As I close in on the final stretch of capstone i am beginning to run ANOVAs, Regressions and TTest. I have one week on the island next week which should be the last trip. There maybe up to 500 more out there but my assistant, Tess Silvestri, should be able to finish it.
It has been two full weeks since our departure from New Orleans and not a day goes by that I do not reflect on my experiences. Going into the class I did not realize to what extent the “service” aspect of our trip would include. I really enjoyed the farming and agricultural practices we were able to partake in and learning about how they compare to the practices we have here in California. It was such a great opportunity to learn new things not only scientifically, but about the culture of the people who come from the state/area and how they have dealt with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I was
surprised to discover the overall poverty level of the state of Louisiana. Hearing people’s stories and physically seeing the destruction that is still evident in the neighborhoods was very impactful for me. The people who were the most affected do not have
the money to rebuild or fix their homes. It helped me to reflect on how fortunate I am to come from a place that only really has to deal with wildfires and the ground shifting beneath our feet.
One of the highlights from this trip for me was trying the various types of foods and hearing the different music in the French Quarter. Something that stood out to me was when one of my fellow classmates asked where there was good music and the person he asked answered him with, “Just follow your ears.” I couldn’t help but laugh at that because it was so true;
around every corner there was something new and exciting. Not only in the realm of music were there exciting things to be found, but throughout our whole trip we were faced with places and situations that made for intriguing lectures or experiences.
Some of the most random things that I enjoyed were the fact that we were able to see the Mississippi
River and the Gulf of Mexico. I was glad when Dr. A had us take that short drive down to the Southern-most tip of Louisiana after our full day of working on a garden because that is something that not many people can say they have done. Throughout our whole
trip we were able to encounter and learn so many things that I would have never known or been able to experience if it had not been for this class. I would like to thank Dr. A, Dr. Patsch, Dr. Huggins, Dr. Lambrinos (& Diana!), IRA, and CSU Channel Islands
for offering me this amazing opportunity to go outside of my main area of study (English Education) and learn and serve not only the environment but the people as well.
It’s strange to think that just a few short weeks ago, our class was spending the last few days of our Spring Break trudging through the muck and mud of the Woodlands Conservancy trails recording data and counting species. This experience has been one that I will never forget, and not in the stereotypical sentimental way that sounds, but in a real way. I feel like I helped do something during my time in New Orleans. 
We planted gardens for people who don’t have access to fresh food, we helped construct tubs for an organic farmer who provides food in a place that is widely known as a Food Desert, and we contributed to data that is changing the way people look at deforestation and invasive species. We got to experience true New Orleanian traditions. I am lucky enough to have experienced all of this with people I have grown close to in a way that I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to. 
I learned about a city and a culture that I never would have been able to learn about if it wasn’t for this trip. I’m 26, and I’m graduating this semester. I am engaged and plan to get married in a few years. Without this class, I really doubt I would have ever been able to come to New Orleans and I know for a fact I would never have had such a rich experience.
Okay, maybe I’ll never forget this trip exactly in the stereotypical sentimental way it sounds. There’s something to be said for an experience like this one, though, and I think I’m justified in feeling this way.
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