More Green to the Scene
Nature Preserve Maintenance
FIU’s Nature Preserve is one of the key aspects of its green and environmental friendly campus. Many students enjoy the preserve and are proud to go to a university that is sensitive to our environmental needs. However, there are also some important concerns when it comes to the aspects of maintenance and space. In regards to space, almost any space or lot has the potential to be either occupied by an industrial or a natural area. As a university, growth and expansion are important, and in order to expand, buildings and offices are needed. A common concern regarding areas of nature is whether it would truly be beneficial to the university and not hinder its potential to growth academically. In regards to maintenance, the average landscaping service cost around $400-$1000 which is an important concern when considering nature preservation or any kind of natural green area. Many could argue that this cost could be invested in other areas of the university. However, the Nature Preserve promotes exercise and outdoor activity. This allows those who take advantage of the area to have a healthier lifestyle which will promote academic performance. Also, this area benefits the environment through the addition of trees and greenery which fight global warming and restore oxygen to the atmosphere. In addition, non-profit organizations like Treemendous could help assist with the maintenance of the Nature Preserve, allowing students to enjoy its many benefits while bringing the community together to partake in the creation of something big and beautiful.
Gardening
Along with the Nature Preserve, FIU also has a small garden of different crops. In order to further promote a green and environmentally friendly campus, the creation of a larger garden would allow for students who are studying a respective environmental field to receive a unique educational experience through maintaining the garden. These vegetables also have the potential to impact the students on a more personal level. Once the garden has produced its various fruits and vegetables, it can be donated to the Student Food Pantry at the Center for Leadership and Services. This would provide food for students who register as homeless and could create an opportunity to not only reach our students here at FIU but to impact the community as well. Extra produce can be donated to local charities that also aid in providing food for the homeless community of Miami. Yet, there are some aspects such as space, yield per crop and climate change that must be taking into consideration when weighing upon this idea. In regards to space, limited space will not allow for substantial profit. In regards to yield per crop, most profits will be minimal in the long run and in regards to climate change, with the ever changing weather patterns of Miami, it will be difficult to recover from a season were crops were damaged because of the weather. Some solutions to these problems however, can be found in innovations such as hydroponics and aquaponics. Hydroponics is the process of growing plants in sand, gravel or liquid, with added nutrients but without the use of soil. Aquaponics a system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purify the water. If FIU were to implement this into the vegetable garden then, not only will we be able to provide produce to students in need, but also provide them with fresh fish. This will also allow students to have a healthy and balanced diet to be provided to them. This system can be seen essential, especially to those students who cannot afford to buy fresh food and vegetables.
A Greener FIU
