Christian Vinciquerra UR, Basically A Pirate

        Why did I choose this field? Well if you were fortunate to read my first post introducing myself, I mentioned my aunt and uncle that live in the Florida Keys. Growing up near the numerous water sources of different varieties, I was always attracted to the water. I knew right after my summer in the Florida Keys in 2013 that I wanted to work on, for, and with the water. My uncle at NOAA and my aunt as a marine biologist for the county, I was destined to be a scientist. 

Tomoka Basin 

         Also in my first post I mentioned Seacamp Association in Big Pine Key. My first marine science based job. Having so many colleagues that were scientists and full of knowledge was truly a blessing. Being surrounded by like-minded individuals for the first time in my life inspired me to push myself to graduate and enter the professional work force. Seacamp was the catalyst in my academic career. If I didn’t enjoy myself and all the science I would’ve probably changed my major when I returned home to start the semester, however that didn’t happen. I was introduced to  captaining vessels and learned the rules of the road in greater depth than just obtaining a boating license. Something about being in charge on the ocean makes you feel like a pirate. In charge of where you go and what everyone on board is doing. As of right now I’m looking into maritime academies to possibly further my education later this year. I still would like to acquire a marine science degree but focus my attention mainly on ships.

Coral heads trash clean up

         The ocean is hypnotic and so rhythmic. True beauty on the surface and beneath. As much as I love boating, i love protecting the environment. An avid fisherman, fishing line pollution is a major risk for marine organisms. Recycling used line and picking up trash can make a huge difference in your own environment.  Seagrass beds full of scars makes me want to help make boaters aware of how protect the environment as well as themselves. I believe there is a correlation between aware boat handlers and environmental destruction.  Maybe I can do my IRP on something that is related to pollution effects on the local environment.   

Stephanie Guyotte,UR-Tree Hugger for Life...or as Long as There are Trees

Me in a Tree

As a child it was not my dream to be an Environmental Scientist but instead a Veterinarian because I just loved every animal and wanted to safe them all. Then when I came to the realization that I would have to preform surgeries and put animals down that dream did not look so appealing any longer but my love for animals has not wavered. Growing up I was lucky enough to have the freedom to be able to explore the vast wilderness of my own backyard, with boulders to scale, streams to hop, rivers to ride, hills to roll down, and trees to climb I was a very curious kid. I remember asking my father how did all those boulders get in our back yard, to which he replied I don't know look it up in the Encyclopedia, so I did. After learning that those very boulders where left behind by glacier movement thousands of years ago I just had even more questions. I have always had respect for nature and all that it supplies me with be it the basic necessities for life or something more like a secrete hideaway or peaceful escapes or views that makes you feel smaller than an ant, but I never thought about turning that into a career.


This Beautiful Jacaranda down the road from my house was lost
in the last hurricane

     About four years ago I was awoken to the sound of a chain saw which was not too uncommon in my neighborhood so I did not think too much about it, but then I walk out my door and the tree guys are cutting down this massive oak tree in the middle of my front yard. I walk up to them and asked with some choice words what they where doing cutting down the tree. He said it got hit by lighting and died so they had to cut it down so it did not fall into the house, you don't want the tree to fall into your house do you? I then told him that this tree was here long before the house and if the tree fell on the house it would be the houses problem and walked away all huffy and puffy like. My aunt looked at the trees guys and then at me and back at the tree guys and said you will have to excuse my niece she's a tree hugger. It was right then that I decided I needed to do something with my passion for the environment and started down this path towards becoming an Environmental scientist.
      Narrowing down just one field of study for me is a difficult choice, after all there are seals to save, oceans to clean, ozone to repair, glaciers to cool, and trees to hug who can just pick one? I do really like geology so I might do something with fracking seeing as we are in Florida and this is a important issue for the area.      





Alex (UR) OBSESSED with our oceans!!

                                                          

Cabo San Lucas

Hello all,

  The ocean is my happy place, I can't tell you many times I get out on a boat that I don't get all warm and fuzzy inside and almost start to laugh because I'm SO darn excited when I'm out there, honestly can't explain it much more than that. Every year I would go to Cabo and go out deep sea fishing (LOVE deep sea fishing) I sit at the front of the boat the entire ride out and in, its my favorite place to be when I'm out there, I just get lost in my own little world. :)

It all started in 6th grade when I lived in Arizona, I took a class trip to the Catalina Islands off the coast of California, called CIMI (Catalina Island Marine Institute). I became fascinated by the ocean so I then went on the Orca trip in 8th grade as well which then continued to feed me interest. Ive dreamt of the ocean ever since then and decided it was time to move somewhere that made more sense....I've watched many documentaries on our oceans, fished all over the place, learned to dive(soon to have my certification), gone to tons of aquariums, & stopped loving Seaworld along the way. Now is the time that I'm finally starting to follow my dreams and do something that I truly love. 

        

I'm quite the dolphin whisperer

 When you are growing up, everyone around you is always saying "follow your dreams", "do what you love" until you say something like "I want to be a marine biologist." Its always either that blank stare followed by "you'll never make any money doing that?!" or the " WOW, that's so cool! I love seaward." I usually just laugh and tell them I wasn't interested in the money part of it and I was also told that when you're doing what you love and the money will follow. I can honestly say that I would rather be giving it my best shot and saying I tried than be sitting in an office cubicle day dreaming about the ocean all day. I love learning new things everyday about the ocean and all the life within it.  I'm still trying to find out what my niche will be in this field but I know that I'm interested in shark tagging, saving sea turtles, coral reef restoration, and the Global warming effects on our oceans. One of these topics will be what my IRP will be based on as well. I am so excited to be apart of this class and can't wait to see if it will guide me in the right direction of where I want to be in this field.

Garth UR - Never to old to quit dreaming.

Ever since I was a boy I have spent as many waking hours as I could in the woods. It was just something about it. Some strange compelling unseen tether forever keeping my young soul bound to the great outdoors. Personally, I find it hard to point a finger at the moment I decided that forestry conservation was the career for me. I mean after all, forever is an awful long time.  If, however I were to spend a lifetime as a guardian for something I loved, seeing, doing and simply being who and what I wished to be I suppose this moment or clairvoyance has been headed this direction since I was a boy. If anything, I have chosen this field because no matter the strife, hardship or struggles life has thrown at me, I have always found myself headed back outdoors.

Unlike you or I, the trees, birds, ecology and geology of a forest have no voice. Without the power of speech, how can we be heard. I wish to give our forests a voice and a chance. As humans, we may bite the hands that feeds us, but without consideration of where our resources come from it will not be long before we find ourselves without.

So, that’s a good question. What do I want my IRP to be about? I want to find that ever present link, between land and sea. What is it that so intimately connects them? Without one we cannot have the other. Now I imagine there are plenty of people out there who could tell me exactly what it is I am looking for and the answers after all are probably only a moment from my fingertips. So, with my time in this class I wish to find this link.

Kelly-Ann, UR - A lost woman finding herself

     Unlike many of my classmates, I am not an environmental science major.  I am here because I want to be an Earth/space science teacher.  I wish I could say I was one of those dedicated future teachers that always knew what their calling was, but that would be a lie.  I was lost on what I wanted to do with my life for a long time after high school.  I came to Daytona State thinking I would go into the culinary program.  By a twist of fate, I couldn't get into the program my first semester.  Desperate not to wait any longer, I decided to take general AA classes until I could get into the program.  I never tried again.

     After my first semester, I realized the only reason I had hastily chosen to go into the culinary certificate program was because I did not think I was capable of getting a degree.  I didn't believe I was smart enough, however my grades proved me wrong.  I did well and continued to do so.  My future became a lot less narrow.

Daytona State Intro to Professional Teaching Class Fall 2016

     I was still lost, taking a variety of electives trying to find what would make me happy.  One of those happened to be a prerequisite to the education program, which required me to spend time in a K-12 classroom.  On my third day in the field classroom I knew I had found my calling.  Just watching the students get involved and seeing the light in their eye when they mastered a new concept moved me.

     Soon I found myself part of a team of amazing and passionate students and professors that have helped me along my journey.  The more classes I take and spend time in field classrooms teaching students, the more I am happy with my decision.  I chose to major in secondary Earth/space science because it is a field I have always enjoyed.  Since I am passionate about the subject, it is easy for me to channel that energy into my lessons to make them engaging and entertaining for my students.

Dead fish in an algae bloom
 https://assets.rbl.ms/6781323/980x.jpg

     For my independent research project I would like to track the amount of nitrogen in the St. Johns river near Ed Stone Park and Lake George.  High levels in nitrogen in freshwater can cause algae blooms, which creates an anaerobic environment, causing local marine organism to suffocate.  There has been several algae blooms on the St. Johns river in the past.  

     The St. Johns river is a popular fishing location and one of the waterways that manatees use during their yearly migration.  It is also one of the rare rivers that flow north.  I get to experience the beauty of the St. Johns river on a daily basis, I don't want to see it ruined for future generations. 

Lyle, UR I am who I am

Hey there everyone. My name is Lyle, and I'm in my second semester here at Daytona State Collage. I'm currently on track of getting my A.A. in Environmental Science. I am originally from Michigan but moved down to Florida in 1998. After completing high school I held a lot of jobs from working on cars to road construction. In early 2009 I became a father to an amazing little boy who now is at times smarter than I am.

Me doing what I love

I enlisted in the Marine Corps and went to boot camp in late 2009. After graduating boot camp I went on and became an ammunition technician. I was stationed in Camp Lejuene, North Carolina for my entire enlistment. People say I was one of the lucky ones that didn't get deployed overseas but I didn't join the Marines just to sit back and look pretty. After my Active duty contract was up in late 2013 I moved back down to Florida and started to pursue a career in fire fighting and the ems fields but after completing schooling my body couldn't handle the physical aspect of the job anymore. Then I took a little while to try and figure out what I want to do. I thought long and hard and finally realized after seeing how bad the Indian River Lagoon is getting. I wanted to make sure there was going to still be a lagoon for my son when he grows up and that is why I am working towards my degree.

My little family

Casie (UR) Bug lover and Ecologist

Snow melt off , Lander Wyoming  

I have always loved being outside and exploring, to me that is what life should be. It was no surprise to my family that I would go into one of the many Environmental Sciences, it was just a matter of choosing one. It wasn't until last semester when taking an Environmental Science class that I discovered my love for Ecology. My professor had one of her degrees in Ecology and she really expressed to me the importance of a balanced ecosystem. I have always been in pursuit of some type of science degree, it was just very hard to pinpoint what I wanted to do. Now I can't see myself doing anything else.
I have always known the importance of having clean water and air but as we enter into an age where we are more environmentally aware there should be more people who are advocates to the whole ecosystem.  The trees and bugs can't speak for themselves and I want to make sure that they have a voice. I think that a lot of people take for granted the Earth and want to use up our vital resources regardless of how much habitat that we may lose or animal life that may go extinct in the process.
The first day of class we were instructed to think about what we might do for our Independent Research Project and the first thing that peeked my interest was invasive species in our coastal water ways. I have not yet decided if I want to do a species of fish or some type of plant life. Whatever I choose I know it will be very fascinating.

Lake Couer D'Alene Idaho

Pam, UR - Septic, sewage, sludge, oh my!

Seagrass has my great respect as protector and sustainer of life in the underwater world. But it's in great peril with life in a delicate balance. With this comes die-offs of huge meadows, homeless fish, and both starving predator and prey.


I'm sure you're not wandering too far from the title of this post to see where I'm going. Melbourne Beach, Fl. is a wonderful small coastal town to grow up in, as I was blessed to be a part of from the time my parents moved there 50 years ago. Our street was and still is as of this writing one of septic tanks. The newer development behind our house is hooked up to a water treatment facility/sewer system. This is not a new story. There are many, many older homes still on septic tanks.

Septic tank installation

Algae blooms, fed by an abundance of nutrients from various sources kill pretty much everything in its wake. They are believed to be directly responsible for seagrass die off. I feel very strongly and support all measures to eliminate septic tanks, which leach indirectly into our waterways.  I can only hope with fingers crossed some of the Amendment 1 money will go to remedy this problem, which is why I voted for it.

Monica Barrick (UR) My Journey to Becoming an Environmentalist

My Favorite Quote

Since the beginning, I was always fascinated by science. I took a Marine Biology course in high school which in turn made me want to become a Marine biologist. As time pasted, I was unsure of what I really wanted to do. In my first semester in the EST program I was going to transfer to go into a Marine Biologist BA at a different college. I decided not to because I became very interested in the health of our environment and the ocean. A couple semesters ago I took a class called Energy and its Effects on the Environment. This course opened my mind to a whole new world. I had no idea that energy could impact the environment so much. I decided I wanted to make a difference in the future on how we use energy. How would I make a difference? Its very simple actually (at least the thought) we need to stop using fossil fuels in order to save us and the planet. The ocean is taking on a lot of this pollution and this also inspired me to get into renewable energy.  Also, throughout my blog I would like to talk about trash pollution in our oceans and how I am personally trying to become more environmental friendly.

It's not that hard!

As I learned more deeply about renewable energy, solar was by far my favorite. 

I hope to do my independent research project on something to do with solar energy. I am not sure what to do yet but I am so excited and intrigued to learn more about solar energy. There are so many benefits to renewable energy and I aspire to get my peers interested in the future of energy. There are many environmental problems that I want to solve but I believe this will be the best path for me.

Dylan Radford, UR My path to the Oceanography Lab

Oceanography made me rethink my major!

     When I was asked what field I chose and what motivates me or inspires me about that field I was very unsure of what to answer. I have very little Environmental Science experience so I was pretty intimidated by that question. After being calmed down by Dr. Woodall I decided to reflect on what led me to this point and what has made me want to be apart of an Oceanography lab. I was a criminology major and was not liking it at all. I was looking at classes to take and saw the oceanography lecture course, so I decided to take it because I surf and have been around the ocean my whole life. I ended up really enjoying the course and was interested every day that I came to class.  This is the only experience that I have had in Environmental Science, but it was enough for me to know that this is something I think I could really make an impact in.

     After the Oceanography lecture course I was pretty lost when it came to what I should take next to find my direction in this field. My Professor told me that the best course to take when you are new to this field is the Oceanography Lab because it will help you find where your interests lie in the world of Environmental Science. Now that I'm am in the lab, I have identified a few things I might be interested in and a few things I know that I am not interested in. I am interested in the preservation and behavior of our environment. This encompasses a mixture of Natural Sciences. One thing that I am not interested in but I know I will need to improve on is graphing my data because its really confusing. I am excited that I joined the lab because I know I will find the field that suits my interests or I might find a field that is completely different from what I was originally going to choose. I am also open to my classmates providing me with information on their field and how it may be something I would be open to explore.

Steve Cofone, UR-End of a 12,000 year old ice age or severe human impact? Place your bet.....

 Hello, Steve Again,
As I have lead to in my last post, I have been involved in scouting since a very young age. This gave me an innate culture of caring for and being amazed by nature and wildlife. As well as being from Rhode Island, as we all know as the "Ocean State" These two factors have driven my life and my interests. Wildlife and nature as well as a love of the ocean and aquatics.

This has become my life's motto

Scouting was a great opportunity to lead, work as a team, develop independent skills and develop a desire to learn."Being prepared" is something I have carried into my life till this day.
Camping and survival were a large part of my scouting experiences.
One thing I always remember and I will never forget, we were taught to always leave an area we used looking better than it did when we arrived. To this day I do that whether it be in nature, in a park, camping or someones house. Its a great concept to live by.

The EST program gives me the skills and knowledge to secure a position in the environmental field. Wether it be wildlife, aquatics or somewhere in between. As my interests are as varied as my knowledge.
The motivation for me comes from the evolution of living things, it amazes me how we and many other species will and can adapt to our surroundings and overcome most any obstacle.
My motivations come from living in the country and nature as a child and young adult as I grow older to want to go back to that lifestyle, self sustainability is very attractive to me.

We need bees!!

 I care about bees, sharks, phytoplankton, our forests, our oceans, our beaches, sea turtles, raptors, gopher tortoises..... I guess my point is I care about it all and as I work with or on these subjects my passion takes over and I become deeply involved.
Having to absolutely pick one, the bees are very important to me. As a gardener and someone who grows food for sustainability, I understand and am concerned about the possibility of our bees depleting in numbers.

Surf Fishing in Flagler

As of right now I am interested in researching if micro beaded plastics and micro fibers are being found in the intestinal track and stomach contents of fish (primarily bottom feeding) in Flagler county waterways. Subject to change, but this is where I'm leaning to. Thanks again for reading this week's blog! Steve Cofone

Garth UR - I am me, So who are you?

Hello there, my name is Garth Parish. I suppose I have been around. I have lived up the east coast a bit and out west as far as Wyoming. I have driven through just about every state in the United States. I was almost a mountain guide, an artist and several other things. Haha, life is an adventure is it not ? Wyoming I know, but something about those mountains has always drawn me to them, since even before I had seen them. To me somehow the mountains were shrouded by mystery and always have been. As a boy my friends and I practically lived in the woods and in the trees. Not like most kids are today with their faces glued to a screen. 

Casie in Sinks Canyon Wyoming

I try to surround my life with good food, good beer and good friends. I have to many hobbies, play too many musical instruments and prefer to waste my time with the next greatest adventure than to waste it inside. I write, draw, love fitness and have a great passions for the wild outdoors. If it is weird, strange or interesting I would love to talk about it, whatever it may be.

This class for me really couldn't be more important. The ocean dominates this Earth, as a vast deep mirror shinning back at us. With a career which will focus on our natural world I couldn't think of a more important class to finish this degree. Our life is connected to     this vast mystery and I wish to understand it.

Hells Half Acre, Wyoming

After too many problems taking me away from my education, here I am on my final class for my associates degree. Life may get tough and get you down, but perseverance and determination go a long way in this world. Casie ( my girl friend sitting next to me in class.) and I plan on finishing our associates degrees here, saving our money and moving back out west. Idaho the land of potatoes. Probably one of the most wild and scenic corners of the U.S. We plan to attend the University of Idaho, where we will pursue our bachelors. I plan to go into go into Forestry Conservation and beyond :) I can't wait.

Kelly-Ann UR - Born Loving Science

Hello,

Buehler Space Camp at age 11

     My name is Kelly-Ann Hammerdorfer, and I am currently working on my Bachelors of Education specializing in secondary Earth/space science at Daytona State College.  I am the vice president of Daytona State's Psychology Club and was formally the science officer of the Rocketry Club until it disbanded last year.  I grew up in Bridgewater, New Jersey, and for as long as I can remember have always adored the natural sciences.  I first joined an ecology club when I was in third grade, and continued onto various science clubs as I went through public schools.  I often spent my time in the woods growing up, watching animals and collecting rocks and leaves to press.
     As I grew older, my adoration for science never dwindled.  Here at Daytona State, I have taken extra chemistry classes just for the fun of it.  I cannot wait to have my own classroom and share my passion with my future students, hopefully sparking an interest in science for some of them as well.    

Sunset from Whitehair Bridge

     Currently, I live in Deland with my boyfriend, Robert, and our two pets, Loki and Thor.  I work at the Frances P. Whitehair Bridge that runs over the St. Johns river in Crows Bluff.  The view from my office is stunning.  Watching the sun rise and set, the otters play near the bridge fenders, the ospreys teaching their young how to fish, and the manatees during their migration all while getting payed for it has been a dream.  That is why I am hoping to do my independent research project on measuring the levels of one of the many major pollutants effecting the St. Johns river.  The river is an important habitat for many organisms, including the threatened West Indian Manatee.  Many people also fish on this river, and some organizations fear that the level of toxic pollutants in the river may make some of the fish unsafe for consumption.  The river is a popular place for kayaking, canoeing, and other recreational activities.  It would be terrible to see more harm come to this river.

Amber Hanick UR- An Introduction to my Life

Paddle boarding down the Weeki Wachee River

Snorkeling down the Rainbow River

Hey! My name is Amber Hanick and this is my second semester here at Daytona State. This is already my favorite class and I know I'm not only going to have lots of fun, but also learn a crazy amount of material that I will be putting towards my degree in Marine Biology. Science is my passion and combining that with the ocean and anything to do with the Marine life on Earth and you have the key to my heart and soul. I recently moved to Daytona in July of 2016 from Crystal River the home of the manatees where I resided from the age of 8. Before moving to Crystal River I was born and grew up on St. Pete Beach. The ocean has always been a major part of my life and played a huge role in not only my childhood, but my

Yes I caught a baby alligator snapping turtle with my bare

hands for the third time haha

academic life as well. After moving to Crystal River, I attended Camp Citrus at the Marine Science Station for a week at the age of 12 where I fell more and more in love with not only the ocean, but life in the rivers, estuaries, and wetlands of Florida. This camp ultimately led me to the Academy of Environmental Science where I attended until my junior year of high school. From freshman year to junior year I attended the academy where going to school meant paddling the kayaks and trekking through the mud every other day sampling water, collecting organisms including plankton and various fish, testing water salinity levels, observing photosynthetic organisms throughout the marshes and waters surrounding the school, and educating the areas citizens about our natural springs in the area, mainly Three Sisters Springs. Since moving to Daytona I have become a cashier at Publix, a Disney annual pass holder, and I have gone on many memorable adventures. Some of my hobbies are playing softball, paddle boarding, snorkeling, visiting aquariums, going to Disney, playing video games, and traveling.
This is my last semester at Daytona State (I'm currently taking 17 credit hours) as I will be graduating in May with my A.A. degree and moving on to bigger things at the University of West Florida where I will study my Bachelor's in Marine Biology and be a member of the Daly-Engel Shark Lab tagging sharks and monitoring other tagged marine animals like stingrays. My life has been filled with so many exciting adventures and experiences and I can't wait to see what the future holds for me, especially as I enter my dream career field. I can't wait to give everything I have and bring my love for the environment into this class and make this semester my best one yet!

Chelsey UR, Just trying to make a difference for our oceans eventually

Diving at the Coral Restoration Foundation, Key Largo

Hello all my name is Chelsey Callis. I'm 21 years old and i'm in the Environmental Science program at Daytona state for now, but next January I go back to my main college in Key West, where I'm enrolled in the Marine Environmental Technology program. I went there for two semesters before I realized it's not very cheap to live in the keys so I came home to Daytona and am taking a few semesters here because it is 100% cheaper, before I return to finish my degree and graduate. Very confusing. Once I finish my degree I will go on to do an under water welding program and hopefully make a lot of money.

Just a pic I took on 9 Mile Reef in Key West

One of my babies, my pugo Frank

I've been scuba diving since I was twelve years old and the moment I put on that scuba gear I knew I wanted to be in the water for the rest of my life and do something that involves the water when I grew up . I've been diving all over the place and have probably every certification you can think of. I'm a huge supporter of restoring our reefs. Without them we just wound't survive. I've worked a lot with the coral restoration foundation in Key largo to help grow and replant coral for the reefs in the keys. I honestly hope I can say I made a difference one day in the restoration of the beautiful under sea world. I also have a huge obsession with sharks,I think they're the most amazing animals and I'm that nut job that chases after them when I see them diving. I'd love to work with them one day if I'm ever given the chance. I'm a certified Research Diver as well as a certified advanced Under Water Photographer. Diving is pretty much just my biggest passion in life, its my favorite thing to do.
I'm pretty much obsessed with my 3 dogs, a Dalmation/Pitbull, a Rat Terrier, and a Pug, them along with my boyfriend are my life. I'm a big supporter of rescuing dogs rather then buying them from puppies mills. All of my babies have come from abusive homes and it just feels good to know they are super loved and have great lives now.
I'm a full time babysitter as of right now because it pays good, I babysit my evil 3 year old niece who I love to death almost every single day, and other then that, thats about all there is to know about me.