Journal Entry # 3- Reflection on Louv's Article

Well first and foremost, the information given to us about ADHD is very disturbing, as Louv states. I was shocked to read that Ritalin can cause the same effects as cocaine! And we are giving this to children!? That is disgusting. If children are more productive, especially the children with ADHD, because of a recess, then the children deserve a recess. As our book tells us, parents see a tremendous change in the actions of their children when they spend time outside. Since recess takes place outside and parents know what is best for their children, recess sounds like a great thing to do in every elementary school! In the section entitled "Nature's Ritalin", there is even research showing how well children performed when they played in an outside atmosphere compared to the opposite. What happened to all natural!?

Journal Entry # 2- Sense of Place

My current sense of place today was very interesting! I actually started my volunteering for our Colloquium class! I am volunteering with the Shell Factory Nature Park. I spent 5 hours there today. I had a blast. There are so many different kinds of animals. There are reptiles, birds, butterflies, cat breeds, gators, and so much more! It is interesting just walking around looking at all the amazing animals. However, what was even more amazing was getting up close and personal with some of the animals, petting them, feeding them, and most of all being in their type of environment. You get a good feel of what it is like to live outside all day after being out there for five hours! The experience was amazing. I connected with the wild, the environment, and some great people. I had a great sense of place today, as you can see in my picture! That is me at the Shell Factory today!

Journal Entry #1- Reflection on Shiva and Goodall

"What is Biodiversity and Why is it so Important?" (Vandana Shiva)

The words "beautiful planet" couldn't have been chosen better! Shiva starts off with her section in our University Colloquium book in such a positive manner. I really admire the introduction. It is great that she makes points in the area of destruction and biodiversity, so our planet is aware of the areas and people that are affected by the destruction. An example is on page 39 when Shiva states that destruction has an affect on farmers, fishermen, etc. As she also states on page 44, balance is of utmost importance, without it the threat starts!

Excerpt from Hope for Animals and Their World "Healing Earth's Scars: It's Never Too Late"
(Jane Goodall, Gail Hudson, and Thane Maynard)

I absolutely love "The Man Who Restored Forests to a Mountain"!!! This story of Paul Rokich is amazing, on an inspirational level! A quick recap: Paul, all by himself started going to the Oquirrh Mountains in Utah and would plant seeds. Well one day, his work came to life and there was once again green grass and trees on these mountains. "The Importance of Women" section is also very inspirational! Need I say more about this section of our textbook!? What's more important than planning a family to us women!? (Besides our education of course!)

University Colloquium: A Sustainable Future. (2011). Acton, MA: Copley Custom Textbooks.
(Pages 38-57 and 161-185)