By Maeve Kiley, Contributing Writer
With the uncertainty of the modern world plaguing society at every turn, certainty can be found within nature. Walking outside the world’s manufactured tunnel vision and into the open valleys of nature can be physically and spiritually nourishing.
A true oasis of wilderness wonders lies a short fifteen-minute drive off campus. This oasis, better known as Chipco Nature Preserve, is run by Saint Leo’s very own Chair of Interdisciplinary Studies, Dr. Karen Hannel, and her husband, Adjunct Professor Dr. Eric Hannel.
Dr. Eric Hannel serves as the President of Chipco Preserve, while Dr. Karen Hannel acts as Vice President. Both are profoundly passionate about environmental stewardship and connecting it to healing both the damaged environment and wounds placed upon society.
After moving to the area in 2016, the couple bought the land that would become Chipco Preserve. As a fifth-generation Floridian married to someone who has moved time and time again, Dr. Karen Hannel describes her purpose in running the Chipco preserve.
“One of the things we liked about each other when we were first dating was that we fall in love with land and feel a connection with it,” says Dr. Karen Hannel. “We feel stewardship for it. We also knew we wanted to intentionally find a place we could pass down to our children and grandchildren.”
“The land that would become Chipco was nothing like what it is today.” Dr. Eric Hannel recalls.
“The ground was harsh,” Karen continued, “Nothing but poor grass devoid of nutrition. When I went out there with a shovel, I couldn’t even break the surface. We just had to scrape it. The soil needed so much remediation.”
Luckily, through the Hannels’ kind hands and green thumbs (as well as help from earthworms), the soil became rich and loamy.
“Suddenly, butterflies started coming.” Karen Hannel said, “There are 70 different types of butterflies and moths on our Preserve. Most of them live in our Butterfly Garden.”
But Chipco Preserve is not just limited to butterflies, an entire ecosystem of life thrives there, supported by around-the-clock care from the Hannels. But the roots of the preserve run deeper than just the soil.
“Our Preserve was named ‘Chipco’ in commemoration of Chief Chipco, a Seminole, and the town that was named after him that we found,” Dr. Karen Hannel explained.
“Our neighbors kept telling us rumors of a Native American village that used to be on our land, and, as it turned out, it wasn’t on our property, but nearby.”
Dr. Karen Hannel continued, “Chief Chipco, his family, and people were on the run and literally being hunted by settlers. The town we found was one of many settlements where they set up camp.”
These events transpired during the Third Seminole War. A conflict started in 1855 when the U.S. Government tried to push Native Americans out of their lands in Florida.
Violent military patrols and horrific cash awards for the capture of Seminoles forced many, such as Chief Chipco and his family, to flee the homes their people had been living in for centuries.
“This was a big factor in what Chipco Preserve came to be,” Dr. Eric Hannel said, “I remember, we were sitting at the top of our driveway, and we were saying, ‘Well, what do we do?’ And we said we will become allies to the Native people, nature, and veterans.”
“There’s an old Lakota prayer, which is the tribe my ancestors belong to, ‘Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ’, which means ‘We are all connected’, and not just people,” Dr. Eric Hannel said.
Having a relationship with the earth is a value promoted by Native cultures for generations, and with good reason. Whether it be by wading through the perennial Muhly Grass of a Floridian Meadow or visiting the Carolina Jessamine scattered in the Grotto across the street from campus, nature cools the heat of a stress-filled mind.
A disconnect can be felt between humans and nature, especially for college students. In today’s world of growing technology, less and less time is being spent in nature and less societal value is being placed on nature.
When it came to students, Dr. Karen Hannel’s advice was simple, “I see a lot of people have decided to grow their heart over and not fall in love with anybody or anything. This has caused an epidemic of loneliness.”
“ People must open their hearts and be vulnerable enough to fall in love with the environment and acknowledge the many ways we humans live our lives are not good for the environment” she continued.
“In a world of division, nature is the great unifier.” Dr. Eric Hannel continued, “No matter where one lives or what group they belong to, everyone lives and is dependent upon it. Fostering a relationship with the environment, like how one might foster a relationship with a friend or family member, benefits both parties. Both can grow and thrive alongside one another, rather than battling.”
Chipco Preserve’s involvement with conservation efforts and social movements is almost endless. Chipco Preserve is a non-governmental organization with United Nations consultative status.
So far, Chipco has supported efforts for the protection of endangered species, fighting for the return of land to Native peoples, supporting Native American families in financial crisis, and fighting injustices facing the veteran community.
They have also participated in UNESCO and UN dialogues based upon conservation and food systems, and so much more. Even though their resources are limited, the Hannels make it their mission to involve themselves in as many movements and volunteer-based stewardship as possible.
Most recently, the Hannels have started the 2024 Tortoise Trot Campaign. This exciting new event will focus on exploring, protecting, and connecting with nature (and gaining some exclusive Chipco swag!)
Participants can get involved by following Chipco’s official website, Twitch Stream, or can contribute directly to conservation efforts via donation. Then, participants get to go outside and explore different nature trails and community trails or engage in other outdoor adventures.
Take a few moments to capture and share your adventure on Chipco’s social media platforms.
“It’s a great way to fall in love with nature,” Dr. Karen Hannel stated, “You can’t truly learn to appreciate and care for something unless you love it.”
More information about the Tortoise Trot can be found on Chipco Preserve’s website at www.chipcopreserve.com/post/tortoise-trek-2024. Chipco also has an Instagram, Facebook, Discord, and Twitch channel for more engagement.
