Service Learning/Six Mile Slough

For my service learning hours I volunteered to assist Jeff Key in monitoring water levels throughout Six-Mile Slough in East Fort Myers.  Six-Mile Slough is a shallow body of slowly moving water that expands and contracts seasonally and empties into Estero Bay.  It is a protected preserve that serves as the life source for many native Southwest Florida species.  The slough is actually nine miles long and about a mile wide at its widest point.  The name Six-Mile came from the army base days when convoys of supplies had a hard time crossing the slough…six miles from Fort Myers.  My service learning hours were spent driving to different transects along the slough and marching into the swamp to various wells that were used to measure water depth both above and belowground.  The water was mostly above ground, lucky for me, but I was well prepared from my experiences with the campus “wet walks”.  The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of development around the slough on its water levels, and how that effects the chances of cypress reproduction, however these wells have been in use for various studies for more then two decades.  Measurements are taken every two weeks and Mr. Key has been taking these reading for over four years as part of his masters work, at one transect he pointed out a large retention pond outside a new development.  His readings were normal at the nearby transect one week, two weeks later the same well had no water.  That week they dug and filled the retention pond down the road, by the next week the well was back to its previous levels above ground.  The impact that development can have can be significant if care is not taken.  During the rainy summer months an area like that can replenish itself, but if that same pond were filled during the dry winter the effects could be much more significant and that area of the slough drained dry to early in the dry season displacing and effect wildlife.  This was my first service learning experience and despite trudging through thigh deep cold water all morning I enjoyed it.  I was able to see areas of the slough that the public doesn’t have access to, and even saw hooded mergansers and wood ducks, both of which are very shy of humans.  Things like that are what make these experiences worthwhile, along with the feeling that you’ve helped out in some way.

Louv Readings

Your thoughts on the Louv readings, with particular emphasis on the nature-deficit disorder and the third frontier. Do his arguments seem plausible? Does our improved quality of life (due to technology) trump our need for nature? Do you see a generational gap when it comes to this purported disorder? Do you find yourselves succumbing to this disorder? What can (and has) been done to remedy the problem? What is the third frontier?

I found the Louv readings to be very thought provoking.  The idea that kids problems today with ADD, ADHD, or other mental issues could be linked to lack of exposure to nature could have some merit.  Most kids today are raised by a television and that leaves them with a 30 second attention span till the next loud, flashy ad pops up.  Without seeing live animals on a farm or in the wild, how is a child supposed to realize where their food comes from?  Having the world at your fingertips does not mean someone knows how that world works.  I believe most people take all this new technology for granted, it devolves them into mindless drones following the glow of their smart phone, ignoring the world around them.  This is detrimental to both the individual and to nature.  The individual misses out on the informative and soothing qualities of the natural world while the natural environment misses out on a proponent for its well being.  Someone that has a connection or bond with nature will be less prone to allowing its destruction or corruption by development or mining interests.  I do believe that younger generations are missing out on more of nature and that is partly because there is less nature to take part in.  I try to fight this in myself by being outside whenever possible either fishing or golfing, both provide access to nature, though altered, and allow for a sense of peace.  Preserving the natural areas we have left and allowing access to schoolchildren is the best way to remedy this problem.  The only way to save the natural environment is to have more people experience it, and draw a connection that inspires them to fight for the preservation of these areas.

Estero Island Cottage/Mantazas Pass

What was your overall opinion of Estero Island Cottage and Matanzas Pass? What sights, sounds, and/or experiences stood out? Give concrete examples of how the local quality of life is being enhanced. How has your hometown changed since you were a child? Do you still feel a sense of community? If a developer offered you 300% the market value of your childhood home to develop into condos, would you take it? What if the county approached you about purchasing the land under the 20/20 program, for 80% of its market value?

            I enjoyed the visit to Estero Island Cottage and its caretaker, Jo, was very informative.  Having visited the beach many times, I never realized that tucked away right there was this slice of preserved land.  I particularly enjoyed watching the pelicans feeding from the end of the boardwalk.  Keeping an area such as this in its natural state is vital to the local ecology, and necessary if the waters are to have any chance at recovering.  The mangroves help anchor the shoreline and provide as a nursery for many commercially valuable fish species.  Providing a place where the public can see first hand what the island’s natural balance and environment is like, as well as the history of man’s changes to the island, is crucial to giving people a sense of connection with the island, beyond condos and parasailing. 

            As far as my hometown, there has been a steady growth since I was a child.  Many of the wooded areas I used to roam with BB guns and 4-wheelers have been developed, into suburban housing tracts, commercial stores and dealerships as well as a golf course.  There would be no reason for a developer to want to build condos where I grew up but what if I grew up on a family farm or near the water?  There was a case in CT I believe where someone didn’t want to sell there waterfront cottage to a developer and the city was using eminent domain to remove the owner.  Claiming the town needed the proposed development to survive and therefore needed the property.  I believe incentives should be raised so that conservation funds don’t have to offer only 80% of land value.  Through tax credits or some form of reimbursement a stronger push needs to be made to preserve critical habitats.

Week 7-The Cost of Energy

Blog Entry: Is energy too cheap? Is conservation a dirty word? With regards to alternative energy sources (renewables) are you a "free-marketeer" or proponent of government intervention to steer us away from fossil fuels? In your opinion, what type of renewable energy has the most upside potential? What steps can you take 1) tomorrow and 2) within the next five years to reduce your energy footprint?

Comparatively speaking, energy prices here in the United States are much cheaper than the rest of the world, however, these prices are on the rise and will only increase in the future.  Conservation is only a dirty word to modern day “conservatives” who would sell the entire world to business interests if there were not laws to prevent them from doing so.  I believe in the free market, but that is not what has occurred in recent history in this country.  Energy companies have been allowed to determine national energy policy and competition from emerging renewable sources has been stifled.  I believe that just as the government contributed to the development and construction of infrastructure nationwide during the early 1900’s, the same investment should be made to encourage the use and growth of renewable energies.  Highways, roads and bridges were constructed with government funds and encouraged suburban sprawl and led to heavy dependence on fossil fuels, so it is only fair that government resources be used to push us into the next century and towards more sustainable energy solutions.  As far as reducing my own energy footprint, immediate change can be made by walking more instead of driving, reducing the amount of meat in my diet, and changing to new energy efficient technologies such as CFC light bulbs and LED TV’s.  Looking five years or more there is the possibility of buying a hybrid car or an energy efficient home, the decreasing cost of solar panels is another option.

Week 6-Climate Change

Blog Entry: In your view, is climate change anthropogenic (manmade), "natural", or some combination of the two? What (or who) would you consider reputable sources for climate change information? How is climate change portrayed in the media? Does this portrayal make you more or less likely to alter your lifestyle? What do you think the effects of climate change will be on your children and grandchildren?

Is climate change manmade?  Is it even real?  I would say yes to both.  While there may be some contributing natural causes it is my belief that we have done this to ourselves.  There can be no denying the human impact on the world as a whole, ocean species depletion, deforestation and habitat destruction, air and water pollution are just a few of the catastrophes we have brought upon ourselves.  How could we think that climate change is not caused by our activities?  The advances in technology in the past two centuries has allowed us to tame and conquer nearly every corner of the Earth and has greatly increased our success as a species.  Climate change could even open the door to a couple new corners, around the poles, as countries are already fighting over rights to areas now being revealed from beneath the melting polar ice caps.  When it comes to whom or what sources I would consider reputable on the subject, and the media portrayal of the subject it gets murky.  The media is a for profit entity, controlled by people with different interests, and on both sides of the issue they have managed to marginalize each other making it difficult for the average person to disseminate what is fact and what is propaganda.  I believe the source worth trusting most would be the Eskimos and other indigenous peoples of the North Country, I may even believe the UN and its scientists despite the recent “climategate” scandal.  The media debate over climate change has little effect on my personal habits but the occasional good idea can be found there such as turning the water off while brushing your teeth or new energy efficient products that are available.  If the current trend in human consumption and pollution is not changed for the better then I have a feeling that my children and grandchildren will be living in a much warmer and wetter world then we know today.

Week 5-ECHO

This week the class visited ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization) in North Fort Myers.  ECHO is a Christian based, non-profit organization that educates and assists people in poor and developing countries.  They use science and technology to develop realistic and sustainable farming practices for a variety of climate and soil types.  They also serve as a network to transmit information as to what techniques and crops work in certain environments as well as a seed bank to spread those crops that are successful.  This was my second time visiting ECHO and I fully support their mission, helping people to help themselves is the only way to permanently alleviate their situation.  Just giving money or aid to the poor is a temporary solution that will eventually run out and need to be replenished; however teaching a community how to sustainably provide for themselves permanently solves the problem.  The agriculture, animal husbandry, and cooking examples are quite different from what is considered stereotypical “American” farming.  Everything at ECHO is scaled down to a great degree and is focused on maximum output from minimal input where as American agriculture is heavily dependent on inputs, fertilizers and water, fossil fuels and machinery.  Many of the things used in the experiments at ECHO involve using the sun or recycling waste products such as the solar dehydrator and the energy efficient cooking stoves that burn wood and coconut pieces pressed into bricks.  Practicality is also a major aspect of what is done a ECHO, that is why the exchange of information from the people they are helping is so important.  In order to be relevant they must know what ideas are being successfully implemented and where.  I would say they are very relevant considering our guide, Vic, said they received 40-50,000 requests for assistance in the past year on their website www.echonet.org.   I would be interested in performing my service learning with this organization and may even do so before my time at this institution is up.

Week 4-Global Problem

Blog Entry: In your estimation, what is the most pressing global environmental issue facing us today? Why? If a wealthy benefactor like the Rockefeller Foundation gave you $100 billion to address a global problem, how would you allocate the funds? Would you dedicate 100% to the most pressing issue, or partition the money among many different issues?


I believe the most pressing environmental issue facing the world today is overpopulation.  I believe this because overpopulation is the cause of most, if not all, other environmental issues the world is faced with.  An increase in population increases the demand on resources and leads to the destruction of more and more natural lands for utilization in housing and farming.  With increased population there is more demand for water and increased pollution.  Whether in industrialized or third world countries, most major population centers are found near rivers or ports.  In almost all cases those waters are unfit due to human activities, sewage, agricultural runoff, and overfishing.  If given $100 billion to save the world I do not believe it should be spent all in one place, but a good portion of the money should be designated for awareness and birth control.  In my opinion, if the people of the world were made more aware of the problems in the world, then fixing these problems would become easier.  Education and the availability of birth control should make up the majority of the spending, with other problems getting some money as well.  Investing in pollution mitigation technologies, restoration of natural ecosystems, renewable energies and health care are just a few examples of where money could be used.  If humans were able to stop or even slow population growth then other issues of sustainability would have a greater chance of being addressed successfully.