On March 30, 2016 our Colloquium class took a field trip to the Florida Gulf Coast University Food Forest. It is amazing to think that this abundant garden, less than 5 years ago, was a dirt parking lot. The thought that in that short period of time sapling plants can grow into the lush vegetation that is in the Food Forest today is pretty incredible. The Forest contains over 27 different types of fruit plants and many more plants native to our area. Students can go to the Food Forest and pick anything from lychee nuts to star fruit or mangos to jackfruit. The student run facility promotes permaculture, which is the "ecological design system for sustainability in all aspects of humans endeavor", which teaches growing our own food, restoring diminished landscapes and ecosystems, to catching rainwater. The Food Forest is a perfect fit with FGCU's mission of sustainability, and provides a hand on volunteer experience for students to help them appreciate the cultivating process.
No comments:
Post a Comment