Final thoughts

The importance of science

I have learned the importance of the truth, and I now know the importance of distinguishing facts from boodoo science. Facts are based on close examination of the subject in question. Voodoo science is based on tales and believes that are not anchored with reality or facts. Science was important for our class in order to identify label and give the proper conclusion. This conclusion can be used to value, and input data, that will help track progress or changes, this is the reason why precise information is critical. With accurate information one can monitor the well-being of the ocean life.

The importance of the ocean to Boston

Boston has to spend a lot of money to improve the water and the ocean life . Boston has benefit from such improvements Boston has seen a greater number of game fishes along with added people utilizing the beaches adding to the number of attractions the city offers. This added  attraction has favored the tourist industry in that they have foreigners spending money to view the whales along with visiting the aquarium and the ocean walkway and beaches. The Community is also enjoying the the clean water and the added life given by having clean water. It has provided income through fishing and other ocean activities which have distinguished this part of the country from the rest.

I also learned how development happens in Boston. I was amazed when I attended the presentations that discuss the development of new projects and the impact they have on the way we live in Boston. I was also amazed at how many venture capital members attended such a meeting I quickly realized the potential income opportunity the ocean offers.

I also learned how we affect the ocean life I realized how important it is to make the right choices in regards to destinations and attractions. I was under the assumption that all attractions were created equal until I realize the amount of effort certain organizations set forth on conservation and education. Example of this is the New England Aquarium which is on the face of placing educational information free of charge in its open courtyard which will cost a great amount of revenue. At the same time this educational experience enhances the overall experience and improves the knowledge and importance of protecting the ocean life.

Another important observation was how we have change the ocean to make it more sustainable for life and future generations to enjoy. We discussed in class the history of the beaches and the problems they had in regards to waste. We learn how important it is for people to organize and speak their minds when needed. We learned about dreams and visions people had and how the made them a reality through community and goverment working together with a common interest.  But finally and most important we learnered how important it is to educate on the public in regards to the ocean life and its resources. Our professor showed how's the way by inviting and challenging us to see the beauty and the challenges that lie ahead. Our professor shared his love for the ocean and his knowledge in the ecosystem and I will forever be thankful for such a gift and great experience.

thanks a Ton I Loved this Experience !

The Public Hearing

The Public Hearing and its highlights,

On this day we were invited to hear community leaders and special interest party’s debate over the future of 3 project development. The first was dealing with tourism and how the Long Wharf hotel was trying to renovate its exterior structure to be more accommodating to truism. This was a special interest subject to them since they had noticed a growing interest in the ocean front by locals and tourist. They spoke of building the exterior to accommodate benders  and give a better experience to our visitors. It was very interesting to see how real world developers and venture capital unite to capture an opportunity. I learned how practical my professors inside view was, in class we spoke about the opportunities found in the oceanfront and in this field trip special interest groups were very interested in addressing that potential.

During the presentation we learned about the importance of developing alongside with the community and the positive impacts good organizations can have improving the community.

We also learned about the management of buildings in regards to the structure and the future of important community space. The guest speaker spoke about projects she had worked on and the hinders of maintaining developments that were not carefully envision. He spoke of an incident where he had to replace light bulbs with a crane because the developers did not think of the practicality of using sergeant fixtures to illuminate at night. He spoke of the constant divisions between local state and federal property along with his involvement with the new park he was managing. He told us how important it is for him and his team to have practical development, he wanted everyone in the room to understand he had limited resources and a careful well thought and planned out project would have the greatest impact on the community. He gave the example of the new structure that use renewable energy to power lights and the water fountains he noted how well it worked out and how much the community enjoyed the experience.

Finally we got an oversight of buildings overcoming global warming and rising ocean currents. The guest speaker was introducing their plan for relocating all there basement equipment to the second floor of the building. They pointed out how expensive it was for them too make such renovations, along with how they felt a sense of urgency to start remodeling they're building to prevent flooding and keep the building in operation.

Experts on the board helping to direct and organize this event our professor delivered expert advice to the board in regards to the future of the oceanfront. I felt very proud to have the opportunity to participate in his classroom and learn from his experience. During the board meeting his advice was greatly appreciated by everyone present. I felt that my professor was the individual that gave the most complete and on point information.

The ideas presented all had value to the present guess especially the individuals trying to get the community to agree with them on their projects our class view of the field trip was good we all liked the chance to see real world negotiation and compromises.

The Aquarium's vision was very aligned with what we had spoken about in a previous class. Our professor had talked about how the aquarium needed a different appearance due to having an exterior that was unfavorable, he told us about the history and why it looks so out of contacts.  Our professor had pointed out lacking exterior attributes such an as having no windows or paint. The developers of the aquarium spoke about those exact problems and how they planned on fixing them. I learned a lesson in trusting the experts and there hindsight along with the affect of working together to reach a common goal.

First time fishing with the PROS!

Best day of the week, by Yahir Flores

Fishing in the ocean was exciting I did not catch a fish, but sure dreamed one day I will.  My classmates were having a lot of fun catching fish and one lucky one pulled 30 inch stripper how amazing. During this time our instructor was helping the students understand the importance of sustainable fishing and other important topics. I was amazed at how easy people were catching fish and at how accessible fishing in the ocean was if you knew to go with. Our tractor was very knowledgeable in regards to the ocean life, and the specific rules and regulations that deal with sustainability and long term use.

Lovell’s Island field trip was amazing in all the ways measurable. The Island was under used and very interesting I found it personally to be very refreshing as a went for a water observation. In which I learned that boats make waves at first I was thinking of the power behind the engine and the disturbance humans  make but then I realized its not such a bad wave compared to North Eastern and other severe weather.

Lovell’s Island used to be a military outpost control by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and I found it to be very inviting. It offered to the public a grill to cook benches to sit on and walkways to keep you moving without disturbing the plants, rabbits, and birds. I really liked the welcome we got by the guardians advising us to always be mindful of our  trash and to make the best effort to take it all back out, its always a good to see authority value and educate.  

In the Island I picked up two slugs with white with dark stripes going around the shell which I believe are  white-lipped banded snail. I found them hanging out in a tree that had other suffered a little damage from getting eaten by many slugs over time. I decided to give the tree a break and take two slugs with me to keep as pets they are named Venture and Capital I decided that taking them from their habitat was a minimal harm and would most likely save their lives from being eaten by birds.

I also encountered some shells attached to rocks that contain edible sea life I was told I could eat one or two but not to get carried away I had three and I strongly recommend to my classmates to try something new. It was tasty and had a see like taste, I like it, and was please to now know of a food in case I ever need to survive in an Island.  

On our way back into the city we learned to use all of the food a stripe bass provides and a demonstration was given showing how to kill and skin a fish to reduce the suffering and get the most of your fish catch I then went on and tried to repeat the process on another fish and found it to be help full to learn by doing I am now able to safely skin and cook a fish.  We also found out what fish in the sea are eating, small shrimp and wanted to eat out worm.

Experiment of fish and other plants

Salt and pepper, butter, green beans, olives, low heat and a lot of love.  

I have never had such fun cooking for my love ones I just wish I had hooked the fish my self next time I will do it all myself from start to finish. I really enjoyed this day I learned a lot and made a connection with the ocean I had not felt before I will always remember the great experience and fun I had.

El dia de Los Muertos, The day of the Dead ( day 3)

RIP, Ocean Critters
Day 3 was a dark day for the Boston Harbor since I was out doing many killings in the name of science. It all started in Long Wharf where I learned about the diversity and ecosystem we would analyze. We started to talk about the specific plants and animals that were surrounding our view with the goal of categorizing and observing plants and animals in their natural habitat. I rapidly realize that in order to have a productive day I would have to stay sharp and be very precise when I was describing what was in front of me. When we started to look at green vegetation we have to differentiate between color, size and the texture. It was off high importance to take notes and consoled other team members on their opinion. But what shock me personally was the idea that there was a limited number of living organisms found on the bay. At first I had the impression that only a few organisms lived at hands reach as the day advance my hands touched and killed hundreds of sea creatures.

I quickly learned that things are not what they seem, especially when I volunteered to pull the rope full of life holding millions of little pants and animals. I was shocked and amazed at how rich the ocean really is. I realized at that moment how little I know about Ocean biology and its inhabitants. My fingers were holing a rope that had little animals living on it, I felt their little body's and I saw the

amount of life with disbelief, I pulled the rope and realised the weight and the life it carried, I was in total shock. In realizing the importance of the ocean plant and animals I felt  sad and ashamed to see how people have taken the ocean front and made it an unwelcoming part of the city, and I wish they had a better understanding of the importance of community education. It is not right to take as your own the natural beauty the oceans  provides in the city with out sharing with the community's it serves.

This are some of the plats  I found interesting

Sea Lettuce, brite green color, translucent when in light, rounded shape, vibrant and distinctive from other plants.

We also care across Purple Reddish Seaweed , with purple color, wavy texture, not very translucent, large in size larger than 12 inches.

Rock weed, Small pods in pars, with small spikes in the pods, dark green to brown, flouting freely, ruff texture and had a smell of plant.



Blue Mussel, black and blue color, had the long shape, circular rings in the outside, white inside.

Golden Star, small shapes of stars living on the shelf of a blue mussel, crusted, tiny, flat, was gray color, lived with other Gold Stars around it. 

Orange Sheath brite orange, full of life, 2 -4 inches, slimy, strong hold on its home, no define shape, 

 The day was full of fun activities that i will not forget ever thank you.



My Introduction & The Boat Departure Yahir Flores

  Hello my name is Yahir Flores and I’m in this class because I want to learn from the best about our Oceans. I want to make a positive change in myself, and in order to do this I have to learn from the best on how to think and analyze. I choose to be in this class because I want to help the ocean and its inhabitance, I recently learned the crisis ocean life is facing with the growing demand of human population. I want to know how I can help develop a project to minimize the impact humans have. I believe in Science and the power of a great idea, I see the love and passion of the ocean in many people, creating change for a better, cleaner, stronger future. I want to take the information I learn in class and use it in other parts of the world.

The thing I love most about the ocean is its Great Power and its ability to hold and create life.

In today’s trip I leaned that humans and the ocean can get along, I had always been told humans destroy oceans due to having human waste and carelessness. But today I realized that with education and appreciation a balance can be found for humans and ocean life. I saw how human waste can be processed and reused along with how people can be close to the waters and truly keep them clean. In many ways we can help improve the ecosystem by adapting ourselves to the cycles of plant and fish. One of the best moments I had today was realizing that the true center of Boston is not downtown but the middle of the Boston Harbor, with community of fish and plants surrounding me. I can imagine how much greater of a city Boston can became if more people realize the importance of the ocean next to them. My favorite part  in the ferry was the first 15 minutes as we left the city at such a fast speed with the winds picking up and the professor telling us story's about his beloved ocean.