Assignment #3

Sustainable Horizons Ecotourism Enterprise Welcome to sustainable horizons! Operating out of the Everglades National Park, we are happy to offer volunteer opportunities to locals and non-native to Florida. The Everglades is home to a variety of species. Including Burmese Python, Woodstorks, American Alligators, and many other species. Sustainable horizons mission statement is to provide sustainable and reasonable accommodations for maintaining the Everglades national park. The video Everglades Mountains and Valleys: Sawgrass Prairie (1:31) showcases how carefully controlled burns are utilized to eliminate invasive species and encourage the growth of native plants, which in turn provide food and shelter for a variety of animals. Let's get into it! First freshwater water marshes can be found bordering lakes and streams with two types of marshes being still - and flowing water marshes.They extend over acres of land with flat lands having a constant revival due to nutrient flowing waters. Flatlands cater a wide.The video Everglades Mountains and Valleys: Sawgrass Prairie explains how the gradual movement of water through the marshes allows for the accumulation of nutrients in the soil, which supports the growth of plants and the animals that rely on them. Marshes are picky with most plants being temperate banning tickets from constant growth. Some species found are American Lotus, sawgrass, and sand weeds all being surrounded by algae ropes, clumps and a sea of herbaceous species. Whitney, E. N., Means, D. B., & Rudloe, A. (2014). Florida’s Uplands. Florida’s Natural Ecosystems and Native Species. With a hydro period of weeks to a year long depending on marsh type, they are saturated with water grabbing the attention of the infamous American Alligator in this case, along with Bullfrogs, Green Tree frog, and soaring through the skies,

Great Egret, and Snail kite. In this case we must mention the Alligator is a KeyStone species creating dens filled with water during dry seasons hosting sanctuaries and nets of food that alleviate the effects of droughts.These dens are in part easier to create with peat soils, deep water, and shallow waters becoming the most common characteristics of marshes including soil prairies. Whitney, E. N., Means, D. B., & Rudloe, A. (2014). Florida’s Uplands. Florida’s Natural Ecosystems and Native Species. Next, we will be exploring the Hardwood Hammocks Fire. This ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining the health and vitality of the South Florida Pinelands ecosystem.Everglades, Shaped by fire Some essential benefits of fire in this environment include nutrient cycling, seed germination, control of invasive species, and habitat maintenance. Fire maintains open spaces and prevents the encroachment of shrubs and trees that could shade or crowd out understory vegetation. Everglades, Shaped by fireA surprising benefit of fire in the Pinelands is its relationship with wildlife. However, unfortunately with the good comes the bad. However, one species poses a significant threat to the South Florida freshwater marshes. The Burmese python is an invasive species that prey on a multitude of animals, including many that are native to the marshes. Pythons Devour Florida: Help Wanted | TIME The python is able to consume anything in its path, even an alligator. The species has become a threat to the ecosystem and economy. They are expensive to capture, requiring equipment, personnel, staff, and time to reduce the number of the python. However, the creatures are hiding to find as they are camouflaged in the dense vegetation.

Volunteer at Sustainable Horizons! We offer a variety of opportunities to help the ENP. Including sustainable activities, educational programs, and wildlife nature tours. Sustainable activities are low cost and low impacting. These activities include kayaking, birdwatching, hiking, and other activities. Furthermore, there are educational benefits to volunteering with Sustainable Horizon. We will provide educational programs that will provide cultural understanding of the environment. Considering what goes on in the Everglades, and how to best prepare for future environmental events. This may include workshops, lectures, teambuilding, and more. In addition, working with local organizations to collaborate to further enhance advance, sustainability in the Everglades. There is no limit to you volunteering. There are other organizations such as the Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism. https://www.floridasee.org/docs/FLSEE_Brouchure%5b1%5d.pdf. This organization sets guidelines and procedural protocols for ethical ecotourism that will best benefit the environment and the people, Overall, sustainable Horisont ecotourism will bring positive impacts to the Everglades national Park. Bringing awareness, education, and sustainability into the Everglades. This will minimize the negative impacts that otherwise I may continue to have not addressed.