Nature Journal 1: Nature Observations and Environmental Issues

On my stroll through campus, I observed various aspects of nature such as wildlife, trees, flowers, and the sky. I noticed squirrels rushing up trees while birds flew overhead. The stark contrast of live oak trees and crape myrtles amazed me. The live oaks seemed full of life and grandeur since their branches overflowed with hunter green leaves; conversely, the barren crape myrtle branches left me sympathizing with their unstately figures. Despite being within the realm of trees, these species varied substantially. It occurred to me that I take nature’s diversity for granted by not recognizing and contemplating my natural surroundings. A flower bed of vibrant pansies and ornamental kale drew my attention from the towering trees. Additionally, I went to Frog Alley to view the sunset. Since buildings, cars, and other manmade creations were in my field of vision, it was difficult to focus purely on the sunset. However, the range of hues in the sky filled me with admiration. 

Regarding environmental issues, I won’t pretend to be an expert. However, I have seen how climate change and manmade products influence nature as a whole. I’ve witnessed glaciers shrink over the years and learned of biodiversity loss because flora and fauna can’t adapt quick enough. I learned of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch years ago, and the videos left me speechless and disgusted by the sheer volume of trash. I can’t even imagine the profound impacts on oceanic ecosystems. Unfortunately, mankind’s role in global warming is a primary contributor to climate change, and mankind is solely responsible for the trash littering bodies of water. There are many conservation efforts at work to keep Earth’s ecosystems stable and reduce unwanted manmade items in nature. I hope we can preserve the wonders of nature by working together to achieve this goal!