Endgame

"There are no airports situated on the border of national parks in America; the Everglades is the last place to consider changing that.(Grunwald, P.98)"

This quote is a very true statement. I have been to many national parks such as Yosemite, Yellowstone, and many others. National Parks are to be persevered and not destroyed by airports and other tourist places. The same should go for the Everglades. It is a different kind of National Park, it is unique and should be treated like the other Parks around the country. Most of Florida has been developed so we should keep the Everglades preserved. It is an important aspect in what makes Florida its own state. It is also important to a lot of wildlife because it is their habitat.

            [Photo From: http://www.nykola.com/images/busyairports.jpg]

"Restoring the Everglades would preserve aquifers and promote ecotourism, but Graham really wanted to restore the Everglades because it was singular, because it distinguished south Florida from other sprawling concatenations of tract homes, strip malls, CVS, and KFC.(Grunwald, P.99)"

Helping preserve the Everglades is very important for animals along as us. It also helps preserve the aquifers. This is important to our water supplies. It is also important to preserve the land because animals live thrive there and people are building to many strip malls everywhere. There is no need to have a CVS and Walgreens on every corner. It is important to help save our environment so we can continue living and not destroy our world. Today many people are not focused on the environment because they are focused on electronics and what is the next in item to buy. No one focus on how important it is to preserve the environment especially the Everglades.

[Photo From: http://www.culturalweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/strip-mall.jpg]

"It was too late to change the Nader votes of South Florida's environmentalists, but the Everglades had dodged another bullet. It was a reminder that money doesn't always talk. People talk, too.(Grunwald, P.101)"


This is one of the biggest problems the environment faces today, money. Money is the only thing that seems to talk today. Even how FGCU was built is a perfect example of how money talks over the concerns for the environment. Also, politics can be a major issue with the environment because it is not for what is the best. People need to take a step back and focus on the big picture how important we need to preserve the environment. Money is the only drive for most people today. The environment is over looked because we do not think it is going anywhere. Money should not be the only focus in life.

[Photo From: http://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/filepicker%2FgkTHRLQsyzS3MggKloYA_money.jpg]

The Nature of the Everglades

"Often the rainy season finds its terrible climax in September or October, in the crashing impact of a hurricane, the true cyclonic storm of the tropics.(Douglas, P.118)"

This quote is very true it is always very rainy in the months of September and October. Especially hurricane season has a big impact on people's lives here in Florida. People have to plan around them a lot because they can damage so much. It is not as big of a deal to me now because I have lived here for so long. A lot of times now you can get a good deal on cruises during hurricane season. People from up north do not feel safe and less people book them during hurricane season. It is always fun to have family come down because they have never been through a hurricane and it is always interesting to hear their concerns and what they think.

"The small brown Florida deer step neatly at the edge of pine forests like these. (Douglas, P.136)"

Most people do not associate deer as a problem here in Florida. I grew up in a very nice neighborhood with many houses. It is a very populated area and not many woods near my house. However, in my neighborhood in the very small patches of trees many brown deer's live. This seems like a nice idea being able to see deer in your backyard in such a populated area. Until, I started driving. The night after I got my license, I hit a deer leaving my neighborhood. We still to this day have an over population of deer in the neighborhood. It has definitely changed my view on deer.  

"A blue racer, the snake that moves across the cleared sand like a whiplash, will with one flick destroy the smooth, careful cup of the ant lion in the hot sand. (Douglas, P.138)"

Snakes have also been a problem especially here in Florida. When my parents first started building our house it was the first one in our neighborhood. They had cleared all the land to start building our subdivision. This was cool at first because we were the only house. However, because they cleared all the land all the animals that used to live in the woods had nowhere to go. This created a problem in our house because the snakes started coming in our pool area and into the house. My mom used to find them in cabinets and under her bed. I am terrified of snakes so my mom would never tell me because I would never sleep. I used to play around our house and run right over them with my bare feet. Ever since I have hated snakes.

"Like the otter, raccoons are everywhere about the Everglades, but here in the south by the mangrove they have lived in thousands. (Douglas, P.147)"

When I was younger we used to have a pop up camper and went on camping trips all over Florida. It was always fun to stay at different camping sites especially in the keys and even Fort Wilderness in Disney. The only bad part about our camper was that we did not have a bathroom. So if you had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night you had to walk outside to the public restrooms. At first, I did not think about the animals that would be walking around. One time I went to the bathroom alone and got freaked out because I ran into a bunch of raccoons. I was younger and I did not realize what the animal was at first. But, this helped me realize there are definitely lots of raccoons here in Florida.

Love It or Lose It

"The manifestation of biophobia, explicit in the urge to control nature, has led to a world in which it is becoming easier to be biophobic. (Orr, P.190)"

In our world today electronics control our lives. Many people think that because of all the advances in technology, that's what is preventing people from going outdoors. I think people are not becoming biophobic they are just choosing to not be outdoors. People would rather play on the computer or watch TV than go outside. It does not help that kids are introduced at a young age to iPads, iPhones, and gaming consoles. This is not letting kids run outside with their friends and play hide and seek but rather stay inside and play angry birds. It is not the people who are becoming biophobic but rather the people choosing to live a biophobic life.

[Photo From: http://www.gamehavenclassic.com/images/GameSystems.gif]

"I think we can safely surmise that biophilia, like the capacity to love, needs the help and active participation of parents, grandparents, teachers, and other caring adults. (Orr, P.200)"

Biophilia is something felt by a person regardless of other peoples influences. A person loves nature on their own. It does help if parents make kids go outside and play rather than letting them sit inside on gaming systems.  It also helps if teachers make sure their students go outside for recess. I think the influences of others help to bring out the love of nature.  However, the love is always there it is just how much the person chooses to act on it. A kid will either love or hate nature on their own. It is just the experiences they have that helps shape their love or hate for nature.

[Photo From: http://mypages.valdosta.edu/asmccoy/Great-Mountains-mountains-and-waterfalls-10022592-1680-1050.jpg]

"We have every reason to believe that love and biophilia alike flourish mostly in good communities. (Orr, P.201)"

I think this quote is very true because communities have a big influence. Communities, their location and how well kept they are is a big influence on how much people love the outdoors.  A child that grew up in Detroit and one that grew up in the suburbs will have very different views of the outdoors. When you associate the outdoors with violence a child would be less likely to love the outdoors. A child that grew up in a nice neighborhood with access to a nice park will love the outdoors more. Good communities help children to start loving the outdoors at a young age and show them how much fun playing outside is.

[Photo From: http://www.agents4homebuyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/LAFAYETTE-PARK-PARK.jpeg]

Restorative Environment

"In the era of test-centric education reform and growing fear of liability, many districts considered recess a waste of potential academic time or too risky.(Louv, P.1)"

In elementary schools today recess is being phased out. Many kids do not get to have a break during class to go out and exercise. Teachers are expected to keep on track to prepare the kids for the standardize tests to pass the grade they are in. Therefore, teachers are viewing recess as a waste of time when they could be teaching them more information. It is important for children to be able to go outside and release energy. Children need to let energy out because they are sitting inside all day. Being able to play on a playground helps to exercise and release energy to go back in the class and focus again. Recess is very important and should not be phased out.

[Photo From: http://www.njplaygrounds.com/blog-n-photos/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/crim_2.jpg]

"Critics charge that often-prescribed stimulant medications such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, though necessary in many cases, are overprescribed, perhaps as much as 10 to 40 percent of the time. (Louv, P.3)"

Many people feel that medications for ADHD are over prescribed. Many people also feel that mediations are not the answer to solve ADHD problems. I feel that medication prescribed in the right way is very helpful. My brother has ADHD and it is very obvious when he does not take his medication. Without his medications he can not focus in school, sit still, and is very distracting to teachers and other students. Therefore, the medication helps him to do better in school.  ADHD medication is prescribed by weight and doctors prescribe it based on evaluations to specific needs of each person. I think it is not over prescribed just more people are aware and have ADHD on different levels.

[Photo From: http://70.32.92.106/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Prescription-Drug-Addiction-Treatment.jpg]

"If it's true that nature therapy reduces the symptoms of ADHD, then the converse may also be true: ADHD may be a set of symptoms aggravated by lack of exposure to nature. (Louv, P.11)"

I think this is true because with schools taking out recess students that have ADHD can not release their energy. Students with ADHD need the time to run around. Being able to go out side and have the freedom to go where they want and play where they want is important. Keeping kids with ADHD trapped inside and making them sit still all day will not help them deal with their ADHD. I do not think it is nature alone that helps reduce the symptoms but being able to choose to play and do what the feel help reduces the symptoms.

[Photo From: http://img2.timeinc.net/health/images/gallery/condition-centers/causes-of-adhd-400x400.jpg]

The Land Ethic

"We can be ethical only in relation to something we can see, feel, understand, love, or otherwise have faith in.(Leopold, p.68)"

This statement is false because we can be ethical to things we cannot understand.  We do not have to love or feel something to care about or make a difference.  Everyone has a conscious and cares about the environment to an extent. There are just different levels for each person as to how much of an effort they make. Little kids may not understand the importance of why they need to help the environment but they are taught in elementary school. There are different extremes of how much a person tries to help better the environment. Another example would be Police Officers. They may not love or understand the people they are trying to help. However,they make the ethical decision everyday to do their best to help people in danger.

[Photo From: http://www.eurostemcell.org/files/resources/ethics_road_sign.jpg]

"It is inconceivable to me that an ethical relation to land can exist without love, respect, and admiration for land, and a high regard for its value. (Leopold, P.75)" 

This statement is very true because you have to respect the environment to have high regard for its value. Farmers live off the land and have a respectful relationship because it helps feed their animals and helps grow their crops.  Natural creeks help provide water for animals. Rain helps keeps their crops alive which provides food for the animals. Grass is helpful for animals to feed and helps keep the grass cut. Without the help of nature, animals such as cows could not produce dairy, which is a base in a lot of our foods. Farmers have to care, respect, and love their land to keep it growing and their animals alive.

[Photo From: http://www.earthtimes.org/newsimage/farmers-anger-land-law-delay_226.jpg]


"Perhaps the most serious obstacle impeding the evolution of a land ethic is the fact that our educational and economic system is headed away from, rather than toward, an intense consciousness of land. (Leopold, P.75)"

The educational and economic system is starting to no longer focus on the importance of how much our actions are destroying the environment, and how to help it. Schools used to start teaching kids in elementary school how important it was to save water, keep lights off, and recycle. I remeber when I was in kindergarten and had to listen to a speaker talk about wasting water. Now they do not have time for the speaker because it 'wastes' too much time from education to teach kids how to treat the environment.

[Photo From: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDPwQHYc_JXU60epOxBpwF38pvfakteGoMSOJrRe0aDZVlGHPBtawPssWMBNUkadjK7hMyMuJPm0k-k_0iIs0kIKAY5N5Zuf5Hh07EZ8N3oBBVUcHFGbSkiLPKJk37b4cdbyAUUizqgv8/s1600/water.jpg]