Journal #1: Incoming Reflection

Having spent my entire life here in SWFL, I have had the opportunity to see much of the natural beauty present in the area. I have been a Boy Scout since the 1st grade, and as a result I've been able to enjoy camping, hiking, and canoeing many of the parks and forests locally. I've been to Koreshan State Park as well as Lovers Key and Alafia River State Parks for different events. In middle school my science class also went on a trip to the slough, and I've spent more than one spring break at Cayo Costa State Park with my friends as we've gotten older as well. For my Eagle Scout project, I built a butterfly garden in the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge as well.

Looking back on all of these experiences, I've come to realize that I've always had a great relationship with the nature of SWFL. I feel like I understand the plant and animal life I'm likely to encounter, and many of the State Parks that I've been to feel more like a second home to me than a getaway. I love Florida, and I love the unique landscapes and wilderness that make it Florida. I couldn't imagine growing up without an annual canoe trip down the Peace River. These experiences with nature are as much a part of me as all of my years of schooling.

Here is a picture of one of my favorite trips.



I'm not anxious about anything in the class really, I'm honestly looking forward to most of the things on our syllabus. My personal goal for this semester is to get an 'A' and perhaps provide some interesting insight into our local wildlife. I think this class will be helpful in that it will keep me focused on our natural environment and may get me thinking about certain tough questions that will allow me to grow as an individual.