Journal 2

So this past Thursday we went on our first field trip the nature walk of FGCU campus, and the wet walk. We started our walk at the "Pot belly" trash compactor. Which used to be a self compacting garbage can that would condense all trash withing the can to reduce the amount of bugs and wildlife that could get into the can. Obviously it is bad for wildlife like raccons and opposums to be surviving off our scraps, as they cause our trash too be spread all over the place. But since the trash can has been replaced there is now a recycling and trash can in loo of the pot belly trash can. But the casing is made from recycled plastics, which is good for sustainability. After the trash cans, our tour led us to the FGCU coolant plant. The school has a large remote cooling plant which pumps chilled air to all the buildings on campus minus SOVI. In exchange of a regular HVAC system the school has a large collection of chilled cylinders which chill the air which is blown through, and the cooled water reduces the temperature. This AC is then pumped to the buildings on campus underground, meant to be less invasive and since it's water in the event of a leak the water would not ruin the environment compared to a chemical. While being better for the environment the chiller plant isn't regulated like a normal HVAC system and the buildings recieve whatever temperature is piping through the system. After the chiller plant, we went to the bridge near siedler hall, and talked about how all the water ways and cannals on campus are connected. A cool fact I did not know. Following the waterways we talked about Siedler hall and how the bulding is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Evironment Design) certified. Essentially the building meets specific merits in reguards to energy consumption and CO2 emmissions rated on a scale of 60-100 with ranks inbetween those being, certified, Silver, Gold, and Platnum. As a construction management major and knowing all that goes into LEED certification, the fact we have a platnum and a few other buildings that are certified is a monumental accomplishment for our school. We continued our tour around the middle of the campus talking about how the school uses local native fauna rather than exotic fauna as it is more sustainable and uses less water/care throughout the year. We finished the dry tour at the veterans pavilion talking about how our respect for those that gave their lives so we could live in such a nice country and our appreciation towards those who have served. Along with, how the libary lawn is a place to congregate, the green yard, an inviting place to all those who tour or attend our campus. Following the tour we went on our wet walk into the wildlife preserves that make up our campus. We went to several spots discussing the different areas, like the Oak Hammocks, the pine flatwoods, cypress swamps, and the freshwater marsh. We saw a lot of fauna specific to each environment and ended the tour waist deep in water hugging our tree. Taking in our impact as people, our connection to the earth, and how we can make decisions that are both economic and sustainable


Im here with my tree

In the water

Never faulter

Can't you see?!

Is it getting hotter

(Read like an Eminem Song)






















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