Me relaxing at the park
Young men playing basketball at the park.
Children playing at the park.
Children having fun at the park
Adults walking the excercise trail.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Personal Reflection # 10
Today July 11th, I chose to do my final personal reflection at Veterans Park in my community of Lehigh Acres. It was a beautiful evening and the weather was excellent. It was the perfect day and setting for me to sit back, relax and reflect on my personal journey in this colloquium class. It has been a wonderful journey for me. I had the opportunity to vistit some interesting places for my field trips and also for my personal reflections. I learnt so much and I had fun doing it. I enjoyed these trips so much that I am sure I will be taking more of them on my own after this class is over. I now have a greater appreciation for the environment and will be more environmentally conscious in my actions.
Adults walking the excercise trail.
Adults walking the excercise trail.
Personal Reflection # 9
On Saturday July 10th, I decided to spend some time outdoor enjoying nature while helping my husband with the yard work. I felt this was a great way for us to spend some time together and do our part to beautify the environment. The weather was nice so I decided this was the perfect day for me to help with mowing the lawn. I was really enjoying it and thought this was a good way to excercise. However, after a few minutes I realized it was more tedious than I thought so I left the mowing to him and decided to use the weed wacker to edge my plants. After edging the plants I used the blower to blow the grass and leaves from the driveway. We both had a great time performing these outdoor chore and when we were finish the yard was looking beautiful. This outdoor activity was well worth it.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Opinion Paper # 3 - Benefits and Challenges of integrating Environmental Ethics into an Environmental Literacy Plan
As the humanities offer a diversity of opportunites to engage others in discussions that focus on those core values that represent human dignity, are life affirming and are consistent with those of much culture around the world. In my opinion integrating a discussion of Environmental Ethics into an Environmental Literacy Plan for the State of Florida through the Humanities would be a good decision. I believe there are many benefits that could be achieved from this integration, however, since our society is one that strongly resent change, we will be faced with many barriers and challenges during this implementation process. There are those who might disagree with this integration, but if you carefully review the impact these benefits will have on our society you will realize why this is a good decision.
I believe some of the benefits of integrating Environmental Ethics into an Environmental Literacy Plan for the State of Florida through the Humanities would be educating students on how to ethically practice sustainability to solve some of our environmental problems for present and future generation. This would teach students how to respect and care for our environment. I think students could use this as a tool for preventing or solving environmental problems in their neighborhoods or communities when they become future community leaders. I believe this would create environmentally literate citizens who would understand their connection to the world around them. It would also help people to make informed and responsible ethical decisions regarding environmental issues and would give us some type of acceptable guideline to live by. The Earth Charter states that we need a shared vision of basic values to provide an ethical foundation for the emerging world community. (Earth Charter Commisson, 2000). During my service-learning project at a nature center and also while reviewing the sixteen principles of the earth charter I realize the positive impact it would have on students if Environmental Ethics was integrated into an Environmental Literacy Plan. In underprivileged or underserved communities environmental ethics is hardly practiced so these communities are greatly affected by environmental problems, now students would be able to practice the environmental ethics they learned. I believe this would be a good method of using children as agent of change to educate their communities on environmental ethics which would help to raise awareness and incorporate sustainable living into their lifestyle to help save the environment.
Our society is one that resent changes and with many citizens being uninformed and misinformed about environmental education, I believe we will encounter many barriers and challenges as we try to integrate Environmental Ethics into the Environmental Literacy Plan. Many of these programs are underfunded and many institutions do not have the resources to implement or sustain this type of education. I believe the lack of support from educators, community leaders and influential businesses will be some of the major problems we face. Another challenge we will encounter is the fact the many educators are not qualified to teach environmental ethics so a statewide program will have to be developed to train teachers and make them qualified to teach environmental education. I believe training and motivating individuals who have very little interest in environmental issues will be very challenging.
Overall, I believe Environmental Ethics should be integrated into the Environmental Literacy Plan for the State of Florida through the Humanities regardless of the cost or the lack of support. I believe the benefits outweigh the barriers or challenges and it is worth investing in for present and future generation so we all can enjoy a better environment that is sustainable to all.
Work Cited
Earth Charter Commission. (2000). The Earth Charter. Retrieved from the World Wide Web
Sepember 2, 2006 from http://wwwearthcharter.org.
I believe some of the benefits of integrating Environmental Ethics into an Environmental Literacy Plan for the State of Florida through the Humanities would be educating students on how to ethically practice sustainability to solve some of our environmental problems for present and future generation. This would teach students how to respect and care for our environment. I think students could use this as a tool for preventing or solving environmental problems in their neighborhoods or communities when they become future community leaders. I believe this would create environmentally literate citizens who would understand their connection to the world around them. It would also help people to make informed and responsible ethical decisions regarding environmental issues and would give us some type of acceptable guideline to live by. The Earth Charter states that we need a shared vision of basic values to provide an ethical foundation for the emerging world community. (Earth Charter Commisson, 2000). During my service-learning project at a nature center and also while reviewing the sixteen principles of the earth charter I realize the positive impact it would have on students if Environmental Ethics was integrated into an Environmental Literacy Plan. In underprivileged or underserved communities environmental ethics is hardly practiced so these communities are greatly affected by environmental problems, now students would be able to practice the environmental ethics they learned. I believe this would be a good method of using children as agent of change to educate their communities on environmental ethics which would help to raise awareness and incorporate sustainable living into their lifestyle to help save the environment.
Our society is one that resent changes and with many citizens being uninformed and misinformed about environmental education, I believe we will encounter many barriers and challenges as we try to integrate Environmental Ethics into the Environmental Literacy Plan. Many of these programs are underfunded and many institutions do not have the resources to implement or sustain this type of education. I believe the lack of support from educators, community leaders and influential businesses will be some of the major problems we face. Another challenge we will encounter is the fact the many educators are not qualified to teach environmental ethics so a statewide program will have to be developed to train teachers and make them qualified to teach environmental education. I believe training and motivating individuals who have very little interest in environmental issues will be very challenging.
Overall, I believe Environmental Ethics should be integrated into the Environmental Literacy Plan for the State of Florida through the Humanities regardless of the cost or the lack of support. I believe the benefits outweigh the barriers or challenges and it is worth investing in for present and future generation so we all can enjoy a better environment that is sustainable to all.
Work Cited
Earth Charter Commission. (2000). The Earth Charter. Retrieved from the World Wide Web
Sepember 2, 2006 from http://wwwearthcharter.org.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Personal Reflection # 8
Saturday July 3rd I decided to play my part in making sure that kids enjoy the outdoor environment. So I took my neices and nephew to an outdoor water park in Naples, called the Sun-N-Fun Lagoon. They had a wonderful time. It was very hot, however the heat did not seem to bother the children. They went swimming and splashing in the pool and the lazy river and they also enjoyed the water slide. I spent my time enjoying the environment by relaxing outdoor in the shade trying to stay cool and hydrated while watching the children have fun. It was obvious from their reaction that they were having a blast while enjoying nature. Overall it was a fun trip for everyone.
My neice swimming in the pool
The children taking a break from the pool
The children trying to convince me why they should go back in the pool.
Me trying to stay hydrated in the heat.
My neice swimming in the pool
The children taking a break from the pool
The children trying to convince me why they should go back in the pool.
Me trying to stay hydrated in the heat.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Field Trip # 5 - Agricultural Environment
On June 26th, 2010 I did my Agricultural Environment field trip at ECHO Global Farm in North Fort Myers. ECHO stands for Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization and they provide sustainable options to fight world hunger. ECHO Global Farm is dedicated to finding sustainable ways to help poor farmers overseas work with the land they have to beome more productive. They have a seed bank that has a variety of seeds that can be produced under difficult condition. While touring the farm I saw a worm culture where they raise worms as a source of protein to replace animal protein in poor countries. They also use the diluted worm urine to make fertilizer. This trip was very interesting and informational and I also got some gardening ideas that I will personally use at home. This was a wonderful experience and I was happy to have visited this farm.
Guide educating us about the farm
Tilapia pond
Duck's whose dropping is used to feed the tilapia.
Worm culture
Rice bed
Low land with raised beds to prevent plant roots from rotting.
High land
Manual irrigation systems for farmers with no electricity
On the farm
Guide explaining how plants can grown in tires
Rain forest setting
Plant nursery
plant nursery
Me on the farm
Guide educating us about the farm
Tilapia pond
Duck's whose dropping is used to feed the tilapia.
Worm culture
Rice bed
Low land with raised beds to prevent plant roots from rotting.
High land
Manual irrigation systems for farmers with no electricity
On the farm
Guide explaining how plants can grown in tires
Plants grown in empty cans
Rain forest setting
Plant nursery
plant nursery
Personal Reflection # 7
Today June 26th, as I deceided to spend sometime outdoors relaxing and enjoying the environment, I figured what better way to do this than visitig the Everglades which would also make me complete GR #8. So my husband and I packed some snacks and we headed for the Everglades. We had a wonderful time walking around sightseeing, taking pictures, talking about different things we saw in the area. We drove through the city and got on a long stretch of road that had water on both sides of the road. We say may people fishing so kept driving for a while. Then came the rain, it started pouring so heavily that it was white out conditions and we could hardly see. The wind started blowing and the ocean came splashing up on the side of the road. I got very scared and decided we needed to get out of there. I was scared for many reasons, I cannot swim, as far as I could see it was all water on both sides of the road with no building in sight, the rain was pouring down as if someone was throwing buckets of water on the car and the wind was blowing very heavily and splashing the water from both sides on to the road. I was so relieved when we finally got out of there.
Field Trip # 4 - Downtown Fort Myers
On June 25th, 2010 I did my field trip of Downtown Fort Myers. This was truly a freshing experience. I drove around the city in awe of the wonderful work that was done with the redvelopment project.
Downtown Fort Myers is known as the historical district and also the waterfront district. It is home to historical buildings such as the court house, city hall, many different museums and government buildings. It also has a very beautiful scenic waterfront view which truly validates the term urban waterfont living. There are over 400 residential high rise condominium units in the river district. Many cultural opportunities are available in Downown Fort Myers, some of which are the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, the Harborside Event Center and the Headquarters of the Art of the Olympians.
On my field trip I stopped by the offices of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce and the Redevelopment Center in Downtown Fort Myers to get some literature on the area. I walked around the city and took pictures of some very interesting sites and buildings.
The developers did a wonderful job at trying to preserve our ecological system with the beautiful array of plants that lines the street of Downtown Fort Myers. Because the downtown area is extremely flat they built a water detention basin between the river and Bay Street to improve the quality of surface water run-off into the Caloosahatchee River to prevent flooding. The landscape is beautifully arranged and the streets are decorated with bricks.
As I reflect on the suitability of urban development in Southwest Florida yesterday, today and tomorrow. I believe that as the area grows so does the need for urban development. Many development project comes to mind with this topic, such as the construction of the new international airport which was well needed to accomodate travel for the increased population. Another is the I75 expansion project which helped to alleviate traffic jams and delays. However, the project I found most impressive was the redevelopment of Downtown Fort Myers. In the past this urban environment appeared forgtten and neglected. Today, it has a very elegant look and the community appear to be vibrant and full of life.
I was very impressed on this filed trip to see how conciencious the developers were when constructing this urban environment by portraying the city as a historic district and a riverfront district while preserving our ecological system. These urban developments will improve Southwest Florida's communities, which will bring visitors to the area and will be beneficial for the future of the Downtown Fort Myers environment. Below are pictures I took of Downtown Fort Myers.
Urban waterfront living - residential condominiums in the river district of downtown Fort Myers.
Riverfront District - where boats are docked
Streets of Downtown Fort Myers
Streets of Downtown Fort Myers
Streets of Downtown Fort Myers
Centennial Park
Park of Palms - this is a palm arboretum with 47 varieties of palms and cycads.
City of Fort Myers Yatch Basin
Art of the Olympians
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
Harborside Event Center
Court House
City Hall
Downtown Fort Myers is known as the historical district and also the waterfront district. It is home to historical buildings such as the court house, city hall, many different museums and government buildings. It also has a very beautiful scenic waterfront view which truly validates the term urban waterfont living. There are over 400 residential high rise condominium units in the river district. Many cultural opportunities are available in Downown Fort Myers, some of which are the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, the Harborside Event Center and the Headquarters of the Art of the Olympians.
On my field trip I stopped by the offices of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce and the Redevelopment Center in Downtown Fort Myers to get some literature on the area. I walked around the city and took pictures of some very interesting sites and buildings.
The developers did a wonderful job at trying to preserve our ecological system with the beautiful array of plants that lines the street of Downtown Fort Myers. Because the downtown area is extremely flat they built a water detention basin between the river and Bay Street to improve the quality of surface water run-off into the Caloosahatchee River to prevent flooding. The landscape is beautifully arranged and the streets are decorated with bricks.
As I reflect on the suitability of urban development in Southwest Florida yesterday, today and tomorrow. I believe that as the area grows so does the need for urban development. Many development project comes to mind with this topic, such as the construction of the new international airport which was well needed to accomodate travel for the increased population. Another is the I75 expansion project which helped to alleviate traffic jams and delays. However, the project I found most impressive was the redevelopment of Downtown Fort Myers. In the past this urban environment appeared forgtten and neglected. Today, it has a very elegant look and the community appear to be vibrant and full of life.
I was very impressed on this filed trip to see how conciencious the developers were when constructing this urban environment by portraying the city as a historic district and a riverfront district while preserving our ecological system. These urban developments will improve Southwest Florida's communities, which will bring visitors to the area and will be beneficial for the future of the Downtown Fort Myers environment. Below are pictures I took of Downtown Fort Myers.
Me on my field trip in Downtown Fort Myers
Downtown Fort Myers
Urban waterfront living - residential condominiums in the river district of downtown Fort Myers.
Riverfront District - where boats are docked
Streets of Downtown Fort Myers
Streets of Downtown Fort Myers
Streets of Downtown Fort Myers
Centennial Park
Park of Palms - this is a palm arboretum with 47 varieties of palms and cycads.
City of Fort Myers Yatch Basin
Art of the Olympians
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
Harborside Event Center
Court House
City Hall
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