So,I took the quiz, and my Ecological Footprint is = 4.46 earths... but I feel like mine is inaccurate. I think I also answered a question wrong, but I think mine is lower because during the summer I grow almost 85% of my vegetables I constantly cook, during the winter I leave the heater set to 60 degrees and during the winter I keep the house at 78 degrees....
Well I do not think mine is bad compared to the rest of America.
Well.... that is that.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Field Trip - Forest - Eglin AFB Reservation
Freshwater and Forest Environment: Eglin Air Force Base Reservation
- • Discuss the historical trends leading to preservation of habitat and species at this site.
- • Describe the value of wetlands in protecting water quality, maintaining biodiversity and preserving the watershed.
- • Describe the role and value of fire, water, elevation and other climatic events and how they impact the habitats at this site.
- • Identify the main species from each habitat on site.
- • Identify sustainable and environmental initiatives at this site
The Eglin AFB Reservation was at one time and still is an active testing area for the military base. Most of the testing they do takes place at night or if during the day parts of the reservation will be closed. Every year a new map is printed and will be given to you at the time of your reservation pass renewal. The reason behind this pass is so that everyone is educated on endangered species found within the reservation as well as what to do if you come across military paraphernalia including dangerous live ordinance.
Testing Area and restricted “red” zone for pass holders.
Although the military uses this area for testing they are at large protecting many endangered species within this property. One of Eglin AFB’s largest research project and ecological win is the red-cockaded woodpecker, please see attached article below. Some of the endangered plant and animal species found there are: The Darter which 95% of the world’s population is located within Eglin AFB property, the red-cockaded woodpecker, the bald eagle, the gopher turtles, and MANY MORE. I was trying to find a complete list but I was unable for some reason, I thought it would be easier, but no luck so far.
Other than endangered species Eglin AFB reservation is home to a large variety of wildlife. These animals include black bears, bobcats, alligators, turtles including the box turtle, gopher turtle, and soft-shell turtle, diamond back rattlesnakes, white - tailed deer, and many freshwater fish species.
A local deer
Armadillo
A local hunter standing on the roof his truck, better to see I suppose…
Eglin AFB maintains this natural reservation by using controlled burns to keep the brush under control and to prevent over growth and non-usability of the land for military purposes.
Here is a photo I took during a controlled burn
During Hurricane season in Florida Eglin works hard to maintain the usability of all dirt roads through the reservation. This is important because at least 90% of the roads throughout are all dirt roads. Some roles of maintaining this is to keep downed trees cleaned up, therefore protected the ecosystem and road system.
Eglin is a sustainable environment because of conservation attempts by the local wildlife management teams. Eglin has so many different types of habitats including freshwater, saltwater, and wooded areas. The area is protected from people driving unless they have a pass obtained through the Jackson Guard. Also, no one is allowed within the property before sunrise or after sunset and this is strictly enforced by reservation park managers and military police. I grew up swimming in these creeks, running through the woods, fishing in the waters here. Nothing makes me happier than to know that this area is protected and will always be enjoyed by many generations to come. This is especially important with all the building happening to encourage tourists in my hometown.
Freshwater Habitats found within the reservation
All of the roads throughout Eglin’s Reservation are numbered similar to highways. These markers help you to find your way through using the yearly updated map.
Here is a great write up about the achievements of Eglin AFB in the area of wildlife preservation:
One of the installations achieving program victories in 2010 was Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Measures taken by program officials there have resulted in population increases for both the Okaloosa darter and the red-cockaded woodpecker.
The darter relies on clear water streams, and approximately 95 percent of the total remaining population of the tiny endangered fish resides on the base. Base officials' efforts to abate erosion at stream crossings and improve crossing structures in critical habitat areas have resulted in a population increase and a determination by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to down-list the species from "endangered" to "threatened" status.
The proposed rule is currently under review and will likely be published as a final rule in the federal register in the near future, according to base officials.
"It was up to the Air Force to make it or break it for this species," said Bruce Hagedorn, a supervisory biologist at Eglin AFB. "This was a monumental victory. It is the first vertebrate species down-listed solely by actions on a military installation."
The victory is the result of hard work and the implementation of innovative measures, such as creating and installing a sky-lighted culvert on Eglin AFB's golf course. The well-lit culvert encourages fish to travel through it while still allowing golfers to traverse the course.
Eglin AFB officials also made strides in protecting another endangered species on base: the red-cockaded woodpecker. Old-growth longleaf pine trees on the installation are the preferred habitat for the bird, and Eglin AFB's forest represents the largest contiguous tract of old-growth longleaf pine in the world.
Wildlife biologists at Eglin AFB have mapped, monitored and protected existing woodpecker clusters and created new nest sites for population expansion by drilling tree cavities.
The darter relies on clear water streams, and approximately 95 percent of the total remaining population of the tiny endangered fish resides on the base. Base officials' efforts to abate erosion at stream crossings and improve crossing structures in critical habitat areas have resulted in a population increase and a determination by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to down-list the species from "endangered" to "threatened" status.
The proposed rule is currently under review and will likely be published as a final rule in the federal register in the near future, according to base officials.
"It was up to the Air Force to make it or break it for this species," said Bruce Hagedorn, a supervisory biologist at Eglin AFB. "This was a monumental victory. It is the first vertebrate species down-listed solely by actions on a military installation."
The victory is the result of hard work and the implementation of innovative measures, such as creating and installing a sky-lighted culvert on Eglin AFB's golf course. The well-lit culvert encourages fish to travel through it while still allowing golfers to traverse the course.
Eglin AFB officials also made strides in protecting another endangered species on base: the red-cockaded woodpecker. Old-growth longleaf pine trees on the installation are the preferred habitat for the bird, and Eglin AFB's forest represents the largest contiguous tract of old-growth longleaf pine in the world.
Wildlife biologists at Eglin AFB have mapped, monitored and protected existing woodpecker clusters and created new nest sites for population expansion by drilling tree cavities.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Reading #13 - Rachel Carson
One thing is for sure, for her time and for ours Rachel Carson is an amazing woman and still leads the way for many in these fields of research. She loved what she did and it showed. I really enjoyed the first video and all of this historic photos within it. I love history and when it is tied with photography it is that much better!
I know that in my community today pesticides are a large part of the lifestyle. I live in a farming area and I can be sure they are used to help the crops along with fertilizers and who knows what else, even my neighbors use them to control the pests or bugs in their yard. Although I have been trying not to I have found the organic bug products just do not work as well. I sprayed a group of aphids several days in a row and guess what, the little buggers are still there. I feel we would have opportunity not to use them if we had better alternatives.
I know that in my community today pesticides are a large part of the lifestyle. I live in a farming area and I can be sure they are used to help the crops along with fertilizers and who knows what else, even my neighbors use them to control the pests or bugs in their yard. Although I have been trying not to I have found the organic bug products just do not work as well. I sprayed a group of aphids several days in a row and guess what, the little buggers are still there. I feel we would have opportunity not to use them if we had better alternatives.
Reading #12 - The Nature of the Everglades
I think the Everglades are an invaluable resource of Florida. Although I think we need to do a lot of work to preserve the natural species and remove the invasive ones, I think it is 100% worth preserving, like Marjory Douglas said, Florida is home to the ONLY Everglades in the world, why would we not want to protect and preserve this ecological marvel. Plus with so many species disappearing like the Florida panthers why would we not want to protect their home?
Everyone deserves a chance to see what we have had the pleasure and respect to learn about and admire.
Everyone deserves a chance to see what we have had the pleasure and respect to learn about and admire.
Reading #11 - Endgame, Michael Grunwald
There are statements I agree with and statements I disagree with as with any topic. One statement I am glad he brought up is that without saving the natural environment of the birds, large cats, and other wildlife it is impossible to protect and save them. For example, natural environment for polar bears continues to break apart and shrink we are not going to save the species of polar bears. We may be able to save a few and keep the species in existence but it will never thrive without its natural environment, the same goes for Florida’s wildlife. Today we are building everywhere to compensate for the large volumes of people we are trying to attract and gain interest from. This is good in a financial and economical perspective for Florida, but this is not so good in an ecological view. We have to ask people to turn off their condo lights at night so we do not confuse baby turtles when we should not have condos to close to turtles’ nests and the beach to begin with. We are being forced to look into remedies for issues we have caused; this is not how it should be. Although I do not care about conserving and protecting all Florida wildlife (Alligators are not on my protection list, lol) I have reasons behind my views, I do care about preserving some of Florida’s nature. Washington state would be nothing if it were not for its sequoia forests and Florida is nothing without its springs, creeks, beaches, and wildlife.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Reading #10 - Reflection on Vandana Shiva.
There is a point where I completely agree with Vandana Shiva. I think it is fantastic that she is so true to her culture and roots, I commend her. I could not do it today, but I was not raise to view life and leisure the same way she has. My views on clothing differ greatly, but as do most women's views.
Anyways where I feel we are similar.... I agree on her views to keep the natural species growing in their natural environment and where it is better to use natural varieties rather than bio-engineered varieties. For example, I know their are engineering soybeans to create a larger harvest in a shorter time, but I feel creating all these "designer" plant genes are only setting us up for failure. It would be like creating a human who never got sick, its just weird!
Also about the non-native species, we are already have issues with non-native species haven't we learned its just not a good idea, LOL. For example, kudzo that stuff takes over like crazy, snake fish they are a tremendous problem in many water ways, non native snakes in the everglades, and teague in south Florida, ALL invasive accidently introduced non-native species....
Anyways where I feel we are similar.... I agree on her views to keep the natural species growing in their natural environment and where it is better to use natural varieties rather than bio-engineered varieties. For example, I know their are engineering soybeans to create a larger harvest in a shorter time, but I feel creating all these "designer" plant genes are only setting us up for failure. It would be like creating a human who never got sick, its just weird!
Also about the non-native species, we are already have issues with non-native species haven't we learned its just not a good idea, LOL. For example, kudzo that stuff takes over like crazy, snake fish they are a tremendous problem in many water ways, non native snakes in the everglades, and teague in south Florida, ALL invasive accidently introduced non-native species....
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Reading #9 - Tale of Two Farms - Personal Reflection
The main issue I had with these videos was Jared Diamond’s voice. I am sure that does not sound good, but instead of watching the videos I came agree a transcript from a college where he was discussing his theories on these subject matters.
I believe Mr. Diamond made some great points some of which were prior knowledge to me but I thought it was fascinating how he pointed out certain things. For example, over the years there have been many cultures and societies that have failed and typically those are the ones we focus on and learn about in classes, but I had never thought of Japan as a long term successful society until today.
Consider Japan. In the 1600's, the country faced its own crisis of deforestation, paradoxically brought on by the peace and prosperity following the Tokugawa shoguns' military triumph that ended 150 years of civil war. The subsequent explosion of Japan's population and economy set off rampant logging for construction of palaces and cities, and for fuel and fertilizer.
Japan is responsible for deforestation of their own lands but while they did so it is important to recognize their efforts to regrow their native lands with the creation of their self-planted plantations.
I never thought about the fact that America without its 50 states would never survive. We have grown so tightly together that each area brings its own something to the table to complete what we are. Although that sounds great, I believe without the aid and resources of many of our foreign allies we would not be where we are today.
We should not solely learn about the societal failures in school, it should be made clear that with these failures many cultures were able to thrive and become great powers today like Japan and Iceland. Today Iceland has the sixth-highest per-capita income in the world and that is definitely due to a societal failure we learned about in school.
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