TRASH!

I had the opportunity to visit Lee county's Waste to Energy facility.  Prior to take this course, I had NO IDEA that our county had such a thing!  Recently, I had heard about how Sweden supposedly has to import trash because they have burned through so much of their own to produce energy.  I also had some mixed feelings about trash incineration as renewable energy since lots of bad stuff goes into the garbage and setting it on fire seems like a bad idea (holy fumes, Batman!) BUT, I did learn a lot during this visit and feel a little differently.

Unrelated, but still a funny trash meme.

First of all, if it did not smell so horrible (seriously, I wanted to barf the entire time we were anywhere near the trash compactor area), I would want to be the person operating the giant claw they used to pick up trash after it was dumped off by trucks in order to move it into the incinerator.  It's like one of those claw games you see in arcade except your prize is TRASH.  Well, the end result is actually much needed energy!  I think they said that one facility generates enough power for 30,000 homes in Lee County, if I am not mistaken. 

IT'S THE CLAW!!!!!!

I didn't take anymore pictures because I was a bit distracted by the smell (I have a sense of smell like a bloodhound, so it was a bit much for me). 

The biggest question I had after leaving the facility was WHY aren't there more of these facilities here? I feel like if the community were better educated on what is going on here, that the funds to build more of these facilities would become available.

Borrowed this photo from the Vester Marine Station Facebook page 

   I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Vester Marine Station in May. It is part of FGCU’s Marine and Environmental Science research program, and it is located near Bonita Springs.  I got to canoe for the first time in ages with some of my classmates through the waterways surrounding the research station. It was really cool to be able to explore the area from the water, and really experience our surroundings.  There was a dolphin in the water and several aquatic birds.  I found it the most fascinating to learn about the mangroves, and be able to see them up close without getting tangled up in them.  I did not understand their function before this trip, but from what I gathered, they are like a giant filter system.  I also felt like canoeing with other students was a good way to practice team work since none of us really wanted to fall into the water, and that would definitely happen if we didn’t work together.  Even though I was completely exhausted afterwards due to my health, I was happy to have the opportunity to explore one of our waterways via canoe with other students. 

            While visiting, I was thinking about the reading Knowledge Extinction, when it talked about the oil rig that sank in the Gulf of Mexico, pumping oil 5,000 feet under the sea. What reminded me of this while I was rowing in the canoe were the mangroves.  The article mentioned that oil spill poisoned the mangrove forests, and I could not help but think about that while I looked at all of the mangroves.  It also reminded me about how too often, an environmental disaster will be forgotten because the government will say that things are under control and that everything will go back to normal when it will never go back to “normal.”  We experienced this here in Southwest Florida with the “red tide” issues last summer.  The algae bloomed killed our sea creatures, and our waterways were like a toxic mess. It still has not gone back to normal, and it may not ever go back to normal so long as fertilizers and pollutants are entering our waterways. 

            This trip was good reminder of how important it is that we take more measures to keep pollutants out of our waterways, because not only are we destroying the environment and will soon be at the point of no return, it will affect our economy because no one will want to visit our beaches. So many people in our community work jobs that thrive off of tourism, so an environmental crisis would most certainly lead to an economic crisis. 

Campus Trails and Sustainability at FGCU

On Monday, May 13, 2019, I attended my first University Colloquium class.  Initially, I was not really sure what to expect, or what the class was even about, all I knew was that I HAVE to take it.

I was very pleasantly surprised to find out that we will be learning about sustainability in this class, and how important it really is.  The professor, who I shall call Dr. Ashley for the rest of these blog assignments, was really engaging and did a magnificent job of holding our attention (at least mine, I’m like an easily distracted squirrel).  She took us on a walk across campus, explaining all of the methods the FGCU has taken to embrace sustainability on campus.  For example, the little bags of cherry pits near the trash cans which keep away bees without the use of pesticides, which saves both the environment AND money.  We ventured forth to the campus trails, getting a little muddy along the way, which reminded me that I am in dire need of appropriate footwear.   We had an assigned reading before class, which I did not read before class (real talk), but from what I remember the most about it, it really drove home the point of sustainability.  We would not have campus trails if the folks who planned the campus layout did not understand the value of sustainability.  By having campus trails, it gives students an easy opportunity to get out there and enjoy nature, even if its just in between classes.

I took some pictures along our walk…

Here are some of the wildflowers I saw… I cannot identify them, but I feel as though I overlook them often.  Florida has a lot of pretty wildflowers if you look closely enough. I find myself looking for them on the side of the road more often now, or anywhere really.

I also found some interesting fungus!  After consulting my wild mushroom identification group on facebook, it appears these are trametes cinnabarina, which is said to be a rare specimen, but also inedible.  I wonder if these mushrooms were used to dye cloth or yarn (I'm a textile nerd), if it would cause the fibers to turn that same orange color.  I'm very intrigued by nature-based dyes.

I have not spent as much time in nature lately, and this walk inspired me to take out a little more time for myself and step away from my stressors and electronic devices.  I made sure to incorporate some more time outdoors as part of my “self-care” routine this weekend, and I feel it will make a big difference.  I am really looking forward to going on more field trips and learning more about sustainability.