Permaculture Video

4/22

Permaculture is an ecological design system for sustainability in all aspects of human endeavor. Permaculture teaches us how to build natural homes, grow our own food, restore diminished landscapes and ecosystems, catch rainwater, and build communities.

Permaculture allow us to take care of the earth, and to take caare of the people. Permaculture is the new up and coming tool to help make our earth more substainable.

This semester we learned what kinds of food and hormones are being fed to the meat we eat, and the different pesticides being put into our soil. We think we are going to see a big trainsition towards permaculture. Permaculture is the only way people can make sure our food, soil, and water is all natural.

Our group thought learning about permaculture was very interesting and will soon be the way of life.

Field Trip to Lee County Waste and Energy Plant

4-15

      Over the past 20 years , Lee County has developed one of the country's most successful and sustainable recycling and solid waste management systems.
      Recycling containers and wast are collected from Lehigh Acres, Alva, and Fort Myers. The waste and recyclables are taken to the plant and turned into energy. Recyclinng reuses products that would become trash. Recycling saves raw materials, water, and electric energy used in the production of new production.
      The conversion to single stream recycling collections made recycling more convenient for Lee County residents.
      Lee County has consistently reported from 35 to 42 percent of documented recycling activities for more than 12 years and was named Florida's top county for recycling success in 2008.
      Our group really enjoyed the trip to Lee County Waste and Energy plant. We our very proud and excited that Lee County has exceeded Florida's 75 percent recycling goal. Programs like this our great way to keep our environment clean for future generations.

Waste being dumped into the bin to start converting into energy.

Control Panels in the plant.

In class Presentations/ Healthy people, Healthy Planet

4/8/13

Bowden:10 fruits, 236-253, 254-265
Healthy People, Healthy planet

Presentations:

The presentations in class covered different fruits we can incorporate into our diet. The group talked about how the fruits are beneficial to our health, and how to make healthy, nutritional meals with the different fruits. The end of the Bowden book described the common bugs and diseases that can be found in a garden. The chapter described the different disease and insects and ways to prevent them from taking over your garden. The presentations we're well given. Overall, our group thought that out of all the books we read in class this semester this book was the most interesting and enjoyable.

 

Healthy People, Healthy Planet:

After presentations we discussed healthy people, healthy planet. Our group really enjoyed the class discussion. It's always interesting to hear other peoples points of views and have group discussions. Our group feels that we learn more about the topics when they are discussed as a group.

 

 

ECHO Field Trip

4/1 Field Trip To ECHO

                                                                    Bamboo Tree
Bamboo is in the grass family. The stems of the bamboo tree are hollow and the vascualr bundles in the cross section are scattered throughout the stem. Bamboo is the fastest growwing plant in the world. The Bamboo tree is popular in Southeast Asia for building materials,  as food sources, and as a versatile raw product.

                                                                            Ducks

                                                                   Garlic Chives
Garlic chives are a perennial herb. The herb grows great in the sun. A garlic chive can grow to be about 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Garlic chives are used to add some flavor to soups, meats, and other dishes.

Aloe Vera "true aloe"

There are about 500 different species of Aloe. Aloe is native to Africa. The Aloe plant has rosette of large, thick fleshly leaves. Back in the day aloe was often used as an herbal medicine. Today aloe is used to relieve pain from minor cuts and sunburns.

 

 

Neem Tree

The Neem tree is the legendary medicinal tree of India. The Neem tree is currently one of the world's most researched trees. It is a tree that can help solve global environmental and health concerns.

Banana Plant

The banana plant is often mistaken for a tree. The banana plant is tall and sturdy. What appears to be a trunk is actually a false stem. Leaves of banana plants are composed of stalks. Sheaths support the plant. The banana plant is the largest herbaceous flowering plant.

Star Fruit Tree

Star fruit trees thrive in subtropical and tropical climates. A star fruit tree can grow to be about 12 to 13 feet tall. Star fruit trees grow best in full, direct sunlight. It is best that the star fruit tree be sheltered from wind. The tree grow a delicious fruit that is enjoyed by many!

Surinam Cherry Tree

The Surinam cherry tree can grow to be about 25 feet tall. It is an edible-fruited Eugenia species. The tree has slender, spreading branches with lots of foliage. The fruit that is grown on the plant is called a cherry. The skin of the cherry is thin, the flesh orange-red, melting and very juicy; acid to sweet, with a touch of resin and slight bitterness. Often 1 fairly large, round seed found in the cherry.

 

 

 

Bowden Presentations & Homegrown Revolution Video

3/18

Bowden Presentations:

Out of all the books we read in class our group felt like this book has been the most helpful and informative. The guide to Florida Fruit and Gardening is a book on how to start up and maintain a healthy garden. Groups presented various topics such as: How to Get Started, Starting at the Beginning with Seeds, Creating the Perfect Soil, and Watering the Garden. We enjoyed all of the prsentations. We enjoyed the group presentation that handed out the quiz after their presentation. It was a fun, creative way for everyone in class to intereact with each other.


Homegrown Revolution:
Homegrown Revolution is a short video about a family in the city during a homegrown revolution. The film takes place in downtown Pasadena. It is about the Dervaes family that have ransformed their home into an urban homestead. The Dervaes family harvests about 3 tons of organic food from their 1/10 acre garden. It was a very interesting film!

Field Trip: Estero Island Historic Cottage & Canoeing Vester

3/11
                                  Field Trip #2: Estero Island Cottage & Canoeing Vester

The ride to get to the field trip was unbearable. The traffic from spring break was terrible. However, the actual field trip made up for it in the end.

No one in our group knew that the Estero Island Cottage even existed, so we all found it very interesting. The host was very sweet, and we enjoyed the personal stories that she shared about living on the beach. Along with her personal stories the host also gave us factual information about some of the birds, insects, and mangroves that could be found around the Ft. Myers Beach area.

The canoeing vester was the best part of the field trip. Everyone in our group enjoyed being one with nature and observing all the wild life around us. Some of us in the group had never been canoeing and found our first time experience very fun! Our group was able to observe pelicans and different types of mangroves. The only downfall of the canoeing trip was that we weren't able to spend a lot of time on the water exploring because of the heavy traffic that held us up on the way there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall, the field trip was very fun but a little time pressed due to all the traffic from the spring break season.

Presentations & The Power Of Community Video

Feb. 25

In class the following presentations were given:
Grunwald
Douglas
Carson

The Grunwald chapter covered the debate of whether or not an airport should have been built in the Everglades. A base was already located near the Everglades and there was a big debate about whether or not they should make a bigger airport. The chapter covers the pros and cons that the airport would cause, as well as political aspect. The main ideas that were discussed in the chapter was that the pros of the airport would offer more job opportunities. However, the major con of the airport construction was destroying the only Everglades in the world.

Our group covered the Douglas chapter. The Douglas chapter was a long chapter describing the Everglades. The chapter wasn't so much factual information but more of descriptive information about the Everglades. The chapter covered what the grass, rock, and sawgrass look like in the Everglades and what animals can be found in these habitats.

The Carson chapter was the eye opener chapter. It was a short story about what would happen if the Earth would turn out to be like if we keep treating it the way that we do.


Overall, the presentations were all very creative and interesting.

The Power of Community Video:

The Power of Community is a documentary of how Cuba survived Peak Oil, or in other words massive reduction of fossil fuels. In 1990 Cuba's economy struggled. The soviet union had collapsed, imports of oil were cut in half and food was cut by 80 percent. The film is about how Cubans moved from a highly mechanized, industrial agricultural system to one using farming and local urban gardens.



Overall our group thought it was a very interesting film.

Plan B 4.0 Chapters 9-10

February 2013

The chapters covered in Plan B 4.0 were Feeding Eight Billion People Well and Can we Mobilize Fast Enough?

Chapter 9 covered how we can feed eight billion people well. Some positive solutions for feeding eight billion people well is raising land productivity, raising water productivity, producing protein more efficiently, and the localization of agriculture.

Chapter 10 wraps up the book. It bascially grabs the readers attention and asks us what do we have to do to get this all moving? Can the people get this started right away or are we just going to sit around and wait for a catastrophe.

Overall, the presentations were well given. We liked the group activites and discusing each others opinions.

Plan B 4.0 Chapters 1-3

January 28

Groups presented Chapters 1-3 in the book Plan B 4.0. The chapters covered in class were Selling Our Future, Population Pressure: Land and Water, and Climate Change and the Energy Transition.

The chapters were basically an introdction about what was going to be covered in the book. It was about problems we're facing today in the United States and possible soultions to the problems we are facing. We really like the start of the book because it isn't downing the United States the whole time it actually gives positive soultions for the future.

The presentations given in class were very well spoken and presented.

Plan B 4.0 Chapters 4-8

February 4, 2013
Plan B 4.0 Chapters 4-8

The presentations given in class today covered chapters 4-8 in the book Plan B 4.0. The chapters covered were Stabilizing Climate: An Energy Efficiency Revoultion, Stabilizing Climate: Shifting to Renewable Energy, Designing Cities for People, Eradicating Poverty and Stabilizing Population, and Restoring the Earth.

Plan B 4.0

Our group covered Stabilizing Climate:Shifting to Renewable Energy, and Eradicating Poverty and Stabilizing Population.Stabilizing Climate: Shifting to Renewable Energy covered turning to the wind for electricity, and how solar cells and thermal collectors are efficient for generating electricity. It also discussed the benefits of hydropower electricity. In conclusion the chapter covered efficient and environmental friendly options for generating electricity.

Solar energy is a environmental friendly way to generate electricity.

Our group also covered the chapter Eradicating Poverty and Stabilizing Population. It talked about positive solutions for eradicating poverty and stabilizing population. The soultions mentioned in the chapter were educating everyone, educating everyone about safe sex and vaccinations, and rescuing failing  states.

Educating everyone is a solution a possible solution for eradicating poverty and stabilizing the population.

The other chapters covered (Stabilizing Climate:An Energy Efficiency Revoultuion, and Designing Cities for People was bascially a reflection of the video we watched in class about Curitiba, Brazil. Bascially the chapters talked about how to better the environment by public transportation, recycling programs, and designing cities for the people.

Example of Public Transportation

Overall, all the presentations were well done. They were very long but well spoken and informative.

Calusa Nature Center Field Trip

American Alligator.

American Alligator during a feeding.

 

Tree Smashers Calusa Nature Center Field Trip!

1. Cypress Tree

Cypress trees can commonly be found in the wetlands of the Florida Everglades. . Cypress trees grow best in warm, wet soil with lots of sun exposure. Cypress trees can grow to be about 50 to 70 feet tall. Cypress trees are often used for furniture and shampoo.

A Cypress tree growing onto the Calusa Nature Center boardwalk! Cypress trees are good at adapting to their environment.

 

2. Fern

Ferns are made up of two main parts: the stipe which is the leaf stalk, and the blade which is the leafy expanded portion of the frond (leaf of a fern). Ferns are typically referred to as the weed of the forest. Ferns grow best in moist, shady forests.

3. Alligator Flag/Fire Flags

Alligator flags are named after the alligators that live in them. Alligator flags are large leafs attached to long stalks making them easy to spot in swamps and wetlands. Alligator Flags can grow to be about 8 feet long. It is said that when you are lost in the wilderness to look for alligator flags because that means freshwater is near by. Be sure to watch for the reptiles that hide in them too!

 

4. Melaleuca Tree

The Melaleuca tree is native to Australia. In Australia the Melaleuca tree serves as a great habitat for birds and bats. However, in Florida Melaleuca trees are a nuisance. Malaleuca trees can grow to be about 80 feet tall with white, spongy bark. Malaleuca trees have no use for the Florida Everglades. In fact, Melaleuca trees elimante other vegetation from growing. Malaleuca trees have a great defense mechanism. When the tree feels threatened it disperses a large amount of its seeds. Making it hard to keep the growth of the trees under control.

 

The white, spongy bark of a Melaleuca tree.

5. Royal Palm Tree

The Royal Palm trees can be found in southern states and tropical islands. Royal palm trees are magnificent trees and are commonly used for landscappping.

6. Poison Ivy

Poison ivy can be found growing on the ground, on trees, and intertwined on fences. Poison ivy has three shiny green leaflets on each leaf stem. There  is a hint of red on the stem of the plant. If a person comes in contact with poison ivy it can cause blisters and sever itching. Poison ivy is often mistaken for the Virginia Creeper.

7. Red Maple

The Red maple tree is also commonly referred to as the swamp maple. The red maple grows best in wet moist soils. Red maple trees grow to be 60 to 90 feet tall. The trunk of a red maple tree is long and narrow and is complete with gray, thin bark. Each leave has 3 point lobes which appear to be green in color.

 

8. Sabal Palm

The sabal palm also known as the cabbage palm is the official tree of Florida. It can grow to be about 65 feet tall. It is a fan plam with numerous leaflets. Sabal palms are very good at adapting to their environment. Sabal palms can grow in just about any type of soil. Sabal plams are able to survive during severe droughts and deal with large amounts of water. Sabal palms are used for landscapping and medicines.

9. Saw Palm

The saw palm grows almost like a shrub. Saw plams grow best in sun exposure. The plam grows low to the ground and can grow to be about 20 feet in diameter. The leaves are green and fan shaped. Each palm has very sharp pines that line up along the stem. The leaves are dark green and have a waxy film coating. Although the saw palms are usually green in color some may also appear to be a gray, silver color.

The leaves of a saw palm.

 

10. Slash Pine

Slash pines can typically be found growing in swamps or wetlands. A slash pine can grow anywhere from 80 feet to 115 feet tall.The bark is a brown-orange color. The leaves are long thin needles complete with a cone that serve as great nutrition for squirrels.

11. Virginia Creeper

Virginia creeper can grow on its own or as a vine on trees. The Virginia Creeper has five green leaflets attached to its stem. It typically has a red tint to it. A Virginia Creeper is often confused with poison ivy because the two plants grow along side each other and closely resemble each other.

12. Willow Tree

There are about 400 species of williow trees. Willow trees found in Florida grow best in moist soil. The tree has large roots and long slender branches. The wood of the tree is very tough. The williow tree is a primary source of food for some animals. Humans use willow trees for medicines and manufacturing.

 

Tree Smasher's Thoughts on the Field Trip:

Phillip Hall: I enjoyed the trip and learned alot from it, especially the section about the alligators. I didn't know they could go that long without eating or that they were so inactive the majority of the time.

 

Bailey Smith:The walk was very interesting, the guide was not very informative, the hog was really cool, and so was the alligator feeding and presentation.

 

Jamie Costa: I enjoyed the trip. I learned alot about the plants and trees native to Florida. I thought our guide was informative and well spoken. I didn't know so many animals were going to be at the nature center so I was really impressed with that. I also thought it was very interesting how we got to see an alligator feeding. Overall, it was a great field trip.

 

Nayada Oliveros: The trip to the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium was very interesting and it made me appreciate nature more closely.