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Field Trip Three

This field trip should involve a natural (protected, public, or managed) water environment in your region. You might want to browse the Rivers of Florida site as you choose a water environment to visit.  Alternately, you might want to look the Paddling Florida site or  Cruising Florida's Waterways for more ideas about a water environment to visit.  If your idea of visiting a water environment is visiting a beach, then consider going to Absolutely Florida to peruse Florida Beaches. Finally return to the Florida State Park page and see if you find your water destination there.

Once you have chosen the site you will visit, you should observe how it influences the ecology of the area. How man has manipulated it and how this results in changes to the environment. Take a guided tour if possible, if not, use the available literature to help you address the report topics below. Use the topics below as guidelines to fulfill the objectives of the field experience. We realize it may not be possible to meet everyone of them at every place Your report should include the following topics:

1. Explain how this water environment relates to the ecology of the area. Explain how it relates to recreational or economic benefits/ deficits.
2. Explain how fishing and or boating influence the area and how does it impact the environment. (Positive/negative)
3. What are some land and water management issues in the local environment?
4. Research and explain any social, economic, and lifestyle changes that result from the water environment unique to the area.
5. Identify (5-8) specific aquatic plants or trees that exists specifically in these water areas.
6. Research and explain any environmental issues that have developed around the use of these water resources.