Abbey L - ENVS3000

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Disclaimer

This blog was created for ENVS*3000, 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.

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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? 

Ethics are an inherently interesting topic that we are introduced to at a young age; they’re an essential aspect of humankind. As nature interpreters, a tremendous amount of responsibility is placed on our shoulders to not only maintain ethical standards, but also pass these on to our learners. I believe that it is our responsibility to “right” the “wrongs” that have been done in the past, so that we may continue to a brighter future where wildlife and people can coexist peacefully within our shared biosphere. We learned that it is important to contemplate the events that occurred in the past, in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the historic events that led to current issues. Ultimately, in doing so, it allows us to independently build our worldview in a way that makes it appealing to continue to improve ourselves, others, and the environment we live in. I find the aspect of worldview fascinating as it greatly influences one’s fundamental aspects of reality and thus their thought pattern, decision making, and even emotions. This is not a static belief, in fact you could argue that it is impossible for beliefs to be static, and there is always potential for change! All in all, the main belief I bring to nature interpretation is this sense of duty that we have to our wildlife, wild spaces, and to ourselves. This means I believe that everyone should be constantly striving towards positive change for themselves, for others, and for our planet. By connecting people with nature, they are more likely to adopt this worldview for themselves. 

                  In terms of responsibilities as a nature interpreter, my main two goals are to keep everyone safe while performing interpretation, and second, that everyone can get something out of the experience. The first goal can be accomplished by demonstrating safe practices, offering advice for potentially dangerous situation, and outlining safety concerns before spending any time in the environment. The second goal is perhaps more difficult to accomplish, but through this course we have learned many strategies to ensure that it could be met. Catering to multiple individual learning styles will allow me to better connect everyone with nature and potentially shift their worldview, and I can do this by spending time getting to know the students independently. It is my belief that as a nature interpreter I have the responsibility of helping learners to see the world from a different perspective, one that is perhaps new to them, that could spark positive change. 

                  In terms of interpretation approaches that are most suitable for me as an individual, I would have to say that leading by example is possibly the best method that one could employ. Simply taking a group of naïve learners into the forest and offering my perspective of how I see things would be highly beneficial for people who are seeking to learn and listen. I’m sure that some learners would benefit more from a “classroom” approach combined with a hands-on, experience-based component, so I think that this would be the most suitable for catering to multiple learning styles. I think that prompting people with small changes and actions they can perform in their day-to-day lives would be beneficial for continuing their positive growth thought patterns. 

                  For example, in the David Suzuki video from this unit, him and Richard Louv talked about the possible change that could come about from people rewilding their yards. This is a topic I have been passionate about for a long time, because although I hadn’t heard it said in words before this video, I understood that this “trend” has the potential to change the worldview of entire communities of people. In reality, this is more than just a trend: it has tremendous benefits for biodiversity, connection between people to people and people to nature, societal benefits, wildlife benefits, I could go on and on. It is such a small change for people to make, but the impacts are intensely profound. Personally, I have a small native prairie and wildflower patch that I planted two summers ago, and it brings me so much pride and joy. I share it with whoever I can and have even shared seeds with my relatives who were so interested in it that they wished to start their own native garden. Creating and holding space for biodiversity and wildlife is not only easy and but well worth the effort and cultivation, and definitely has the potential to alter one’s worldview.

An image from my native prairie garden of a calligrapher, a species of hover fly, many of which can be found in this tiny patch in the summer! 

An endangered species I found in my native pollinator garden, a white-banded crab spider. This just goes to show that creating spaces for biodiversity to thrive will allow them to! They will take advantage of spaces if we just provide it for them!

                  Moreover, if we allow people the opportunity to create opportunities for wildlife to thrive, they will be offered a sense of purpose and direction. Small changes like this may change the entire trajectory of their lives. I’m well aware that one encounter with nature has the potential to change the course of one’s life, as this is how I found myself here. There is an indefinite amount of styles in which you could go about nature interpretation, but I believe that as long as your heart is in the right place, and you take on the responsibility of sharing knowledge and inspiring others, then all nature interpretation can have a positive impact. 

[alenvs3000f24]

You made many insightful points throughout your discussion. One part that really stood out to me was the mention of how if we foster the opportunity for people to create opportunities for nature to thrive then this will create a purpose for them. This is really interesting to me and I definitely believe it is one way to help with conservation practices. I had mentioned that I feel that one of my main responsibilities as an interpreter is to make a positive change in our environment through awareness of sustainability and conservation. I think that what you had mentioned is one of the great ways to do so. It's typical that people do not feel motivated to make a change because they don't necessarily know the best way to go about it. If through nature interpretation we are able to lay down what they can do and directly show them the positive outcomes it has - not only on the specific environment but also on the bigger picture - then I think this will create an emotional connection and facilitate some change whether it be small or big.  Some people may not even be aware of the damage that their daily actions are having so by including some of this in the nature interpretation I believe that this could help people recognize that they can make a difference. Including history with this goal for  nature interpretation this can help create a true understanding of the damage that we have caused. We can take a look into the past and then see the current tragedy we are currently dealing with. Connecting these types of things can allow people to form a good connection with nature and can help them to help the environment.

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Blog Post 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?

My core beliefs as an environmental educator stem from the concept of fun and equality. Reflecting throughout my growth in this course and how I’ve been able to define my experiences in environmental interpreting, I realized that what is important to me is how we can use enjoyment to build deeper connections with nature. Initially, when I started this course, I always assumed I would continue my role as a nature interpreter, working with summer camp-age kids and taking them to national parks to experience the beauty of nature and hard work or simply getting them outside and being active. However, while learning more about the different ways to interpret nature and the various challenges presented to other individuals, my goals have changed. 

I have always had an incredibly strong opinion of what is fair. When I was younger, I struggled because so many inherent aspects of life simply weren’t fair. As an adult and a nature interpreter, I realize now that I can use that sense of fairness to bring about change. I was always aware of my privilege when I was younger, but only in growing up did I realize I was so much more privileged than I previously thought. I grew up in a house with a backyard, a park nearby, a ravine within walking distance, and parents who encouraged my siblings and me to explore nature and ask questions. Even more so, I realized my privilege in attending a summer camp where I was required to go to Algonquin Park and take a canoe trip. It taught me fundamental skills and beliefs like the ability to swim, the mindset that I can do hard things and that physical and emotional discomfort is often temporary and rewarding. 

These experiences shape who I am and how I approach problems in life. It was also incredibly fun. This is a part I often forget when sharing my experiences in nature. Not only did I learn a lot about myself and the environment, but I did so because I was having fun. This realization made me realize that the most important lessons I’ve learned in nature have stayed with me because they are tied to memories of joy and laughter. I am so incredibly grateful for these experiences and now want to be able to bring them to more kids. Most of my peers I experienced nature with were financially stable, white, and from emotionally stable and supportive homes. Not everyone has those blessings, but that shouldn’t prevent them from experiencing nature like I did. 

When I think of my responsibilities as an interpreter, I believe it is essential to acknowledge that we deal with kids who have been denied the same experiences we have. They spent their formative years in a pandemic surrounded by screens and the anxiety of being outside. They also have to fight with the dopamine addictions that screens bring in comparison to the joy of being outside. That is where I believe you have to work with kids and not against them. For them to want to be outside, it has to be fun. My responsibilities as a nature interpreter is to facilitate fun activities they can do while they learn: scavenger hunts and games where they learn about nature but can still compete. Sneaking in lessons while they learn new skills. Prompting them to think and reflect about nature while doing outdoor activities you know they enjoy. 

Reflecting on the times I’ve been acting as a nature interpreter for kids, I haven’t fully reflected on how my experience differs from there. When I worked with kids who were born in the pandemic, I didn’t consider the deficits they would have. Many were terrified of being dirty, and some didn’t even know how to play tag. It was a baffling experience but an important one. At the time, I was simply shocked by the fact that they didn’t know tag, a game that I don’t even remember learning but made me run around in nature. Now, thinking on that, it makes me reflect even further on how to almost “dumb down” my basic approaches to getting kids involved in nature. 

Looking back now, my style of interpretation has been very much focused on kids with a similar background as me. Many kids don’t know how to swim especially if they live in lower-income areas in the city. They don’t have access to similar experiences to my own, like going to Algonquin Park, and potentially don’t have parks or nature around them. In the future, I am going to tailor my interpreting with a more basic approach that explains more of the fundamentals of nature instead of what I assume they already know.

[alenvs3000f24]

Hey!

Like you, I grew up constantly being immersed in nature and have been so privileged to have these experiences. I really liked reading about your perspective of what responsibilities you hold as a nature interpreter. I never really thought about how kids who grew up during the pandemic would have a different connection with nature than children who didn't. This was really interesting and got me thinking a lot! The pandemic most definitely facilitates different connections with nature. I know that during the pandemic I actually spent a lot of time outside going on walks and as such there wasn't much else that I could do to get out of the house. I'm sure that this was the case for many but it also may be that a lot of families spent the entire time finding things to do indoors. For the case of the kids whose parents were constantly finding a way to be outside I wonder if they have “positive” thoughts of nature as they spent a lot of time outside growing up in the pandemic or if they associate it negatively to Covid. I can also see how the pandemic definitely could have slowed the relationship with nature. I know some families are not “outdoorsy” people so if they didn't spend much time in nature during the lockdown periods the kids also wouldn't really be able to form the connection that I would have. For example, I know that I was able to form a connection with nature as a kid during recess with my friends. These kids were not able to have these positive experiences. I never thought about it like this, thank you for opening up this perspective.

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Unit 10 Blog Post

I have learned so much from this course and believe that I have gained a proper skill set to be able to effectively provide nature interpretations. I think the most important thing to bring to nature interpretation is ensuring that the information is presented in an interesting manner while incorporating conservation and protective insight. Personally, this is my main drive behind nature interpretation. With the current state of the world and the destruction that humans cause I think the least we can do is bring awareness to the struggles we as a society have caused. Whether or not the impacts of my interpretations are small or big, I think eliciting a positive change in any form can be impactful and better for the future. 

I live based on the beliefs that nature has its own value outside of what it provides for us and I think it is important to respect it as so. I always think nature could survive without us, but we could not survive without it, so why must we treat it with such disrespect? I believe that we need to take into consideration future generations of not only humans, but all species. I believe that we should act as if we owe it to every living thing, both big and small, to allow them to have the chance at survival in the future. I think many people tend to not think of the big picture when going through day to day life. I want to be able to show them how beautiful and important nature is and how their actions can help to preserve it. 

As a nature interpreter you bear a lot of responsibilities regarding the information that you tell, but also specifically audience based responsibilities. To begin with the information portion I have the responsibility to have an accurate understanding of the aspects of nature that I am to interpret. It would be wrong to say I am a nature interpreter and guide an interpretation without having sufficient knowledge of what I'm talking about. I feel responsible to interpret through both science and history. As we talked about in this course science and history are both vital aspects to include to ensure the audience gets the best understanding. The use of history in nature interpretation can help show the audience how we got to the point that shaped the ecosystems we see now (Beck et al., 2018). The use of science in nature interpretation can deepen the understanding of the why, what, when, how questions that may present themselves to the audience during the interpretation. 

The responsibility to the audience is to ensure they receive accurate information and safety precautions are always in check. To make sure that the entire audience gets the most from the interpretation I have the responsibility to first understand the needs of the audience. Being able to first identify and understand that each member of the audience is unique in what knowledge, emotions and experiences they bring to the interpretation. This means focusing on individual needs and wants of the audience to truly make the interpretation of personalized experience (Beck et al., 2018). This makes it more enjoyable and entertaining for the audience rather than if you were to, for example, only think of your own experience and tailor the interpretation based on this alone. Seeking out information about the audience is just as important as the actual information for the interpretation. This includes age, interest/experience in the subject, education level, learning styles etc (Beck et al., 2018). An interpretation that is created with the baseline being about the audience creates the most meaningful and impactful interpretation. This can decipher whether or not the audience not only understands the information, but also DOES something with the information. Which to me is arguably the most important part.

As you are responsible for the information in the interpretation you are also responsible for the overall health and wellbeing of the audience both during and after the interpretation. If hosting an interpretation outdoors it is vital that before the interpretation begins an opening statement is made about potential hazards that you may encounter throughout the guided walk (or whatever it may be). This allows for the audience to be well suited and understand what risks may lie ahead, also giving them the opportunity to continue on with the interpretation. In order to properly ensure a safe interpretation you must do research prior to the interpretation to weigh out the risks and also make sure to be keen and well prepared for any possible danger that you could encounter on the interpretation itself. Being prepared for anything is vital (Hooykas, 2024). Examples of things that need to be taken into consideration include…

Physical abilities of the audience (stamina and physique some people may not have the physical capabilities to withstand walking through certain terrain)

Weather conditions (Is there going to be icy/slippy terrain)

Wildlife (Potential for running into a wild animal that could pose harm such as a black bear)

Listening skills (should you be taking a large group of little kids on a walk through the forest by yourself, no this probably would not end well)

Photo taken at Shade's Mills. An example of a helpful interpretive sign that is accessible to many people.

While some of this may seem like common sense it can quickly be overlooked when you have personal experience with the terrain and environments. Yet, another example of unpacking your invisible backpack and understanding that everyone's needs are different. Overall it is important to really think about the risk and reward of the situation as we talked about in Unit 3 (Hooykaas, 2024). 

This applies to all interpretations, not just physical ones such as outdoors walks. The information that you give to the audience needs to be relayed in a way that is safe. Making sure that you explicitly list the risks associated with certain information is just as important as providing it during an in person outdoor event. For example, when talking about a certain aspect of the forest you may tell the audience how they could check it out themselves in person. Instead of just telling them and essentially “throwing them to the wolves” it is important to list how they can achieve this in the safest way. This includes simple things such as making sure they do not go alone. It's better to be safe than sorry. 

For the question, “What approaches are most suitable for you as an individual?”, I'm going to focus on what approach I would like to get better at in the realm of nature interpretation. So focusing more on what currently is not “suitable” currently that I am working towards changing. Being a science major for my entire educational background I have been taught to write papers and create presentations in a “professional” manner. To be this means creating something that is formal and informational. I feel like this has made it very difficult to write interpretations that are not structured like these papers that I have become accustomed to writing. I think that this affects how entertaining my interpretations will be, essentially making them boring. I am working on opening up my creative side and trying to loosen the hold that formal papers have on me. 

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Chapter 6. In Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. essay, Sagamore Publishing LLC. 

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Chapter 7. In Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. essay, Sagamore Publishing LLC. 

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Chapter 15. In Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. essay, Sagamore Publishing LLC. 

Hooykaas, A. (2024). Unit 03: Risk versus Reward in Interpretation. University of Guelph, CourseLink.

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Unit 09: The Forest Feeds the Forest

What does a sugar maple, a mouse, an owl, and an earthworm have in common? It would seem like very little! A sugar maple is huge, towering many meters above the forest floor, whereas an earthworm is minuscule, and finds its home underground. Despite their differences, however, each of these organisms has a very important role to play in each other’s lives.

The sugar maple is an iconic Canadian species. It is found on the flag, is the source of the maple syrup, and explains the breathtaking autumn vistas of rolling hills covered in the reds, oranges, and yellows of changing leaves. But the sugar maple is not only important to Canadian identity—it is also an integral part of forest ecosystems.

Like any other organism in the forest, the sugar maple has one goal: reproduce. To maximize the likelihood of one of its offspring surviving to maturity, the sugar maple puts out many seeds—each individual tree can produce hundreds of thousands! This is very much like buying a lottery ticket—surely one must be a winner!

If you have ever walked into a sugar maple forest, you will know that at any given point, you will be surrounded by hundreds—if not thousands—of trees. If each one of these trees produces hundreds of thousands of seeds…you do the math! This is a good outcome for the sugar maple, but it is also beneficial to the mouse. Mice, in preparation for the winter ahead, must store food. This winter caching corresponds to the timing of the production of maple seeds, which makes these seeds a key part of the mouse’s diet.

These seeds are of such importance that their availability is a key determinant of the mouse’s population! Like many fruiting plants, the seed crops of sugar maples go through “booms” and “busts”—some years have exceptional seed production, whereas other years have poor seed production. In the good years, the millions of seeds produced by the sugar maples in the forest mean that mice can survive and reproduce without issue. “Boom” years for the sugar maple correspond with “boom” years for the mouse.

The mouse “boom” benefits predators of mice—such as the owl. The owl, which does not need to struggle to find food, is able to raise more offspring. The owl experiences a “boom” itself, which will lead to a reversal of the mouse “boom”—an intricate cycle which continues in perpetuity.

As the season draws to a close the days get shorter, the nights get colder, and slowly those reds, oranges, and yellows begin to emerge. The leaves eventually fall to the forest floor—a shared fate with millions of others. As the days turn into months and the months into years, the earthworm comes along and begins feeding on the decaying plant matter. The earthworm in turn increases the nutrients in the soil. This, of course, is good for the sugar maple, which is good for the mouse, which is good for the owl...

[alenvs3000f24]

Hey Quinton!

I think your interpretation was extremely well executed and you did an amazing job at incorporating interesting facts to keep the audience engaged in the content. It was such an easy read. You were able to incorporate information that people could relate to such as your mention of the Canadian Flag. This allows for people to feel like they are already connected to the information that they are being given. This personally made me easily able to follow along while still being able to gain the new information you're providing. Being able to find ways to be able to make the information relatable can be a difficult task as so many people have different hobbies and interests. In a blog setting you never really know your audience, but you were able to still find relations that would connect to a wide audience range. I applaud you for this!

In regard to the content of your blog post I’m curious to know what your thoughts are on the effects of climate change on the “boom” or “bust” phenomenon that you discussed. As most of us are aware, the impacts of climate change aren’t linear. Instead there are countless negative impacts on once healthy ecosystems. You had mentioned that the cycle of sugar maples dropping their seeds and mice storing an abundance of food match up. Climate change is known to create shifts in life cycles due to temperature and precipitation changes. This can alter the timing of when sugar maples drop their seeds and the amounts they are able to produce, therefore creating an ongoing “bust” situation. Based on your knowledge do you think that these changes in climate will affect mice in the same way as when they decide to start storing food for the winter? Do you think the mouse population would be able to adapt to these changes in seed production over time? Or to the contrary the populations may fall beyond recovery? Or possibly there are different sources for the mouse population to survive these changes?

[alenvs3000f24]

Unit 9 Blog Post

Nature is a vast and complicated thing that many of us take for granted. It's difficult to see when looking into say a forest how much the ecosystem relies on all parties present. From first glance it would seem as if there's only trees and dirt and maybe some other small vegetation making up the ecosystem. These pieces may even seem independent of each other. When taking a deeper look though it is clear that there are so many aspects that go into the successful running and health of any small ecosystem but also all ecosystems entirely. Even within what you can think of as an ecosystem such as a forest actually includes so many different elements that there are most likely hundreds of other ecosystems within each having its own structure and function and contributing at different levels to other ecosystems (Rutledge et al., 2024). I think the different levels of ecosystems and the individual importance of each and every one of them is extremely fascinating. 

​​https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=103&v=7G2uPwIJqb4&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fclient%3Dsafari%26sca_esv%3D05b80d25c258e3c0%26rls%3Den%26sxsrf%3DADLYWIKUwOlYsyGq_NBle-cj5DYHhCAssg%3A17308514792&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjMsMjM4NTE

This brief video provides an overview of the organization of the environment.

To begin we have to determine what is considered an ecosystem. I define an ecosystem as a community of abiotic and biotic elements that interact with one another. Even you probably don't think about the ecosystems that you may have on your person right now. Yes, that's right you have micro-ecosystems on and throughout your body. One of these being your skin microbiome. So while you may think that after taking a shower that your skin is perfectly clean, it never really can be… But this isn't a bad thing as the microbiome can facilitate defense against bad bacteria and pathogens and promotes the overall health of our skin and immune system (Carmona-Cruz et al., 2022). Pictured below are some of the common organisms that can be found on our skin.

Image sourced from Carmona-Cruz, S., Orozco-Covarrubias, L., & Sáez-de-Ocariz, M. (2022). The Human Skin Microbiome in Selected Cutaneous Diseases. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 12, 834135–834135. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2022.834135 

Now think about this level of micro-ecosystems and expand it to all organisms in each ecosystem. Squirrels for example have their own ecosystem on their fur, the soil even has its own ecosystem. There are so many ecosystems each with their own level of importance that supports the overall thing we call nature. It is just so amazing to me that all of these factors can work together to form a functioning ecological space that is able to provide for us and all the other creatures within. From supplying a place to live/grow for the organisms and nutrient cycling to supply things such as oxygen to the air. Without these micro-ecosystems working hard in the background many functions and structures within an ecosystem would be non-existent. Important nutrient cycling such as the carbon cycle would not be made possible without the soil microbiome hidden within the dirt. This would devastate the earth as the makeup of the atmosphere would shift significantly causing a completely different climate. One that would most likely be inhabitable (Naylor et al., 2020). 

So next time you walk outside remember to be thankful for the little things, the small bug that lands on your sweater or the blowing dirt on winding days. Each of these things may seem unimportant but in reality make up the bigger picture that is nature. 

Sources

Carmona-Cruz, S., Orozco-Covarrubias, L., & Sáez-de-Ocariz, M. (2022). The Human Skin Microbiome in Selected Cutaneous Diseases. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 12, 834135–834135. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2022.834135 

Naylor, D., Sadler, N., Bhattacharjee, A., Graham, E. B., Anderton, C. R., McClure, R., Lipton, M., Hofmockel, K. S., & Jansson, J. K. (2020). Soil Microbiomes Under Climate Change and Implications for Carbon Cycling. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 45(1), 29–59. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-012320-082720 

Rutledge, K., McDaniel, M., Teng, S., & Hall, H. (2024, October 31). Ecosystem. National Geographic. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/ecosystem/

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Blog Post 07 – Nature Interpretation through Music

Where is Music in Nature? Where is Nature in Music?

Nature and music are intricately, as we step into the natural world, we find ourselves surrounded by an orchestra of sounds: the rustle of leaves, the gentle flow of a stream, birds chirping at dawn. These natural melodies form the soundtrack of our experiences, inviting us to listen and connect.

Every element of nature contributes to this harmonious experience. The wind whispers through trees, creating a soothing lullaby. Waves crash against the shore, each swell punctuating the silence with rhythmic beauty. Even the silence itself can be musical—there is a unique quality to a quiet forest or an open field at dusk. These sounds not only define a landscape but also evoke emotions, transporting us to places of peace, reflection, or adventure. The same can be said about nature in music, nature profoundly influences music creation. Many composers and musicians draw inspiration from their surroundings. Think of Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons," where each movement captures the essence of a particular time of year, Country music often holds words about scenic farm scapes with golden fields and wild animals that litter the landscape. Folk music often tells stories of nature, reflecting the landscapes and experiences that shape their cultures.

The relationship between nature and music is a dialogue. Just as nature offers us a canvas of sounds, musicians translate their experiences into melodies that can express our feelings about the world. This connection invites us to explore the beauty of both, whether through listening to a favourite song or venturing into the wilderness. For me, one song that instantly transports me back to a natural landscape is "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire. It transports me into my favourite season, fall. My birthday, Halloween, thanksgiving, and then rolling into the Christmas season is my favourite time of the year, and though this song only mentioned September and though the song doesn’t directly speak about nature other then small snippets about the clouds and the sunshine, it still reminds me of fall days filled with the various oranges, yellows and reds that litter the trees, that first breeze that makes you put a coat on. Those moments are encapsulated in song for me and brings me into nature, to me it’s the very core of fall in musical form.

When connecting to music and nature I think about how I would listen in the back of the truck with my parents while driving around the country or into town for various things, I was lucky to be able to experience privliage like this. Although different cultures and classes have kinds of music, sometime music can be restricted for some. Music and Nature interpretation go hand in hand, this means that someone who cannot listen to music as often, easily or at all will not be able to interpret nature as easily as I have been able to. This can mean that I might value or interpret nature differently due to my experiences that others might not understand or agree with. However, the interpretation of different cultures and sounds from different locations can allow me too expand my knowledge and point of view.

Nature is a source of endless inspiration and creativity, just as music can capture the essence of the natural world. By immersing ourselves in both, we discover a deeper understanding of our experiences. Nature can be interpreted through music just as much as music can be found in nature.

[alenvs3000f24]

Hello!

I really connected with your description of how the song “September” makes you feel and enjoyed reading how you interpreted the song. This explanation shows that nature in music doesn't necessarily have to be definitive. Instead songs that don’t have a direct correlation with nature can still invoke emotions and thoughts about nature and all it has to offer. This speaks volume about the intricacies of nature interpretation. People will feel connected to nature based on their own personal experiences and memories. Since you love the season that September brings and what comes to follow though the song does not directly include much talk about nature. Your connection to nature facilitates the emotional response. I think this is so cool! I also have many songs that when listening to I am taken into some sort of nature landscape whether it be at the beach or a hot summer's day. 

Songs are good at holding and eliciting memories which can also be used to the advantage of a nature interpreter. This may be relating the information you're talking about to a song. Then the consequent times the person may hear this song it could bring back memories and thoughts of the information presented. This also works with using music directly sourced from the environment such as showing the audience something such as a bird call. The next time the audience might hear this call on their own time they will be brought back to the information they were given during the interpretation. As we talked about in Unit 7 these connections that we make with music can foster a need/want for protection. This can be through hearing a call from an invasive species or simply from the emotional response triggered by a song. If someone hears a song that brings them back to their childhood at a certain beach this will lead the person to feel protective over this area. This is just one example of why being connected with nature is so important. Once people are emotionally connected to it the less likely they are going to want to destroy it, which is very important given the current state of the world.

[alenvs3000f24]

Blog Post 7

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

When looking at nature music is actually typically one of the first things I think of, but not in the traditional sense of songs with lyrics. Instead I picture all the noises that come from an ecosystem and rather think of these as overall music. I think I would classify nature maybe even as its own genre of music. Think about maybe on a fall day walking through a deciduous forest. If you can tune out your own thoughts, it starts to become apparent that there are noises all around you. This might seem scary at first thinking of what lurks within the forest, but instead, I am engulfed by the beauty of it. All around, you can hear the leaves crunching beneath your feet, birds chirping, and/or the wind rustling the trees. The sounds can elicit an emotional response for many people. I long for the fall days when I can walk through fallen leaves. Hearing them crunch under me makes me happy, and I reminisce on memories such as when I was a child. This emotional response is triggered from natures music globally and showing people some of this can help with nature preservation and conservation. This was briefly touched on in Unit 7 of ENVS*3000 but I would like to expand on these ideas. Lets say for example there is a wetland that is in danger of being destroyed to expand a highway. Something as small as listening to the music produced by the wetland in comparison with a highway could sway the person to protect the wetland. 

Youtube Video of Wetalnd Marsh titled Wetland Marsh - Relaxing binaural 3D audio no talking sounds for sleep

Youtube Video of Highway Sounds titled Highway sounds cars and trucks passing by

Above are 2 links, one is the sound of a weltand marsh and the other is the sound of a highway. Listen to about 15 seconds of each. After listening to both which one would you rather have in your backyard? For me personally I would prefer to have the lush wetland not only because I enjoy walking through nature but also because the sound of wetlands put me at ease (The name of the video doesnt contain the phrases relaxing and sleep for no reason). Showing this to people in the community may trigger an emotional response and allow them to realize they may not actually want a highway or busy road near them regardless of the ease on travelling. 

When it comes to music in a more traditional sense nature can be found intrwetwined in many pieces. My first thought is in Zach Bryans song Smaller Acts. 

Youtube Clip of Smaller Acts by Zach Bryan

Skip to around 1:20min to hear the frog in the back!

The recording of this song was outside and throughout the song you can hear a frog croaking in the back. While this most likely wasnt intentional it adds a lot to the song (or atleast in my opinion it does). It makes me think of summer time and the joy of being outside. This small addition of nature to the song makes me have a greater emotional response to it. While this may not be the interpretation of the noise for all ( a lot of people comaplined about the croaking and requested it be rerecorded), I think this makes the song more special and beautiful.

I think another reason I feel more so attached to this song is since my grandma had a little wooden frog thats sound was to mimic the croak of a frog. This musical instrument initself serves as another point of how nature and music work in combination. People love the music that nature produces so we attempt to recreate it.

https://www.amazon.ca/Thailand-Croaking-Musical-Instrument-Natural/dp/B07HSRGWFF Image sourced from seller “Garosa Store” on Amazon

Music to many including myself is found to be inspirational. When adding elements of nature to music or thinking of the natural noises from nature as music in itself can help people to deepen their relationship with nature and foster conservation efforts. When thinking about nature interpretation, building the foundation based off of the 5 senses can be very beneficial in ensuring the audience gets the most information/knowledge.

Bryan, Z. (2023, August 25). Smaller Acts. YouTube. https://youtu.be/dM_aZOAeLso?si=0xvpfrtBNcZJydw 

Infinity Soundscapes. (2015). Wetland Marsh - Relaxing binaural 3D audio no talking sounds for sleep. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v11Ck9vKwM  Tuma Time. (2023). Highway sounds cars and trucks passing by. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o_YQx7MeOs

[smenvs3000f24]

Unit 6 Blog #1

In unpacking this quote I want to first note that I had some difficulty understanding exactly what it meant and had to read it several times to grasp the concepts fully. For this reason, I believe this quote does not do the best job of delivering information in a simple and accessible way, as discussed in the textbook readings for this unit. Although there is a time and place for eloquence and complexity, this quote—to me—feels unnecessarily complicated to deliver its intended message and may cause readers to skip over it without trying to understand. This type of complexity is a perceived barrier to a lot of interpretation and is thus important to note in unpacking this quote, especially in the context of an interpretation course.

To best unpack the content of this quote, I want to first reword it in my own words to form an understanding of its meaning for further discussion. I believe this quote is saying that even if historical artifacts and stories do not have their own inherent value, their context as part of the broader story of history is crucial to present an honest and complete narrative. This is also much of what this unit has been about, ensuring that interpretation is prioritizing truth and accuracy over entertainment, often with specific reference to being honest about uncomfortable histories that nevertheless need to be discussed. Understanding history is important for any kind of interpretation, for example in discussion of species (in which case the evolutionary history is vital to a complete understanding), regions (in which individuals and groups who have been on the land have shaped it in various ways), or the importance of conservation (in which the processes that led to this point are valuable for knowing what may have gone wrong and what needs to be corrected moving forward). History is a valuable teacher in all areas, and I believe this is the essence of what the author wanted to express when writing this quote.

Other interesting things I wanted to note about this quote relate to word choice. Notably, the word integrity in this instance could be used as either of its definitions. Being honest and maintaining strong principles, and a state of being whole and undivided are accurate as there is a moral obligation to deliver the complete and undivided story. I am unsure whether this was intentional, and I cannot confirm which use the author had in mind, but it does demonstrate how impactful good word choice can be when multiple definitions or understandings of a word lead to the same conclusion. On the other hand, the use of the word peculiar in this quote confused me, as I had only ever heard it used as a synonym for “strange” rather than a synonym for “particular” as it is here. I imagine this is either a generational or regional use difference, but this presents the opposite side of impactful word choice, in which differing understandings of a word can significantly alter the content of a story.

[alenvs3000f24]

Hello!

I can agree with you that the initial read over of this quote can seem confusing. It uses metaphors and other rhetorics that can make understanding the message confusing right off the bat. I liked that while unpacking this quote you made the decision to reword it in a fashion that makes it simpler for the reader to comprehend. 

After reading your you deciphered the quote I think we had the same takeaways. I think it's good that you brought up specific examples such as the importance of history at a species based level. Without understanding the history of a species then this diminishes the integrity of the nature interpretation. For example when talking about the ecological features of an ecosystem and there is an invasive species that is now invading the landscape, it wouldn't make sense to brush this off and not say anything about it. This might give the audience a false narrative about the ecosystem properties. Instead to maintain the integrity of the interpretation the interpreter could go into the history of both the invasive species and what the “natural” ecosystem once was before invasion. The same concept can be applied to all aspects of nature including old buildings and past events that shaped the current ecosystem. When adding in the aspect of history the reader can get a better idea of why/how the ecosystem is how it is!

I enjoyed that you shared your thoughts about the word choice and specifically your interpretation of the use of peculiar. I think this shows how impactful interpretation is and the importance of thinking about how your audience will understand the information you're giving them. Everyone interprets things differently so making sure to use proper terminology and phrases that can be understood most easily can also boost the integrity of the interpretation. 

[alenvs3000f24]

Blog Post 6

“There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity, and 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, a memory, of ancient things. …. 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.”

(Edward Hyams, Chapter 7, The Gifts of Interpretation)

The quote above illustrates the importance that looking at the “big picture” holds. When looking at an aspect of nature this so-called big picture includes all aspects including the past, present and future. Without all the pieces of the puzzle the integrity of the interpretation is lacking. I think that this quote reflects that just because something isnt happening right now does not mean it didn't have any effect on what is. What I mean by this is that without the past what currently exists would differ. For example let’s say your great great great grandparents moved from say Australia to Canada. Since then your family, school, work and social life has become established in Canada. When looking at these aspects it may seem as though the history of your family doesn't play a role. But in reality if these great great grandparents didn't move to Canada your “story” would be much more different. 

To be able to fully understand and unpack your surroundings it is important that you look at everything that was put into it. The beginning of the quote there is no particular merit in ancient things. When looking at an old artifact and only knowing it for what it is currently such as an old building or something it loses so much of its “wow” factor if you will. It may just seem like a pile of junk with no value, but if you dive into the past of the building you are able to uncover this story of who, what, where, when and how. This makes the building much more interesting and the overall interpretation of the building will be different. In chapter 15 of the Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World textbook the author did a wonderful job explaining this. The chapter explains that including historical interpretation almost brings life back to what once was and deepens our understanding of the historical elements. 

No matter what, the past is always with us and shapes us into the people we are today. The same is true about nature and the impact that we have on it. We can use historical information to educate ourselves on the past so we are knowledgeable for what the future may hold. This can be said about the issue we are currently facing of climate change. If we look at this in the context of Hyams' metaphor about the train station it would be as if we said that all the emissions and harm we have done to our planet in the past is not relevant to the current concern of climate change. When obviously this is not the case. Instead when looking at the issue of climate change we have to look past activities and how they have contributed. Imagine if we were only looking at our current emissions rates, etc and had no historical data? There would not be nearly enough information or knowledge base to make sound decisions about the serious problem at hand. It might not even look as if it is a problem. For reasons such as this it is necessary to include history in interpretation, without it you're doing it an injustice. History plays a role in everything, ensuring it is part of every interpretation strengthens the overall understanding and improves accuracy of the information being presented.

[rvenvs3000f24]

Unit 05 Blog Post

I was brought up in Eldoret, a town that rests in the heart of Kenya, near one of the greatest natural wonders on Earth, the Rift Valley. The sheer scale of the Rift Valley, the largest of its kind, has always been a breathtaking sight for me. Spanning thousands of kilometers from Lebanon in the north to Mozambique in the south, the Great Rift Valley runs through Kenya, carving out a beautiful landscape that is both vast and rugged. Its significance in shaping nature and the lives of the people who live near it, including my own, is immense.

An image of the Rift Valley captured from the valley floor. See if you can spot the waterfall in the image above.

As a child growing up near the valley, I remember standing on its edge, staring into the seemingly endless horizon. The Rift Valley is more than just a geographical feature; it is a living, breathing ecosystem that has a dynamic relationship with the wildlife, vegetation, and communities that inhabit it. The valley is a cradle of biodiversity, home to a range of ecosystems from dry savannas and wide grasslands, dramatic escarpments and fertile plains.

An image of the Rift Valley taken from the edge.

Nature in the Rift Valley is something I came to appreciate deeply. The valley is a host to countless animals, including some of the most iconic species of East Africa, such as elephants, giraffes, zebras, and lions. The wide plains of the valley offer these animals plenty of space to roam, and it is not uncommon to witness them in their natural habitat when visiting nearby national parks like the Maasai Mara. The Rift Valley lakes, including Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru, are vital water sources for these creatures, making the valley a true haven for wildlife.

The valley's landscape is marked by dramatic features that are a testament to the forces of nature at work over millions of years. The escarpments, which rise steeply from the valley floor, provide stunning views that capture the vastness of the land. Standing at the edge of these cliffs, one can appreciate the sheer scale and geological history of the valley. It’s humbling to think that the Rift Valley was formed as a result of tectonic forces, with the earth’s crust pulling apart, creating the gaping chasm that now defines the region.

The beauty of the Rift Valley is not only in its grand scale and geological significance but also in the subtle details of everyday life. Whether it’s the cool breeze that sweeps down from the escarpments or the vibrant sunsets that light up the sky, the valley has a way of making you feel connected to something ancient and enduring. It is a constant reminder of the power and beauty of nature, a place where one can feel small yet part of something immense. Growing up near this natural wonder has shaped my view of the world, giving me an enduring love for nature and its complexities.

[alenvs3000f24]

Wow! The images that you posted of the Rift Valley are stunning! You made a wonderful explanation of the Valley and how you interpret its features. This is a beautiful example of all the different ways nature can be interpreted. As you grew up beside the valley you have a deep connection with it that may remind you of your childhood and you have formed a personal appreciation of the valley. As someone who has never witnessed the Rift Valley in person I interpret this location differently. I see the beauty and the vast ecological space but I do not have a personal connection to the area. But this is the beauty of nature interpretation as after reading your post I am able to get a glimpse of how you interpret this landscape, which changes how I interpret it as well. These kinds of personal interpretations are extremely important as they can shape conservation and protection efforts. To someone looking in on this landscape they may interpret it as just another space for economic purposes for example. They may be blinded by this and not able to see the true immaculate beauty and importance this valley holds. Telling stories and personal experiences can help people to understand the deeper meaning and value. Their lack of personal experiences may result in a looser connection to the nature which is present. When someone is able to see nature from a different perspective this may facilitate a deeper connection to nature. This bond can help with conservation and overall sustainable practices to maintain the health and well being of the ecosystems. 

https://www.wildvoyager.com/blog/the-history-of-great-rift-valley-kenya/#:~:text=Kenya's%20Great%20Rift%20Valley%20is,making%20it%20a%20cultural%20mosaic.

The link posted above highlights the cultural importance of the Rift Valley. Understanding the different values that people place on a certain region can also change the way people interpret nature and again facilitate the need to protect it.

[alenvs3000f24]

Blog Post 5

As an environmental student when I think of nature the aspect of science is automatically intertwined within. This is just another example of how different people experience nature interpretation, an approach which I haven't really considered before. When I see for example a tree I typically think of things like carbon sequestration and water/nutrient uptake. While both of these are very interesting to me and present when I interpret nature, a lot of people who have not taken a botany class would not immediately think of this when looking at a tree. Instead they may admire the beautiful leaves of the strong structure. I think the Unit 5 content from ENVS*3000 has really helped me to better understand the wide range of ways people can see nature. Sometimes I forget that because I have an educational background in environmental science the knowledge that I have is not “common sense” or something that everyone knows. This is an empowering concept as this allows me to think of new ways to interpret nature and how to do so in a way that suits the audience. 

In terms of nature interpretation through the platform of a podcast I think it is important to keep the information interesting and on a lighter side. What I mean by this is not stuff full of facts and dense information as this can be hard for people to digest. Instead if the information is presented in a manner that is interesting and engages the audience they are more likely to remember the information in the podcast after it is done. This is extra important when it comes to making podcasts intended for children as it can be more difficult for children to stay engaged in the content if it isn't made fun for them. So when thinking of nature interpretation through science it is vital that the information be passed down in a way that is fun. Immediately this reminds me of watching Bill Nye the Science guy growing up. Bill was able to keep the audience engaged by making the science fun. Although this does not directly relate to nature interpretation this is the kind of execution I am hoping to bring to nature interpretation through podcasting.

An interesting thing to me is that nature interpretation doesn't always have to be in a formal setting where people are there intentionally to learn. Nature interpretation can be in large groups or small groups. When looking at it from this perspective I believe I have guided a nature interpretation in some way shape or form. For example when hiking with my friends and family someone usually points something out or I see something that I find interesting. I then usually find myself explaining the information that I've learned through school or something else. While a true nature interpretation can require lots of research and planning I think it is also possible to give people short informal interpretations as well. I think these interactions can be just as meaningful as the small bit of information you pass down to someone may result in them thinking about what you told them whenever they pass something that sparks their memory. This can also lead to the further spread of information as this person may tell their friend the next time they are hiking or something of this nature. I believe that the more informed our society is of the beauty and functionality of nature the more we will come to appreciate and value it. Even small bits of information can help lead people to make better choices that help to protect and conserve the environment.

[jamenvs3000f24]

Blog 4!

To interpret nature through art is a process that is based on observation, feeling and to have a sense of connectedness to the surrounding environment. There are, in my opinion, a variety of things at play when it comes to how nature is interpreted through art. I envision mountain ranges, flower gardens, and sunsets when I think of nature in art.  However, our five senses are the basis for all these things. Our senses of touch and scent allow us to take in the beauty of the natural world. Like touching rocks, breathing in the scent of woods, listening to birds, or watching leaves rustle in the breeze. It is the sight and sound of nature that evoke some of my most profound memories.  There are fundamental memories in nature, from raindrops falling on a window to the calm of a setting sun. The ability to sense every aspect of the beauty that nature bestows upon us through art comes to me when I consider how to interpret nature through art.  

One way to define “the gift of beauty” is one’s ability to recognize and value the smallest details, harmony, and patterns found in both nature and human existence. It is all about appreciating the visual, emotional, and occasionally spiritual effect of nature or the arts. By turning this perception into something that speaks to other people through words, images, or various other forms, one might interpret this through art. Although beauty if very personal, at its heart, it often conveys wonder, peace and balance. 

I can capture and transmit the essence of the natural environment in ways to encourage people to interact with their surroundings using photos, painting, etc. I love to take photos of the beauty of nature. Something always has a story, from the blooming of a flower, the changing of the leaves, sunsets and more. For example, a picture of a flower in bloom can symbolize rebirth and hope, whilst a picture of a stream with a forest background can be seen as peaceful and calm. My intention and a nature interpreter are to foster a closer relationship between humans and the environments they inhabit by using art to explain what nature truly is. Nature is interpreted by everyone differently, but to enrich someone’s thoughts and views of nature to better it, would be amazing.  

Here is a picture that I took 2 years ago of the tree in front of Summerlee. To me it symbolizes change of not only the colour of the leaves but that the seasons are also changing.

An example of when I was an interpreter was when I was a camp counsellor for summer horse camp. It was an amazing experience to teach them the beauty of nature through showing and answering their questions. As well as teaching them the beauty of horses, pastures, and more. It was nice to see their view of how the interpret nature and how they see it. 

In the end, everybody experiences nature in a different way, therefore it is important to take a variety of viewpoints and cultural backgrounds into account. They can be enhanced more and can have more comprehensive appreciation of the beauty of nature.  Taking Indigenous perspectives and acknowledging their strong ties to the land. My goal is to have people realize how important nature is and to take an act of responsibility for it. 

[alenvs3000f24]

Hi Julia,

Your post was very informative and I enjoyed your point of view surrounding your role in nature interpretation through art and how you interpret the gift of beauty. I agree that when experiencing nature all 5 senses can affect the processes of interpretation. In my original blog post I talked about how each person experiences nature in their own way based on experiences and their overall relationship with nature. This can be heavily tied to the 5 senses and people may interpret nature differently depending on which sense triggers the largest emotional response. For someone who has the greatest connection with nature through seeing it may interpret art in the form of photographs and drawings in a different manner than someone who has the greatest connection to nature through sound. This individual might interpret nature through listening to recordings of rainfall or birds chirping differently than someone with the greatest connection to nature through sight. Overall how art is interpreted is based on personal interactions and relationships with nature. These are important to take into consideration when interpreting nature as being aware of this can strengthen your own interpretation. 

Your explanation about how you interpret the maple tree in front of summerlee was impactful and showed the different ways people can encounter nature. With the gift of beauty we can acknowledge and be in awe over the beautiful colors that the tree changes. On a deeper level we can also understand the changing colors represent a shift in the ecosystem to accompany the seasonal changes. We can also look at the tree and admire that change is a good thing, old leaves die so that new leaves can grow. This can help us to remember that change isn't always a bad thing and sometimes it is necessary for the growth of something new and exciting! 

There are many ways to interpret nature and everyone can take away different lessons and experiences from nature which itself is a beautiful thing!

[alenvs3000f24]

Blog Prompt 4

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

To begin to answer this question I believe it is important to touch on what was learned in Unit 4 of ENVS*3000 about the concept of art. Art comes in many different forms including a song or a photograph. Pieces of art are able to, for example, capture something from the past and bring it into the future. This allows someone to witness its beauty over and over again without having to be there first hand. Allowing for someone to interpret nature in itself without having to view it in real life, giving them an opportunity to digest the beauty of it. Art can also allow us to interpret nature from the perspective of someone else which is another insightful point of view during the interpretation processes. When thinking of who I am as an individual, to interpret nature through art there are many aspects that need to be considered. Every person has their own experiences and opinions, no two people are the same. Each person can have a different interpretation of the art they are a witness to. This can lead back to last week's discussion surrounding privilege. The privileges that I have, which has allowed me to see and experience nature shapes how I would interpret nature through art. My personal connection with nature affects how I interpret nature through art. While everyone else may interpret the art in a different way due to their own personal experiences. This in itself is another interesting factor that can be considered when interpreting nature through art. Each person's experience with nature are unique therefore how each person will interpret nature through art will be unique. Overall, everyone has the right to interpret nature through art, the connections formed with nature are personal and are dependent on the individual interpreting the art. 

Nature interpretation offers so many “gifts” to its audience. In chapter 5 of the Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World textbook it lists 15 gifts which are affiliated to the Principles of Interpretation (page 84 in the textbook). One of these is the gift of beauty. The principle in association states “Interpretation should instill in people the ability, and the desire, to sense the beauty in their surroundings—to provide spiritual uplift and to encourage resource preservation”. After analyzing this principle I interpret the gift of beauty as the feelings that experiencing nature invoke within me. Whenever I am faced with hard times or sad feelings my mood can be uplifted by simply going on a walk and embracing nature. This is because when I am outside I admire the beauty of nature and the value that it holds in my day to day life. Seeing and appreciating the beauty that nature holds makes me for example place intrinsic value on all parts of an ecosystem. I am able to see not only the beauty that nature holds, but also recognize the importance of it. The gift of beauty is therefore the privilege and emotional attachment that is formed when immersed in nature's beauty. This beauty allows us to form a connection with nature and instills the need to foster protection of the environment.

[empenvs3000f24]

Unit 3 Blog Post

Hi Everyone!

In my first blog post I touched on the fact that I am grateful for the experiences I have had in nature and how they continue to provide me with peace and comfort; however, I don’t think I fully grasped the depth of my ability to connect with nature and how my identity plays a role in that. By my name, I’m sure you can guess that I’m a white woman. This in and of itself gives me a leg up when it comes to my identity and how the public might perceive me. I am also writing this blog because I am enrolled in a university course, which many people do not have the opportunity to even think about doing. I am able to read and write, have full physical mobility, and access nature because I want to, not because I need to in order to survive. This whole class and myself, are lucky to be able to learn what nature interpretation is, because many people are wondering where their next meal is going to come from. I try my best to acknowledge my privilege and pure luck that I have ended up in the situation I am in and try to pay gratitude where I can. 

I grew up in Brampton, which is a big melting pot of culture and religion. In high school especially I noticed how certain students were treated by teachers and our school police, oftentimes being targeted for the way they looked. That’s not to say that I have just coasted through life with no adversity; yet I am not often a victim of my skin colour or religion. I think witnessing interactions like these ones have made me hyper aware of the way I interact with people of all identities and how I treat everyone with respect.

In my opinion, to have privilege is not having to think about the fact that you posses it. I feel like there is an element of ‘I deserve this’ and that can really turn sour when we don’t pay some respect to those who would do anything to be in our position. I’m sure plenty of us in this class have traveled, visited touristy areas, been to a cottage, experience(d) nature through skiing, golfing, boating, horseback riding, or hiking. Many people do not get to access these activities or places frequently, if at all. I think this is why nature interpretation roles are so important. If the opportunity arises, nature interpreters can provide someone with a very memorable and cherished moment. My working definition of privilege evolves as I experience new things and grow as a person. I will continue to appreciate my situation and strive to be a lifelong learner. 

Thanks for reading :) 

[alenvs3000f24]

Hey Emily!

After reading your post I found it interesting how living in Brampton has made you more self aware of the privilege that comes with being a white individual. Self awareness around this topic is vital as it can affect how one carries themselves during daily life. It allows people to be caring and respectful of others as you can understand and acknowledge opportunities that not all people have the privilege of receiving. Sometimes I forget that for example some are unable to simply walk outside their front door and go on a hike in the forest or have access to provincial parks. I need to continue to remind myself that this is a privilege. I am so thankful that nature can be part of my everyday life.

Self awareness is crucial in regard to privilege amongst ethnicities but also amongst nature interpretation. Being aware and grateful of your forthcomings due to your own privilege can help you to not only be a better person but also help in your nature interpretation skills and style. Being able to integrate factors that you were privileged to have can help people overcome the barriers that they may have been faced with. This can be accomplished in many different ways. For example in your original post you had mentioned various outdoor activities such as skiing and boating. Not everyone can partake in these activities so taking the initiative to acknowledge that these activities are a privilege is an important step. This understanding can help nature interpreters to create a space for people to be able to partake in these activities and explore/learn more about their surroundings in nature.

[alenvs3000f24]

Unit 3 Blog Post

What role does “privilege” play in nature interpretation? Please include your working definition of privilege.

I consider my working definition of privilege to be any form of unearned gain an individual receives from experiences made available to them. 

Immediately when I think of the role of privilege in nature interpretation I relate it back to the economic status of an individual. People with different economic statuses will have different experiences with nature. People with higher economic status have the opportunity to travel to different places, allowing them to experience more of what nature has to offer. For example, based on economic status an individual might have the privilege to travel to a tropical location, where someone of lower economic status potentially may not be able to afford that experience. I myself have been able to travel to many different places including Costa Rica. We went on a few excursions where we got to be very immersed in the ecosystems. I learned many new things about the wildlife there that I most likely wouldn't have got the chance to learn if I didn't have the privilege of going.

This also leads into the education that an individual receives both the type of education and the ability to receive this education (the privilege of being able to afford it). The advantage of an educational background in nature related fields allows access to information as well as more opportunities to immerse yourself in nature than others. The institution where you receive your education is also a privilege. Here at the University of Guelph I study Ecology. The program has allowed me to gain extensive knowledge surrounding many aspects of different environments and ecosystems. This plays a big role in nature interpretation as a major aspect is the information and awareness that one has of their surroundings. The privilege of an education in nature allows for the interpreter to gain a large skill set rather than have to learn the information independently. Another privilege that plays into nature interpretation is the experiences provided by the educational institution. The University of Guelph, for example, is constantly holding activities and events that allow people to easily immerse themselves in nature. There are many clubs to join, and the opportunity to attend workshops at the Guelph Arboretum. Without these experiences I know that I personally would have less knowledge about nature in Guelph and across Ontario. Your surroundings are another role that privilege plays in nature interpretation. The privilege of living in Guelph for example allows the residents to be immersed in the forests and wetlands existing in the city. Living in other places in the world provides the privilege of understanding and experiencing different aspects of nature and other different ecosystems. Another role that privilege plays in nature interpretation is the culture that the interpreter has experienced. Many cultures place high value on nature and interpret aspects of nature differently such as Indigenous culture in which water for example is a large part of their culture. The contents of ecosystems such as the waterways and trees serve many purposes and hold different values for different cultures. The way in which different cultures will affect the way the ecosystem is interpreted. Understanding different cultural values and points of view is a privilege in nature interpretation as this contributes to the overall awareness in nature interpretation.

There are so many roles, many going unnoticed, within nature interpretation. These have effects on both the interpreter and the audience. It is important to try to establish your own privileges when working in nature. Be grateful for all the things that are a privilege to you that you may not have ever given thought to!

[maenvs3000f24]

Unit 2 Blog Post

On page 49 of the textbook under the Health Values section, it is stated that “parks and cultural landscapes contribute to positive health conditions by providing places for physical exercise…yet the values of parks extend beyond the individual to a healthy society.” 

The quote highlights the benefits of parks and cultural landscapes. They not only promote individual health by offering spaces for physical exercise, but also contribute to the well-being of society as a whole by bringing people together. Parks serve as more than just locations for outdoor activity, they help to create a sense of shared community health. When people spend time together, learning and growing, the society enriches. 

My ideal role as an environmental interpreter would involve leading outdoor hikes or trails. Since I’m passionate about physical activity, I’d love to combine exercise with guiding others through nature. I try to make it to the gym around five times a week, play intramural soccer, and when I’m back home in Niagara Falls, my friends and I often work out by running the stairs at the gorge. It’s great cardio, and you get a gorgeous view right by the water. Because of my love for being active, I'd like to guide people through outdoor adventures, sharing information about the historical importance along the way. I’d even incorporate a more challenging option where we incorporate more physical activity like intermittent jogging along the trail. One place I’ve always wanted to explore is Kootenay National Park in British Columbia. After doing some research, it seems like the perfect spot. It has stunning views that remind me of Niagara Falls and a variety of trails with different difficulty levels.

My responsibilities would include becoming well-versed in the various trail areas, their historical significance, the layout of the trails, and the local wildlife. For instance, in Kootenay National Park, you might come across bears, elk, and deer while hiking. Along with my passion for physical activity, I have a deep appreciation for animals. It's crucial to remember that while hiking, we are entering their habitats. We must respect their space and understand how to safely and appropriately handle encounters with these animals.

Skills that I would need to effectively complete my role as an environmental interpreter on a trail would include; strong public speaking abilities. This is important so you can engage and educate visitors. Another skill would include a good foundation of biology and ecology of the environment I am in, to explain to the visitors what is around us. It is important to note it should be in a language where they would be able to interpret it, so I would avoid extremely scientific words. This could be categorized into teaching skills as breaking down complex concepts is essential for people of all ages to understand. Physical skills would include outdoor survival skills and navigational skills. Safety is the number one priority.

Me and my friends hiking at the gorge in Niagara Falls!

[alenvs3000f24]

Hey! I really enjoyed reading your post as your approach to environmental interpretation is a great idea. Being able to incorporate your love for exercise into environmental interpretation allows for more people to be engaged with the information that you provide to them. People who love exercise might be more inclined to attend an environmental interpretation since it includes something they are already accustomed to and enjoy. When providing the information to the audience in a fashion that they can relate to, this can allow them to more easily understand and digest the information. Not only will this be helpful in educating them about the importance and value the environment holds but also help them to understand how to protect the environment while they exercise outdoors. As many know the environment can be sensitive to changes and these sensitivities become more vulnerable once humans begin to interact with the ecosystems. Educating the public on what individuals can do to make a positive impact on the environment is very important for the preservation of ecosystem health. Another positive impact of integrating environmental interpretation into exercise is that people who are frequently outdoors will also be able to be safer when outdoors. There are many potential risks that come with outdoor activities. If the audience is able to remove some of this risk through the information from environmental interpretation then the interpretation is a victory in my eyes. 

I enjoyed that you made sure to mention safety being one of the big priorities when performing this type of nature interpretation as it is definitely a main concern. I think that it would be helpful before the interpretation to give a brief verbal run down before entering the trails so that the audience was aware of the type of atmosphere they were entering. As well as maybe a handout about some safety procedures. Then again repeating some of the information regarding safety concerns while on the trail. This can be beneficial to the audience as the needs and learning styles of individuals are all different. This caters to a wide variety of learners to ensure that everyone's style is taken account of. As we learned in Unit 2 there are visual learners, tactile learners and auditory so by taking this approach to safety this supports all of these styles.