Barefoot Beach Preserve

           

Barefoot Beach

             I had a wonderful experience going to Barefoot Beach Preserve. I always enjoys the bus rides, I read on the way there and enjoyed an interesting conversation with my classmates on the way home. I was confused as we drove through all the fancy houses before getting to the preserve itself, but then Professor Mendes explained that Barefoot Beach Preserve was created to protect the beach and surrounding wildlife from being built on. I thought this was great because I am from the East coast of Florida where we do not have anymore mangroves or sand duns to protect our beaches, and when hurricane Hermine hit most of the road along the beach were destroyed (Figure A).

Figure A: Flagler Beach A1A

          Mangrove trees are extremely important to the natural Florida ecosystem. The mangrove trees serve to filter the water in the estuaries, they provide mating and birthing grounds along with protection for juvenile fish, and they also keep the beaches from eroding away because of their deep roots. There are three different types of mangrove trees: red, white, and black, but the preserve contained red mangrove trees (Figure B). The estuaries provide many plant and wildlife species to remain even though the housing complex is close by and threaten their habitats. There are a number of birds, tortoises, snakes, frogs, trees, and so much more being preserved at Barefoot Beach. This preserve also aids in keeping wildlife away from humans and the dangers they propose (roads, parked cars that look like shade, etc.).

                                                       Figure B: Red Mangrove Trees

                We saw signs of the natural world all around us as we walked through the trail that lead to the beach (Figure C). The trees were healthy and abundant. There were a few edible berries on some bushes, that I cannot remember the name of , the other students were brave enough to try. There were small crabs scurrying about along the trail, and our professor actually picked one up so we could get a better look (Figure D). None of the students were brave enough to hold the crab themselves though! We learned about the palm trees and the monkey fur that grows on it that can be used to start fires. Also we learned about the boots on palm trees, the little notches that stick out, and that they reason they are called boots is because settlers used to hang their boots off of them to dry!

Figure C: Trail Leading to Barefoot Beach

Figure D: Crab in my Professors Hand

           As lovely as the walk was the beach was terrible! As we walked out onto the beach I was attacked by a smell so revolting I did not understand it. Then it became clear where the small was coming from. Among the seaweed the beach was infested with dead, rotting fish (Figure E). It was gross and risky, we had to be careful and watch our step so we did not accidentally step on a nasty dead fish. We learned that the cause of the dead fish epidemic was Red Tide that had poisoned them. Red Tide is one of the effects of having urban areas so close to natural habitats. Red Tide is caused by chemical run off that comes from cars, boats, and even yard fertilizer, and it is toxic for marine life. The beaches in Southwest Florida are also victims are shoreline dredging another cause of beach erosion. Shoreline dredging is when sand is taken from the ocean floor and used for other projects or to replenish beaches that are eroding quickly. 

Figure E: Dead Fish

         On our walk back to the parking lot area we saw two Gopher Tortoise burrows (Figure F). The first one was empty, but the second one had two tortoises resting in it. The burrows also provide shelter for other animals but if stepped on the burrow will collapse killing all the animals inside. We also saw a Gopher Tortoise walking about and eating some plants (Figure G and H). Our guide told us that the Tortoises have no feeling in their shells which I found fascinating. Also we talked about how people often mistake tortoises for turtles and put them in the water, but tortoises cannot swim and therefore die!! I was aware but i find this to be such important information!

Figure F: Gopher Tortoise Burrow

Figure G: Gopher Tortoise

Figure H: Gopher Tortoise

              I think that it is risky to build on barrier islands because they constantly shift with the wind and waves, but I do not think it would be possible to stop progress once it has began. There needs to be a balance of urban structure and nature! If we are going to build in areas we maybe should not we at least need to respect the wildlife. I do think that there can be a balance but greed and corruption are too powerful forces that eclipse the long term need for natural habitats for people's and animal's health.  

Downtown Fort Myers

Downtown Fort Myers

    I would just like to begin by saying that I had the best time in Downtown Fort Myers; my group and I went to Starbucks, the soap shop (where I bought myself some fancy soap) , stopped for pizza, and played on the instruments at the library. We enjoyed walking around, and I had some pretty insightful conversations with my peers. I also found the bus ride to and from the school to be very relaxing, I never get to just sit back and enjoy a ride, so that was very nice. Overall this was a very nice experience, it was just unfortunate that it was so hot outside!

    I have been to Downtown Fort Myers before but I was not really evaluating my surroundings like I was this time. I noticed that the Downtown area had a lot of work being done to it. The park was being fixed up and a couple buildings were being painted. This is good for the moral of the locals (town pride) and it looks pleasing to tourist customers. Centennial Park seemed well kept but it was not really a traditional park as in there was no playground. I usually expect a playground when I go to a park, so it was not as family friendly as I thought it would be. The park was very well shaded though and the fountain in the center was beautiful and interesting based on the history (figure a). I wish I could have heard the fellow giving the history better but I did hear him mention that the fort nearby was actually a Union fort which was shocking. I think confederate when I think of the South, so that was interesting. Also the statute in the park was of a colored soldier and is the only one in the South I believe (figure b). I could be wrong because it was hard to hear with the construction happening.   

Figure a

Figure b

      It was very hot on Tuesday, September 20th. I thought that there could be more trees along the sidewalks for shade. Walking around made me very sweaty, especially because my group and I were not the best with directions and ended up going back and forth a couple of times to make it to the assigned locations. There is some trees but they happen randomly and in batches along the streets. The tree areas would also have the drains in them and the island structure that we learned about in class (figure c). There are plenty of benches, trash cans, recycling bins (but more trash cans than recycling bins), bike racks, and signs for pedestrians and vehicles (figure d). 

Figure c

Figure d

      There are plenty of stores that are aimed at both locals and tourists. There is a good amount of banks and places to eat. There are ice cream shops, art galleries (figure e), and clothes stores all bunched together in a relatively close distance. There is also a fair amount of vacant stores, stores for sale, and some stores closing. This leads me to think that the area is not getting as much business as it once did. There was a police station (figure f) and a surprising amount of legal offices (figure g). I thought the police presence was comforting but did not really know what to think of all the law offices.

Figure e

Figure f

Figure g

    On our visit we also got to visit the new and improved public library. The library was very open, bright, and inviting. It had plenty of space for people to look as books, do work on the computer, and browse around. There was an entire "kid zone" that was geared towards children (figure h). The space was colorful and filled with books and small tables for kids to sit at. Then outside of the library there are seats and tables where people can read or do work, but there is also a game area (figure i). They had hula hoops and giant musical instruments that we could play on (figure j). It was a lot of fun and interactive, plus is was an imaginative activity then encourages young and old people to play outdoors.  

Figure h

Figure i

Figure j

       There were options for public restrooms. They have water fountains located sparingly around Downtown, and in my opinion there could be more water fountains (figure k). I saw some people walking around but I figure that since it was on a Tuesday during business hours that contributed to the lack of people walking around. I can assume from the conversations I had with my classmates that on the weekends Downtown Fort Myers is very lively with active bars. It seems like a safe area with cameras and it appears to be an area that cares about the environment with solar panels connected to street lamps (figure l). 

Figure k

Figure l

      The final two spots that we stopped to observe on out trip to Downtown Fort Myers are the Water Basin and the Old Historic Courthouse. The Water Basin serves to filter water that runs-off from the local roads and businesses before it enters the Caloosahatchee River (figures m). It does so by the plants that are present in the bottom of the basin. As the water runs through the plants it is cleaned before it enters the pure river water (figure n). The courthouse was beautiful, large, and white with big elegant steps leading up to the doorway. It had the most magnificent tree growing in front of it (figure o). This tree was enormous and to me it represented the amount of time the courthouse had been there. There are also a couple of plaques and statues outside of the courthouse (figure p). This adds flavor and makes it more memorable for tourists.

Figure m

Figure n

Figure o

Figure p

      The roads were fairly designed but I did not see enough speed limit signs. The area is well suited for the locals who live and work there, with wide sidewalks, street art (figures q, r,and s), and police safety. The area seems clean and well kept by the city. I did not see much for public transportation but my group and I only walked a short distance. There was much more to see. The buildings were two stories and either had apartments above the shops or offices and storage. This is a good use of a limited space area. The place was appealing and seemed to have a lot to offer but could still use some work. There should be more shade to appease customers and bring them out and into the shops. This would help keep small business owners doing well.

Figure q

Figure r

Figure s