A walk into the woods last Wednesday morning with my Environmental Reporting class gave me perspective on the very nature of our campus. The University of West Florida is not just an institution for learning, but a habitat for many.
The portion of the Baars-Firestone Sanctuary has a long history, which continues to thrive. Before the land was donated to the state for the university by the Pace family, it was a large estate. Even before that, the Tart Oak was just a seedling. Now, it spans 4 feet in diameter with its limbs stretching out to 80 feet. I can only imagine what its lived through.
From walking on paved walkways crowded by civilization, the rich soil and wooded landscape provided an alterior point of view as we entered the sanctuary. A calm ran through my entire body as the silence of the environment settled in. My senses heightened, wanting to know where the path would lead us and what surrounded me.
The trail itself harbors riches no man could create with his bare hands, but a couple of bald eagles utilized the valuable natural resources to create a home for themselves while preserving the rest of it. The eagles continue the natural flow of the ecosystem in these woods. There was a long walk ahead. The entire environment fed to my curiousity. But the mention of poisin ivy in the intro to the trail held me back.
As we wandered to the sight of the eagles' nest, all of our faces were filled with awe as we spotted the two majestic birds hovering in the sky. Watching the eagles fly above us was something special. I wanted to see more and explore further. I wanted to fly above and see what they were seeing.
This quote by H. D. Thoreau, engraved onto the sign at the entrance, hits the experience spot on:
“It is the marriage of the soul with Nature that makes the intellect fruitful, and gives birth to imagination."
An experience like this one cannot be altered or re-imagined. It really is a shame to see the campus master plan affect the natural landscape of the Baars-Firestone Sanctuary. Let's just hope that the university decides to keep the nature of its land close to its heart.
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