Trip to Corkscrew Sanctuary

Rain water is the only water which feeds Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. There aren't any springs or lakes. There is a natural flow to the way life works around here. When it rains heavily, the swamp comes to life and new plants will spring forth. During the dry seasons, the water levels go down. When water is scarce, many of the mammals that are present here hang around the only bodies of water that remain present. I saw a Great Egret, an Anhinga, a Turkey Vulture, a Red-shouldered Hawk, an American Alligator, and a little Blue Heron all hunting for fish and other creatures in such an area. Yet in order for these animals to survive here, they rely on the shade of the many tall trees and berries from plants like the Saw Palmetto. Many of the wildlife here depend on the plant life as a food source. Animals such as raccoons and deers can be found during summer months eating from plants. The ecosystem here is both natural and ideal for the many different species of wildlife that live upon the land. (Below is a photo of a bird wading through water fern and water lettuce. There is also an American Alligator present).

Corkscrew Sanctuary stands protected from human demolition of water flow. As I mentioned previously, there is a natural ebb and flow of water here. Yet when humans populate an area, they interrupt the water flow that the animals need to survive. In the past, many of the storks died out almost to the point of extinction. There was also a sign along the entrance way showing that they also used to be hunted for their feathers because it became fashionable for ladies to wear them in their hats. Today we realize the importance of aquatic ecosystems and preserving what's left.

One of the things I noticed on my trip is that there is a lettuce lake.Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) is a floating aquatic plant that grows in the water. I learned that this plant is important for wildlife when water levels are low because they take shelter underneath its leaves. The lettuce lakes are an excellent place for wildlife to find food as many creatures such as Crayfish, mosquito larvae, and Plankton live below it.
(Below is a photo taken in front of the lettuce lakes).

While I walked along the 2 mile boardwalk I also noticed many trees. Some of which had Strangler Figs (Ficus aurea) growing upon them. Stangler Figs, so named because they literally strangle a host tree, can sometimes end up killing the tree they wrap themselves around. One peculiar thing about Strangler Figs is that they can grow from the ground up like a normal tree, but can also grow from the top down! Many birds will eat the fruit that grow along its branches.
(Below is a photo I snapped of a Strangler Fig. At Corkscrew, it is said that the frost limits strangler fig growth and they do not kill their host trees).

Near the end of the boardwalk I came across a majestic lookout area. The view here was amazing and a feelings of euphoria came over me. I felt happy, peaceful, inspired, intrigued, and relaxed.
(Photo taken at the lookout area).

The last thing that I saw just before leaving for the day was the area called the Living Machines. The goal with the living machines is to, "introduce sustainable alternatives to conventional waste disposal, fuel production, heating and cooling, air purification, and food production." (Guterson) The sewage from the restrooms here at Corkscrew is essentially recycled and put to good use by introducing it back into the cycle. The sewage provides food for the microorganisms whom are at the bottum of the chain. It is a process that is "ecogologically engineered" by "combining living organisms- chosen specifically to perform certain functions- in contained environments." (Guterson). Living Machines are a wise choice to help maintain diversity, nutrients, ecosystems, and many other organisms & their environments. So instead of sending the sewer down a septic system where it becomes contaminated, it's used to feed organisms that clean it naturally. There are several stages of cylinders containing inhabitants which the sewage water will pass through. The end result will be water which has now been cleaned naturally and can be put back into the toilets.
(Below is a photo of a sign explaining Living Machines in front of the area where the living machines are)

All in all I had a pleasant time visiting the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary today. I learned a lot and I also got to see an alligator catch a huge fish!

Sources:
Guterson, Mary.  Living Machines.  "Putting Human Waste Back in it's Place: at the Bottum of the Food Chain."

Healing Earth's Scars: Journal Entry #4

  
  It's never too late to begin caring for the environment, but I think it begins with having a sense of goodwill. Yet not all of us have an innate sense of goodwill. Oftentimes people succumb to their own laziness, haste, or reckless behaviors to even bother.

Luckily, people have the ability to change their ways and shape their own attitudes and beliefs although the process is not always easy. I think goodwill can be built up through education and access to correct and accurate data. When people begin to see the effects and consequences their actions have on the planet, they might then begin to care.

However, it takes more than just focusing on the past and present. In order to really understand the importance of preservation, one must be able to analyze how our actions impact the future. They must understand "why" it is good in the long run and for future generations. The trouble is that not many people think about doing what's best for the planet and future generations, they only care about what's best for themselves right now. If everyone thought this way we would have probably terminated our own existence by now.


Oftentimes companies decide not to go "green" because it's not cost effective. Afterall, businesses are in business to make money. Why should a company go green if it's not within budget? This demonstrates the type of thinking in the "now" that I mentioned previously versus thinking about the future. I think a smart company would consider the type of impact they could make upon their customers if they went green and began utilizing environmental services that are offered locally. Not only will this demonstrate goodwill, but it will also inspire other people into doing the right thing as well. I, for one, would rather support a company that is in tune with protecting the environment. One need not already be in the "green" market either. Many companies, such as Coca-Cola, are committed to protecting the environment and have found practices which benefit suppliers, customers, & consumers.

There's a tendency to never love a good thing until it's gone, but we cannot afford to lose our vitality to our own ignorance.

What is Biodiversity and Why is it So Important?

  Bio means life and diversity means a variety or range of different things. Diversity is important because it promotes the idea that no one living thing is above another. Diversity values that every being is to be respected for their uniqueness and respects the idea that we all have something special to bring to the table. All one must do to see biodiversity is to look around because Earth in and of itself is diverse. Each thing differs slightly from another, no two trees or plants are exactly the same. People have unique fingerprints, genes and dna.

Society has at least determined, in an ethical sense, that diversity in the workplace & school contributes to its' overall success. The idea is a simple one: There are many different types of people on the Earth and we all need to get along with one another. Therefore, a diverse student body will prepare students to work with different types of people and cultures. Having a diverse workplace could mean more potential business by reaching foreign markets with ease of communication.

Ethically, philosophically, and legally it has been quite easily understood why we should preserve the diversity of humans. Yet it seems as though we have neglected the importance of maintaining the diversity of other life-forms. The reason is probably because we view them as being "lower" life-forms that are only alive for our own sake because they make up our food supply, and afterall, we are at the top of the food chain. Since we are the privileged species we now have a license to breed animals to a life of pain then slaughter so our stomachs feel full. For quite some time people used to joke about animal rights but eventually a majority realized that ethical treatment for animals is a human responsibility. I'm not saying we should not eat living things. That idea is just not natural when you consider the food chain & other wild animals. What I'm saying is that I disagree with driving species into extinction when it is not necessary and when the means for food production are not ethical.

Perhaps at one point in time there were many different varieties of fruits and vegetables we could eat and humans were healthier overall due to the varied nutrients consumed therein. It's been recognized that, "supermarkets around the world essentially offer three types of apples: a red one, the Starking, from the USA; a yellow one, the so-called Golden Delicious, also from the USA; and a green one, the Granny Smith or pippin, from Australia (Vellve, Saving the Seed, 1992) (See Also, Vandan Shiva, What is Biodiversity and Why is it Important? pg. 48, par.3). The dwindling of the variety found in our fruits and vegetables should be an alarming cause for concern. Humans are biological beings, which are organic and our bodies need natural, whole & raw foods. Things that are synthetic or acidic in quantities which are too high will eventually kill us, so too will things that contain dead nutrients or not enough of a variety of nutrients that the human body needs for survival. Also, over reliance upon pharmaceuticals should be obvious, but there is a lot more at play which has been covertly shaping the way we think of health in terms of "curing" and "treating." Suppose that all sickness really stems from is a lack of nutrient rich food, and not enough diversity in our foods.

The bottum line is that science and technology must have it's limits when dealing with biological things. We were never meant to eat a genetically modified apple, when the apple was already perfected by design at it's own inception. When people have tinkered too much with nature, nature strikes back with disease and pests. This is why biodiversity is important for the stasis of life.