Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

There are unfortunately less and less places in Florida where you can see natural wildlife living in their own habitat. While, it is getting more common to hear about reports of bears and panthers attacking human lived regions. In November 2011, there was a black bear found wandering around FGCU campus, reported by the abc7. Another article states how incidents of panther attacking livestock have doubled from 2011 to 2012. Why is that? Who is crossing whose borders? We cannot blame this on the animals because we, humans are the ones who have been extending our neighborhood into wildlife habitats. We force many species to move to other still untouched environments, but the sad thing is that there is not much left of those regions. We keep cutting down trees and making roads at places, which used to be homes for hundreds of species of animals, from insects to birds and mammals. However, there are organizations trying to provide safe and sustainable environment for animals. And no, when I am saying that, I am not thinking about zoos! These are places such as Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The protection of the Corkscrew swamp started in the early nineteen hundreds. National Audubon realized the importance and vulnerability of the area and did everything to protect its wildlife. Today it is a commonly visited well-known place for anyone who would like to get away from the busy life of cities and want to spend some time in nature. In addition, it is a great place that shows us what real Florida used to look like. The natural biological systems expand over 14,000 acres at Corkscrew and are maintained through land management practices. Boardwalks allow visitors to be part of an amazing and peaceful environment. When I visited with my colloquium class a few weeks ago, I was filled with peace and balance. There were times when we would all be just quite and listen to the sounds of nature and how the wind moved the leaves around. Here and there we saw alligator eyes shining from the water, not to mention the beautiful bird sounds that led us through our trip. It was so harmonic and idyllic visiting such a wonderful place. Although, it is getting more common that humans are not only visitors of these places but conquerors instead. We just expand and build upon a land that has already been occupied by animals not even thinking what they will do. And eventually it is still humans who feel offended when a black bear or a panther shows up in their backyard. Honestly, animals have all the rights to do that. We force them to reaccommodate but we do not provide them a place to do it so. This video will give you a little insight of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

Sustainability Globally

We know now that FGCU is an eco-friendly university but how sustainability looks like when we project it to the world. I thought it would interesting to see how different countries cherish Earth`s resources in an attempt to decrease their carbon foot prints on the environment. First of all let`s clarify what sustainability means. It is a “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (globalissues.org) The picture you see here shows a key message that has been put together in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment in March 2005. It meant to show what changes humanity needs to make in order to leave a safe planet behind for future generations.

Let`s see how different countries of the world manage sustainable consumption. National Geographic has partnered with GlobeScan to develop and international research approach, called “Greendex,” to monitor and measure consumer progress toward environmentally sustainable consumption. They surveyed 17,000 consumers in 17 countries. Their measurements were regarding energy use and conservation, food sources, transportation, attitudes toward environmental sustainability and knowledge of environmental issues. Click HERE and see the map that shows where countries stand. South Korea and Germany are on the first place of environmentally sustainable consumer behavior followed by the China and Spain. Can you guess which country fell to the last place? Among the 17 countries surveyed the United States ranks last! It raises the question; how such an economic, industrial and political power could provide such negative results when it comes to the environment? Sometimes I think, there are so many people talking about dangers of global warming and the importance of sustainability in the U.S., however, most of the time these are nothing more than empty words without meaningful actions. In my opinion, the scope of the problem comes down to this: people tend to think that they alone cannot make a difference by recycling a can or an empty bottle. However, when too many people think that way, the number will just grow higher and higher from one family to the next, from one ignorant individual to an ignorant community and society.

FGCU; the "Green Campus"

“Alligators are present on university campus.” These and similar signs are on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University along with solar trash cans and several recycling trash cans. Going to a school that shows a great concern about the environment and sustainability does not only encourages me and other students to care more but gives an example of a big change any university can and shall make. FGCU partnered with several companies to create a “green campus.” It worked together with Regenesis Power, a national alternative energy company, in January 2010 to build the second largest solar panel system on a university campus in the U.S. (fgcusolar.com). FGCU's mission was to produce 15% of its electricity from renewables. When you are driving Northbound on Ben Hill Griffin Road and look to the right, you can see a part of that 16-acre solar energy farm that helps the university to help its environment. FGCU can say about itself that it does something against global warming and as Joe Shepherd, the school's vice president said, “We are reducing our carbon footprint.” The question comes in mind, how a single university could afford such an expensive project? According to an article on Naplesnews.com, FGCU has got an $8.5 million grant from Florida's legislature. In addition, it signed a public-private partnership with Regenesis Power, and finally managed to purchase the $17 million project (fgcusolar.com). FGCU sets an example that not only residential households or businesses can work with renewables, but schools as well. Despite the fact that FGCU was built on a swampland and the constructions have taken away a large portion of that land, it is still great to see that such a large institution recognizes the importance of renewable energy and sustainability and tries to give back to what it has taken away from. I think FGCU deserves respect for not ignoring the nature around it and seeing the real picture. Watch this video displaying our eco-friendly university and in which faculty and students talk about its significance.