on. There is so much that happens and also how great it is for the community. It basically takes all your trash, and converts it into energy.

The main dumping area

   In the picture, this is where all the garbage trucks dump everything. From here, other trucks plow everything into the yellow lit area. You can actually see the claw that comes down and picks up about a ton worth of garbage. It then gets lifted up and over the wall where there is a chute that takes it all the burners. It all get very compacted and gets extremely hot. All the heat will turn water into steam. This steam will then turn and spin a turbine which finally goes to a generator.
   We now have electricity! From everything burning, it does create ashes. But which is better? Tons and tons of garbage that you see here in the picture, or a couple square feet of ashes that will eventually turn into concrete? I will take the burning for sure. It compacts everything so much and we get something positive out of it. The smoke is cleaned and filtered so many times that it is virtually, odorless. It is really something that i think every county should have. It burns what we throw out, and makes electricity out of it. Thats a win win if you ask me. I would love to try and see more of it.