IDS 3920 -
CRN 50233
Class 3,
Blog Entry #2
Jennifer
Pareigis
May 21, 2013
While walking along the
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Boardwalk I saw many different species of plants and
birds along the 2 and 1/2 mile boardwalk!
I learned about different types of plant species like the
“Virginia Creeper”, as pointed out by my professor, as he noted it is used as a
treatment for poison ivy. An additional
type of leaf from another tree, similar to a red buckeye, can be seen below.
I learned about diff
Another
interesting plant I captured a picture of in Corkscrew Swamp was a Slash Pine Tree
that showed scratches, possibly from the claws of wild animals, to include
panthers and black bears.
I learned the
Corkscrew Swamp is comprised of three different ecosystems to include pine flat
woods, wet prairies and cypress swamps. Each of these ecosystems have
unique differences in temperature, plant species and wild life and the entire
system contains five habitats. Additionally, the Corkscrew Swamp is the
largest virgin Bald Cypress forest in North America.
While
experiencing Corkscrew, we discussed conservation as being the practice of
ensuring the depletion or damage of natural resources such as rivers, streams,
estuaries, plants and wildlife does not
occur. Conservation is achieved through
ensuring environmental education for current and future generations and through
rules and regulations that outline minimum levels of a resource that must be
conserved and thriving in order to preserve our natural environment.
Stewardship is the management and supervision of natural
resources in order to preserve and protect animals, plants and our
environment. Through effective
stewardship, our natural resources are carefully and scientifically planned;
and their continued health and presence is continued for current and future
generations.
The
living machine concept and implementation was developed at Corkscrew Swamp
Sanctuary in order to be good stewards of the natural environment; while taking
care of the waste generated by the swamp's 100,000 visitors each year. The living machine includes the use of
sunlight, bacteria, green plants and animals to restore the water to pure
conditions. This conserves water and
also utilizes good stewardship practices to create a natural water restoration
system instead of using a water treatment plant.
The
role of the private non-profit organizations in conservation and stewardship
initiatives and endeavors are primarily to raise private capital for the
education of students, teachers and university professors about Corkscrew and
the five habitats on the property.
Donations provide for the field lessons and program coordination with
the school districts and FGCU. In
addition, the volunteers of the non-profit organizations voluntarily count and
track birds and butterflies regularly and restore the ecosystems; as these are
the primary purposes of the acreage, and the purpose of the affiliation with
the Audubon, and the purpose of the volunteer work.
The
Corkscrew Sanctuary provides common activities for like minded people to
harness their individual efforts into a greater purpose that is vital for a
sustainable community. This allows for
citizens to engage in issues and for purposes they care about. It is also important for the public and the
private sectors to work together as both are needed to achieve a healthy
preservation of a natural resource and as a water recharging area for our
aquifers. Without the partnership of the public sector government, the natural
resources might not be preserved and the natural water flows and wildlife would
be eliminated. These changes in the
delicate balance of life would be detrimental to the health and quality of life
in Southwest Florida for current and future generations. The private sector and volunteers must
continually watch to ensure the rules and regulations are wise and effective in
maintaining and preserving the Corkscrew Swamp as a natural resource for
Florida.
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