Orr

The whole time that I am reading this essay I couldn't help but think that this guy is completely nuts! He is without a doubt the most radical writer that we read this semester. I would never place biophobics on the same level as sociopaths. Some people just don't like nature, it doesn't make them a good or a bad person. However when I read something I cant help but play devils advocate for Orr. My family says its the defense attorney in me. In todays society we are so immersed in technology that most of us don't remember what it is like to be without it. One of my favorite things to do when I go home to Minnesota during Summer vacation is to unplug. I spend at minimum a week where I shut off my phone, unplug my computer, and cover the television and just enjoy living. And to be completely honest with you its one of the most rewarding times in my year. I get to enjoy the little things, like brushing my horse Peyton or walking out in the swamp with Indy. Spending lazy days floating down the Rum River on an inner tube fishing. Just typing this is making me smile. I cant imagine a world where nature doesn't exist to allow me a refuge. However I do understand that not everyone feels the same way that I do. I was just born a Biophiliac as Orr calls us. Its in my blood and it isn't going anywhere!

Field Trip Reflection

My favorite field trip this semester was without a doubt ECHO. It was so interesting to learn all the different ways that food can be grown. Growing up on a farm I never thought that urban gardens could be successful. When I saw those urban gardens where they used things like the pine needles and moss instead of soil I was amazed. It made me realize that as a culture we are so uneducated about methods to grow our own food. I think sometimes we use the fact that we live in cities as a cop out to not having to learn about ways to grow out own food. Something else about ECHO that really made an impact on me was their efforts to teach people how to live simply with what they already have. I think it is so cool that they will teach anyone how to institute the practices at ECHO at their own homes. In a world that is filled more and more with famine, starvation and food shortages we could save so many lives by just educating people about ways to provide themselves with their own food. A lot of the great civilizations societal problems that Shiva talked about could be solved through education. We need to start educating ourselves towards change lest we become just another page in the history books. That's why ECHO is so great! They created a zero cost system where we can use things like TIRES!! to build a hill to plant trees and reduce local flooding. There were so many things that I was amazed by at ECHO that I cant even think of them all at this moment. It truly was my most favorite field trip of the semester! Than you for taking us!!

Dry Walk Field Trip Make-Up

Wet Walk Field Trip Make-Up

Food Forest Field Trip Make-Up