12th and Chicon

12th and Chicon is ostensibly the 'worst' intersection in Austin. Police have cracked down hard on this area of central east Austin for the drug and gang related activity. When I went there on each side of the intersection were African American people, many more people than at other intersections and predominantly male. This is historically the black part of Austin. Some people were waiting on the bus stop, some were waiting in parked cars, some were just sitting on the street corner, and some were walking through the intersection. I went during the afternoon although I have been there previously during the evening. During the evening there are a lot more women than during the afternoon, ostensibly because they are trying to pick up clients. There is definitely drug trade going on around that intersection.

The discussion and debate around the intersection is intriguing considering the gentrification of the area and the increasingly diasporic nature of the black population in Austin. While the population of all other racial groups has grown in Austin, the African American population has decreased. What is causing this demographic shift? Foursquare may provide a clue. On Foursquare the intersection is listed as a drugstore/pharmacy. I checked in. Foursquare is exclusively used by people with the privilege to afford a smartphone, most likely not used by many of the people who spend time at the intersection. I have no way to verify this, but my educated guess would be that white hipsters labeled this intersection as a drugstore for the comedic effect. This is a small but tangible effect of gentrification in east Austin. I view gentrification as micro-colonization. Poorer white ex-students and young professionals without the means to live in other parts of Austin like Hyde park or south Austin have started taking up space in central east Austin, particularly with the new 'affordable' homes and apartments built in the area by the city. This in effect is an affront to the historically black area of Austin and furthers white domination. East Austin used to be the white part of town because it had the best farmland. Once farming was not the main way people made a living, the east side became marginalized. This split became definite when the railroad came in. Where I-35 is today, there used to be a railroad. It cuts Austin in half rather intentionally thereby creating segregation. The heavy police presence in that area is an effect of the ghettoization of central east Austin. As a result more people become picked up by cops for minor offenses. This has increased with the new white residents in the area. They want their property protected from vandalism and theft and so call for more police presence. In turn, as more black people get thrown into the criminal justice system, it makes it harder for them to be gainfully employed, and thus more likely to turn to crime. This benefits the new white residents because this frees up more space to be colonized by yet more white residents looking for cheap housing. As more white residents move in this raises property values, making it harder for the existing residents to keep their property and they are forced out.

Shoal Creek

Shoal Creek is a local gem, sporting a pleasant hiking trail.  It is serene and gives one the full impression of being in nature, despite the creek going through the City of Austin.  It has is a concrete walkway that's easy to traverse, but the trail occasionally changes to gravel.  Along the trail, there are different areas with different themes.  The most interesting one, in my opinion, was one titles "Shells".   This amazing trail delves into a canyon-like scene.  The canyon-like formation is the result of water erosion and a walk through it reveals impressions of shells. These shells are authentic fossils, observable to anyone that visits. It is mind-bending thinking about how those fossils got there:  Central Texas was once the floor of the ocean, and we have proof of it in a local park.

The other areas weren't as novel, however.  The creek itself was very soothing, and it was interesting crossing it at certain points along the path.  The scenery was also very relaxing, with grass and trees in the area.  The trail also goes through Pease Park, another well frequented area in Austin.

Source:http://www.austinbike.com/mtb/shoalcreek/image01.jpg

I problem I had with the trail was that there was a substantial amount of garbage along the sides of the creek, but it is a forgettable blemish the area possesses.  Overall, the walk down the trail was enjoyable.  It spans several miles, and is even cut by 15th Street.  People bring their dogs, and seeing them play is a sight for sore eyes.  Some people use bike trails along the hiking trails, and others just hike.  I would definitely visit again (I live a few minutes away), and I would recommend this area to anyone that wants to take a relaxing walk through a nice trail.

LouisvilleWaterfront Park

http://brokensidewalk.com/2009/03/04/striking-visions-of-louisvilles-future-within-our-grasp/

Waterfront Park- Lousiville, KY

            The weekend of July 14, some friends and I traveled to Louisville, KY for a music festival called Forecastle. The festival took place in Waterfront Park, located in downtown Louisville. To put in into an Austinite’s terms, it is their Zilker Park. Set on the Southern Shore of the Ohio River, the park offers a place in which visitors can enjoy the beautiful aspects of nature without leaving the urban environment of downtown Louisville. The park works as an extension of downtown into the river, or alternatively, integrating the river with downtown.

            There are three sections to the park: one section consisting of large open lawns and sparsely decorated with trees, a second section with smaller open areas where one can feel completely separate from the city, and the third section which connects the first two, contains restrooms, a picnic area and other amenities.

            Arriving to out hotel on Thursday afternoon, we did not see the festival grounds on the way in. We left the Courtyard Marriot, walked two blocks north and the Ohio River was in sight. As we walked east and approached a line, I wondered where they would be able to fit a festival of this size. Immediately passing through the security gates, one could see a series of stands, an overpass from the highway above, and finally an amazing canvas of blue and green providing a break from urbanization, kind of. Given that this was a music festival, there were many stands, stages, and people so I was not able to see the park in its true form. Nonetheless, the park holds a striking view of downtown Louisville to the rear, green grass and trees, followed by a broad river, and the state of Indiana in the distance (which Louisville locals were not too fond of).

louisvilleky.gov

            Like Zilker, this natural environment is a great venue to hold large events such as ACL or Forecastle. What better place to enjoy music than in an oasis in the midst of the bustling metropolitan environment. When an event isn’t held there, the park is still an ideal place to enjoy the nature and escape city life, and from speaking to locals from the area, it is a very popular location for those who appreciate nature. Whether one wishes to kayak, ride their bicycle, jog, rinse off in the waterplay area, attend a concert or simply enjoy the outdoors, Lousiville Waterfront Park is an outstanding place to enjoy the natural environment.

Austin BMX & Skate Park

Most municipal parks set aside scenic environments so that the public at large can appreciate the natural beauty free from commercial development. Austin BMX & Skate park, informally known as House Park because of the adjacent football stadium bearing the same name, is not one of those parks. Instead, it seeks to mimic landscape features normally found in urban commercial development as obstacles for skateboarders and BMX bicycle riders. The growing popularity of skateboarding in particular, fueled by successful video game franchises and events like the X-games, makes the need for a park like this more apparent. The commercial landscape is what is being preserved and protected here, in that the park provides skaters and bikers with substitute structures for their potentially destructive craft.

Jay Janner/AMERICAN-STATESMAN

The park sits on 30,000 square feet located near Lamar and 12th Street. The layout includes hand rails, steps, platforms, and what is essentially a forever-empty swimming pool. These features were designed to take abuse, unlike the 'authentic' urban structures they copy. Park policy states that any stickers or graffiti will cause the park to remain closed until it can be removed, and the park remains almost entirely clean as a result. I noticed skaters, and to a lesser extent bikers, of all ages and skill levels. Admission is free.

Pictured below is the 'Iron Wave', a skate-able work of art designed by Chris Levack.

Seaholm Power Plant

Seaholm Power Plant

The Seaholm Power Plant on E. Caesar Chaves and Lamar looks like it is straight out of Gotham City. I have always liked the look of the red lettering on the outside so I decided this would be a perfect place to write about.

This power plant is not in use anymore. It ceased operations in 1989 ( it was actually built in the 50’s). I learned that instead of tearing it down they decided to transform it into a center of activities such as concerts. In the future they plan to implement retail, office space, and possibly even residential space. Seaholm Power Plant Project.

In viewing this place from the outside it reminds me of Jenny Price’s essay on Los Angeles. It is industry and it is “necessary” and it has the image of being destructive to nature. But now that it is off, I can’t imagine Austin without that distinctive feature now. And now, disposing of all the hazardous materials safely and refurbishing the material ( this included discarding properly asbestos materials) , they are reusing the building instead of using more materials to destroy and recreate. This site is the best example of “the Austin environment.” This old power plant is right on the edge of downtown with all its modern skyscrapers, surrounded by large areas of grass ( or should be grass eventually , which is uncommon downtown) . It also is right next to Ladybird Lake. This area is an intersection of nature and industry. It combines our wants and needs with a natural feeling still lingering.

Above are images from http://www.austinpixels.com/2010/07/seaholm-power-plant-austin-tx/

Above are images from http://www.tribeza.com/myblog/thank-you-mother-falcon-autumn-ashley

Place Post: Enchanted Rock

View of Enchanted Rock from the ground. 

Photo by Author

View from the top of Enchanted Rock

Photo by Author

Another view from the top of Enchanted Rock

Photo by Author

This was a great opportunity for me and my friends to finally visit enchanted rock. We have all been talking about going for a while and so this assignment finally made us take the time to go. It was a long drive, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is 15 miles north of Fredericksburg, Texas and 15 miles south of Llano, Texas. It took us about 2 hours to drive there but the scenery was beautiful.

When we arrived we decided to do the most popular trail first, the Summit Trail. Although the climb was short to get to the top it was extremely tiring because of the heat and the steep incline. Once we were at the top of the huge rock formation, the view was great. We could see all the land around covered in trees. It was a beautiful landscape that looked almost untouched by humans. It was really nice to get away from the city and out into the rural area. There were many families and groups of people out that day at Enchanted Rock. It was great to see people getting out and enjoying nature together.

The preservation of nature is also really important to the parks system there. People are asked to help preserve the natural area by not disturbing plants, animals or artifacts. The visitors seemed to stay on the path and I didn’t notice any litter there during the whole trip.

Enchanted rock is a beautiful part of our American environment which has been protected for people to enjoy. After taking this class, I would not picture enchanted rock when asked to think about American environment. Now I think more about the destruction of the environment by deforestation, fracking and mountain top removal. I think it is important to still remember that there are places being protected for us to enjoy and they are still a part of our American environment. I would definitely recommend going up there, it is well worth the drive, but I would definitely recommend going in the fall when it cools down a little. I would also like to go back and take time to do some of the other trails and visit the caves.

Place Post: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Entrance to the Center

       Lady Bird Johnson, a graduate from the University of Texas, Austin as well as First Lady during Lyndon B. Johnson's presidency, made many significant attributions in the improvement of Austin, during her time here.  As a huge nature advocate, she founded the Wildflower Center in 1982 as a way to maintain the sustainability of the natural environment as well as become a source of education for people to visit and realize the importance of the preservation of nature.  As I briefly knew about the huge role Lady Bird Johnson and her husband, former President Lyndon B. Johnson, played in Austin, as both a high school and a library are named after Lyndon B. Johnson, as well as town lake recently renamed after Lady Bird; I wanted to check out the Wildflower Center that Lady Bird established.
   

View from the tower

        The Center, located in South Austin off of mopac, testifies to the beauty of nature that Lady Bird wanted to preserve.  Her main goal was to leave a place future generations could appreciate.  When I first arrived at the center, I was directed to the gift shop where admission is $7 for students.  Although I thought that price was a little ridiculous, as I could find a lot of similar plants and flowers in my backyard, in my mom's garden, I felt it was worthwhile to denote to a good cause.  The first place I went was a tower that, at the top, let you see a beautiful scenic view of the uninhibited landscape surrounding the center, a view many people don't see often today.  After climbing back down I went through a woodland garden that had a stream running through it.  It had a very tranquil and relaxing feel to it, with benches situated in different parts of the garden.  After walking through this shaded garden, there was another garden, that was less wild and arranged in orderly, square pot beds.  Every bed had a different theme to it, whether it was plants common to the West desert of Texas, a fiber and dye garden, a healing garden, a salvia garden as well as many other variations of plants.  Beyond that, was a butterfly garden.  Unlike the typical butterfly garden, which are usually enclosed butterfly "houses" this was an outdoor butterfly habitat.  The ability for an outdoor butterfly garden to exist  amazed me, as I wondered what it took to attract the butterflies and keep them in the area. I found out from various signs throughout the garden that it contained 300 different plant species arranged in specific plant habitats, creating a healthy ecosystem for the butterflies.  I also learned the main reason an outdoor garden was built was to teach visitors how they could build a similar habitat in their own backyard, that would attract butterflies, just by the correct arrangement of plants in a garden.

        My experience at Lady Bird Johnson's Wildflower Center was very positive, as I think there should be more places that educate a range of ages on the significance of being more environmentally friendly.  Just as Lady Bird realized during her time in Austin, the type of beauty found at the Wildflower Center cannot sustain forever unless more measures are taken to reduce the amount of destruction we are doing to our natural landscape.

Hamilton Pool

Last weekend, I decided to take a trip to Hamilton Pool with a few of my friends. I had heard a lot about it but it was my first time going. It is a perfect place to take a picnic (which we did), and spend time with nature and friends. Its is perfect for those hot summer days and great for swimming. Not to mention the amazing view. 

Picture of Painting from Natasha Mylius 

It is located about 30 miles West of Austin. When you go to Hamilton pool the large emphasis on habitat protection and environmental education is evident. It is also good for hiking. We decided to just go swimming and spend some time on the sun. It was really a very enjoyable day and experience. I now wish I would have gone to Hamilton Pool before being a senior. I truly recommend it to everyone!

Let's End the Sham of Carbon Credits and Create Real Regulations

One of the big lessons we've learned in class when it comes to environmental change seems to be that, "money talks." That's true when it comes to fracking, where it only becomes profitable to remove a well when a natural gas company is being sued from all sides; it's true in radical "eco-terrorism," where a company will really only change when they lose enormous profits from an act; and it's true in greenhouse gas regulations, where companies only have an incentive to change if there is some sort of monetary reason to do so.

Such is the tale of the carbon credits - originally hailed as a good first step in reducing the output of greenhouse gases globally. By offering various chemical and other production plants money (in the form of carbon credits) in exchange for reducing the amount of greenhouse gases they release into the atmosphere, it was thought that global emissions of everything from carbon dioxide to nitrous oxide to harmful refrigerants would decline. And they have, mostly.

Not long after the European Union and the United Nations introduced this plan, companies found ways of exploiting the system, often creating an "income stream that in some years accounted for half [chemical companies'] profits," paid for by yours truly, European taxpayers. How? Companies, primarily in India and China, have realized that by producing large amounts of the highest-compensated greenhouse gases, then destroying them, they could make tens of millions of dollars by being awarded carbon credits for destroying these harmful gases. It's a total scam, since for each ton of HCFC-22, the world's most commonly used coolant, that is destroyed, the company gets 11,700 carbon credits (they get 1 credit for each ton of CO2 that they don't pump into the atmosphere). They then sell these carbon credits to other companies that need to make up their lack of environmental consciousness and make record profits year after year.

Give this article a read: it goes over how the EU and the UN have responded, and how futile it's going to be. Though discouraging, I think it sheds light on the fact that real, enforceable, regulations are the only way to create actual, productive change in the realm of greenhouse gases. What do you think? Are monetary incentives good enough, or should we just insist that India and China bring their environmental standards up to our own?




(New York Times)

Place post: Zilker Park Boat Rentals

Zilker Park is an amazing place to be in touch with nature. The Zilker Park boat rental place allows you to rent out either a canoe or kayak, and set sells down the Lady Bird Lake. It’s an environmentally friendly and family oriented establishment that provides relaxation and liberation from your everyday routines. With over 100 canoes and kayaks and reasonable prices, Zilker Park Boat Rentals is the perfect place to bring friends and family to enjoy a relaxing outing on the water. Though it’s kind of a workout stroking back and forward with the pedals, you capture a great view of wild life and animals all around.

            

I took my camera when I visited and capture allot of moments with friends and surrounding nature. One thing I noticed was the amount of unique birds, turtles, bugs, surrounding wildlife. Coming from Dallas, this was my first time being surrounded by wildlife without any interference from the city. Also if you are easily sun burned, i would suggest buying sun tan lotion, or just get prepared to get toasted in the sun. The photo above is of my two friends relaxing and drifting in the lake and enjoying the outdoors. If you every want to find an interactive place to take your girlfriend/ boyfriend, this would be a great place to go before or after a picnic just to be active and outdoors. 
 I also captured great images of the Downtown skyline and the surrounding landscape. If you are someone who's interested in photography, this could be a unique place to capture different perspectives of the town from the lake. I specifically chose this image because it looks like the couple in the image is walking and sitting in on the water.
My favorite part of the Zilker Park boat rental was seeing the different variety of birds and animals. This is one of my favorite images of a bird I saw.  It seemed as he was prepared to have a photo taken as he flapped his wings and showed off his colors. I probably wouldn't ever see a bird like this anywhere else. I saw several different types of birds with colorful feathers, and they all seemed to be relaxing by the lake just like the humans. I also observed plenty of turtle swimming and floating around and under water. It's fun interaction with friends, animal, and nature all together.
This is and ideal place to free your mind, and to  enjoy the nature sounds without the interference of cars, construction, or any other man made distractions.

Place Post: Dottie Jordan Park

Dottie Jordan Park is located at 2803 Loyola Lane. I just moved across the street from it and spent my weekend there. It is a beautiful neighborhood park which has two tennis courts, two basketball courts, three barbeque pits a covered picnic area, an a swimming pool. The space also provides an almost half mile long trail for anyone who wishes to take a walk among nature. The park is eleven acres in size and is a fantastic area for families to visit. It also seems to be a wonderful spot for outdoor recreation for the residents of the neighborhood. Everyday there is an abundance of children at the park playing basketball, swimming, or playing on the play structure. The community surrounding the park is of a wonderful predominately black community and the park serves the community well in that it offers the opportunity for the residents to connect with nature and gives the neighborhood children a place to play and stay active. My time at the park afforded me the opportunity to make some neighborhood friends and to appreciate the community in which I am now lucky enough to be a part of. I recommend Dottie Jordan Park to anyone who is looking for a nice place to experience nature without having to pay a nominal fee for entry or parking.

http://austinparks.org/apfweb/images/DottieJordan.jpg

Place Post: Ft. Davis, Texas

I visited Ft. Davis State Park with my friend this summer. The west Texas environment is very different from the greater Houston area I grew up in. While driving the 7 hours from Austin, west on I-10, you begin to see the landscape change drastically before your eyes. Along the way we saw rock formations that you would never encounter in the flat gulf areas of Texas. We passed by colonies of spinning wind turbines storing renewable energy and drove through man-made carved out hills, making way for the straight line of the highway. Ft. Davis State Park is a beautiful almost untouched place that I encourage everyone who has never been to west Texas to go see. Once in the state park we drove down winding roads on rugged hills leading us to our campsite.

We hiked through the trails and looked out to the distant hills and mountains. There aren't very many tall trees there so you can really see the vastness of the land. Its practically the dessert out there so it gets very cool at night (even in the summer) and it is almost constantly windy. It was a wonderful experience to spend so much time in wild nature, almost completely isolated from man-made world. We spent most of our time walking around, lounging on cliffs and taking photographs and drawing (we are both art students).

I'd really like to spend more time out there, maybe even a year. It was a refreshing experience and one that made me appreciate our state park's natural wonder and beauty. I will definitely be back someday soon.

NRDC 'Toxic 20' List Reveals States With Worst Power Plant Polluters

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) released a report this week addressing toxic air pollution in the U.S. With the report, they created a "Toxic 20" list of states "where residents are at a higher risk of numerous health problems just by breathing," the NRDC explains.
According to a press release, the report "found that coal- and oil-fired power plantsstill contribute nearly half (44 percent) of all the toxic air pollution reported to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)."
NRDC's Pete Altman blogs, "Both senators from eight states of the 'Toxic 20' states -- Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia, Texas, Virginia, South Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi -- supported a resolution by Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., to repeal the health-protective mercury and air toxics standard."

The NRDC said toxic emissions overall decreased 19 percent primarily due to installation of controls and increased use of natural gas.John Walke, the NRDC's clean air director, said falling natural gas prices have been the "single most influential factor" in the decision to convert to natural gas or retire coal-burning units.

According to the article, Texas is ranked number 10 for worst power plant polluters. Do you think Texas will ever be able to get off this list and stop major pollution from power plants?  

The War on Coal?

Political blame game plays out after Ohio coal mine operation shuts down

Photo courtesy of  Duane Lester at allamericanblogger.com

Robert Murray, founder of Ohio American Energy, is closing his coal mining operation 5 years earlier than expected. He blames the Obama administration for it. They claimed the "regulatory actions by President Barack Obama and his appointees and followers (are) the entire reason" for the closure. In fact, they predicted more layoffs to come unless there is a major shift in the political landscape. The white house defends itself with the usual “oh no, that’s not what we are doing” routine that we have heard since the time of Nixon. While White House representatives assure the media that “coal production is on the upswing,” some people believe that the president is planning on bankrupting the coal industry. Many of the coal-related regulations being enforced now were passed in some form, in 1990 as part of the Clean Air Act. So is this just coal mining paranoia?...or is it all part of the plan?

What Is Causing the Climate to Unravel?

Coming Undone...not just a song by Korn

Global Fossil-Fuel CO2 Emissions

According to the National Academy of Sciences, the number of heat records that have been broken this year across the United States is over 40,000. Since the year 2000, we have witnessed 9 of the 10 hottest years EVER recorded (NASA), and signs are not pointing toward this pattern getting any better. “The U.S. National Academy of Sciences completed an exhaustive review of scientific research and concluded more forcefully than ever in a landmark 2011 report that pollution from smokestacks and tailpipes is destabilizing our climate.” So…what can we do to change the course of this foreboding pattern? For the full story and tips on how you can make a difference, go here.

A Place to Get Away

It was around 3PM on a Saturday. I had just gone back to Houston for the weekend because I needed to get away from the increasingly my increasingly hectic academic life. It was around this time that I decided that I wanted to take a drive. I didn’t know where I was going or what I was looking for but for some reason that was the best part about it. As I was driving down the road that leads me to the interstate by my house, I decided that I wanted to get ever farther away from my problems. I took the beltway to Interstate 45 and headed north. By now I already knew where I was heading; a small town located between Conroe and New Caney called Porter.

Photo Courtesy of Estately.com

My grandparents lived there when I was younger and, even though I did not get to see them much, the visits that occurred few and far between were memorable nonetheless. As I’m driving past The Woodlands, aptly named for its luscious greenery that is incorporated into its metropolitan spirit, I start to see the familiar tree line. Once I passed the shopping malls and other consumer ridden establishments, the only thing left to see on this drive was tall gorgeous trees and nothing but road ahead of me for at least 10 minutes. As I pull in to the old lot that lay across the street from my grandparents’ old home, I can’t help but remember the few times I was there as a child. The trees seemed so big as a child and now as a grown man, they are still larger than ever. While I cannot tell you what type of trees they were or what species of bush lay surrounding them, it does not take a botanist or self proclaimed naturist to be entranced by the immensity of nature. There were trees as far as the eye can see and the homes were tucked away in these lots of land they managed to carve out at the end of nearly invisible driveways. Standing in the street, all you would see is a mailbox and a drive way that disappears into the woods. Most homes in the area have driveways a few hundred feet long. Suffice to say, my need to “get away” was satisfied. After sitting on my hood for about an hour and just contemplating everything that was going on in my life, I decided I was done with my melodramatic teen-angst for the day and decided to go home and eat. While there was nothing particularly special about this trip or the place in general, I still look back at that like 2 hour experience and a strange calm washes over me. I highly suggest “getting away” for a while, wherever your spot may be.

Here's Where Farms Are Sucking The Planet Dry

                    

<http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2012/08/08/aquifers_archive.jpg>

       

          Our underwater resources have been shrinking for quite some time. These water sources provide a lot of our drinking water but some are discontented to find out that we are losing water. Some people point the blame towards farmers. 

          The colored areas in the picture above shows the world's largest aquifers. The color blue represents aquifers that are getting more rainfall in than water is getting pumped out. However, those that are yellow, orange, and red are aquifers that are losing water faster than it can replace it.

          A lot of this water is going towards farmers so that they can irrigate their crops. During times of drought, farmers pump out even more water to make up for the missing rain, depleting our aquifers that much faster. Isn't there a technique that we can teach to farmers so that they can water their crops more efficiently rather than drenching them and leaving less water for us?

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/08/08/158417396/heres-where-farms-are-sucking-the-planet-dry

Climate Change Adaptations: How To Prepare For Global Warming

Global warming is a crises that is becoming more and more evident that it needs to be taken care of in the next years, or else we could be facing serious consequences in the next several decades. I don't know for a fact on how big of an impact the warming of our climate will have, whether it's 1 degree warmer ocean water or complete islands being submerged by raising ocean levels. 

This article brings in a very drastic view of what global warming will end up causing if not taken care of immediately. Listing off measures of floating farms, underwater houses, underground cities, and climate adaptable crops. The author Jeremy Hsu believes apparently that we will either need houses that can function underwater if positioned near the coast, or cities built underground in order to be protected from unpredictable severe weather and solar rays. The article seemed like hogwash to me. I believe in global warming and I do believe it is a threat to our existence on earth, but I do not believe that our race is in such danger of these things happening in the next few decades.

(Image rights belong to Mihai Andrei)

Norwood Dog Park

It isn't hard to find beautiful nature spots in Austin, Texas. Much easier than in many other cities around the world. But no matter how beautiful the spot it is still in the middle of a constantly moving metropolis. Norwood Dog Park, while not the most beautiful or scenic spot in Austin, is a place where the ground is free of pavement and even contains a decent number of trees.

Photo courtesy of austinparks.org

The park is set on the corner of Riverside and I35. Nobody waiting for the light to turn green on the access road would even know it was there unless they were looking right into one of the holes in the foliage on the chain-link fence surrounding the park right as a dog walked by. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said in reverse. Though trees, bushes, and ivy have been left to grow along the fence bordering I35, the road still makes it's presence known through the roar of traffic, an occasional car horn, or a flash of light reflected from a windshield.

The park is divided into two sections, one for small dogs and the other for the general public. When the park is busy it's hard to find a parking spot but always worth the walk to make your best friend happy. The people are nice for the most part but it isn't a very social scene. Dog owners pick a spot under a tree and play with their phones or play with the dogs that come up to say hello. Nobody really talks to each other while our dogs become instant friends. It is almost as if these people are sacrificing time that they could be using at home on something much more enjoyable for themselves in the comfort of air conditioning, but instead choose to sweat it out in the Texas heat so that their dog can enjoy the outdoors for an hour or two.

The Norwood Dog Park is usually full of mutts and college age people from the surrounding area (with exceptions, as in any case). When people go to other nature spots in Austin they can sit under a tree and soak in the beauty of the Texas plants and (sometimes) wildlife. While I wouldn't necessarily call the dog park a "nature spot," anybody sitting under the trees there could, if they wanted to, soak in some of the natural sights of trees, birds, and canines abound. But that isn't why these people are outdoors. While it is possible to enjoy nature at this park, it isn't the driving factor that brings you out here. It is the love of your furry friend.

My Dog Ziva

Place Post: Krause Springs

         I visited Krause Springs with some friends the weekend of July 13th. I had been one time previously last summer, and was blown away by the natural beauty of the area. Consisting of a large outdoor area with a man made pool that leads down to a large natural spring, it is easy to find yourself spending the entire day there. One of the most fun things to do there is to jump off the cliff into the spring, but it depends on if the water level is sufficiently high enough. The first time I had visited, we were literally the only people at the springs, so it made the experience that much better.
       This most recent time however, was a completely different story. The intense mid-July heat had brought in a ridiculous amount of people, as we first noticed that the parking lot was at full capacity.There were so many people camped around the spring, that we found ourselves sitting 100 feet away from the spring uncomfortably resting on jagged rocks. One of the main attractions for coming to Krause is that one can bring beer with them, and everyone was taking advantage of that including us. It was sad however, to see all the thrown beer cans surrounding the spring. I was afraid to stick my head into the spring water because I knew that at least 50 percent of the hundreds of people had peed in the spring at some point.

                                                          (image courtesy of Krausesprings.net)
       I can't blame everyone else for being at Krause that day, as it is the perfect location to escape the overwhelming heat of Austin. But having been the previous year and having enjoyed the entire place to myself was a completely different experience entirely. My advice for prospective visitors is to get there as early as possible, as by noon time it just gets too congested for comfort.

Place Post: Allen Park

Allen Park is a park located in Far West Austin and, though not far from UT campus, is very secluded. Though it is a listed park on austinparks.org, which should suggest that it is well known to the mass population, residents that live close to the area are the people that mainly visit it. The only two people I saw on my walk at Allen were residents close to the park. The reason for this could be that unless one knows exactly where to go, it is difficult to find. To reach it one must go to West 2222 and turn right on Balcones and then turn left on Hart and then left on Westside, and the park entrance will be on the left.

http://www.statesman.com/multimedia/dynamic/01376/030512_allen_park__1376775c.jpg

The park is ideal for hikers; it is 10 acres and has some very steep trails. There are also several things that appeal to picnickers: a number of wooden tables and a sheltered area to block potential rain from people looking to have a picnic. Though it has amenities for picnickers and one barbeque pit, I was struck at how little the natural environment is altered. There is a trail cleared out and stairs to lead one up the steeper parts of the trail, but the stairs are made of rock, which blends in to the natural environment. Also the fact that the tables are wooden makes them seem like not so foreign objects in the natural environment. The fact that this Park seems so natural despite the fact that it has been altered for humans, makes this a great place to get away from the real world and truly enjoy nature. In fact from some vantage points at Allen Park you have a scenic view of the city of Austin, the sight of which helps remind one of the world one tries to escape when going to a place like Allen Park.

 http://www.austinparks.org/apfweb/park.php?parkId=667

To me a place like Allen Park is the quintessential American environment. Though one may argue that the American environment must center around the American dream, and therefore the American lawn is the best example of the American environment. Others may argue that pollution is the best example of the American environment because it exemplifies the entrepreneurial and capitalistic spirit that one may argue made this country great. However I would argue that a place like Allen Park is fits the term “American Environment” best. When I think of the environment I think of a world outside of the one we live our daily lives in, a world that is quiet and unaltered by humans. And by these standards, a place like Allen Park is the quintessential American environment.

Place Post: McKinney Falls State Park - Lower Falls

I went to McKinney Falls State Park with my mother last weekend. I picked this place because when I thought about the “American environment”, I thought about places that are quiet, with water, trees, and some human interaction with the nature. My mother and I had been to McKinney Falls State Park once during winter of last year. I wanted to revisit it again in the summer and see if there are any differences between the two seasons.

On that Saturday morning, I arrived at there around 9:30am. I expected that there are some people early in the morning since the weather gets hotter later in the day, but similar to the amount of people I saw in the winter. However, I saw more people than I thought. During the winter, there weren’t a lot of people visiting the park, only about 10 people at the lower falls. There were only hikers that walked around the trail and near the pond area. On my way to the lower falls, which was located on the east side of the park, I saw people fishing, biking, swimming, and simply having a great time. Although, there were a lot more people in the summer, but not as busy as other water places in Austin (eg. Barton Springs Pool). The visitors still had a lot of space in the park.  

 (Photos taken by author)

As I sat down on the rock formation above the waterfall, I could hear the running water, people talking to each other, and the splashing of water from the swimmers. For me, this represents an environment where people are connected to the nature. I believe this is a great place where you can escape from the city and feel the nature without lots of traffic noises around you.

 

 (Photo taken by my mother)

I came from a small city in Taiwan where people live closely together in small apartments. The cities are urbanized and the environment is heavy disrupted by human activities. To me, the “American environment” is a place where you can relax and be away from the crowd. It should also be a place where people can interact with nature in a good way (not polluting or destroying the environment). McKinney Falls State Park is a fine place if you want to relax or spend time with family and friends or reconnect with nature.

Salmon Conservation Areas Must be Widened

According to a new study, areas of salmon conservation should be expanded to streams that don't actually contain salmon, but whose waters run into salmon habitat. In other words, the entire watershed should be protected and not just the rivers where there are large salmon runs. This is because the various feeder streams have different characteristics which is necessary to keep options open for the salmon. For example, steeper, faster streams contribute colder water, and slower meandering streams contribute warmer water. Some salmon have adapted to reproduce better in one condition than another. A healthy mix of river inputs not only helps the salmon populations grow, but also helps their predators: gulls, bears, and other animals.

This finding was put forth in a report by researchers from the University of Washington (UW) led by professor Daniel Schindler and doctoral student Peter Lisi. They suggest that the great importance of having diverse stream inputs is that it creates multiple spawning times for salmon throughout the year. This allow predators more time to catch their meals.

They focused their research on the Wood River watershed in southwest Alaska. "In any one stream, salmon might spawn for two to four weeks," said Lisi. "Animals like coastal brown bears and Glaucus-winged gulls gorge themselves at one stream for a few weeks and then just move to another stream that might have water temperatures a few degrees warmer and therefore support salmon populations that spawn at a later time. It's easy for animals to move when such streams are as little as a mile or two apart."

The researchers call this attribute of a network of streams, "hydrological diversity". Such an attribute more than triples the time predators have access to salmon during summer from just a few weeks to more than three months.

The implications of this finding have the potential of completely altering current conservation plans. Normally, conservation officials try to focus on which individual streams and rivers to protect to keep a healthy salmon population. According to the study, the entire watershed would need to be protected in order to maintain hydrological diversity.

The research study will be presented at the Ecological Society of America's annual meeting in Portland, Oregon on August 8th. It will be part of a session on linkages between aquatic and terrestrial systems.

For example, a healthy salmon population not only helps its predators but is also linked to the pollination of plants on the watershed such as the kneeling angelica. This 3-6 foot plant is pollinated by the bowfly which rely on the carcasses of salmon to lay their eggs. Having more salmon carcasses throughout a longer portion of the year gives the bowfly a population boom. After emerging from the carcass, they pollinate the kneeling angelica before breeding again.

For more information: http://www.esa.org/portland/

Very few people cared when the Native Americans said the salmon were sacred and were to be cherished. Now, people are still trying to maintain a healthy salmon population in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska because a healthy salmon population helps many other species. What are a ways " hydrological  diversity" can be maintained? Why do you think it is more important to people o now than it was then? 

Cedar Hill State Park

 

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/cedar-hill

Over the weekend I went back to my hometown Dallas, TX. While at home I gathered up some friends and decided to have a picnic at Cedar Hill State Park.  Ironically, the park is about 20 minutes away from my house and I've never been there. Growing up in the city, I've never been interested in nature until taking is course. This beautiful park surrounds Joe Pool Lake where many people bring their boats to fish. I also spotted a couple of jet skis out there in the lake. There are restrooms, shaded picnic tables, and grills around the lake area.  We ate, played volleyball, swam, and listened to music until the sun went down. I enjoyed my time on the lake just observing the beautiful landscape and I'll certainly go back one day to enjoy other assets the park has to offer.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/cedar-hill

There are many reasons to visit Cedar Hill State Park. Some people to for boating purposes and fish in the lake. Others go for camping and to explore the wildlife. Mountain bikers and hikers go to explore the trails. Like my friends and I, some people go to enjoy a beautiful barbecuing, socializing, and swimming. The cost of entry isn't too pricey, its $7 for everyone over the age of 12 and if you're staying over night there's an additional $5 fee. If you're ever in the Dallas area I'd recommend you visit Cedar Hill State Park, it's a great experience. 

String Prairie, Texas (Place post)

This region of Texas consists of countryside landscape with scenes of cattle grazing and cooling off in ponds during the hot, summer months. String Prairie is located near Bastrop, Texas. It is comprised largely of pastures dotted with intermittent woodlands. Blue bonnets (the state flower) and Spanish paintbrush flowers which are seasonal are planted along the roadside. I had the liberty to visit this peaceful place recently as a respite from the quick pace of city life, street noises and to spend some time off from school to experience nature in the mild wilderness. It was extremely quiet and serene and I noticed that it was essential for one to have access to a car here in order to run errands or even go to the grocery store, as most places are far-flung. Droughts are common in this area and the land is being cleared due to development projects and usually replaced with strong grasses such as the ‘Coastal Bermuda’. The pastures create a new environment which is conducive to some biological species of birds since it provides more nesting regions.

(taken from my camera on my friend's plot of land in String Prairie)

It is difficult to obtain an electricity or gas connection here since it requires negotiations with companies and neighbors, which is something we tend to take for granted growing up in the city, but this type of existence takes me back to the time of my forefathers who could not enjoy the luxuries of electricity and fuel that people use on a daily basis today, but relied on charcoal to cook their meals and oil lamps instead of electricity. This knowledge makes me appreciate these utilities so much more and I try to trace their origins back to nature to understand their true value. Although fuel is directly derived from natural resources and is termed as a ‘renewable resource’, I realize that if nature is constantly depleted of its resources, there will be huge scarcity in the future unless people regulate extraction processes and conserve energy.

 When I trekked through the grasslands, I noticed some deer grazing at a distance with their ears pointed upwards in a guarded manner and a herd of cows walking by. It was pleasant to watch the cattle grazing, bathing in a nearby pond and caring for their calves, quite oblivious to humans around. This behavior created awareness in me of how animals are similar to humans in the sense that they nurture their offspring and defend them from predators, sometimes risking their lives in the process. I also understood how the circle of life works since the environment provides us with resources and we are expected to use them wisely so that they can be recycled naturally to maintain a balance in the ecosystem, as the earth is considered as a ‘macro-organism’ by some ecologists since it functions as a self-regulating unit. On the whole, my visit to the String Prairie was a good learning experience as it reminded me how man and nature are inter-dependent and it also proved to be a relaxing experience since I could watch the sun set with its glorious hues, join my family friends around a bonfire with smores and watch the numerous stars shining brightly in the sky at night. This resembled a camping experience since the darkness at night was overwhelming, the trees rustled with a cool breeze and the grassland seemed to be awake with the activity of nocturnal creatures like owls, rodents and some insects who forage the land for prey at night.

Place Post: Scenic Drive, El Paso, TX

A few weeks ago I visited my friend who lives in Juarez, Mexico for her birthday. While there I got to spend some time in El, Paso, Texas. I have not spent much time in the American Southwest and was excited to get to experience a completely different landscape. I was born and raised in Miami so my idea of a mountain is Mount Trashmore or a large hill at a local park, I had never really seen real mountains. I noticed while in El Paso how much the mountains played a huge role in the layout of the city and the landscaping. Since the area of El Paso is desert land, the ideal green "American Lawn" is not really a possibility. However, the residents of El Paso have used gravel and desert rocks to decorate their lawns and create their own kinds of lawns. On our way to the airport my friend took me to a beautiful lookout on Scenic Drive. Here one could not only look out at all of El Paso and the Franklin mountains, but you could also see Juarez, Mexico. While looking out at the majestic mountains I found myself in awe of them. The way the city is built around them, and how even the tallest building pales in comparison. To me, the mountains were a reminder that no matter how much man builds, the mountains will always be taller. The mountains reminded me of the majesty of nature and how humans must learn to live within the reign of nature. Scenic Drive showcased how the residents of El Paso were truly in awe of nature. There were many people coming out to enjoy the day taking pictures in front of the mountains and simply enjoying them. The vast expanse is what caught my attention. All you could see before you was mountains. It made me appreciate a different landscape and made me contemplate, What is behind those mountains? and How might the look be different if I was standing a top one of those mountains? The mountains stirred within me much contemplation about how mountains people adapt to the surroundings around them. I am sure to those who live in El Paso take the mountains for granted, but for me the view of the mountains from Scenic Drive were a spectacular and breathtaking. They defined a different aspect of the American Environment for me, an environment who's vast mountainous landscape causes us to constantly contemplate the beauty of nature.

(all photos taken by my friend Jessica Fierro). 

Place Post: Zilker Botanical Gardens

                                                    Photo credit: www.zilkergarden.org

Zilker Botanical Gardens, located near the Zilker Park complex, is a wonderful area for anyone in Austin looking to find respite in nature. The Gardens are home to many individual areas dedicated to the different flora native to the Austin area, ranging from cactus gardens to herb gardens, stands of various trees and more.

The gardens have a sense of calm about them; after paying your $2 admission fee inside the quaint visitor’s center, you emerge into a quiet realm that would seem out of place in any other metropolitan area. Families with small children tour the grounds, the elderly wander through the herb gardens, and college students use the flowers as picture subjects. Yet despite the various motives that bring people to the Zilker Botanical Gardens, one thing is constant. Nearly everyone that visits is held in near silent reverence of the beauty of the nature surrounding them. Walking along the paths through the trees and flower beds is one of the most calming activities imaginable, with an almost therapeutic quality. The many benches located throughout the gardens are often occupied by people reading, bird watching, or simply sitting among the natural beauty of the gardens. The sounds of the nearby traffic barely break into the gardens; it truly is a quiet oasis in the middle of the city.

Zilker Botanical Gardens exemplifies the beauty of the natural American Environment, by harnessing and preserving a wide array of the plants of the region. The gardens also help to expose visitors to flora that they may not readily encounter elsewhere in the city limits. The gardens also play host to a flower “popularity contest”, in which visitors vote for their favorite flower type, causing visitors to consider at even greater depth the value and beauty of the species of plant within the gardens. By centralizing the experience of nature to within this relatively small area, the Gardens help even the busiest of people experience the most natural bang for their buck (or two).  For these reasons, I feel that visiting Zilker Botanical Gardens is a great way to reconnect with the natural environment of our great city.