Growing up in South Florida, much of my connection to nature was through days at the beach and fishing trips on my father's boat. I learned how to swim at an early age and found a love for snorkeling. I have an interest in learning how to scuba dive, but I am not yet certified. Throughout my childhood, I have many fond memories with my family and friends on the East Coast where I grew up. In the rest of this blog post, I will discuss the impact nature has had on me, and what mattered to me most about the time I've spent outdoors.
Though fishing is often harmful to the environment, both commercially and recreationally, it is one of the most significant parts of my childhood and is still a key part of my relationship with my father. I was taught from a young age to abide by all the guidelines for fishing, like legal size limits and catching fish only when they are in season. My favorite part was always lobster season. I loved diving and searching under rocks to find them and catch them, and I look forward to the start of season every August.
When I was in high school, I began practicing yoga. There were weekly classes held for free at the beach near my house, so I went nearly every Sunday morning. Much of the practice focuses on living in the moment and being aware of the nature surrounding us. I felt that the beach was a perfect setting to become more mindful and to express yourself through movement.
My first semester at FGCU, I was enrolled in a general education science course called Marine Systems. In this class, we learned about the physical characteristics of the ocean, such as geology, tides, and water chemistry. Our professor also took us on a field trip to Vester Marine Station, where we took canoes out on the river to collect samples and see first-hand what we had been learning about in class. This was my first time exploring nature since I had moved to the West Coast of Florida, and I was happy to know that I got the same relaxed feeling from being on the water that I remembered from my childhood. I look forward for more opportunities to connect with nature in Southwest Florida, which are sure to be just as memorable.
Though fishing is often harmful to the environment, both commercially and recreationally, it is one of the most significant parts of my childhood and is still a key part of my relationship with my father. I was taught from a young age to abide by all the guidelines for fishing, like legal size limits and catching fish only when they are in season. My favorite part was always lobster season. I loved diving and searching under rocks to find them and catch them, and I look forward to the start of season every August.
When I was in high school, I began practicing yoga. There were weekly classes held for free at the beach near my house, so I went nearly every Sunday morning. Much of the practice focuses on living in the moment and being aware of the nature surrounding us. I felt that the beach was a perfect setting to become more mindful and to express yourself through movement.
My first semester at FGCU, I was enrolled in a general education science course called Marine Systems. In this class, we learned about the physical characteristics of the ocean, such as geology, tides, and water chemistry. Our professor also took us on a field trip to Vester Marine Station, where we took canoes out on the river to collect samples and see first-hand what we had been learning about in class. This was my first time exploring nature since I had moved to the West Coast of Florida, and I was happy to know that I got the same relaxed feeling from being on the water that I remembered from my childhood. I look forward for more opportunities to connect with nature in Southwest Florida, which are sure to be just as memorable.
Comments
Post a Comment