Douglas Journal

The Nature of the Everglades

Quotations by Marjory Stoneman Douglas

“Nothing anywhere else is like them: their vast glittering openness, wider than the enormous visible round of the horizon, the racing free saltness and sweetness of their massive winds, under the dazzling blue heights of space (Douglas 104).”

http://www.saintpetersblog.com/archives/146804

I have never physically seen the Everglades, however this sentence really allows me to have a vivid picture in my mind. Throughout this whole excerpt, Marjory Douglas allowed me to feel like I was at the Everglades, experiencing everything if I were to be there. I can tell, especially with this quote, that Douglas has a strong sense of place with the Everglades. The respect and emotion that is represented in this sentence is fascinating to me. The way Douglas states, nothing anywhere else is like them, shows that this is a place that is dear to her heart. The Everglades appear to be extremely unique in nature. Even though this is her opinion, I can relate to how she feels connected with nature. For me, the feeling of seeing a beautiful sunset on the beach is a feeling unique to the sight of it. This sentence also allows me to think how I take nature, or even being able to see, for granted. If I was not able to sit back and enjoy all of the fascinating things nature has to offer, I would be very upset. From now on I am going to make it a point to embrace nature more often.

“Where the pines are thin, the Indians found their first source of life. There grow foot-tall, ferny green cycads, plants older than this rock, with yellow and orange cones for flowers and great thick roots (Douglas 138).”

http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/s/so003.html

The root that is described in this quote is sifted to flour to make a thick watery gruel called “sofkee” that the Indians ate. Last semester, I had to do a presentation on Native Americans so I learned a lot about them. I really enjoy how Douglas states that this was the first source of life for the Indians. This is so powerful to me; the way the Indians survived, using the resources in the wilderness was a challenging experience. Their fight to survive in the wilderness shows strength and courage for the Indians and the sofkee represents the beginning of their survival and life on earth. The sofkee was a way for survival that the Indians cherished and the Everglades essentially provided them with this. The Florida Everglades show years and years of history that makes it special.

“Here in the cypress pools- but for that matter, everywhere in the watery Glades, from lake to sea- lives the Glades’ first citizen, the otter (Douglas 144).”

http://sunnyscope.com/5-critters-florida-everglades/

I loved the section in this excerpt about all of the animals and creatures that encompass the Florida Everglades because I have an emotional attachment to all animals. I picked this quote because the otter was the first citizen of the Everglades. The otter is a wonderful element to the Florida Everglades. The otter enjoys being around all of the alligators and shows a true enjoyment out of living in the Everglades. Just like the otter, many animals call the Everglades their home. The numerous animals described, big and small, are able to enjoy a preserved environment where they can thrive and live in complete peace. As America grows in population, the animals are losing their precious homes. It gives me a peace of mind that the animals in the Everglades have a place to call home.

Orr Journal

Love It or Lose It: The Coming Biophilia Revolution

Quotations by David Orr

“Compared with earlier cultures, our distinction lies in the fact that technology now allows us to move much further toward total domination of nature than ever before” (Orr 188)

Photo created by Marcus Jansen

The word domination in this sentence sticks out to me. I think what Orr means by domination, is the fact that we as humans have the capability to destroy the nature that surrounds us. I would lie if I said all technology is a bad thing. I believe in many ways technology is doing wonderful things, however with the advancement of genetic engineering and nanotechnologies, we are in a way manipulating and changing the course of nature in a negative light. Earlier cultures seemed not to dominate nature, but rather, be one with the nature that they surrounded themselves with. I feel like we must adopt the ways of earlier cultures to create an increased sense of biophilia to create a world where nature can flourish. 

“Environmental free riders benefit from others’ willingness to fight for the clean are they breathe, the clean water they drink, the preservation of biological diversity that sustains them, and the conservation of the soil that feeds them” (Orr 191)

Photo found in GOOGLE images

In complete honesty, I would have to consider myself an environmental free rider. I do not do nearly as much as I could to fight for the many things that I take for granted. Reading this excerpt makes me feel empowered to do more to preserve the earth and land that I take for granted. I believe many people have biophobia because they are fearful of the truth. I agree that it is not okay that the work to protect the earth is unfairly distributed. In some ways I believe that sometimes I try not to think about all the devastating things that are destroying the earth because I am fearful of what will happen. There is a difference in not liking nature and not respecting nature. Some people just don’t enjoy exploring nature and viewing all the things it has to offer, in my opinion that is okay. However, it is not okay for people to disrespect and destroy the things that nature gives its people. 

 

“We cannot win this battle to save species and environments without forging an emotional bond between ourselves and nature as well- for we will not fight to save what we do not love” (Orr 197)

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Out of this entire section written by Orr, this is my favorite quote. It is so powerful and speaks volumes about what is happening and what needs to be changed. More people need to feel emotionally connected with nature. Effort must be put forth for that emotional bond to be created. Just like the excerpt states, we depend on nature more then we will ever know. So many things that we depend on, contribute to our survival and well-being.  This statement makes me think of the first time I saw mountains. Being born in Florida, seeing the mountains for the first time was absolutely fascinating. Ever since then, I have felt more connected with nature. Feeling emotionally connected with nature will cause the love that is needed to help conserve the land.  We will only fight when we begin to love.

Leopold Journal

Photo found from GOOGLE images

The Land Ethic 

Quotations by Aldo Leopold

“A land ethic changes the role of the Homo sapiens from conqueror of the land-community to plain member and citizen of it” (Leopold 60)

When I think of land ethic, I think of mutual respect for the land I live in. Many humans treat the land as if it will restore itself. The land needs to be treated in a way that will preserve it for many years to come. It seems as if many people, including myself at times, take the land they live in that provides so many joys and gifts, for granted. This statement is small but very powerful. Humans treat the land like they are the ruler. If people changed their view to be more surrounded around the fact that what they do will affect themselves, as well as generations to come, the world would have a land ethic. If people felt connected to nature and felt they were equal not superior to the land they live on, the world would be a better place.

“Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land. Despite nearly a century of propaganda, conservation still proceeds at a snails pace” (Leopold 62)

Photo found in GOOGLE images

I believe conservation is at a snails pace for two reasons, money and lack of education. Just like Leopold states, the farmers, as well as the government will not do anything unless it is profitable. Its sad that many reasons that govern conservation are because of greed. Long-term consequences are unheard of because the focus is on the profit. Lack of education is another factor that is slowing down efforts to conserve. Lack of education and misleading information causes people to think we are doing what is needed to protect the world we live in and the resources we use. If people were properly educated with how to conserve the land, conservation would pick up speed. Viewing conservation as a state of harmony also means viewing and treating the land with respect. If more people viewed land as something in need of protecting, it could change the way we treat the land we live on. 

“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 75)

Photo found from GOOGLE images

In my opinion, I believe consciousness of land is something society as a whole is severely lacking. People have a lot of things to concentrate on in their busy schedules of work, school, family, and so on. I have always wondered if the way you are brought up matters how you feel about nature as an adult. Some children are taught to embrace nature, play in the dirt, and look for bugs. Some children are inside all day watching TV and playing video games. I definitely think that a person’s love for nature is impacted by the way they have been taught to view it from a young age. Simply put just like the statement, people need to view the land with a high value and love for any change to occur. I know for sure that my future children will be connected to nature in as many ways as possible.

Louv Journal

Nature-Deficit Disorder and the Restorative Environment

Quotations by Richard Louv

“Nearly 40 percent of American elementary schools either eliminated or were considering eliminating recess” (Louv 1)

 

For younger children, being in a classroom for six hours at a time can be challenging. They have to pay attention to the teacher, be still, and not talk to their friends. I remember being in class and looking outside and saying I cannot wait until I get to go out there and play. This statement has shocked me, children need time to explore in nature and outdoor play should be more of a priority in the school systems. Starting the exploration of nature young could impact the way children view and treat nature as adults. It shocks me that schools see recess as a waste of academic time. I completely agree that recess should be less structured and give the children more time to explore in nature however; recess or physical education is better than nothing. I believe if children have more freedom to explore nature, they will concentrate more efficiently and essentially learn more, as well as have a respect for their outdoor surroundings. 

(photo found from GOOGLE images)

Photo found in GOOGLE images

“The detachment of education from the physical world not only coincided with the dramatic rise in life-threatening childhood obesity but also a growing body of evidence that links physical exercise and experience in nature to mental acuity and concentration” (Louv 2)

I never realized how truly important nature could be to children. Nature could essentially change the way society views ADHD. Studies have shown that nature could decrease symptoms and could possibly be used in addition to or substituted for medication. It seems so simple to me, let your children experience nature openly and freely and they will concentrate and be calm when it is necessary. Just like the book states, I in some way, felt ADHD was associated with poor parenting or a child seeking attention. I am now more aware of what ADHD is. If the children stopped watching TV and playing video games and went outside to play and explore, I believe with the evidence I have read, less children would be diagnosed with ADHD. I think about the stories my parents tell me about how they were always outside because they didn’t have TV, video games, and cell phones. It makes sense that ADHD is now more prevalent than fifty years ago because not as many children are exploring the wonderful things nature has to offer. 

“If you can find in an environment where attention is automatic, you allow directed attention to rest” (Louv 6)

Photo taken by Taylor Atkins

Louv talked about “directed-attention fatigue”. I’m sure that most of us in the class have had this multiple times during a lecture. Directed-attention fatigue is basically the inability to concentrate. No matter the age, many people experience this. A few weeks ago, I traveled to the Florida Keys and went kayaking in the mangroves. I always have a hard time relaxing with all the things on my mind. In that very moment of no phones, no talking, and just the noise of the water and the chirping of the birds, I had nothing else on my mind. In that very moment, I was in complete relaxation. Having these moments allows me to restore my crazy thoughts running through my mind, and have time to just live in the moment. Thinking about this statement and with my experience, I as well as many others would probably be capable of concentrating when it is needed if they experience environments that allow them to rest their direct attention.