Week 5 report

     Our field trip last week out to Ft. Myers Beach was very informative.  The stories that she was telling about how she grew up and what it was like on the island were extremely interesting.  I had no idea that there was a threat of German U-boats out in the Gulf.  I could only wish that the inner-coastal water ways were as clean and clear as they once were when she was a little girl growing up.  It is such a beautiful wildlife out on the beach but there is so little of it left.  Hearing her stories of the clean and free spaces makes me want to try and do more to clean up our community.  Colin Baesler

     Even though it took us an hour to get to Estero Island Historic Cottage I learned a lot about the beach front cottage housed. How it started in 1991 by a group of island residents who wanted to preserve the history of their island community. It survived countless storms, hurricanes, and it was kindergarten school. Our information guide was an older woman that was very nice and gave us cookies and lemonade. The Matanzas Pass Trail was very enjoyable I saw many different types of plant life. It was a good field trip. - Yissel Ortega

     The last field trip was interesting. I enjoyed learning some of the history of south west Florida from someone who has lived through so much. I enjoyed walking the trail, however I would have liked to seen some animals. - Lauren - Tozzi

     Last class was pretty cool except for that much too long bus ride. It was very interesting listening to that lady talk about the history of the area. You can tell in her voice that she really enjoys talking about her experiences. She brought up many things that I did not know and kept my attention throughout the field trip. I wish that there was more to see along the nature trail, and no animals like manatees came out which was a bummer. Also that sea grape jelly was very good, much better than expected- John DeBlasio

 

Week 4 report

     I thought that last weeks class was awesome. The discussions were very good as there was lots of participation from everyone. Everyone seemed to have a lot to say for a majority of the questions especially when we talked about cleaning up the environment, and ways that we can halt our destruction. I found it very interesting that the video brought up how much oil we use and broke it down into categories. I was very surprised to see that we use more oil to make our food and water than we do for transportation. I thought that transportation would be by far the biggest use of oil. - John DeBlasio

      Class on the 14th was again very interesting because of the presentations that were given.  I really enjoy the discussions that come about because of them.  I know that you think you talk too much sometimes or ramble on too much at times Dr. Segal but I like to hear your educated point of view. It is clear that you are more knowledgeable on the topics that we discuss and I like the enthusiasm in which you educate us.  Many of the topics that either we cover or you mention in your lectures I find myself writing down so that I can research them later to learn even more and educate myself as I am sure that you have.  Just being in this class has made me aware of just how little I actually know about the growing energy and land crisis... Colin Baesler

       I enjoyed the video shown in class. I don't usually think of sustainability from the view of other countries. I thought it was interesting to learn that the government gave out bicycles to its citizens. What an ingenious way to promote sustainability! Lauren Tozzi

      The video we watch in class was very interesting and inspiring. It shows clearly how an oil dependent country can make the transition to life without oil. Cuba rediscovered living sustainably when the Soviet Union could no longer supply oil to it. They were forced to grow organically because they couldn't obtain enough imported food. Cuba faced lack of oil early but is much the better for it. In my opinion every country will have to go through the same situation someday.-Yissel Ortega

      Last Tuesday our group presented the ‘Climate Change and Energy Transition’ power point to the class. We talked how about the temperature is rising, how sea levels are rising, melting glaciers and how Greenland and Antarctica are going to completely melted by 2050. Our group also explained what humans do that causes of all the negative things that are happening to the environment (global warming) and what we can do to change that. The class also watched a video at the end of the class. It talked about oil. Amanda DeNoto

Week 3 Report

     Even though the video was just a guy telling stories about his past, I thought it was very interesting and informative. There are many things that I didn't know on how different Florida was back then. The story of where his family went on a vacation around the coast of the state with only $100 was kind of a shock. That would not even cover the cost of gas now. It shows how much more respect they had for the land, when he was saying that there were fruit trees on the side of the road that anyone could take a couple. That would never be possible now, because everyone would take advantage of it. I also thought that the part of him explaining the wooden house to the old man was pretty cool. It would be nice to experience how life was back then, when the earth was shared by everyone instead of abused. Since that is not possible we all have to try and do what we can to help restore the earth. - John DeBlasio 

     I was very intrigued by the video we watched in class last week.  The stories and video clips that were shown were absolutely amazing.  Seeing Florida like that was impressive.  I found myself wishing I could have been around back then to see it like that.  The road trip that he went on with his friends sounded like a ton of fun.  It makes you wonder what happened.  Why is it not possible to be that friendly and open to other people.  It makes me kind of sad that I have to live in this world, that I wasn't around when it seemed that the world was a much better place.  I would much prefer to live in a time of peace, freedom, and natural beauty than the world that we live in which consists of technology, pollution, and crime.  It makes me sad.  Colin Baesler

      I enjoyed the film we watched in class on older Florida. I wasn't aware Florida soil was good for growing so many fruits, such as blueberries or strawberries. learning this makes me more interested in learning how to grow my own food. it was interesting to hear the author talk about Florida during a time when it was much less populated and developed. i also liked the first-person accounts from the people living in old log houses because it's just a different way of life from what most of us nowadays are used to. - Lauren Tozzi

Week 2 report

I thought that the field trip this week was a very interesting one. The tour guide was very good and gave us information on those plants that I have never heard before. Overall I thought that the calusa nature center had some awesome animals and a very cool nature trail. I would defiantly recommend this place to someone who wants to learn about southwest Florida. -John DeBlasio