Hiking On FGCU`s Campus

Our next hiking experience was a little bit messier than all the other ones as we were hiking on FGCU`s campus. Did you know that all the lakes were man made? They are and there was a specific reason to it. Lakes are natural drainage, so water from rain can go to the lake. An interesting fact I found was that during the site preparation for the construction of Academic Building 3, they broke into the cap rock allowing groundwater to flow to the surface. In order to prevent flooding, this groundwater was pumped into one of the lakes on campus. FGCU`s campus ecosystem is also part of a watershed that eventually spills into Estero Bay.

The first part of the trip when were walking on the main campus was nice and clean, but then we headed towards South Village. We did not take the shuttle, neither did we walk on the sidewalk, but went right in the swamp. The ground got wetter and wetter and deeper and deeper as we were approaching our final destination. Not to mention the splashing that sounded by every step we took. There is no doubt it was something new for some of us. The water and that my shoes got all wet was not really bothering me, I just rather kept my eyes open and barely blinked to watch for any surprising creature in the water. We all know and it is not a secret that alligators are present on campus so it would not have been unusual to meet one. The picture below was taken by one of my friends on campus by the library. Needless to say, she freaked out. I would have loved to see a gator this close to me. As long as it is not bigger than this was.

On the hike we did meet, though, birds and obviously mosquitos.

About an hour and a half and dirty and wet shoes later we all made it to civilization again. It might sound like I am complaining a lot, but I had a great time and it was fun hiking on campus. Just think about it; how many university students around the country can experience the same thing on their campus? Not much, right?

I am proud to be attending a college that supports environment and sustainability in such a serious way.