Ashleys Interpretations

[aehenvs3000f23]

Disclaimer

This blog was created for ENVS*3000 at the University of Guelph. 

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of the University of Guelph. 

The University of Guelph is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by this blog.

[jpwenvs3000f23]

Unit 10: Nature Interpretation's Role in Environmental Sustainability

Describe your personal ethic as you develop as a nature interpreter. What beliefs do you bring? What responsibilities do you have? What approaches are most suitable for you as an individual?

It is hard to believe that we are at the last blog as this means we are coming to the end of the semester. Coming from England as an exchange student, I have wanted my time here to go as slowly as possible, so it does not all rush by. Luckily I have another semester here to enjoy as much of the famous Canadian nature as possible. It is after all, one of the reasons why I picked this country.

Simply, my personal ethic as a nature interpreter would be to get other people as excited about nature as I am. I feel I have done this job well in the past with friends when we go on holiday. They are usually determined to stay in the bars and drink the week away, but I have encouraged them to go on hikes to actually see the country itself. Call me old or boring like they do initially, but afterwards, they are glad they have done it. Last week I visited a friend doing his exchange year in Victoria, BC, and I had to convince him to walk through a park instead of just going to the pub first. While we were out, we managed to see deer and an eagle which is a bird we never see in the UK. We both ended up very glad we did that, and not start drinking earlier.

I watched an interesting video the other day that summed up, said when we are gone, we will eventually be forgotten and our possessions like our car or house will either be used by someone else or destroyed. This may seem daunting, however, the point of the video was to say that when we are here, we should not worry about 95% of the things we waste our time thinking about. At the risk of sounding corny, I believe that by appreciating the world we are in, particularly the nature side like the mountains, coasts, and wildlife, this is how I believe we should live our lives. Through nature interpretation and passing down the knowledge and passion of the natural world, is the best way for this.

For me personally, the best parts of a trip away are the outside activities (only if it is not raining) like walking and beach activities if it is that type of holiday. I believe each country is unique or in this case, each state or province is. My ideal approach for nature interpretation would be to be involved in filming a show or film that involves nature in any way. I do not necessarily have to be the one holding the camera or be in the shot, but to be involved in any way would be enough for me at this stage. I really do not want to be stuck in an office job every day. If I am able to travel and in some way be part of spreading the knowledge and love for nature, I would be satisfied.

After watching the video of 'David Suzuki and Richard Louv at the Art Gallery of Ontario discussing how to reconnect to nature', this further supports my approach to nature interpretation. As I said earlier about wanting to be part of filming, this links to the idea of when they discussed technology in the video. Children these days rely on technology even more than we did which is a shame but understandable with all the changes going on in the world. They explained that it is harder for children to appreciate the nature especially if they are in growing urban cities. Therefore, it is through technology that they can get some sort of experience of it, until they are older hopefully when they can go out and experience it for themselves like we do. This would be another reason to do what I want to do through filming etc. In this modern world, this would be one of the more effective ways to share nature interpretation.

[aehenvs3000f23]

Hi there,

I enjoyed the light heartedness of your post and hope you have been enjoying your time in Canada!

I think it's great that you are able to influence your friends to spend time in nature while you are on vacation. It is such a blessing to be able to experience all of the different flora and fauna while travelling. Hopefully these adventures will inspire them to spend more time in nature back home!

You mentioned how when we are gone we will eventually be forgotten. Although you built off of this in a different way, I think that this could also be a reminder of the fact that when we are gone, the earth and nature will still remain.

It is interesting to see how different people approach nature interpretation, as I prefer the more hands-on, observation based method of interpretation, rather than through media. However, I think that you made a great point when mentioning how much kids rely on technology now. When I was considering my approach to interpretation for kids, I based it more on how I remembered interpreting nature as a kid and didn't take this into consideration.

Overall, I think your post made a lot of good points and wish you the best with the rest of your time in Canada!

[hkenvs3000f23]

Week 10

Describe your personal ethic as you develop as a nature interpreter. What beliefs do you bring? What responsibilities do you have? What approaches are most suitable for you as an individual?

I can't believe we’ve already reached the last post for this class, it feels like we had only just started.

For this week, we were asked to take a look into our personal ethics when it comes to nature interpretation. This was something I didn't really think much about until the start of this course, and going through the various blog prompts throughout the semester.  I mean of course there were basic ethics that I knew were important, like to respect and appreciate the natural world. However, they were always in the back of my mind. I didn’t really take the time to really delve deep into it.

This semester we were given the opportunity to view nature interpretation through different lenses such as art, music, science, history, etc. I feel as though this allowed me to develop a sense of what I enjoy. I feel it's important to understand what you enjoy first, as it can aid in forming an ethical stance, because you can create personal connections, which leads to a deeper appreciation for the natural world. From this you can feel more motivated to take action revolving around certain environmental issues and it can allow you to understand conservation efforts.  Viewing interpretation through different forms helped me enhance my ethical perspective, as there are many ways to perceive the environment.

Let's take a look at some examples.

Science was one of the more obvious ones for me. I mean when I think of nature, I typically think of the environment in a scientific way. This may be due to the fact I'm studying environmental science. For that reason, I already had some beliefs formed. Most if not all of the courses I take often touch upon environmental issues, whether it be climate change, pollution, endangered species, etc. Even before university, it was already engraved in my mind that we have to be mindful of the planet and how we treat it. Generally, to do what we can to limit our environmental impacts (negative impacts of course). Nature interpretation to me seemed like a form of delivering information to others, where they would learn the science/biology behind different environments. Generally, I believed that scientific knowledge would form a sense of responsibility as it shows the importance of conservation and sustainable practices. While that can be the case, I've learned that there is much more to it as well.

Now, as for viewing nature interpretation through art. While I knew that art can portray many messages and meaning, I didn't really think of ‘art’ when I thought of nature interpretation. However, after going over previous readings and blog posts I learned to see a different perspective. Art allows us to form emotional connections with nature. It can evoke feelings of empathy and appreciation for the natural world. This is when I realized, paintings, photographs, music, etc. all play a crucial part when it comes to nature interpretation.

History was another form that I knew was crucial to learn about when it comes to nature interpretation, but I never really put much thought into it like I did with science. I believe now that in order to form beliefs surrounding nature I need to recognize and learn about the history first, as it provides context. History can show us both the positive and negative impacts humans have had on the environment. When we understand the consequences of past actions, we can form ethical decisions for the future.

Generally, I learned that nature interpretation doesn't have to follow a structured format. Instead there are various ways to view nature interpretation, which seems obvious to me now. I feel as though this wasn't so obvious when I first started this course because typically the courses I took prior (science based) followed fairly structured formats. Now, as a nature interpreter, I've learned that I'm responsible to consider multiple perspectives, but also provide differing perspectives to others. While I also enjoy the science side of interpretation, I’ve learned to enjoy and am open to other forms as well. I've learned that as a nature interpreter I am responsible to bridge the gap between people and nature in ways that are accessible, relatable and compelling. In this week's reading on courselink we were asked the question “what motivates you to do this work?” While my love and appreciation for nature keeps me motivated, I also think what I've learned through this course would have an effect on this.  I've learned to recognize the significant effect nature interpretations can have on others by recognizing the forms of nature interpretation that have played a crucial role in my life in shaping what I want to do today. I think it was important to realize the effect that nature interpretation has had on me to realize I can have that same effect on others. I’ve learned to be mindful of how I both present and obtain information.

Overall, I'm grateful for what I have learned in the course, and will remember to carry on to this information for the rest of my nature interpretation journey.

[aehenvs3000f23]

Hi there!

Where has this semester gone?! I can't believe we have reached the end either!

I absolutely agree with your point regarding the importance of having a deeper understanding of nature and how that can motive you to take action. The one thing that everyone in this class has in common is our shared interest in the environment. I think if you asked anyone in this class their views on climate change they would all say that it's an issue. Which may seem obvious because we are surrounded by people that hold similar values to us, but in reality many people don't see it as a real concern. The difference lies in the fact that we have a better understanding of the environment and all of the factors affecting it. I guess what I'm getting at here is that environmental education is the driving force of environmental activism and thats why it is so important.

Going into this course I also viewed nature through a scientific lens, but similar to you, this course has opened my eyes to all of the different perspectives you can have. I think that the scientific approach to nature interpretation can be important in creating a deeper understanding, but the artistic approach is a great way to catch peoples eye and spark an initial interest. I think it's nice that there's so many ways to interpret nature, it ensures that there is something for everyone.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading your post and think you did a fantastic job summarizing the different approaches to nature interpretation. Goodluck with the rest of your journey!

[aehenvs3000f23]

Final Blog

Hi all!

As the semester is wrapping up, so is my blog, so let’s do a little self-reflection. I think that this blog has allowed me to improve my writing, and I have definitely felt myself become more comfortable as I write my blog each week. When I would refer to myself as a nature interpreter in my earlier blog posts it felt like it was just a role that I was playing. However, as the semester has progressed, I have realized that through my blog I really have become a nature interpreter. Through this development I have formed personal ethics, which my methods of interpretation revolve around.

My personal ethic as a nature interpreter revolves a lot around respect. In this case, having respect for the environment. I think that having respect for something typically comes from having a deeper understanding or education. Which is why my main goal as a nature interpreter is to get people educated and interested in nature. My hope is that through education, I can create a respect for the environment and hopefully influence others to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

As a nature interpreter I hold a few beliefs. The first being that everyone should be educated on nature. I believe that everyone should understand the world that surrounds them and the important rolls that nature plays. As previously mentioned, I think that this deeper knowledge would encourage people to be more aware of the way their actions impact our environment and hopefully have a deeper respect for it. This flows into my second belief that everyone should respect nature. This is something that I would like to help people achieve through nature interpretation. We are simply inhabitants of earth and sometimes I think we forget that. The earth is our home and for everything nature gives us, from oxygen to breathe to beautiful landscapes to admire, the least we can do in return is respect it. Not only should we respect nature, but we should respect each other in nature, which is my third belief. Nature should be an inclusive and respectful environment for everyone. I believe that anyone can and should be able to interpret nature, no matter who they are or how much they know.

As a nature interpreter I have certain responsibilities I must uphold. I would say that responsibilities as a nature interpreter are to share my knowledge truthfully, be respectful of my surroundings, and keep myself educated. It is very important that I tell the whole truth and ensure all of my facts are correct when interpreting nature to others. As a nature interpreter I would want to be a reliable source to whomever I am educating, as they trust that the information I am providing them with is legitimate. I think that sometimes facts can get overexaggerated in order to grab people’s attention, however, this simply makes you seem like an untrustworthy source. As a nature interpreter you spend a lot of time emersed in nature, so it would be important for me to respect my surroundings. For example, being sure to not leave any garbage behind, or being aware of where I am stepping or what I am touching to ensure I am not altering the natural state of the environment in which I am interpreting. My final responsibility would be to keep myself educated. As information is always changing and new information is always coming out, it is very important that I stay up to date with the latest information to ensure I am remaining a reliable source, as I mentioned earlier.

Earlier this semester, I mentioned that I would like to be a nature interpreter for children. Looking back onto what I enjoyed as a child, I think I would definitely take a hands-on approach. One of my favourite school trip memories from when I was in elementary school was when we went to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, where we sat outside with little canvas’ and painted what we saw. Now looking back on this memory, I can see that this was a method of nature interpretation and is definitely something I would like to incorporate in my approach. Another activity that could be useful is going for a nature walk and collecting flowers, leaves, and other natural specimen. I think this could help kids get a feel for the nature that surrounds them and would also serve as an opportunity to educate them on the specific species that can be found in the area.

Overall, I think that I have a good understanding of where I stand in regard to my beliefs, responsibilities, and the approach I would like to take as a nature interpreter. Throughout the semester, these theoretical ideas have become something that I could truly see myself pursuing in the future.

Thank you for following along with my blog this semester!

Ashley

[aehenvs3000f23]

Blog 9

One of the most amazing things I have learned about nature is that the world’s fastest animal lives right here in Ontario! The Peregrine Falcon is a carnivorous bird that can dive down at 300 km/h to catch their prey, which is typically other birds (1). These birds can be found all over the globe, the only continent where they have not been found is Antarctica. They can be identified by their bluish-grey hue on their wings and tails, white neck with brown bars, and yellow circles around their eyes (1).

These birds actually used to be at risk of being extirpated in Canada, due to the use of DDT (pesticide) on crops, which was making its way into the food chain through their prey (1). However, DDT has since been banned in Canada and Peregrine Falcons are no longer at risk! (1)

So, as I mentioned earlier, these birds can be found within Ontario. They prefer living in open country and along cliffs, but sometimes can be found within cities (2). For this post I will be focusing on their presence in my hometown, Hamilton, Ontario. Last year, the Peregrine Falcon was named Hamilton’s “City Bird” (3) These birds have been known to nest on a ledge at the Sheraton Hotel in the heart of downtown. It has actually become such a big deal that a group called The Hamilton Community Peregrine Project has set up a camera to live stream these Falcons on the ledge. I have attached the link so that you too can see this bird in action.

http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/

So how is a Peregrine Falcon able to reach such high speeds? This is due to a combination of physical features (4). These birds have a larger keel (similar to a breastbone) than other birds, allowing for more muscle, and thus a stronger ability to flap their wings and generate speed. They also have pointed wings and stiff feathers, which allow them to be more aerodynamic, thus improving speed. (4) When a Peregrine Falcon lays its eyes on its next meal, it will dive down and tuck its wings back to increase its speed. I think this looks pretty cool, so I have attached an image of what this dive looks like.

References

Peregrine Falcon | National Wildlife Federation. (2019). National Wildlife Federation. https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Birds/Peregrine-Falcon

Kaufman, K. (2016, March 4). Peregrine Falcon. Audubon. https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/peregrine-falcon

City Bird Hamilton. (2022, March 22). Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington. https://birdfriendlyhamiltonburlington.wordpress.com/city-bird-poll/city-bird-hamilton/

Why Can the Peregrine Falcon Fly So Fast? | Bio-aerial Locomotion 2011. (n.d.). https://blogs.bu.edu/biolocomotion/2011/12/12/why-can-the-peregrine-falcon-fly-so-fast/

Nakaya, R. (2019, August 27). Like Feathered Fighter Jets: Peregrine Falcons. The Kid Should See This. https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/feathered-fighter-jets-peregrine-falcons

[hannahsnatureblogf23]

Where is music in nature? Where is nature in music?

Hi!

This weeks unit was super interesting to me because i am very passionate about music. I took singing lessons growing up and I’ve recently started playing guitar. I also love music and am always listening to it. As such, its easy for me to find connections to music in the world around me.

For me, music in nature comes from all of the sounds you can hear when you’re in a forest. I was excited to read about the nature DJ using samples from nature in his preformance.

When i hear birds singing or trees rustling I feel like im listening to the collective symphony of the forest. I think this connection to a forest comes from the places i get to experience nature most often. When i was growing up the way i was close to nature was through hiking or camping in Carolinian and boreal forests. So sounds like leaves rustling and robins chirping come to mind. However, as we have discussed many times in this course, people have different experiences with nature. For some people the music of nature could be the sound of the ocean or the song of tropical birds. I think this could be an interesting thing to keep in mind while interpreting with music.

I also think that nature is a big part of music. This can be in a very literal sense similar to how there is music in nature. Many famous songs incorporate nature sounds into music. For example, bird calls in The Beatles song ‘blackbird’. Many artists are inspired by nature and even if they are not using sounds from nature they are often referencing its beauty. Alternatively, artists may describe aspects of 

 they may use aspects of nature as a metaphor to describe their experiences. One song that comes to mind is Landslide by Fleetwood Mac.The song describes making a journey up a mountain and seeing snow covered hills. The band is describing and referencing nature to communicate their experiences and tell a story.

Another way nature appears in music is through climate activism. I have noticed a lot more artists using their music to spread information about climate change. For example King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have multiple songs about pollution and damaging the planet. These songs discuss how we are impacting our environment and the social consequences of this.

The way nature appears in music makes me think about how I can use music interpretation. For example I think about how it is used to tell a story as in the Landslide. I could use nature in music to teach about the surrounding landscape or the stories from it. Furthermore, I could use music to interpret about conservation so that people feel an emotional connection to nature.

[aehenvs3000f23]

Hey!

I really like how you dug deeper into the ways in which nature can be in music. When I thought about this prompt, my mind didn't get much further than artists sampling the sounds of nature, so I really like how you incorporated the ideas of nature as a metaphor and climate activism in songs. This is a bit of a silly example but the first song that came to mind when you mentioned climate activism in music was Earth by Lil Dicky. As unserious as most of the song is, Lil Dicky managed to raise over 1.5 million dollars to donate to environmental organizations from the release of this song. You mentioned how important music is in your life, and I think most people feel similarly, I know I am almost always listening to music. That being said, I wonder how much money could be raised if more artists created songs for charity. Overall, I really enjoyed reading your post!

Ashley

[aehenvs3000f23]

Blog 7

Music is everywhere in nature. Although it is something that we rarely stop to think about, the second you step outside you are surrounded by it. Take a moment right now and imagine you’re standing next to a river in the middle of the forest… what would this sound like? To me it sounds like moving water, birds chirping, bees buzzing, and leaves blowing in the wind. I would say that these sounds are natures music. I encourage you to take a moment next time you’re outside and pay attention to the sounds you hear. Some artists, DJs or producers like to incorporate “natures music” into their music. The first example of this that pops into my head is Hymn for the Weekend by Coldplay, which features a variety of bird calls in the beginning of the song. Another example of this are the peacock calls that can be heard at the beginning of X by ScHoolboy Q. I think that sounds of nature are some of the less common samples used in songs, so using these samples can allow artists to produce a more unique sound.

A song that reminds me of being in nature is Tongue Tied by GROUPLOVE. Every summer for the past 4 years, my friends and I have gone on a camping trip. This trip usually involves lots of time at the beach, on walks, and sitting around the campfire. Most importantly, this trip involves lots of music. We really only turn the speaker off when it’s time to sleep. Despite how much music we listen to on this trip, the one song that always stands out to me is Tongue Tied. When I hear this song, I am taken back to the times I have spent in nature with my friends.

[aehenvs3000f23]

week 6

I think that this quote is meant to emphasize the importance of the past, and its connections to present life.

The quote begins by stating that "There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity". I believe that by this they meant that, the age of something doesn't determine its value directly. However, the role that history plays in integrity is where its importance lies. This is expressed as the quote states that "integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole, and if these parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge of ancient things". The way that I understand it, integrity in this scenario, is like a puzzle, made up of a bunch of pieces across history. In order to complete the puzzle and "maintain integrity", all pieces are necessary. So, although age does not directly impact the importance of something, its role in maintaining integrity makes it important.

This idea reminds me of the Tragedy on the Timiskaming, that we discussed in unit 3. Understanding the complications that lead to the tragedy can help future nature interpreters avoid making the same mistakes. This concept could also be applied to nature conservation. Understanding conservations efforts that have been successful or unsuccessful in the past can help form new methods of conservation.

Throughout unit 6, we discussed the importance of history in nature interpretation. This unit went over the idea that through understanding history, we are able to be better educated on the outcomes that may result from our actions. Furthermore, this preliminary knowledge may allow us to live a more enriched life, as we can avoid these bad outcomes. This concept ties in well with idea being discussed in this week’s quote and could also be applied to the examples I previously mentioned.

They finish off the quote by saying “to think, feel or act as though the past is done with, is equivalent to believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it.” This analogy pieces together all of the parts of the quote in a simpler manner so that readers can better grasp the meaning of the quote.

Overall, I think that this quote is a powerful reminder of the value of past, and the information that it can provide us with.

[aehenvs3000f23]

My journey in the gym

I decided to take advantage of this open blog prompt to switch up the conversation from nature interpretation to something else that makes up a big part of who I am, which is going to the gym.

Throughout highschool I had an on and off relationship (definitely more off than on) with the gym. Every summer I would work up a ball of motivation and sign up for the free summer student membership at Goodlife. In the beginning, I would go to the gym a few times a week and then by the time August rolled around would lose all motivation and give up. This same pattern happened the few times I bought myself a real membership in highschool. I remember the last time I started a “gym phase” it was cut short by the first Covid lockdown and between March of 2020 and January of 2023, I stepped foot in a gym 3 times.

Fast forward to January of 2023, I finally decided that I wanted to give the gym another try, but not just for a few weeks this time. So, I signed up for a membership at the campus gym and gathered up a few of my friends that worked out often to show me how to do everything right. I started going to the gym 3-4 times a week, and always had a friend with me to ensure my form was proper (and to keep me entertained). I immediately started to notice how good I felt walking out of the gym after a good workout. This feeling is what motivated me to keep showing up, sort of like a positive feedback loop. After a few months, motivation lost most of its impact (but not in the way you think). Going to the gym became such a normal part of my routine that it felt wrong to not show up. It is so crazy to think that just last year working out was so unimportant to me, and now I can't imagine spending a few days out of the gym.

This summer my best friend and I decided that we were ready for a new challenge. So, we agreed that once we got back to Guelph in the fall, we would do 75 Hard together. This fitness challenge consists of 5 main rules; pick a diet and stick to it (no cheats, no alcohol), 2 45-minute workouts a day (one must be outside), 3.8 L of water a day, 10 pages of a non-fiction book a day, and take a daily progress pic. We started the challenge on September 11, and after 32 days, I quit.

I say that I “quit” rather than “failed” because I did not see it as a failure. This challenge allowed me to form new habits such as reading daily (I think the last book I read front to back was in grade 10 English), drinking more water, going on daily outdoor walks, and reaching for healthier food options. You might be wondering, if I liked those aspects of the challenge why did I quit?

I quit 75 hard because I felt like it was destroying my relationship with the gym. I started to feel like the gym was a chore, rather than a choice. Each day I would start my timer as I entered the gym, and the moment I hit 45 minutes I had no more motivation to workout. My goal for the day was complete, and thus I was too. Before this challenge I had no problem spending 90 minutes in the gym, so when I noticed that I was struggling to continue my workouts beyond the 45-minute mark, I started to reassess my fitness goals. After 4-5 days of thinking about it, I decided to quit.

I don’t regret my decision to start or end the challenge one bit. I think that I learned a lot about myself and my goals this past month and plan to use the next few weeks to repair my relationship with the gym, in hopes that I can get it back to what it used to be, while still holding onto the good habits I have formed.

If you made it this far thank you for reading :)

And for anyone wondering, my best friend is still going!

[edenvs3000f23]

Blog Post 4

Prompt: Who are you to interpret nature through art? How do you interpret “the gift of beauty”?

The relationship that exists between humans and nature has always been subject to art, historically and in modern times. People from all over have been able to perfectly capture the beauty nature has to offer through so many different art forms. This can be through art forms likelandscape paintings, nature journaling/books, wildlife photography done by professional artists but sometimes we take part in interpreting nature through art without even noticing. Personally, I am a big fan of the sunset, and at the end of the day all I ever want to do is watch the sunset like it’s the last thing I’ll ever see. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t take a picture of the sunset whenever I see it. I have always had a simple appreciation for art and I feel like a lot of people in this course can relate! When you’re out and you see a pretty scenery what do you do? Take a picture right? I mean at least that’s what I do, even though most times the picture doesn’t do it justice I think it’s so cool that you can freeze a moment in time and have it forever. Over the years I have appreciated nature through art so much that I thought that’s what I would pursue as a degree. That was until I realized that understanding nature and the environment is an art in itself. Knowing and understanding the intricate connectedness pertaining to how the world functions can be so neat when understanding it on a deeper level. 

Different artists have always played a unique role in how I interpret nature and the way the world existed before I existed. Through their art, I have been offered new perspectives, emotions and insights on the natural world. For example, two artists that specalize in nature paintings that I really enjoy are Thomas Cole (1801-1848) and Martin Johnson Heade (1819-1904) because their art pieces are super realistic, some to the point where you can believe it’s a painting and not a picture. With that said, I also like how these painters offer a different perspective of nature. Since they are dated back to the 1800’s and early 1900’s, the landscapes they have captured are an important part of history, as it shows us what certain landscapes looked like at that time and can be compared to now and how they’ve changed. Another form of nature through art that I love is photography. Specifically, in the last two years I have taken an interest on social media this artist called ‘isacctakespics’ where he focuses on wildlife photography and videos. His pictures allow for insight on different species lifestyles which is important when interpreting nature even on a surface level. 

What interpreting the “gift of beauty” for me is something that involves engaging senses and emotions with an open mind. It means seeing things beyond the surface level and perceiving specific details within nature all while admiring its beauty and what it has to offer. I feel as though there is beauty in everything, and it often exists in simplicity like the sound of birds early in the morning, sunrise, an intense thunderstorm or stopping to look at a field of flowers. The gift of beauty is always around us, and it’s important we dont lose this insightfulness.

[aehenvs3000f23]

Hi Emma,

I absolutely relate to your love for the sunset. During covid I would go on a drive to a scenic spot every day just to sit alone and watch the sunset, it was so therapeutic (and you best believe I took a million pictures every time). I am the type of person that has to have a picture of everything, as you mentioned it's nice to be able to keep that moment in time with you forever. I touched on the same idea in my blog post, as taking photos is how I interpret nature through art.

I had never heard of the artists you mentioned so I looked them up and I have to say I am amazed. The attention to detail is crazy and I would definitely think that some of their paintings are pictures! Those paintings offer some very cool perspective on how they used to interpret nature in the 1800's.

I really enjoyed reading your post!

Ashley

[aehenvs3000f23]

Blog 4

I can think of many words to describe myself but “artistic” has never been one of them. I think this stems from the fact that my sister was the polar opposite, if anyone asked me one word to describe her it would have always been “artistic”. My sister was (and still is) big into drawing, painting, polymer clay and so on. She was so talented, and I was so un-talented, that it made it very clear to me that art just wasn’t my thing.

As I read through this unit, it mentioned art being as simple as the photos you take on your phone, which made me start to think, maybe I am artistic. Although creating art on a canvas isn’t my strong suit, I am someone who loves to take photos, especially in nature. So who am I to interpret nature through art? I would say that I am a photographer. Photographing nature is my favourite way to interpret it in an artistic manner. I often find myself pausing to snap a picture of the pretty flower I saw on my walk, the beautiful sunset on my way out the door, or the leaves changing colours on my way to school. These are all things that I would have never considered artistic until now.

The principle behind “the gift of beauty” believes that interpretation should allow and encourage people to sense the beauty in their surroundings, with the hopes that they will be more enticed to take part in conservation efforts. As someone who definitely appreciates the beauty in my surroundings, I can say that this level of appreciation is likely part of the reason that I am so inclined to take care of nature. I can see the beauty that nature has to offer, which inspires me to make an effort to keep it that way.

Overall, this unit has made me gain an appreciation for my artistic side and I will definitely remember that the next time I pause to snap a picture of nature. There are so many different forms of art, it just takes time to realize which one is for you

I have attached some of my favourite pictures that I have taken in my time outdoors:)

[aehenvs3000f23]

Blog 3

When I think of the word “privilege” a few synonyms come to mind, such as advantage, opportunity, and ability. Privilege comes in many ways and affects us more than we know. I think when most people consider what privilege means to them, they would think of things such as income, gender, and race. I know these were definitely the first few things that came to my mind. However, as I sit and think about ways in which I am privileged I realize that the list goes on and on, and in such simple ways. Although I am privileged as a Caucasian woman, attending university, and with married parents, I am also extremely lucky to have 4 working limbs and all of my senses. All of this being said, I would define privilege as “an advantage automatically placed amongst individuals within certain societal or economic groups”.

I think that privilege plays a big role in my personal journey with nature interpretation, as I am very privileged to receive a university level education on the matter. As a student, I have access to an abundance of information and resources to help grow my knowledge of nature. There are many people out there who may be interested in learning about nature, but do not have access to the resources to do so, and thus I am privileged to have that opportunity.

Another example of privilege within nature interpretation is the ability to travel. There are so many different plant and animal species to discover around the world, and even around our province. However, being able to see these different ecosystems firsthand requires time and money, which is not something that everyone has to spare. An example of this that comes to mind is the time my roommate went on a canoe trip with her dad and saw a moose. To some seeing a moose in person may seem so simple, but this is something myself and many others have never had the privilege of experiencing.

Finally, a major part of nature interpretation is the aspect of “interpreting”. As I mentioned in the first paragraph, privilege can simply be having all of your senses. For those who may not have this privilege, interpreting nature may be much more challenging.

Overall, I think that nature interpretation is not impossible with a lack of privilege, rather privilege allows for a more enriched experience. Despite the examples I provided, I think that on a simple level, nature interpretation is rather accessible to those who are under-privileged, as nature is everywhere.

[hkenvs3000f23]

Blog Post 2

Prompt 2:

Describe your ideal role of environmental interpreter. What might it entail? Where might it be? What skills might you need? (Keep these all-in mind as you begin to work on your assignments – tailor these to that ideal job!)

Hi everyone, welcome back to my blog!

When I had decided that I wanted to go into a career related to the environment, nature, wildlife, etc., some of the job pathways that I kept revisiting funny enough were related to nature interpretation. This was mainly because I gained a love for nature by learning about it from other nature interpreters, one of the major ones being the Wild Kratts, like I discussed in my last blog post. Some of the other interpreters included the ones I met when I was in elementary school, whether it was the ones I met on trips where we got go out and be in nature, or the ones who did presentations at schools and brought in animals.

I remember in one of my elementary schools they would invite the Earth Rangers every year to teach kids about the conservations of animals and their habitats. It was one of the things I looked forward to most since they would always bring in cool animals for the kids to meet. This one time they had let the birds they brought in fly across the gym and one of the owls went right over my head, I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I couldn’t stop talking about what had happened and what I had learned to my family. I remember thinking after every presentation that I would want to do what they do when I would grow up. I mean working with animals and teaching others about them sounded like the ideal job.

As I grew up, I realized there were many ways to do this, it didn’t just have to be going to schools, it could be working in parks, museums, at trails, zoos, doing podcasts, making videos. There were endless ways to teach others about what I loved, so I had to really think about what would work best for me.

So that brings me to what my ideal role of an environmental interpreter would be.

I would say it would be a job that deals with the conservation of animals and where I would also be able to travel across the world to different habitats. One job I have researched about quite often is a wildlife biologist as they study various species in their natural habitats. This would allow me to learn more about the behaviour of animals and their conservation need. As a wildlife biologist there are many opportunities to educate others whether it be through educational programs, public outreach, guided tours, or consultations.  Out of these I would prefer guided tours where I would be able to share my knowledge to others while being able to promote conservation efforts.

Not to mention, this job would also align with my learning style (tactile and visual learner) as it would allow me to learn as well as educate others in the learning styles that I prefer. The tactile side could be portrayed through fieldwork, specimen handling, interactive learning. Whereas the visual side can be shown through making observations in natural environments, working with photography and videography, as well as working with maps and diagrams.

Overall, I feel like this job would align best with what I desire and with the skills I have gained overtime.

[aehenvs3000f23]

Hi there,

Your stories definitely brought back some memories from early childhood! I remember always seeing the tv commercials for Earth Rangers growing up and wanting to join. It's crazy how far back our interests in nature started when you really think about it.

I am more of a plant girl myself so my ideal role as a nature interpreter is quite different than yours, but I have to say that travelling the world to observe different animals in their natural habitats sounds pretty cool! Do you have a specific location that would be ideal? I think that South America could have some great biodiversity. That being said, I am also a tactile and visual learner so I can totally relate to the appeal of specimen handling and being able to make real life observations.

Overall, I loved reading your post and hope that you are able to see animals from all over the globe one day!

[aehenvs3000f23]

Week 2

I think my ideal role as an environmental interpreter would be working with kids and have a strong focus on the botanical aspect of nature rather than the zoological aspects. Working with kids would be ideal for me because I would like to help spark kids interest in science and the environment. Every summer growing up I went to summer camp but the year that was most memorable to me was when I went to a science camp at McMaster University. At this camp we learned about anatomy, hydraulics, geology, chemistry and more. Learning advanced concepts at such a young age really sparked my interest in science. This is the reason that my ideal role as a nature interpreter would involve working with kids. I am my own evidence of the impact that I could have on kids. Thus, I would really like to give kids the opportunity to explore their interest in nature, the same way that camp allowed me to explore my interest in science.

As I briefly mentioned in my previous blog post, I am minoring in plant science, which is why my focus as a nature interpreter would be heavily centered around the botanical aspects of nature. I would love to educate others on the identification, anatomy, and roles that plants play in nature. Ideally, someone with a focus in zoology would be working by my side in this position to ensure the kids would be getting educated on all aspects of nature and the interactions that occur. I think that this job could take place at a conservation area, possibly working with kids on school or camp field trips, and hosting events for the general public. A skill that I would need for this job would be the ability to simplify information. All of my knowledge is at a university level, so I would need to find ways to take what I have learned and make it easily digestible for the audience. On top of this, I would need to simplify it to different levels depending on the age of the group I am working with.

[tmlenvs3000f23]

Blog #1

“Describe your current relationship with nature. How has this developed/evolved? Who offered you “a sense of place,” as described in our textbook?”

My current relationship with nature is different than most. I have a weak and complex relationship with nature. I am someone who does not frequently go outdoors but I can appreciate the beauty and complexity of nature.

I believe that my relationship with nature has weakened over time due to my struggle to embrace the Canadian climate, where long and harsh winters are the norm. The heavy snow falls, and the cold, deter me from spending extended periods of time outdoors during these months. Although I do not always appreciate the Canadian winters, every year I eagerly anticipate the summer months. The moment the snow melts, heat and UV index increases, I feel a strong desire to reconnect with nature. When the summer months arrive, I try my best to take advantage of the warmth and greenery that the Canadian summer has to offer.  During these months, my relationship with nature starts to strengthen as I immerse myself more with nature to specifically seek a tan. While I may not engage with nature in the traditional sense, the moments I spend under the sun allows me to form a connection with the warmth and beauty of the summer months. Although my interactions with nature may be limited to specific seasons, they serve as a reminder of the beauty and joys that nature can offer, even when facing the challenging weather connections.

While I may not immerse in the nature of the Canadian climate, I do often find myself drawn to the tropical climate. My appreciation for nature mostly comes from the desire to travel to the tropical regions and connect myself in what the nature has to offer such as tropical beaches. Although I would not classify myself as an outdoors person, I find myself spending as much time as I can outside while on family trips to the Caribbean as it gives me a “sense of place.” While on these trips, I love to soak in the UV, gaze at the sea while the sun reflects off it and walk on the beaches. At these times, I feel most like myself and I feel the most connected to nature than I ever have. When I am not on vacation, I also often surround myself with tropical houseplants and décor, attempting to recreate that joyful feeling I get while in the tropics. Although I may not physically experience the Canadian outdoors very often, my fascination for the tropical climate helps me maintain a more positive relationship with nature.

Though I may never be the type of person to roam through forests or go on hikes, my relationship with nature can gradually strengthen through my commitment to understanding and respecting it.  

[aehenvs3000f23]

Hi,

I really enjoyed reading your post. It was refreshing to hear a different perspective on the ways in which you can enjoy time in nature. I think when most people picture having a relationship with nature they think about spending time deep in a forest, but that doesn't have to be the case. I can definitely relate to your feelings towards the Canadian winter. Although I love the snow, the cold temperatures make enjoying time outside quite the challenge. I think most people can agree that the best part of summer is spending time outside, whether you're laying in your backyard tanning or on a hike, you're still enjoying what nature has to offer. I have to say I am super jealous that your "sense of place" came from being on vacation in the Caribbean. I have not been on many tropical vacations, but the ones that I have been on have definitely opened my eyes to how beautiful the world really is. I hope that you are able to continue to grow your relationship with nature, whether it is in Canada or a tropical destination!

Ashley

[aehenvs3000f23]

Blog #1

As an environmental science student, I feel as though I have a strong personal and professional relationship with nature. When I think back on my favourite memories as a kid, it almost always involved being outside. Whether I was running around my grandparents farm, collecting acorns from the tree by my favourite park, or attempting to look at dirt samples under my sad National Geographic microscope, I was always very intrigued by nature and what it had to offer. As I have grown, the ways in which I enjoy time in nature have changed, but my love for it has stayed the same. Being a university student, I have needed to find ways to unwind after a long day of schoolwork, or ways to reset mid-day when I feel my brain turning into mush. One thing that I have found to really help is going on walks. My roommates and I love to go on long walks through the Dairy Bush or around Guelph when we are feeling overwhelmed. My educational interest in nature really took off in high school when I took an environmental science course with a very passionate teacher. I can confidently say that that teacher single-handedly inspired me to continue my education in environmental science post-secondary. During my second year of my undergrad I spontaneously decided to take my third year botany requirement a year early and instantly fell in love. I am so grateful for this decision as it led me to minor in plant science, which I may not have had the space to do if I had waited until my third year. I truly feel as though my understanding of plants and the environment has allowed me to grow my personal relationship with nature as I am able to appreciate it on a deeper level.

I believe that I gained a “sense of place” in nature throughout my undergrad. Although I spent lots of time outside as a kid, I grew up in the city. Entering university I felt like a bit of an imposter as I started to realize that a lot of my peers grew up in more rural areas. During my third year I had a few courses with outdoor lab components, so I spent a lot of time in the Dairy Bush and other forests around campus. These labs certainly helped me feel more confident in my understanding of nature as I was able to take what I have learned over the years and really apply it. I can definitely say that these courses helped me gain my sense of place and I no longer feel like an imposter amongst my peers.