Echo Trip

Last week we went to the ECHO Facility. I learned that ECHO stands for the Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization. Touring their unique facility gave us all great insight into the many different facets of agriculture. The organization showed us many different farming techniques that were designed to be efficient in specific environments; from desert lowlands to monsoon soaked valleys. The organization also taught us they demonstrated and exemplified very easy, sustainable and modern techniques to peoples who cannot afford to use modern technology or equipment. The Christian organization focuses on teaching these practices to the less fortunate and those who live in the third world. Overall I enjoyed the tour of the facility and was intrigued but the tried and true, but simple agricultural methods.

Neighborhood walk

So today I took a walk around the neighborhood to ask 10 questions. Naturally with a name like Rookery Pointe, one would expect to see birds around. Today its been pretty nasty out and the wind is really whipping, but I still came up with a few questions.

Why is this one tree growing so fast here, while the one right next to it isn't?

Which types of trees are holding out better against the frost, the exotics or the natives?

Are there still alligators in that water? I wonder if those largemouth bass still live under that bridge? Could that connection between the Estero River and this waterway still be there

after all the dry seasons? I wonder if this cold weather is killing the big fish in the water?

Are those birds just hanging out or fishing? Are these coconuts bad? Why are those flowers still blooming? Are those ants really building their nest in that location?

Just created. Here we go!

Well, this is my first post. I just created this blog for my university colloquium class. I'm looking forward to all the new things we're going to learn in our class! A few things about me, I'm a Senior Marine Science major hoping to graduate in the Fall '11 semester. I really enjoy all things Marine, including fishing and scuba diving. This summer '10 I attended Officer Candidates School with the United States Marine Corps. After Graduation I hope to earn a commission as a Second Lieutenant with the Marines. Looking forward to a great semester!