Renee; UR: "Environmental Science: The best kind of plot twist"

Fun fact: I started out my college career back in 2008 intending to be a graphic designer.

Obviously that wasn't the direction my life story went. I am happy to say that thanks to a lot of little "cosmic nudges" I find myself eight years down the road and more excited than ever to get out and involved in my field. In environmental science I found the excitement that I would have been lacking as a graphic designer as I will be helping learn new things about our world and building a better, healthier future. Environmental science also helps me express beliefs and values that are important to me the most obvious being that we should take care of the planet that sustains our species and the other amazing life forms we share this world with. I even get ample use out of my creative side particularly as I have fun finding eye opening ways to display environmental data and explain why, how, and what is so important in this huge, complex field of science and GIS can help make that a lot easier while giving me my tech fix.

Best of all I get to help people even if they don't realize it and that is a huge reward for me mentally and spiritually!

Sarracenia minor specimen PP1-1 at Longleaf Pine Preserve.

Now that all of those feelings are out of the way...:p For my IRP I will be studying the soil conditions of our native hooded pitcher plant Sarracenia minor. I intend to develop a better understanding if what the soil content is where these plants are growing and how the compare with near by soils that do not currently support signs of pitcher plant growth.
These native plants are visually distinct from my plant babies as seen in my last blog and below.

Poppit a Nepenthes of uncertain exact species

• How Many differences can you spot between the native pitcher plant above and my exotic pitcher plant?

Poppit's largest and smallest "baby" pitchers!
(her last set of full grown pitchers were
about 2in. long on average)

****And yes that little green and red squiggle above my nail is a brand new pitcher just starting out while the one under my nail is a few weeks old. > > > > > > > > >>>

Q&A

Q: Deb 'n Paul(Dr. Woodall)

Ok so--I think I've decided to contact Dr. Emmett to expose him to our Blog and, more importantly, encourage him to make comments/suggestions to your posts. He would be a great source of information and maybe help you to develop your ideas/project. Excellent first post, Rene! And kudos to your science-loving daughter!!

A: I would love to have Dr. Emmett looking over my blogs! I have spoken to him and he seemed very excited for the project and has agreed to help guide me. Right now the hard part is getting our schedules to cooperate. :) Also Skye was very excited to be part of my blog and wanted me to assure you she was feeding the blog fish. lol