Importance of Watersheds and Wetlands

-The watersheds ( ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, canals) all need to be protected so the water supply is protected and healthy.

-Wetlands are important because they keep nature alive. Plants, trees, and soil need wetlands to survive and flourish in nature.

Field Trip #1

-Sustainable features on campus- Eagles tap water is a physical plant campaigne that was started to encourage the university to use refillable water rather than bottled water which fill up our landfills.
-Recycling- Cotainers are available throughout the campus for students and faculty to recycle paper and plastic items.

-Natural lands are usually in close proximity to urban life which constitutes a unique natural resource. These interface areas serve important social and ecological functions for society. Natural areas are also very vulnerable to high rates of human use and pressures.

- When I went on the trail I went back and really couldnt find if it went further than where all the park benches are and the hammock. I went where it looked like th trail extended but it didnt look to go any further? I took a couple pictures of what I saw at the front of the trail. In the pictures it just shows a bunch of trees and bushes basically.

Sense of palce: Me Neighborhood

In my neighborhood there are a few ponds, a bunch of palm trees and different kinds of bushes all over the place. The wild life n my neighborhood is basically some fish in the pond and the swans that swim on top of the water in the pond. I have seen a couple black racer snakes over the years and all types of birds flying around the trees.

There is one area in my neighborhood that I like to go to sometimes and has a sense of place. I like to be outdoors sometimes and there is a pond in my neighborhood that has a couple benches where you can just go and relax and watch the water and the birds and fish and it is just very relaxing and enjoyable.

Incoming Reflection

My initial expectations for this class were that this class would be a fun experience. Ive heard this class is a good hands on experience with nature. I feel this will be an enjoyable class for me.

My experience with the wilderness is limited. I live here in Fort Myers and have explored all the beaches and the wild life out in Sanibel. Other than that I really havent been on many wilderness explorations.

My relationship with the natural world is okay. I like to be outdoors a lot, whether its playing sports or just laying out in the sun on the beach or poolside. When it comes to being around wildlife or nature areas I don't have a lot of experience.

I don't have any anxieties or reservations about this class. I am hoping this class will be a fun experience and I will learn some new information about the environment around us.

My personal goals for the class are to just have fun with the class and go exploring and learn new things about nature while on these field trips and in the readings.

I am hoping this class broadens my understanding of nature and I explore new things I haven't explored before. Nature is something that is all around us and in our everyday life and I feel i need to expand my knowledge of my surrounding environment and hope this class will full fill that goal.