Blog 7. Lovers Key

On June 12, 2013 Our colloquium class went to Lovers Key Beach State Park for the day. It's one of four barrier Islands and is home to manatees, dolphins, rabbits, and bald eagles. I noticed on the trip that Lovers key isn't really the typical beach that many go to. It's more of a private beach for shelling, picnicking and sunbathing. Besides its beach scene, it also is considered a park for outdoors activities such as picnics, canoeing, kayaking, biking, and hiking. As you pass by the beach you can see Sea Turtles and shorebirds miles along the beach. After a day at lovers key, you can get a piece of the history and natural beauty this location offers.

Blog 6 Plan B

In Plan B 4.0, it was interesting to read about the three models of social change. The first one is the Pearl Harbor model where something has to happen for us to want to change. The problem with this is it might to be late. The second is the Berlin Wall where change comes over with time when attitudes change. Lastly is the sandwich model where change happens rapidly because of political leadership. Such as our government and administration.I believe the Pearl Harbor change is most common with people because until it truly impacts their lives, people won't change their ways. I'm guilty of this until the issue is introduced to me, then I'll start to change my ways. I believe every little bit can help and as long as I'm doing my best, I'm making a difference.

Blog 5. ECHO

In our field trip to Echo we were introduced to lots of plants, fruits, and vegetables where they grow right onsite. Some plants include bamboo which grow very fast and is used for clothing and then the miranga which is the most popular and nutritious plant. One thing that stuck me with me was that countries live off plants that Americans don't even eat or know about. We should take more advantage of more plants and fruits that aren't normally eaten. In countries they handle rabbits more often instead of cows  because their easier to maintain and live off of. Miracle fruit is very popular in poor countries since they need lots of medicine due to poor nutriton it makes the medicine taste better. Another common fruit is bananas where each tree grows up 60-80 pounds and then must be cut down to grow more.

Blog 4. University Colloquium Book. Perreras

In the University Book, the importance of nature is dicussed and the impact it can make in someones life. "By bolstering children's attention resources, green spaces may enable children to think more clearly and cope more effectively with life stress." This study has revealed a big improvement in children who haveADD/ADHD and has replaced the medicine for these disorders. Whether a child or not, nature helps people get sense of place or mind which help tremoudously with daily activities and success. This helps with concentration,  moods, and emotions which play a big part in lives. Nature is a way to live a happier life according to research and everybody should take advantage of nature therapy because their is no price to it.

Blog 3 Earth On Edge

The Video Earth On Edge made me realize that their is a lot more going on throughout the world than I thought. As humans, we face different problems everyday but their is one problem that we all are going to face if we dont start changing our ways;less natural resources. We need to start saving fuel, using less, and using our natural resources right in front of us. Environmentalists say our world will be like Haiti with conflicts of resources and water. I never noticed how our world has degraded and the way were living is not ok while other foreign countries are struggling heavily. If we continue to push earth life systems to their limits and not take advantage of our crops we could take a whole 180 turn.

Perreras Corkscrew Sanctuary

On May 16, 2013 our Colloquium class went to the Corkscrew Sanctuary and learned what Old Florida is all about. Their are three different types of levels in the forest such as the pine upland, swamp, and the prairie.If an environment is a species indicator it means if panthers or other species are dying,  the environment may be dying as well. It needs certain species in the environment in order for it to survive and stay preserved. Liking is also another big factor to a forest to stay preserved because it requires good air quality to survive. For example Cypress trees adapt to environment roots next to the tree for oxygen. Another plant that is most common and grows in deep swamps,  was traced back to Native Americans when they used them for alligator signals. These could be found typically by the swamps and can survuve throughout the dry season. At the end of the trip, we were all in silence as we heard different animals in the forest move around in their natural habitat.