Intro to Environmental Studies 24

This article talked about the importance of community cleanups and gave a list (and description) of different space to practice community cleanups including beaches and parks while also touching on the importance of empowering community to create local change. What I took away from this article the most was the idea of how does someone create localize interest and response in actively engaging in community clean ups. Yes advertising and making an event of cleaning up a space or location is good, but how do we facilitate a community of people who pick up trash that they see on the daily bases (even if its only one piece) A couple idea to help this would be to create a social media account that "Romanizes" and "heroizes" the people how to do actively engaged in community's to encourage others to do the same. This in addition to providing lots of information and no-litter signs in public spaces will impact people to take notice of the problem and make a change. Sma...

I my high school oceanography class our end of year project was to make an invention that would solve an environment issue and I started researching the newest inventions made in resent years to help combat environment issues. The reason that I mention that is that I recently came across a video that talks about 22 invention that are saving the world. I definitely recommend taking the time to watch the 7 minute video, it gave very interesting examples and a couple that related directly to the field of study that I wish to go into! My favorite examples were the liter of light invention and the Baltimore trach wheel. The liter of light made it possible for poorer communities to assemble there own lighting souse made from old plastic bottles, which is both a good way to reuse plastic bottles and bring electricity to communities that might not have any. The Baltimore trach wheel was actually one of the invitations that I based my high school oceanography project on, an invention that focus...

After researching different outdoor classroom and garden ideas I begin to think about additional ways that we can teach the next generation to value and love the environment around them. I began to think about ways from my own childhood that made me appreciate the beauty of nature and came upon the topic of Books! Children's book especially those that are both equally interesting and encourage kids to care for the environment as extremely important and impactful, so as funny as it sounds my outside reading for this blog is based on a children's book that teaches about the environment. The book I found is called "The river that flows besides me" by Charlotte Guillain that talks about how water travels a very long distance. With beautiful illustration which are engaging to children combined with lots of good information include, Dams with fish ladders, gorges, and terms like upper course and riverbed. By creating more books that teach about the environment with children...

An important part of environmental conservation is looking for those little way that we can do that makes a world of change. I came across an article recently that talked about how dairy farmers are are known as some of the most reusable water users. The was defiantly bias because it was published by a website called "Undeniable dairy", but the article still gave some interesting statistics including that, in 2008  5.1% of American water use  was used on dairy farms! This shocking news was followed up be staying that, " Thanks to increasingly modern and  innovative dairy farming practices , the  environmental impact of producing a gallon of milk  in 2017 shrunk significantly, requiring 30% less water". This statistics was very good to hear and made me think about the still huge changes that need to happen in order to reduce that amount of water used even more. https://www.usdairy.com/sustainability/environmental-sustainability?gclsrc=aw.ds&&campaignid=21...

 I recently found an article talking about different practical ideas for building an school garden and also had some engaging teaching activities to do with kids. I thought it was supper cute and got me thinking about teaching again as a potential field to go into! I really love working with kids in general and the idea of impacting them in a positive way is something that I am really interested in. I had an ok school experience, but I also know the struggles that came from "being different" or behind in subjects like reading and spelling, and if I became a teacher I would want to work with kids who may feel the same. I also would really want to make a garden club or potentially work at an alternative school that teaches using nature. Conservation awareness varies drastically between generations and I believe that in order to promote more love of nature we need to incorporate more school gardens and outdoor classrooms. https://www.greenschoolyards.org/school-gardens-2

 On page 235 of " The American Camino", by Kip Redick, Dr. Redick is exploring the idea of how hiking on the AT can be a religious experience even if the person is non-religious. At first I found this idea puzzling because of the social understanding of the world today-a person being apart or of practicing a certain religion. But after reading more of the text I began to understand that religion is, quote, "[I]s the relationship humans have with a transcendent and ultimate authority/power". I admit that I still don't see the difference between this definition and a spiritual experience and that made me think of my own definition or understanding of the two words. To me having spiritual experiences is the definition used before and a religious  experiences  is basically the same thing but with in ether the governs confines of a defines a group, or the experience continues to impacts the individual is a way that builds further upon that first  experience , usually...

 When reading Chapter five of " The American Camino", by Kip Redick, found on pages 187-232. I found it very interesting when Dr. Redick listed all of the different examples of how nature and sacred places have a connection. As someone how practices Christianity (specifically I am Catholic :)) and is going into the field of either physical oceanography or conservation, I found it very interesting to see different examples of where faith and nature interact. It make since to me that God would uses nature spaces in order to have an interaction with us since the wilderness and nature have always been connected together since our beginning. One very niche field that doesn't to my knowledge exists, at least on a big scale- is conservation work that is specifical guided toward raise awareness among people of faith. I love the idea of traveling around to different churches and spreading awareness about why Christians should care for the environment (God's creation), very int...

I was very excided to take this class because being a sophomore this is my first class this is counting towards my major of environmental studies! Before starting any class at CNU I always look up my professors and what other class they teach. I was very happy to see that Dr. Kip Redick had a lot of classes relating to philosophy, religion, and environmental studies since those are all areas in which I am interested in. What I have begun to love more and more about the Environmental program and major is how it brings together a bunch of different subjects together and gives you a broader understanding of the subject and makes you combine different themes that you wouldn't at first think of putting together. One of these connection in interest for me is the Camino de Santiago and the AT! I became really interested in walking the Camino de Santiago after watching the movie "The Way", and I really like the connection that this book has to offer with the act of spiritual walk...

 I really enjoyed reading through the introduction of  "The American Camino", by Kip Redick, found on pages 1-5. I thought it was interesting take on how different (out of the three examples) experiences of the trail can impact our overall view of the Appalachian trail and your overall experience with hiking. I am very excited to continue reading and find out more of the detail of hiking the AT and especially the details of hiking the entire AT as a whole. My question that I have is that even through each of the three examples of people "using" the trail for different reasons-and this inherently make every experience different, and some can argue that hiking a throw hike is the most impactful and just a day trip picnic has the least impact- is it still enjoy nature and the AT trail even if you are only experiencing it surface level. This question is a personal question since I have enjoyed the AT as solely a "viewer" of the landscape and not hike anywhere,...

In the class text book "The American Camino", by Kip Redick, in chapter four "Can Wildness Be Found on a Wilderness Trail", reference a quote by transcendentalists Henry David Thoreau. The quote said, "We go eastward to realize history and study the works of art and literature, retracing the steps of the race; we go westward as into the future, with a spirt of enterprise and adventure". I really enjoy and appreciate the idea that this quote vocalizes. Recognizing our past, honoring that, as well as stepping boldly into the unknown. I think that this is a concept that has held the attention of US citizens for a long time, and is practically ingrained in the fabric of what make us a nation. Embarking on a journeying to a new land for a greater promise of peace, expanding westwards with westward expansion, and even our country's innovative way of preserving "untouched wildlife/senary" through National Parks Service. It is obvious that this messa...

During the summer of 2023 I went on a trip with my family to Ireland. I LOVE IRELAND and could probably write an entire essay about..... yeah, I was about to start listing off topics relating to Ireland that I could talk about, but then we would be there for a while- but with the blog post I am going to focus on the observations I made about the landscape and more specifical the human and environmental interaction. In Ireland, even through the land has been inhabit for much much longer then America, when visiting, it is surprising to find that Ireland's environmental impact is seemly much smaller then Americans. In our entire trip we only really drove on one highway and it was leading out of a major city, Ireland is mostly village based with two main city's in the entire country. I also, not an exaggeration- only saw trash on the side of the street once in Northern Ireland. I think Ireland achieved this based on many different reasons but some that Americans can take with us ar...

One way that I think we can promote the love of nature is through movies! The first two forms of media that portrayed a positive view on nature was writings (transcendentalists) and painted pictures and movies is wonderful middle group. I believe that Hollywood has portrayed the beauty of nature in a positive way with movies like my side of the mountain, sound of music, and moana, and has even produced movies that also impact the viewer in a way that encourage them to pay attention to climate change like the day after tomorrow. Documentaries, like Disney's "Elephant" are a great way to bring life to specific topics but are a hard way to bring in a wide range of audience. By combining both Hollywood story and dramatics with none SGI scenes of nature, movies can really impact the audience to began to appreciate nature and create "eternal" change among individual.

I believe that adventure and curiosity go hand and hand. In a society who is constantly moving towards more and more forms of instant gratification and reward- the need for "adventure" is becoming more sought after. How media portrays this adventure, in the context of environmental adventure, is summed up by dangerous journey across glaciers, deep scuba diving into the open ocean, and climbing up Mt. Everest. Yes, all of these adventures are in fact environmental adventures, but I also think that adventure can be found in the ordinary moments of walking though a forest or trail. T he forest offers millions upon millions of adventures and interesting discovers waiting to be found. Just thinking of the possibility of adventure whenever interest and curiosity is found and the forest is no acceptation. Next time you are walking in the forest I encourage you to try to get "overwhelmed" by the scenery. A method that my dad has taught me is to mentally take note of one thi...

My family and I have lived next to a public park near Richmond called the Robious Landing park since I was about three. The park has about 102 acres of land and 3.4 miles of walking trails with beautiful landscapes. Having grown up with the forest, and being familiar with the the trees and landscape around me it feels as though the forest and the life that inhabits it and I, have a deep connection and familiarity more then just person walking though a place. This familiarity, or relationship even, can really only be described as getting to know a friend, and feeling the lost and longing when being apart. Since this blog post is in my perspective and we don't know a way to "talk to trees" at least not right now, the relationship can often sound one sided-similar to the issues discuss in the beginning of the year with the problems relating to the barriers in naming things. I also think that in addition to keeping a heathy reservation to naming things I also think that it is...

Need for Nature Before coming to campus I was in nature every day, and I can't remember a time, besides the Covid years and when I was sick that I haven't at least had a few moments even a few second in nature. My house is right next to a park and we would always take walks there as a family. I also walked back and from my high school every day which was build on the edge of the park boundaries. Not to mention that my mom is an avid gardener and our back yard is filled with trees and flowers. I have always appreciated nature and the need for more greenspaces but it wasn't until coming to CNU that I realized how important natural spaces truly are. The transition to CNU came with a lots of learning curves to say the least, but one of the biggest ones was a lack of greenspace on campus. Yes, CNU has great big green lawn of grass and "perfectly" planted rows of flowers, and I love that part of CNU, but I noticed that I started to really miss those daily encounters wit...

The section on liminality and liminal spaces within Chapter Five brought a lot of connections to material that I've covered in this course and in other courses. The book Ceremony delves heavily into the topic of liminal spaces, particularly as they relate to nature and the spiritual realm. Regarding nature as a sacred space is an idea that has been versed since early transcendentalist authors first began penning their ideas, arguing that nature is where one can be closest to God. I think that this section of the book really hits home on these ideas as well as the idea of liminal spaces when talking about one's feelings as they walk through nature. Nature can be seen as our physical reality in its most basic form, yet it is through nature that we are most connected to forces that transcend our physical reality. Even for those who are not completely connected to their spiritual side or don't subscribe to religious beliefs, it might be in nature where they at least feel the mo...

 I found the discourse about how the encounter of nature and the subsequent assignment of value can open one's eyes to their place in the world. I like how this section talks about seeing something like a tree and distinguishing it from the others as worthy of attention, which only means that the perceived tree will simply lose its value as soon as the hiker walks out of site of it. It contrasts this idea with the perception of the forest, or rather the trees as a collective who work within a larger, complex and beautiful system. People can recognize themselves as part of this system, or circuit, as the book describes, to open them up to possibilities for social interaction. This reminded me a lot of the Gaia hypothesis, which says that the Earth and all of its organisms are one system whose actions conversely affect one another.

 A section of the book that I found interesting was the contrast between appreciation of nature for its ability spiritually awaken someone and the appreciation of nature for its aesthetic value. The latter definitely seems to be more surface level and does not reflect an appreciation for nature in its truest form. However, in the field of environmental advocacy, I think it's important to take the world as it is. Ideally, everyone would find a spiritual connection with nature, but that simply won't ever be the case. Sometimes even a superficial appreciation for nature is beneficial when the alternative is no appreciation at all. Maybe the 'why' someone gains an appreciation for nature and the environment isn't as important so long as they gain one at all. 

Our class trip to Lions Bridge was definitely one of the more enjoyable classroom experiences that I have had this semester and through any of my years here. I think that benign out in nature while talking about it is an important way to bridge the gap between theory and practical application. Being out in nature while we discussed content from our class was a great way to do that, and enjoying the scenery and seeing other people enjoy the nature served as a reminder of why there is such interest in the environment and its protection. Being out in nature is like putting a name to a face in some way. When we talk so much about what we have lost due to the acts of humans, it makes us appreciate that much more what we still have, especially when we are able to experience that so closely in person.

I recently finished a book (The Word for World is Forest) that told a science fiction story about a people’s resistance movement on an alien planet against humans who were there to extract their planet's resources. These people were not considered humans by mankind and were thus treated like animals. Their resistance movement, set forth by one man, was eventually successful and mankind was driven from the planet. The book falls under the broader category of climate fiction, which is a type of science fiction that has underlying themes of environmental and climate awareness. I think that books like this and other pieces of media that fall under the category of climate fiction can help address questions about how environmental advocacy can be made interesting and engaging to people, especially younger generations, who have difficulty in connecting with its messages.

Some reading that I’ve done recently has dived into early environmental literature, including works done by transcendentalist authors such as Emerson and Thoreau. I think that these works are still very important because they set the precedent for what is environmental advocacy today. These authors were essentially the foundation for what we talk about today, and every time nature and spirituality is discussed in class I think about how these authors and their works were so revolutionary in establishing that connection. I also think that these works bring about nuance and questions concerning the accessibility of environmental advocacy, as they wrote during a time where the opinions of anyone who wasn’t a white man wasn’t as valued. They also spoke from a position of privilege in that they had the luxury to enjoy nature without care for other responsibilities, which many couldn’t and still can’t afford.

I  read a book recently that reminded me of a lot of themes of spirituality, particularly among native/indigenous people, that have been brought up during class conversations. The book was called Ceremony, and it told the fictional story of a World War II veteran using spirituality to make peace with his past upon his return to his reservation. The book covered many mystical aspects of the environment, and I think this type of literature is important in establishing respect for native people’s voices concerning the environment and for alternative ways to approach the environment that aren’t necessarily confined to the reality that we live in.

Recent research that I have been conducting has been about environmental justice, or the idea that those who are least responsible for the environmental degradation bear the worst of the effects. We’ve talked a lot about the environment and the dangers that it faces due to human activity, and a unit from another course that covers environmental literature brought forth a new lens to view this topic through. We covered environmental justice through literary works, most often poems and short stories from members of disenfranchised communities who have felt first hand the impact of environmental degradation. Though we mostly talk about the environment with regard to the physical landscape, it is important to take into account the humanities aspect of what we study and the people affected by it.

  A reading I found very interesting from American Camino was the section about one’s sense of place. A sense of place is vital in realizing one’s appreciation for the environment. It made me think of other readings and discussions I’ve done in another class about sense of place. These discussions centered around how people used their language to describe the place they inhabited. The language tells us something about how they perceive and value the environment. For example, some languages do not have terms for left, right, up, and down but rather north, east, south, and west. Others describe the future as something that is behind them rather than something that is in front of them. This section definitely speaks to broader ideas of how the environment and culture/language do not exist separate from one another.

  A lot of readings that have piqued my interest have come up as I’ve been conducting research for my term paper on green technology. Many of them concern how mining practices used for sourcing important metals such as cobalt for lithium-ion batteries can be ethically and environmentally questionable. A source I found talked about the working conditions of a cobalt mine in the DRC where workers are exploited for monetary gain. The mining of these materials can also do extensive damage to the surrounding environment. I think this story and overarching research on the impacts of green technology resources bring a fresh reminder that clean energy and environmental advocacy in general are always the black and white issues that they can be painted to be.

  I attended an event organized by the Newport News Green Foundation which featured a talk by the owner of Big Island Aquaculture, a company that grows oysters. He gave a presentation about how he grows oysters that he can sell for profit while also using them to clean the water they grow in. Oysters feed off of chemicals that would normally pollute the water. An oyster is able to filter up to 50 gallons of water in a day. Growing oysters could be essential to maintaining the quality of a water ecosystem. It made me think about how sometimes the best thing we can do for an ecosystem isn’t something that we can actually do but rather something that a part of nature can do.

I attended a talk by Dr. Balay about ghost forests, and I found the topic fascinating. Ghost forests are plots of trees that have been killed by encroaching salt water, usually a result of rising sea levels and sinking land, leaving dead and dying trees behind. These are becoming increasingly common in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. I was unaware that these were a thing, let alone so close to where I live. Like so many environmental concepts that are brought up nowadays, ghost forests represent a depressing reality about the state of the environment. It also seems like an issue that would be difficult to remedy, since I can’t really think of a way to un-sink land. It makes me wonder if there’s any type of silver lining in this issue.

I had the opportunity to visit a neighborhood of homes designed to operate as sustainably as possible. Each house optimized their energy usage and made every available use of the resources around them. I was completely taken aback by how extensive the efforts were. Every minute detail seemed so intentional, from the angle of the glass skylight to the engravings on the wooden porch. There seemed to be no wasted movements, so to speak. It made me think about how when asked about the main challenge in reaching sustainable living, the owner of the house answered ‘habit.’ It was hard to believe that anybody would have qualms about living in a house like that where you feel almost as though you are living with nature. The houses are admittedly expensive to build, but I think that developing technologies will allow us to build homes that eventually make us our money back in money saved on heating, ventilation, etc. The whole neighborhood shows that living sustainably doesn't necessarily m...

  The article "Duties to Endangered Species" by Holmes Rolston, III talks about why humans have a responsibility to protect endangered animals and plants. The author explains that every species has value and plays an important role in nature. When a species disappears, it affects the entire ecosystem, which can harm other species, including humans. Rolston argues that we have ethical duties to care for endangered species, not just because they are useful to us, but because they have a right to exist. He says that protecting them isn’t just about helping nature, it’s also the right thing to do. The article also discusses how humans are often the reason species become endangered, through things like pollution, habitat destruction, and hunting. Because of this, Rolston believes we have a special responsibility to fix the damage we’ve caused and protect the diversity of life on Earth. Rolston, Holmes. “Duties to Endangered Species.” BioScience , vol. 35, no. 11, 1985, pp. 718–26....

  The article "Regulating Endangered Species" by Timothy Swanson, Patrick Bolton, and Alan Manning discusses how governments can protect animals and plants that are in danger of disappearing forever. The authors look at the reasons why species become endangered and how economic activities, like farming, logging, and building, often harm their habitats. The article explains that protecting endangered species isn’t just about saving animals, it’s also about keeping ecosystems healthy, which benefits people too. The authors talk about different ways governments can help, such as creating protected areas, regulating industries that harm nature, or even rewarding people for taking care of wildlife. The authors also point out that it’s important to balance protecting species with the costs involved, like how much money or effort it takes to enforce these rules. They argue that saving species is worth it because their loss can have big consequences for the environment and for humans...

  The article "Linking Landscape Connectivity and Ecosystem Service Provision" by Matthew G. E. Mitchell, Elena M. Bennett, and Andrew Gonzalez talks about how connecting natural areas, like forests or rivers, helps the environment work better and provide benefits to people. The authors explain that when natural areas are linked together, animals and plants can move more easily, which keeps ecosystems healthy. Healthy ecosystems provide important services, like cleaning water, pollinating crops, and regulating the climate. These are things people depend on every day. The article also points out that scientists still need to learn more about how different types of connections affect these benefits. The authors suggest more research and planning to make sure we protect and connect natural areas in ways that help both nature and people. Mitchell, Matthew G. E., et al. “Linking Landscape Connectivity and Ecosystem Service Provision: Current Knowledge and Research Gaps.” Ecosystem...

  The article "Rachel Carson's Environmental Ethics" by Philip Cafaro talks about Rachel Carson, a scientist and writer who cared deeply about nature. She believed people have a responsibility to take care of the environment because we are part of it, not separate from it. Carson thought it was wrong to harm nature just to make money or for convenience. She wanted people to think about the long term effects of their actions on the planet. Her book Silent Spring warned about the dangers of using chemicals like pesticides and how they hurt animals, plants, and even humans. Cafaro explains how Carson’s ideas teach us to respect nature and live in a way that protects it for future generations. Her work has inspired many people to care more about the environment and make better choices to keep it healthy. Cafaro, Philip. “RACHEL CARSON’S ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS.” Worldviews , vol. 6, no. 1, 2002, pp. 58–80. JSTOR , http://www.jstor.org/stable/43809205 .

  The article "A Culture of Sustainability" by Felix Wagner and Marcus Andreas talks about how small communities are helping create a world that’s more sustainable and green. These communities are groups of people who live together on purpose, sharing resources, making decisions as a group, and trying to live in ways that are good for the environment. The authors explain how these communities are always looking for new ideas about how people can live sustainably. They try things like growing their own food, using less energy, and sharing tools and spaces. These actions help the planet and teach others how to live in ways that are better for the environment and society. The article also talks about the values these communities share, like teamwork, fairness, and caring for nature. By working together, these groups show the world how to take care of the Earth and live better with each other. The authors believe these communities can have a big impact and inspire big changes in ...

  In my Urban Social Geography class with Dr. Finn, the class helped do research on the Newport News Coal Terminal. He had been working on a research project about the effects the coal had on the surrounding neighborhoods. The class went to the terminal and took pictures of all of the piles and what the inside looked like. We also took air quality samples there and then came back to campus and took samples to see the difference between the two samples. We also went to the neighborhoods that are around the terminal and saw the built up coal dust on the building and ground. Dr. Finn also did research on asthma and other respiratory problems in children around the area to see if it was higher than normal. This project was very eye opening to see how the lower income areas get treated.

  I was enrolled in Geography of Human-Environment Interaction with Dr. Finn in the Spring of 2023. We did a project on Environmental Justice where we went around the city, visiting various sites and seeing the differences between how lower income areas were and higher income areas were. We looked at the environment surrounding the areas of the different income areas. The results were that the lower income areas were on tidal creeks that often flooded the roads of the neighborhoods, more littered trash, and less maintained by the city, while the higher income areas were well above sea level, so they did not have to worry about flooding, much more clean, and well maintained by the city. This project was very eye opening to me because I never really noticed how the environment played a role in how areas were designated to classes.

  I took Urban Social Geography with Dr. Finn in the Fall semester of 2023. We did many projects around Newport News, including mapping downtown Newport News. In the first part of the semester we learned about the concentric ring model, which is many rings starting with the central business district and going out until the zone of better residences and commuters zone. This model showed where everything was in the downtown area and why it was put there. For example, the lower class residential area was close to the central business district because they do not have enough money to live in the higher end places that are further away. High class residential was the farthest away from the manufacturing district because these people did not want to be so close to these factories burning off toxins, and they had the money to afford getting away from it

  In the Fall semester of 2023 I took Environmental Ethics with Dr. Balay. In the class, we were separated into small groups and given a property from the Newport News Green Foundation. The objective for our property was to make it more appealing to the eye and make it fit into the surrounding neighborhood. Before we got the property, the neighbor beside it came onto the property and started cutting down all of the White Oak trees. We went door to door in the surrounding neighborhood and got everyone's input on what they would want to do with the property since they will be seeing it everyday. We gained a general idea of what everyone wanted to do with it. Our plan was to remove the stumps from these trees to get rid of the eyesores, then plant new blooming flowers near the Newport News Green Foundation sign to make it look better. This project was very hands-on and rewarding because we got to watch our thoughts turn to action. The suggestions we presented to the board from the New...

  Chapter 7 of American Camino, named "Veterans, Healing, and Long-Distance Hiking," talks about how hiking the Appalachian Trail helps veterans heal from emotional and mental struggles, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It explains how walking long distances, being surrounded by nature, and spending time in peaceful, quiet spaces can help veterans reflect and recover.  It also talks about how the challenges of the trail, like climbing mountains, enduring bad weather, or carrying heavy gear, can feel similar to their experiences in the military. Facing these challenges can give veterans a sense of accomplishment and help them find inner peace. The trail becomes a place for healing, personal growth, and reconnecting with others who share similar experiences.

  Chapter 6 of American Camino, titled "Spiritual Rambling," talks about how some hikers use the Appalachian Trail as a way to wander with purpose, seeking spiritual meaning in their journey. This kind of hiking isn’t about reaching a specific goal or destination quickly, but about taking time to reflect, connect with nature, and find peace in the process of walking.  The chapter shows emphasis on how slowing down and staying open to unexpected moments on the trail can lead to spiritual insights. Whether it’s through observing the beauty of the wilderness, meeting other hikers, or simply walking in silence, "spiritual rambling" allows hikers to deepen their connection to the trail and themselves.

  Chapter 4 of American Camino, titled "Can Wildness Be Found on a Wilderness Trail?" explores the idea of what it means for a place to be truly wild. The chapter discusses how the Appalachian Trail might seem like untouched wilderness, but in reality, it is carefully managed and shaped by humans. For example, there are trails, shelters, and rules that hikers must follow, which means the wildness of the area is somewhat controlled.  Dr. Redick asks questions about whether hikers can still experience the feeling of being in a wild, natural space even though the trail isn’t completely untouched. He explains how hikers can connect with the environment, finding moments of solitude and wonder in nature. The chapter helps readers think about what "wild" really means and how people can experience it on a trail that blends nature with human influence.

     Chapter 3 of American Camino, "A Social/Spatial Journey," talks about how hiking the Appalachian Trail is not just about personal experience but also about the connections people make along the way. The chapter explains how the trail creates a unique community of hikers who share their stories, support each other, and form bonds through their shared challenges and goals.       It also explores the idea of space and how the trail itself, with its mountains, forests, and landscapes, shapes these social interactions. The physical environment influences how hikers interact with each other and with the trail. For example, meeting someone at a shelter or a scenic overlook might spark a meaningful conversation. The Appalachian Trail becomes a mix of social connections and physical experiences, making it a special place for personal growth and relationship building.

  Chapter 2 of American Camino, is named "Spiritual Journey Versus Aesthetic Tourism," this chapter compares two ways people experience hiking. One is a "spiritual journey," where hikers see their time on the Appalachian Trail as a chance to reflect on their lives, connect with nature, and find deeper meaning. The other is "aesthetic tourism," where people focus mainly on enjoying the beautiful views, plants, and wildlife.  The chapter explains that when hiking becomes a spiritual journey, it’s about more than what you see, it's about their purpose and their place in the world. This contrasts with those who hike primarily for fun or to admire nature's beauty without deeper reflection. Dr. Redick uses examples to show how the Appalachian Trail can be a sacred space for people who want to grow spiritually.

The last entry I’m going to talk about the Environmental Cleanup Club, or the ECC for short. The ECC had a small but memorable role at CNU and is proud to say in its lifetime it accomplished some of its goals. The idea was masterminded by our fellow student John Hawthorne and its goal was to clean up the ecosystems around campus and in the Newport News area. During the ECC’s lifetime 2 big cleanups were completed in and around the mariner’s park. Engaged in several small personal clean ups, as well as helping the mariners park clear invasive English ivy. The ECC still has a member today that picks up recycling from the Riverside hospital and takes it to be recycled. The ECC didn’t have the longest life, but it made an impact in our community that I’m proud of and I’m proud to be a member of the ECC.

For the blog post today, I want to talk about the man-made islands in the Middle East. When I lived in Bahrain, I became aware of the phenomenon known as man made islands. In Bahrain there were two areas of man-made islands, Amwaj and Durrat. I first thought these were the only manmade landmasses in the country, but I then realized about half of the country was made by filling the ocean with sand and connecting them with the main island. I was skeptical about these man-made islands at first but then my parents bought a house in Amwaj and we moved there. My opinions changed, I really see no difference between the mainland and the man-made islands of Amwaj. Bahrain isn’t the only country to do this, in fact a lot of Arab countries engage in this landscaping practice

For this blog entry I wanted to think about how CNU could make campus more sustainable. The main thing that comes to my mind is totally getting rid of the great lawn. The great long is a huge monoculture lawn that requires water and chemicals to keep it pristine. These chemicals are harmful to the environment, runoff pollution will affect the local species and the community of Newport News itself. The lawn could be replaced with a central meadow. Flowers and butterflies would make the campus look very majestic, adding to the allure factor the campus. The new diverse lawn would promote biodiversity on campus which is great for those in the science departments who can easily go out and conduct research. CNU should also add more trash cans around campus, especially on east campus, and the bins should be coupled with recycling receptacles so that proper waste disposal is being engaged.

For this blog entry I wanted to talk about the squirrels that roam the campus of Christopher Newport University. I have been noticing recently how different the squirrels here at the university act compared to more wild squirrels, or squirrels in neighborhoods that just sit in trees and run from humans. The squirrels on campus are different. There have been multiple times where I have been walking on east campus by the apartments and a squirrel has strayed from the grass and onto the path, blocking me or just running up to me and then running away. Now I do think this is just because the only predators that CNU squirrels have are birds and cars. Squirrels that hang out in the grassy areas by a tree will be safe from any dangers. These squirrels see humans walking all of the time and know that we aren’t a threat to them. I wonder though if this is a learned behavior or if the CNU squirrels have been on campus so long that now they just know humans are safe.

I want to talk about the agricultural practices in Sicily, Italy. I used to live in Sicily for a few years and while I was there I became educated to a few of the agricultural practices that were utilized. One of the methods of agriculture utilized by Sicilian farmers was burning the dry grass in order to provide nutrients to the soil for plants that will be planted there. While burning isn’t the most environmentally friendly, as it releases carbon into the atmosphere, its not detrimental and the grass is usually dry enough that the grass may have burst into flames while it was unsupervised, leading to an uncontrolled fire. Part of this practice comes from having an active volcano on the island, Mount Etna. Sicilians found that growing crops in the ashy soil was amazing for the crops. Blood oranges grown using this method, which shows how certain foods are regional and can’t really be created without a volcano to grow them on.

  Open Topic #5 What if we based our architecture off animal behavior?                I kind of just thought of this, but in order to live more sustainably could we look to the organisms that already live in relative harmony with nature? We have developed technologies inspired by animals’ natural abilities, cords that mimic spiders’ silk, beavers engineering capabilities, even the architectural ability of termites can be studied and applied to our own innovations. Imagine if we built our structures using the same concepts as the bear or the bird. Through my research I have discovered the concept of Biomimicry, there’s plenty of major architectural feats that have included natural systems. There's a huge art center in Singapore that took inspiration from flowing water and sprung a forest within the walls.                12/4

  Open Topic #4 Is the universe God?                It’s something I’ve thought about plenty, if what people attribute to the traditional overseer god is something more nebulous, I think that’s just the direction I’ve drifted because I find the idea of a higher power more complex than something that can be represented. But also, I understand that in order for any kind of direction or comprehension, we need to name it, I understand that many people who believe in a traditional God view it as a nebulous force that inhabits everything, is a part of everything, alpha and omega beginning and end kind of thing. I think I believe in individual spirituality, but then again, bonding over shared beliefs is something that has great power to bring people together. I think I just have a bio-centric view that causes me to take the earth into account and the role that plays in everything. I mean the universe is so, so, so, ...

Kudzu is a vine that is an extremely invasive species in the American South. This vine is originally from regions in China and Japan but was brought to the US to feed livestock and to add to the American landscape. The vine Kudzu is also known as “the vine that ate the south” this ominous name was given to Kudzu because of how insanely fast the vine grows, as well as its ability to grow on and over mostly everything. Kudzu is able to grow at around a foot per day. Since Kudzu is native to Japan and China the vine is used to cold and harsh winters. Kudzu’s resistance to the cold weather makes it even easier for the vine to spread. When local flora dies off in the wintertime, Kudzu can thrive off of the soil and nutrients that once belongs to the native plants. The best way to ensure that Kudzu is killed if it has infested your lawn is through herbicides and weed killers. More environmentally friendly ways to deal with this issue include using cattle to graze on the Kudzu or to just clea...

  I want to talk a little bit about the song All Stars by the band Smash Mouth. Now, you are probably wondering what this song from a stoner band, the main theme for the movie Shrek has to do with our environment. All Stars has a lot more of a deeper meaning than originally thought. It’s still a fun and upbeat song but there are a string of lyrics that allude to climate change, these lyrics are: It’s a cool place and they say it gets colder You’re bundled up now wait ’til you get older But the meteor men beg to differ Judging by the hole in the satellite picture The ice we skate is getting pretty thin The water’s getting warm so you might as well swim My world’s on fire. How about yours? That’s the way I like it and I’ll never get bored. The song states that the world is a cold place that is only going to get colder, but then that sentiment is overridden by the meteor men who beg to differ. The meteor men are scientists and the hole in the satellite picture is alluding ...

  Open Topic #3                Is it still possible to hitch hike, travel by foot, train, or any way one can in order to explore the world? Is it possible to enjoy nature a continent away with very limited funding? I’d hope so but I really don’t know, I mean hitch hiking is illegal in plenty of states, I feel as though unless on a trail or designated area many people wouldn’t stop to help a stranger with pure intentions. I think the train may be a good bet, it’s far from bumming but I’ve taken a look at coast-to-coast rail lines with 10 stops along the way and that seems like a great way to get out of my neck of the woods a little bit. I’m still curious if living a temporary transient lifestyle with the aim of connecting to nature is still possible, maybe it just needs to be adapted to modern day.                10/30

  Open Topic #2                INGREDIENTS: UNBLEACHED ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE {VITAMIN B1}, RIBOFLAVIN {VITAMIN B2}, FOLIC ACID), SOYBEAN AND/OR CANOLA OIL, SUGAR, SALT, DEXTROSE, MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE, SOY LECITHIN, BAKING SODA, ONION POWDER, DEHYDRATED COOKED CHICKEN, HYDROLYZED CORN AND YEAST PROTEIN, SPICE EXTRACTIVES (INCLUDES CELERY), ASCORBIC ACID, FLAVOR ENHANCER (DISODIUM INOSINATE AND DISODIUM GUANYLATE). CONTAINS: WHEAT, SOY.                I’m looking at this box of “Chicken in a Biskit” Chicken crackers, and I started thinking, “well how do they get chicken seasoning I doubt it comes from the chicken” and while it says it has chicken in it, I did a little digging, and all the flavor comes from artificial spices and MSG. So, I started researching what exactly is included in those a...

  Open Topic #1 I’m firm in my belief that humans are a part of nature, not above or separate from it, as such we should be living in harmony with it. Homo Sapien s are very closely related to other primates, we share many similarities with Porcine, there was a time when members of our species truly lived among nature and while they lived to about 30, there was true symbiosis between us and the Earth. If we applied modern technology and medicine with the knowledge and care for the Earth that our ancestors had, we could live sustainably on a healthy planet. I know I wont see it in my lifetime, but as I see it, it’s really the only option. 11/5

The book titled Contribution of Human and Animal to the Microbial World and Ecological balance by Tabashsum et al. discusses in detail the microbiomes of humans and animals. Essentially, an organism’s microbiome is the tiny, microscopic organisms that live on your body. Its really freaky when you first think about it, that you are never truly along and you probably have a few single celled organisms mating on your face right now but when you realize that they are beneficial to your how your body operates and processes your microbiome just becomes an extension of yourself. The organisms that make up your microbiome live inside and outside of your body, those inside of you can actually assist with breaking down food and generally feeling better after eating. This is your gut microbiome and is definitely a popular phrase especially among the younger generation who are realizing their microbiome is something they need to take care of. Items such as the drink Kombucha are supposed to suppor...

The article “Prescribing a Dose of Nature” offers the perspectives of psychologist Elizabeth Nisbet and Dr. Melissa Lem about ecotherapy. Nisbet first explains how ecotherapy can improve one's physical health. Urbanization has led to an increase in health problems including heart issues, respiratory issues, birth issues, and problems with the immune system. Nisbet explains that those who surround themselves with nature are much healthier than those in urban areas; they show signs of heart rate variability, stable levels of cortisol, and a healthy amount of anti-cancer proteins. People with poor mental health will also benefit greatly from ecotherapy. Going on a walk through the forest, exposing oneself to nature will not only promote positive emotions but may also help with problem solving. Nisbet also explains that increased research in ecotherapy has allowed for more nature-based programs to come into effect, such as hospitals and school gardens. Lem explains tips and practical u...

 Assigned Reading #5                I have long wished to adventure, the pilgrimage proposed by one of the great long-distance trails is inspiring to say the least. After reading American Camino and seeing so much about them in class my goal after college is to prepare for and experience either the AT, CDT, or PCT. The pacific northwest has a certain allure to me, the southwest is like another planet, and I may feel at home at certain points along the AT.                12/8

  Assigned Reading #4                 The sensations described in American Camino brought about by exerting oneself while immersed in nature are nothing short of catharsis. I’ve experienced the feeling of all senses absorbing the sounds of nature, the wind weaving between a rusting canopy, life teeming in the undergrowth, vision drenched in vivid greens and browns, taste and smell immersed in clean air. These senses feel at home, the body releases forgotten tension. I suppose this is forest-bathing.                  12/6

  Assigned Reading #3 “If Elijah had not retreated to the wilderness, finding quiet, rest, and then waiting, would he have heard the voice of God in the sheer silence?”                I found this quote from page 82 of American Camino to be incredibly powerful, along with the previous statements regarding seeking meditation among the silence of the wilderness, “not in the earth splitting wind, nor the earthquake, nor the fire”. It’s easy to become caught up in the intensity of life, and it can be easy to seek relief from that in another kind of intensity, seeking incredible views or adrenaline pumping peaks, but to simply sit immersed in tranquil nature permits an unrivaled clarity of mind.     11/25

While doing research for my term paper I came across a book titled Redesigning the American Lawn: A Search for Environmental Harmony by Bormann et al. which discusses talks about traditional monoculture lawns, explores the pros and cons of these traditional lawns, and then gives some alternatives. Traditional lawns are essentially money pits that waste water and contribute to runoff and fossil fuel production. Traditional lawns also contribute to habitat and biodiversity loss which harms the whole ecosystem. In the lawn it can decrease the soil’s health and for humans it can increase the chance of diseases. The book gives plenty of ways to redesign your lawn. It’s important to first look at the composition of your lawn, clovers and other plant species that can be added to increase the diversity of the lawn. Gas mowers must stop being used to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and lawn clippings must remain on the lawn. Other methods of watering should be used besides sprinklers bec...

  Assigned Reading #2                 Near every religion has the rite of pilgrimage, by travelling to a significant monument or by engaging on a spiritual journey, individuals have sought enlightenment and release from the structure of this world for millennia. So why has this concept of being a pilgrim remained a constant throughout so many different religions? I think the book puts it eloquently in the introduction, “The pilgrim walks toward a goal and along the way experiences transformation. In the practice of spiritual walking, or rambling, pilgrims communicate one with another as well as with both this worldly and other worldly beings. The resulting insight, revelation, and enlightenment are integral aspects of spirituality.” The pilgrim seeks the journey, often finding a transformation that furthers one’s enlightenment and understanding of their own spirituality.            ...

  Assigned Reading #1                I really enjoyed the amount of effort spent on studying healing practices for veterans, in particular I liked the epiphany that “Religion has offered rituals of cleansing and healing to returning warriors since ancient times.”. Belief in the supernatural beyond the self allows routes for healing beyond one’s own power. By engaging in these rituals, intentional or not, we are engaging in a kind of healing that has long preceded us or anyone we know. Looking at this method of healing from a religious scope rather than a psychological approach allows exploration into healing methods that solve problems beyond the wires in the brain.                11/3

  Outside Reading #5 In my Bio 115 class Dr. Atkinson mentioned the Carolina Bays, I did more research on them and they’re pretty neat! they’re an unsolved natural phenomenon in which uniform oval imprints are left in the surface of the Earth, they can be miles wide and always have sand on one side. People speculate that they’re a result of wind patterns, or meteor showers, or something else entirely. I read at some point they found residue of comets within the anomaly. But I think it’s pretty cool we still have plenty of phenomena that still need explaining. The story of this planet is very, very, long, and we’ve only been here for the last sentence in the last chapter. 12/2

The Colombian Exchange as we have discussed in class is one of the most important instances of human interaction to date. The Colombian Exchange involved most of the people in the world at the time. Whether you were buying goods, selling goods, or were sold as a good the Colombian exchange brought many people into the global marketplace. But what would have happened if Columbus never sailed the ocean blue in 1492? It’s no secret that Columbus wasn’t the first to discover America, but he was the first to envision the global market and he set in place the catalyst for globalization to occur. If Columbus never embarked on his voyage would an event like the Columbus exchange ever occurred? In short, yes, I do think something like the Columbus exchange was inevitable with how much exploration was being promoted during his time. I do think however that it would’ve come later, Columbus had talked to quite a few people to secure funds for his journey, because most people thought the Earth was ...

  Outside Reading #4                Today I read “The Book” By Allan Watts, it’s more philosophy than EVST but some of the ideas can be applied to thinking more bio-centrically. For example, Watts claims that “we are all just tubes of meat” which can sound a little nihilistic, but I take it as simplifying what we’ve overcomplicated. We are the same as the other organisms on this planet, we breathe the same air and need the same things, we are all just tubes of meat.                11/3

The chapter of the American Camino that is about veterans and long-distance hiking therapy really stood out to me. My dad is in the military, and he will be retiring from the service next year after 33 years in the Navy. The chapter talks about veterans feeling displaced or lost after they leave the service and while I don’t think my dad is going to be lost, I do think leaving the military is a massive change in life and could leave him with some feelings of worry about the future. I want to be there for my dad after he retires, and I think long-distance hiking could be a fun activity for the family to try. My mom and dad already go on a lot of walks but never long excursions like the Appalachian Trail. My parents already incorporate ecotherapy into their daily lives so I don’t think that they will be against long-distance hiking at all. My dad has always been into nature, coming from Brooklyn where there wasn’t a lot of greenery to begin with, he’s always appreciated nature, and in tu...

  Outside Reading #3                Today I read “Tying Down the Wind”, I really loved it because I’m interested in meteorology and would one day like to study extreme climates or microclimates. I found out the origin of the wind today, which was pretty cool. I hope this book is factual because it tells me it all starts with the sun, pockets of air get heated up and move around, which leaves a vacuum that must be filled by another air pocket, the air moves around from high to low pressure and eventually we get wind. I find that exceptional because it reminds me of 1. All life stems from the sun. 2. The earth has so many processes that exist due to its constant movement; wind is formed because the sun sparks movement, biodiversity is a result of the earth filling a vacuum in the niche. It gives a lot of first-hand accounts of extreme weather observations and the feeling I get from reading books like these and st...

  Outside Reading #2                Today I read “Letters to a young scientist”, it was really motivating, it’s directed at 20 something year olds that are interested in naturalism and natural sciences, and it made the void after college a little less scary. I think it’s a must read for any EVST student because it eased my worry in terms of finding a place with an environmental degree, which I worry some people won’t take seriously, but it emphasizes the importance of people with the passion. It’s fairly broad in the sciences it covers, and I think that allows readers to explore their interests a little bit. It also mentions a lot of successful conservation efforts, I feel like majority of what we see in media and class is the negative side, the whole “earth is doomed” routine. At the very least it shed a much-needed light and made the fight feel less overwhelming.        ...

  Outside Reading #1          Today I read “Fighting For Love in The Century of Extinction”, it covers climate change and loss of biodiversity. A large portion of what I read seemed like it was appealing to people who hesitate to believe in climate change. From what I’ve learned in classes, literature, and trial and error, the question for many people isn’t whether or not to believe, it’s about why they should care, that’s the start, even if they believe it’s real it doesn’t mean anything if they don’t find it important. I also notice that many of the books in the library that cover biodiversity and conservation take an economic perspective, that we should care about the planet because it’s a quantifiable resource that fuels our economy. That’s just so ridiculously backwards to me, I understand that people find incomprehensible topics hard to support, but how do people become so disconnected from nature that the only way they’d conserve is if they’re gain...

Aesthetic tourism was a new term that I learned in this class. Aesthetic tourism shifts the focus of tourism from man-made architecture to the landscape in which it sits upon. I liked the idea of aesthetic tourism at first because it seeks to highlight what is usually in the background. However, there was something that didn’t sit right with me as I continued reading the chapter. The word used in Chapter 3 of the American Camino is objectification, essentially meaning the land in which is being aestheticized has become an object in the eyes of man. When a place is objectified, it loses its original meaning and assumes the meaning which is placed upon it by whoever is objectifying it. Take for example a swampland that is painted. People see the painting and are capsulated by the beauty of the swamp and totally disregard the danger and the wildness of it. It’s hard to showcase the dangers a landscape has to offer through the beautification of it in art.

Sustainable housing and sustainable housing practices are a very useful and practical application of the knowledge gained in this class. I’m glad that the developers of the sustainable community in Poquoson came down to tell the class about their community and how they went about building it and what methods of sustainability they used. Through their talk I learned a lot about off-gassing which is common in a lot of homes but not their homes. They also talked about a variety of different plant species which are beneficial to keep in your home if you have bad allergies. Their homes are built to be cool in the summer and keep warm in the winter without using any heating or air conditioning. Other sustainable home practices I’ve come across include diversifying your lawn. Incorporating more flora in your lawn you are promoting healthier soil and a healthier environment all around. My parents recently built a home and next to the house they have something called a bio pond. This pond acts ...