Sustainability at FGCU is shown by the way that they wisely use their resources and the natural resources that are able to grow naturally in Southwest Florida. During the field trip we discussed the use of cypress trees on campus and how they work with our waterways. We also discussed the use of native plants, buildings and machinery and how if affects labor and maintenance costs. The animals around campus were also discussed as a part of FGCU's sustainable development through the years. Everything sustainable at FGCU ties into the "What is sustainability?" chapter by Margaret Robertson in Sustainability Principles and Practice.
One way that FGCU practices sustainability is by planting cypress trees in areas that receive a fairly large amount of water and may hold it, this is because the trees will take in the water that the ground may not be able to hold at the time. These trees are more effective than paying for a sea wall, which also gives a little more resilience to the areas around it by giving animals a little more habitat. Robertson's resilience is about environments being able to withstand changes which works with the areas behind Whitaker that have undergone some changes with the new building being built.
The combination of native plants, how buildings are made and angled, and the types of machinery used affect Robertson's environment section of the triple bottom line. Environment is affected by the native plants around campus, all of the plants need little to no fertilization, and can go long periods without having to be watered, the fire bushes give insects and birds places to live but also provides food for them. The buildings affect the environment portion as well due to taking away habitats from animals. However, the way the buildings are build and placed there is a large amount of wind the is funneled between them, as in the picture below. The machinery, such as compacting trash and recycle bins, makes it impossible for animals to get into the trash, spreading it around and eating it.
The combination of native plants, how buildings are made and angled, and the types of machinery used affect Robertson's environment section of the triple bottom line. Environment is affected by the native plants around campus, all of the plants need little to no fertilization, and can go long periods without having to be watered, the fire bushes give insects and birds places to live but also provides food for them. The buildings affect the environment portion as well due to taking away habitats from animals. However, the way the buildings are build and placed there is a large amount of wind the is funneled between them, as in the picture below. The machinery, such as compacting trash and recycle bins, makes it impossible for animals to get into the trash, spreading it around and eating it.
The ospreys that live around campus and near the beaches use the lakes on campus as a feeding ground. These birds often nest in places like the monument at the main entrance to the school or in tall trees near bodies of water. This helps with the biodiversity and carrying capacity within the campus. Robertson mentions that carrying capacity could leave to an overshoot of the population, which for the fish in the lakes around campus this could be a major issue, however with osprey, alligators, and river otters around campus the fish population is kept in control.
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