Arthur Thompson

I transplanted a couple trees in my yard for my own interests. I also helped out with a workday at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, in which we planted and transplanted natural and local trees and plants. Since hurricane Michael devastated the area, it wiped away much of the local, vital and beautiful flora. In my own yard, because my family enjoys landscaping, we planted a couple of trees that hopefully will take off with the help of a caring hand. The refuge received the "ok" to plant and transplant many new trees and plants in hopes of recovering the coastline area. Only about 13 trees were planted, we mainly focused on tons of vital, yet smaller, plants that promote protection, soil anchoring, pollination, animal attraction and bring back beauty to the area. Physically, it's hard work out in the Florida sun, but the payoff is huge. Not only do we get a sense of accomplishment that we are helping to bring back and preserve the refuge, we also get to watch new life emerge. As the new flora grows, it will make the area look beautiful again and will restore tranquillity... at least until the next hurricane comes. Nonetheless, once we get to see the product of hard work in real action, we will be ecstatic and happy. Many of the restored trails will be pleasant to walk again, especially in springtime, as flowers emerge and animals of all kinds are attracted. Along with increasing the beauty, the trails and coastlines will all help hold the soil in place and protect our refuge. 

Going into wildlife biology, herpetology and arachnology, animals are of course my biggest concern. But many look over the fact that you can't have cute, cuddly and beautiful animals without their own unique and biodiverse habitats. In order to preserve the most loved, you must start from the bottom. Land management is one of the biggest issues currently: it is not a bad issue, rather one that needs the most attention. We must know when land clearing is necessary, participate in the fight against pollution, crack down on invasive animals, prescribe burn temperate forest lands on schedule to protect from wildfires and promote floral growth and all the while let the people outside enjoy unique environments that they may see their beauty. Though some environments are more loved and beautiful than others, each holds a key spot in preservation. Though there are so many problems facing the ecological efforts of the world, I have never felt worried. There will always be "casualties of war", always species that can't be saved. But when on the daily I see people coming up with non-radical, calm, thought out plans that reflect their own passions, I see more and more hope. Hope that traditions can be preserved while making a few environmental changes to better protect the natural world

Wetlands, they come in all shapes sizes and forms, each supporting unique flora and fauna not found anywhere else. Their impact on the environment is beyond amazing, as they protect excess carbon, preserve the lands, make fabulous homes for thousands of animals and all beautiful throughout it all. Wetlands have the ability to sequester carbon, making them carbon sinks, holding on to tons of excess carbon. While much of the carbon is contained via photosynthesis, tons is contained in the wetland soil as forms of sedimentation: leaf rot, eroded soil, organic debris etc. Besides protecting from pollution, each wetland is unique. You have coastal mangrove wetlands like in South Florida, housing the stunning mangrove trees, containing blue carbon, creating protection for baby and small animals (terrestrial and aquatic) and preserving and reinforcing our coastline against powerful storms and tides. We have coastal marsh wetlands, vast expanses of marsh and saw grasses creating a savahnna-like region teeming with wildlife between the grasses.  Then you have upland wetlands, like Florida's unique and rarely studied sandhill ephemeral wetlands that fill up with water as the rains come and attract vital rare animal species. Personally, with Department of Agriculture permits, I do volunteer work with the Coastal Plains Institute on ephemeral wetlands in Florida's sandhills. Not only do the wetlands contain tons of carbon in the soil and provide water sources,  they are vital housing units for so many different species of plants and animals. In particular, I do solo field surveys on 7 rare, unique, threatened and endangered keystone amphibians. These cool and beautifully colored dudes are our first signals of pollution or something bad happening, so protecting them keeps us updated on other issues. Alongside the st marks national wildlife refuge,  I have also worked with Gulf Salt Marsh snakes that only inhabit gulf coast salt marshes. It has been a blessing to work with CPI and SMNWR to better understand wetlands, their vitality to the environment, their secrets and the wonderful world of hidden animals that reside in them.