Session 5/DL Colloquium/Spring 2006

February 6 - 12ruary 9 - 15

Thus, the extent that Ecological Footprint analysis reflects biophysical reality, it is good news for a better and more secure future. The bad news is the conventional dream that the human enterprise can be expanded forever on a finite planet. This expansionist vision might sound attractive, but it is bound to fail in its current form. This failure would be very painful. It would hurt the poor first, the rich later, and all the way along destroy many of our fellow species. The Ecological Footprint approach acknowledges that humanity is facing difficult challenges, makes them apparent, and directs action toward sustainable living. Admittedly, acknowledging the darker side of the human condition is sometimes painful - avoidance is sweet temptation. However, this book takes the position that denial today leads to greater pain tomorrow. We believe that the first step toward a more sustainable world is to accept ecological reality and the socioeconomic challenges it implies. And "business as usual" strategy that perpetuates today's destructive lifestyles would be a disservice to our children.

-p. 3, Mathis Wackernagel and William Rees "Our Ecological Footprint: Reducing Human Impact on the Earth"

Reading

• Continue in "State of the World 2005" -Forward, xvii - xviii, Preface, xix - xxi, State of the World: A Year in Review, xxiii - xxvii, then ONE chapter of your choice to base your paper on
• Finish up Internet reading from Session 4

Sense of Place III: "A Question of Sustainability" Field Trip

Field Trip 3: "Balancing Human Needs with Natural Systems---An Estuarine Encounter"

The title of this week's field trip should give you a good clue as to what the goals and learning outcomes of this trip are. The field destination site is to our coastal backyard where fresh water flowing off the land meets and mixes with salty waters of the Gulf or Ocean. These semi-enclosed bodies of water are called estuaries and are one of the most productive ecosystems found on Earth. Choose an estuary to visit. If you live in or near Charlotte, Lee or Collier County in SW Florida, will find a list of places below to help you in your choice.

One place you might like to visit is Estero Bay, located behind Ft. Myers Beach. In 1966, Estero Bay was designated as Florida's first State Aquatic Preserve. Before it was claimed as a preserve, human encroachment and subsequent development changed the surrounding land and the bay's sustaining natural systems. Impacts began to accumulate rapidly and concerned citizens spoke up. At one point, preservation efforts led to United States Supreme Court intervention. Because of these early efforts, the bay is still home to a myriad of marine life including bottlenose dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles. Still intact are critical habitat areas such as bird rookeries, seagrass beds, and the ever-important mangroves - the cradle of the sea. Since systems are connected, important questions to ask here are:

• How much more human impact within and outside the preserve (or the estuary you visit) can the bay withstand?
• With present uses, is Estero Bay (or the estuary you visit) sustainable?
• Why is it important to protect and preserve estuaries?

You may recall that the focus questions for the Colloquium field trips are: 1) How does the health of one system affect the productivity and health of another system and 2) What actions can we take to protect and restore our natural systems?In visiting an estuary and writing your field trip summary, I would like you to answer the above questions.

Also:

• Explain to me what an estuary is.
• Explain to me what other natural systems are interdependent with the estuary that you are visiting. (Remember your trip to the cypress slough?)
• Make the connection between our tourist driven economy and the health of an estuary. Why are tourist dollars (which amounts to billions of dollars for Florida) dependent to a degree on estuaries.
• Explain how a seafood dinner is connected to an estuary.

  To help you answer the above questions, read the interpretive kiosks that you can find at Lovers Key State Recreation Area, Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Rookery Bay/Briggs Nature Center or wherever you go that has intrepretive signs. Talk to the park rangers or naturalists or field trip leaders (National Estuaries Day) at the sites. An excellent website to gather information about Estero Bay is: http://www.ecotrail.com/index.html . I encourage you to read through the site. Another brand new website to learn more about Estero Bay is http://www.calusablueway.com/
  Other good sites are: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/southwest/esterb/info.htm
  

For those living outside of SW FL, go to the FL DEP State Parks website by linking from our Colloquium website. You should be able to find a suitable park to visit.

If you live in Southwest Florida, here are some good destinations:

• Rookery Bay and Briggs Nature Center, State Road 951 to right on Shell Island Road, Naples. Phone: (941)417-6315
• Lovers Key State Recreation Area, Estero Blvd., located just South of Ft. Myers Beach
• Matanzas Pass Preserve/Estero Island Historical Museum, behind Ft. Myers Beach Elementary School, Ft. Myers Beach

Need help with field trip destination ideas? Email me.

You have 3 weeks in which to complete this trip. Due date: February 27th

Looking ahead

You are required to read a work of Florida literature of your choice and write a paper based on your reading. This is for short paper #4 due . Some authors you might find interesting are Carl Haissen, Randy Wayne White, Marjory Stoneman Douglas. This should be pleasurable, relaxed reading! Suggested books for your Floridiana reading are found on the website. You do not have to read a book from this list, however.

Journals

Remember to keep making journal entries--what do you see when you drive? how do your friends perceive environmental issues?, etc., and bring on field trip.

Questions? Comments? Please contact me with any questions and/or comments. Have an enjoyable field trip!

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