Service Learning: Week #1

This first class learning experience was so much fun and I learned a lot about the invasive plants that are eating up the natural environment. When we headed into the woods, we were introduced to the idea of seasonal waterways. These are periodic flows of water that go through the camp wher we were to help drain the Caloosahatchee River and reduce the flooding experienced by the surrounding areas. The forest ranger informed us about the maleluca trees and their initial purpose when brought to Florida. They were planted to dry up wetlands, such as the Everglades, to allow commercial growth and community development. Unfortunately, what has happened is these non-native trees have spread uncontrollably. With the spreading of maleluca, the natural composition of the soil is compromised and with the deterioration of the naturally occurring wetlands and the trees out of control spread. Malelucas are ruining the environment necessary for other plants to grow. Bugs were then imported that were spread to control the infestation of malelucas but they are now being found to cause harm to the environments where these trees are located.