This location was one I had never heard of. I was astonished by the ecosystems that regulate in their natural ways. As I stepped foot onto the boardwalk my eyes captured the beauty that surrounded me; I was breathless. I longed to be secluded from the stress of a technologically advanced world. This field trip enabled me to better increase my sense of place in my environment.
The boardwalk led us to a timeline of history that revealed the difficulties the natural world endured. Birds were killed for their stylish feathers and rare trees were being used for producing materials. Guards were positioned to keep the area safe and free of trespassers. This job was fatal for numerous men.
We made our way into each separate ecosystem: The Pine Flatwoods,Cypress swamp, and Oak Hammock. Each section contributes a part to the harmony of the sanctuary. It becomes gradually wetter and drier in certain areas and fluctuates as water is filtered through the swamp. This not only encourages plant life, but certain animals would be unable to survive if this water flow was inhibited.
Pine Flatwoods are characterized by their slash pines and dry ground. This area needs to be burned every few years to encourage the Pine’s seeds to explode and to remove unnecessary brush that inhibits any species from multiplying. We had the opportunity to see a habitat that had been properly burned and a habitat that was completely overgrown.
Bald Cypress trees were an incredible sight to see. This area houses some of the last in existence. They have the ability to live for long periods of time and grow very large. Within this ecosystem, smaller trees reside outside of the habitat due to their experiences with the elements of nature.
The Oak hammock houses numerous trees such as Live Oak, Sabal Palms,and wild coffee. This area is characterized by its high, sandy, leafy ground.
Wild Florida Sunflowers playing in the sun.
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