CREW

The Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed is 60,000 acres of protected natural land. On our class visit to CREW, we were fortunate enough to see many of the different plants and animals that live among the marshland with the help of educational guides and naturalists. We were taken along trails that introduced us to snakes, grasshoppers, and turtles while the guides told us about how CREW was developed and why it was important. Started by a local councilman many years ago, the preserved land is now a crucial part of Lee County's aquifer system, which accounts for all of our clean drinking water. At the end of the trail, there was an overlook tower situated in front of a large body of water, surrounded by plants and buzzing with the sound of life. It was here where we gathered to take in the view and discuss in depth the different parts of the ecosystem we were experiencing, and the importance of conservation.

Standing atop the overlook tower and seeing the vast amount of watery marshland that I had never before seen in my life, despite growing up in South Florida, was a moment of realization for me. I had never seen the "River of Grass" so often mentioned because it is disappearing. I have always believed in climate change and acknowledged that humanity needs to adjust its way of life to conserve our natural resources, but experiencing nature firsthand led to a deeper understanding of the issue and ignited a sense of urgency in me. In class, we have discussed the importance of environmental education, and this field trip exemplified its significance perfectly. Learning about the ecosystems of Southwest Florida, by reading for class and by being in nature, has expanded my perception of the world around me and made me care much more about the future of the Everglades.