Understanding Ft.Myers

Before visiting downtown Ft.Myers, I never stopped to think and appreciate our city's rich history. Looking out at the Caloosahatchee River, I envisioned Calusa Indian canoes searching for fish. Walking down First Street, I can imagine the great cattle drives to Punta Rassa. Every corner of Ft.Myers seemed to have a story that can teach us important history lessons. Unfortunately, many young students and adults in our area are unaware of their city's past. An uneducated society that doesn't even know their own city's history, can be doomed to repeat past mistakes. The Caloosahatchee River is a prime example of this. Before the Caloosahatchee reached its current state, the river was in a natural meandering phase. When Ft.Myers experienced population growth and became a popular area for trade and business, the river was altered by man's decision to "straighten" the waterway. This was done for easier transportation to encourage people to visit the area. After decades, the wildlife and fish populations dropped drastically and became one of America's most endangered rivers. Today, the river has not shown any steady improvement. Because of dumping agriculture waste and releasing nutrient-rich freshwater, the river is struggling even more. If people in our area were more aware of the origin of the Caloosahatchee River's downfall, we would not continue to support the current pollution agenda. Understanding our city's history and becoming informed citizens is an important step towards a healthy, sustainable future for us and the environment.
Not only do history lessons matter, the city lifestyle can teach us to survive locally and hence, a more effective and sustainable society. Less traveling leads to less greenhouse gas emissions, city-living promotes a steady local economy, and a "sense of place" is established. This field trip helped me realize how important it really is to understand the history and benefits of a city.