Parting thoughts

Erin: I have really enjoyed learning about how to live a healthier life.  I have already started eating more greens, and discovered a love for kombucha!  I hope that in my future I will have the space to plant my own food and steer away from having to purchase fruits and vegetables from the store.  I am also glad I got the chance to work with some amazing ladies in our group, and learned something from each one of them!

Jess: I really enjoyed this course. I think it is fabulous to make this as requirement, as frustrated as I did become, this course gives us knowledge and awareness that we are inevitably going to face. I thought we had a very we'll rounded group who I have been fortunate enough to establish a relationship with :)

Waste Management visit

We visited the Lee county Waste-to-energy plant and learned about this amazing facility. Our guide explained how our household trash is turned into valuable energy, and keeps Lee county green. From natural gas powered garbage collection trucks, to toxic material disposal and organic composting, our county helps to lower carbon emissions and helps give back to the planet. 

Filtration system that keeps emissions from entering into the environment

A model of the waste-to-energy system

Trash drop off area

Carissa and Erin rockin safety gear

The claw drops enough trash to supply 2 weeks of energy

Massive claw picking up trash

Our guide showing us the control panels

Recyclable metals filtered out of the trash

Amazing technology to help filter emissions

The history of how Lee County was not completely pro-to this facility and how Fort Myers is a leader in recycling is a fabulous example of proactive change. We were very impressed with the passion the company has for positively changing the community. Now if only we could help collier county move toward this kind of change!

Final field trip rant

We went on our final field trip to the lee county trash place.  Our speaker was incredibly informative and we as a group learned so much about our facility. I personally feel proud to have a facility like this in the town I call home.  However, the dark cloud of our classroom once again detracted from the experience of this trip. Constant side conversation, pointless comments and random grunting noises caused me to be distracted from the speaker and valuable information provided.

Again, we understand the need for accommodation of disabilities, however it frustrates me to no end that this accommodation is allowed to disrupt the experience of our class constantly.  Another member of our class required accommodation from her spouse, but this person never distracted anyone from learning, and was incredibly respectful of the fact he was a guest in our class, not a paying participant.
 

ECHO

A beautiful Kapok tree

Aquaponics system where the fish provide nutrients to the plants (such as this squash), 

and the nutrients help feed the fish.

Mexican Tarragon

Massive Avocados!

Chaya

Papaya

Ponkan Mandarin

Cranberry Hibiscus

Moringa

Jess's thoughts on the canoe field trip

I really enjoyed learning about some of the history of Fort Myers Beach.  We live so close to the beach and it would be amazing to have other people understand what we can do to get our local beach back to what it use to beach.  I think it is nothing shy of fascinating the significant change the water here has had throughout a century.

The canoeing was a great buffer to learning. Putting us out in nature to synthesize vitamin D and learn about our local surrounding was very cool.  If I had one complaint, I would have liked to be out canoeing a little while longer.  All and all, my favorite field trip!

Field trippin'

Starting out

 

Our group checking out a black mangrove

Just my opinion, but I was frustrated with the fact that a member of our field trip (Who is NOT a member of our class) constantly feels the need to interrupt the class experience on trips. While I appreciate this person's curiosity, I don't appreciate his opinions on class matters, students opinions, or countless pointless questions. I feel frustrated that this person has been allowed to involve themselves with our class trips without actually being a member of out class. I understand providing reasonable accommodation to members of the class who need it, but you can accommodate one person without disrupting the class experience for everyone else! 

Green Spotlight: Chrissy's home garden

View from the front

Citronella

Garden Salad Mix

Collard Greens