Ally's nature notebook

Interpreting nature 

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Myself as a Nature Interpreter

Taking care of the environment around you is a key ethic of mine in everything I do. The quote “take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints” is one that I have always followed in life, and is one that I hope to bring into my future endeavours as a nature interpreter. This quote is often credited to either Sir Robert Baden-Powell or John Muir of the National Park Service. However, the actual source of the quote is unknown at this point in time. If I were to adjust this quote, I would encourage others to “take nothing but memories and knowledge, leave nothing but footprints and improvements”. I have always been taught to leave the world better than you found it, and I want to instill this idea in those I interact with.

Sir Robert Baden-Powell was the founder of Boy Scouts and the co-founder of Girl Scouts alongside his sister Agnes. Prior to this, he was a military man who fought in Africa. Upon his return, he found out that some of the handbooks he had designed for soldiers were being used to teach young men and boys about the wilderness, which became the roots of Scouting as it is known today.

John Muir was fascinated by the interconnectedness of nature. He had a passion for educating and inspiring others to care for nature as much as he did. As noted in the textbook, Muir was well-known for his sentiment that nature has intrinsic value, beyond the value it holds for humankind; this is a sentiment that I myself also share.

Personally, I feel that my views and values around sharing nature with others align with some of the perspectives of these individuals, which is part of why I love this quote so much. However, I want to make it clear that I do not view either of these individuals as role models – I could never look up to someone who has expressed homophobic or racist views towards others. In my opinion, regardless of the time period and of what was deemed ‘acceptable’ at the time, everyone should feel welcome to enjoy and explore nature – it should not be gatekept from those with unique identities. One cannot claim to care for nature and yet disrespect Indigenous people, who are the original caretakers of this land. If you truly care about preserving nature, then everyone’s attempts to do so should be welcomed and valued. Nature is not property – it belongs to everyone equally.

As an interpreter, I have the responsibility of teaching others that every action has a consequence, whether it be good or bad. This could be in reference to their own actions, to the actions of humans as a whole, or to the actions of nature itself. Predators pursuing prey, increases in global warming, pollution – everything impacts the balance of nature in some way. Some things can be rebalanced, like the population dynamics between predators and prey; others, like water pollution, are much harder to counteract and rebalance. This does not mean that I will discourage people from interacting with nature; I will simply help them to understand the impacts so they can make informed decisions about what they do.

My main belief when it comes to nature interpretation is that no one knows everything, but everyone knows something. As discussed throughout the textbook and this course, everyone comes from a unique background and has their own experiences; therefore, there is always room to learn from new perspectives. Learning from others makes me a better interpreter, and allows my audience to gain insights they did not previously have.

As a young female in STEM, I feel that my best approach to interpretation would involve treating others as equals. While I may posses knowledge that they do not, there is no other power dynamic that puts me above them. I aim to create an environment that is conducive to learning for all. My approach also involves being inclusive to all that enter my programs, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or ability. All of these aspects play a role in how my audience and I see the world, but they are not barriers. I like to think of them as different glasses a person wears. They alter your views and mindset but beauty is still seen, even if it is different than the person next to you.

In conclusion, my view on nature interpretation is that everyone is welcome and everyone has something to contribute. Learning from and protecting the environment are everyone’s responsibilities.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/53006178

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-Stephenson-Smyth-Baden-Powell-1st-Baron-Baden-Powell

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sierra-club-muir-racism-board-vote_n_619548aae4b0f398aeff3677

https://www.johnmuirtrust.org/about-us/about-john-muir

https://yourmileagemayvary.net/2020/01/17/the-iconic-tourist-destination-that-youre-not-allowed-to-take-a-picture-of/

[amenvs3000w22]

Hey Amanda,

I really enjoyed reading your post this week. Right off the bat you included a super fun and meaningful quote that you had made slightly your own, “take nothing but memories and knowledge, leave nothing but footprints and improvements.” This quote really shows our impact on the environment, and how detrimental our disturbances can be to natural systems. Not only did you establish some of the ethics you hold in terms of caring for the environment (ie. leaving the world “better than you found it”), but you also mentioned your interpretation ethic for equality. When I think about nature interpretation, I think about privilege being the largest contributing factor to environmental connections, but exactly how you described it, it is in fact the lack of equality that is driving these privileges. As you discussed, nature belongs to everyone, so access to nature and information about nature should be available to everyone. In addition to this, everyone is entitled to their own opinions and thoughts, so it is important to remember that everyone’s relationships with nature will be different. Our role as interpreters is to always encourage these relationships to build, but we need to recognize that people hold their own knowledge from experiences of their own. By listening to others’ experiences, we might become better interpreters, or we might learn something we didn’t know about nature. You completely nailed it this week!

Good luck with your final exams!

All the best, Ally

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Final blog post

As a nature interpreter I thought that one of my main ethics would be to put the environment above all. However, the world is not black and white as I thought. What might be taught to be environmentally good, could be the complete opposite.

Take environmentally friendly items. Things become unsustainable by the process of how it’s made, how they get put into landfills, and how effective it really is. All these effects and more, decided the fate of what is considered to be good for the Earth. It gets even more complicated when you try to implement these things into a society that has a variety of people that cannot adapt fast or are unable to adapt. I have a privilege to be able to wash my reusable items without concerns about my disability affecting me. It is a privilege to even be able to buy such items. So while I want to preach to use reusable straws and such, sometimes it is not that simple.

The same can go for my personal ethic as a nature interpreter. I believe that we should do everything we can in order to protect the environment but we cannot ignore that there is always going to be a contrasting argument to take into consideration. One person is not entirely right and there is scientific evidence to prove both sides. I want to ensure that that perspective is taken into account when trying to tell others what is happening in nature.

Throughout this year I have learned about the different aspects of nature that I have not even thought about. Things like history or how it can relate to artistic themes such as music and art, are all concepts I failed to acknowledge for a long time. If I did it would be something as simple as “oh yeah nature is pretty like art. People like to take inspiration from it.” Nothing more.

Forcing myself to look deeper into a concept was what made me realize that there are more ways to give information. People may not understand the scientific background but they can still learn about the world around them through these different methods. I want to value the environment because I understand that we need it in a certain condition in order to survive. Others want to value it because it is beautiful. It’s their source of calmness and what makes them thrive. Something that people can use to relate to others from across the world. Even if someone had not experienced snow they know that it is white and cold. A simple idea that can be used to convey thoughts. Nature is powerful like that. It can be straighword with facts but up to anyone to interrupt as they please.

That is to show as well that I am not anyone important when it comes to expressing my thoughts. I do have a formal background in environmental but that does not mean anything to a child. To them, they view nature as something outside to enjoy. Not study in a book. What is a book about the cells diving in a leaf to a person who cannot see that with their naked eye? In contrast to that my background is not as intense as others out there. I still have not found a field of nature that I want to dedicate my life to like other scientists that to them I have no place to tell them what to think. I do not have a right to tell someone else to change their point of view. If someone wants to look at a leaf purely for the colour, and I want to study it, there should be no difference in the fact we both care for our surroundings. Using that connection is how I want to blend it all together. Taking both informational and creative sides together to make the best of both worlds.

As an individual I want to approach my interpretation of nature less on scientific facts and more on how it makes people feel. In the end, there is little that we can do to convince people without emotional attachment to a subject. That the amount of scientists out there is nothing compared to anyone that can walk outside and appreciate the environment. By using things like art and music, and knowing where I stand in this world, I hope to be able to deliver what I know in a way that can work with anyone. Whether a person with a blank slate, an artist or a scientist, I take it upon myself to show that there is more to the world than what is written in a textbook. How I look at something compared to another is different. That does not mean that it is wrong or that one is better. Only different. Delivering that idea is how I want to be portrayed as a nature interrupter.

[amenvs3000w22]

Hey there!

I really enjoyed reading your post this week. I find it so fascinating how we both have different relationships and experiences with nature (and with life in general) yet we both related our interpretation ethics to privilege. In my post, I discussed privilege in terms of interpretive nature programming accessibility and didn’t even consider other forms of accessibility, but I think you did a fantastic job discussing environmentally friendly and reusable items and the privilege associated with them. Unfortunately it is true, a lot of people don’t have access to ‘greener’ products due to high costs or housing locations, but I also think you made an important point by stating that the process of making certain products in itself is very poor for the environment. Later in your post, you discussed the power of knowledge, and how despite not everyone having a scientific background nature should be interpreted at all levels to engage citizens and raise awareness for current issues. If interpretation was made accessible to all people, and knowledge about nature (or even about unsustainable products and their manufacturing processes) was shared with them at a level that they could understand, people might think twice before buying certain products or doing unsustainable activities. This can be done, like you said, by art, which I believe is super meaningful as art connects people and produces feeling.

Great job this week and good luck with exams!

All the best, Ally

[amenvs3000w22]

Blog post 9 - Interpretation ethics

What is my personal ethic as an interpreter? I think this is an extremely important question to ask my classmates as I as individuals as it considers the thoughts and beliefs of all of us. Every person in this class will have a different answer based on their experiences, but for me, as a nature interpreter, it is my ethic to make environmental knowledge accessible and engaging for all members of the community. Obviously, this is a very ambitious goal, but these are moral principles that I believe must be included in all forms of interpretation. As we have learned in this course, privilege and nature interpretation are very much linked. Nature can be interpreted using a variety of different platforms (social media, virtual workshops, books, magazines, art, music, in-person programming, etc.), however, the programs that provide the most insight and have greater engagement are in-person programming. Generally, people are able to better understand something if they are able to see the effects first-hand. Despite this, the cost of these experiences is too high for most people, resulting in privilege-induced relationships with the Earth. Thankfully, I grew up in a family that treasures nature, and was always taught to love and care for the environment, but I know that this isn’t the case for some families. 

As a kid, and even now as an adult, I rarely have the funding to be able to travel, go camping, or go on trips. Even outdoor equipment (skiis, snowboards, canoes, fishing gear, etc.) is too expensive for my budget. Growing up, most of my experiences with the outdoors have been local. The only equipment I’ve needed is a pair of shoes, and the ambition to learn. Keeping this in mind, I think it is important to incorporate more local nature programming that doesn’t require any additional equipment. This might be challenging in some areas though, as not all regions have access to hiking trails, local conservation areas, etc. 

Accessibility doesn’t just apply to income or monetary status, but also language barriers and knowledge levels. It is important that a variety of programs are offered in a variety of different languages and learning levels to allow for more people to have access to interpretive nature programs. I think that accessibility is currently the most essential component of nature interpretation as the amount of environmental concerns continue to increase. Members of the public need to be aware of the current environmental issues and their risks, as well as have first-hand experience seeing these changes alongside the beauty of nature. These experiences will encourage civilians to make changes to preserve and advocate for the nature they enjoy. In addition to encouraging civilian conservation efforts, it will also help to connect people with the environment. Even if it’s just an interpretation program in a small local park, the interpreter should be able to use their experience and tools to spark the interest of their audience, perhaps by explaining the importance of systems and their connections. 

This is my nature interpretation ethic as I have seen first-hand the detrimental effects privilege and lack of accessibility can have on environmental health. Let’s look at an example: person A goes hiking every weekend and enjoys the soothing and shaded environment the trees provide. He understands the purpose of trees, and how they assist other organisms. When person A goes hiking, he always makes sure to leave the forest exactly as he found it, because he wishes to preserve the nature he loves, and wants to help the organisms living within this environment. Person B never really goes outside. He likes having picnics under trees and likes that they provide shade, but that’s the only benefit he believes trees have. His family wants to have a campfire, and he lives right next to a patch of trees, so he decides to cut a few down for firewood. Person B does not understand the impact this might have on the ecosystem, and may continue to unintentionally harm the environment. If person B had access to interpretive nature programs that would provide him with essential knowledge, he probably would not have cut the trees down because he would know the effects it would have. This cause-and-effect type learning is a critical part of interpretive knowledge, and should be provided to all members of the community so we can all work to preserve nature. The main responsibility I hold as an interpreter is to make programs accessible to increase awareness. 

Unfortunately, with the current economic and political status, it is unlikely that interpretive program accessibility will be a priority in the near future when it is needed the most. Without funding, it would be difficult to work alongside conservation organizations to provide these services to local communities. Keeping this in mind, I think advertising “backyard” activities (such as counting the number of species in your backyard, separating soil particles to see the different textures, observing changes in bird flight patterns on hot vs. cold days, etc.) that people can complete in their own neighborhoods is a good start. Earlier I stated that in-person interpretation is the most effective style of interpretation, but the most accessible one is online interpretation. Utilizing social media sites to post environmental information will most likely be the best way to achieve my accessibility goals. By creating informative, engaging, and interactive posts, this will hopefully encourage people to learn more about nature, and pursue action plans. These posts can be altered to target specific audiences, or can be translated to include non-English speakers. Global environmental conservation requires teamwork, and the best way to achieve that is to provide accessible interpretation.

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Sharks!!!

     Ever since I was a kid I have loved sharks! I always used to watch shark week on the discovery channel with my dad. It was the only week in the summer when I almost never went outside because I was so interested in watching shark week and learning more about sharks that nothing else interested me during the times it was on. I loved learning about sharks and more morbidly shark attacks. Even now I am extremely interested in the study of sharks and their behaviour.  

        When most people think about sharks they think about the Great White Shark. Great white sharks are the biggest shark and the shark that most programming is focus on, however there are so many other cool sharks. One of my favourite facts about sharks is that Bull Sharks can survive in fresh water due to their superior salt retention. This fact always reminds me of a book I read  when I was younger where there was shark attacks in not only in salt water but freshwater as well.  The book is called “I Survived the shark attacks of 1916”, and it is based off the true story of the only survivor of a string of shark attacks on the New Jersey coast and in an inland creek. The shark was later found to be a great white shark, although white sharks do not have the same ability to stay in freshwater for long periods of time like the Bull shark does, they can survive fresh water or mixed waters (like estuaries or mangroves) for a short period of time (long enough to attack). Although this string of attacks makes it seem like sharks attack people regularly, the opposite is actually true, shark attacks are very rare. Sharks really only bite people because they are curious (like babies putting everything in their mouth), this is why you don’t see people who are bitten more than once by the same shark very often. Once a  shark realizes that you are not its food, they usually just swim away. Another fact about sharks is that great whites cannot survive in captivity, any time people have tried the sharks died in a fairly short amount of time. White sharks swim great distances everyday so no aquarium is large enough for them, as well white sharks do not take well to being feed by humans. This fact always surprises me when I think about it because whale sharks; the largest shark species are able to live in captivity (such as in the Georgia aquarium) but the great whites cannot.  Sharks are also so cool because they remain relatively unchanged by evolution.

        Shows and programs about shark attacks always interest me even though that might seem morbid. During winter break I got really into this national geographic show called ‘When Sharks Attack”. The show focused on clusters of shark attacks in certain areas, it also tried to discover a reason for the behaviours of these sharks. Some of the factors that changed behaviours included an increase of prey closer to shore, warmer waters due to a power plant and coral blooms. It was so interesting trying to figure out along with them what might have caused these attacks, they even had shark scientists from the University of Florida to explain the science behind it. Another interesting part of the show was that shark experts can figure out what type of shark it is by looking at pictures of the bites. The experts look at the size of the bite, if the teeth were serrated or not, and if there was any tearing. I would really like to do something like this in the future! 

-Isabelle

[amenvs3000w22]

Hey Isabelle,

I loved reading your post about sharks. I never knew that there are species of sharks that are able to survive freshwater! I don’t think I’ll be seeing any on my canoe trips around Ontario’s lakes, but I’ll be sure to keep an eye out haha! Shark week is one of my favourite weeks too, and I find them to be fascinating creatures, but I find it super funny that I enjoy it so much because I have a huge fear of the ocean. This fear primarily stems from the Planet Earth deep sea documentaries where they show the creatures that live at the bottom of the ocean. The scariest one to me is the anglerfish; you might recognize it as Dory’s “squishy” from Finding Nemo, the lightbulb Parana-esque fish. Although I think this is the scariest sea creature, it is actually incredibly fascinating. 

The light that hangs above the mouth from the head of the anglerfish is a lure and is used only by females to attract prey. The lure has the ability to produce light through bioluminescence. This is a chemical reaction that occurs inside their body that is able to produce and transmit light energy. I think this is particularly incredible because these fish live at the bottom of the ocean and have never seen light before! Bioluminescence itself is, in my opinion, one of the most amazing things about nature, and I would love to learn more about it. One question I have for you is why do you think sharks are the most amazing part about nature? You shared a ton of cool facts, but I just wanted to know if there was a reason why they stand out to you. 

I can’t wait to read more posts from you! Keep up the good work :)

All The best, Ally

[amenvs3000w22]

Blog post 8 - The most amazing things about nature

In a world as extraordinary and complex as ours, with millions of different species and processes occurring every second, there is no doubt that there are so many amazing things about nature. The most amazing thing I know about nature is that plants and animals have the ability to evolve and change their structures to carry out specific functions. This might not seem very exciting, but it is a process that has helped to develop human technology. How you may ask? I’ll give you an example. Every dog owner on the planet hates burs; they stick to clothes, shoes, hair, fur, and are near-impossible to get rid of. But have you ever wondered why they stick to everything? Burs are seed capsules, coated in tiny little ‘hooks.’ Burs have evolved to contain these hooks for survival purposes. The hooks and thick rough fibers make it difficult for predators to break into the seed capsule, but that isn’t their main function. The hooks are specifically designed to get stuck in fur. It is believed that the fibers will latch onto mammals, and will fall off after the mammal has traveled far distances. Once the capsules have fallen off, they will decompose, and the seeds will germinate in that new region. This technique ensures wide-range dispersal of the plant, and provides advantages in increasing population abundance. 

This is my sister’s dog, Eva, who I take on endless outdoor adventures with me. I’ve lost count of the amount of burs she’s had on her, luckily we’ve not had to give her any wacky haircuts, they’ve all come out smoothly!

Through observation of the structural functions of plants, such as this dispersal technique, humans have been able to incorporate these mechanisms into our everyday technology. Not quite sure how burs have influenced human technology? It might not seem like the most advanced piece of technology, but through observing the dispersal patterns of burs, humans have invented velcro. Velcro contains two types of fabrics: both fabrics are comprised of nylon, but one fabric is soft and textured, containing thousands of small loops, and the other fabric is hard and consists of hundreds of small plastic hooks. When these two fabrics meet, they fuse together, and have the ability to hold objects in place. This invention is important for a variety of applications, including household use, healthcare use, military use, and even use by NASA in their spacecrafts, and would have never been invented if it weren’t for plants.

We can’t forget about animals and their structures! Let’s look at cats. Have you ever wondered why cat’s have whiskers? Whiskers are the length of the width of the cat. When their whiskers touch an object, they have sensors that tell them they are touching an object. This helps cats navigate their environment. This evolutionary technique has assisted cats (and other mammals) in night hunting, as it improves their ability to understand their environment when they have limited sight! (Sidenote, this is not my cat, this is Cora’s cat, she’s in this class. Her blog is cljenvs3000w22, go check her out!)

Another seed-related example is the Galapagos finches of the Galapagos Islands. I’m sure we’ve all learned this at some point, but the study of the finches of the Galapagos Islands determined that the same species of finch occurring on different islands experienced different phenological characteristics, despite containing the same genetics. The most significant observed phenological difference was the differences in beak sizes among each island, especially since the finch populations on each island were separated and had no way of interacting with each other. Islands containing small-sized fruits and nuts housed finches with small, narrow beaks, but islands containing large, hard, or bulky fruits and nuts housed finches with large, wide beaks. The finches of each island had evolved to accommodate the available resources on their island. This structural change ensured the survival of the species, and assisted humans in their knowledge on the process of evolution. This has led to countless evolutionary discoveries that have assisted humans in predicting historical and future events.  

[arenvs3000w22]

Music and Nature

Some of my best memories have come from trips to Northern Ontario. My dad and I will often wake up early to complete silence, load our gear into the boat, and head out onto the lake to fish while the sun rises. This part of the day is like the dramatic rest before nature’s melodies begin to build. The first streak of light in the sky is accompanied by ribbiting frogs. Then cooing mourning doves. Then the eerie whistle of the wind through the line guides of my fishing rod. The splashing of the fish near the shore. A chorus of biotic and abiotic harmonies which ebb and flow with the waves. My dad and I don’t talk much while we fish, which allows us to be privy to the secret music of the lake. This is where I hear music in nature. As Gray et. al. (2001) mention, nature offers its music as a way to connect us to our evolutionary roots. These authors suggest that music is an innate characteristic of living things, not something that humans invented. Immersing myself in the sounds of the lake serves as a sort of reset for me and allows me to view myself as a part of nature rather than distinct from it. I’m interested to hear which of nature’s sounds resonate most with you.

Some pictures from the lake:

I like to think of art as a collective thing. Every being expands the breadth of the greater body of work by adding their own iterations and perspectives. Nature’s music can be thought of the same way. It inspires human-made music, and it is used in human-made music. Even natural things which are not often associated with sound can be used to synthesize music. My acoustic guitar honours the tree it was made from. I like the thought that it is both a continuation of and a tribute to nature. I often hear nature in acoustic music, even when the lyrics don’t explicitly mention natural motifs.

As an aside, I’ve come across a number of videos recently which make music directly from nature. Probes are attached to living plants, and the biorhythms that are detected by the probes are translated into audible notes. This video by PlantWave is one of my favourite examples, where the mushrooms are captured producing a meditative forest song. I was surprised to like it as much as I did, and I encourage you to check it out if you’re interested!

To close, I’ll share a song that brings me back to nature: “I’ll Be There in the Morning,” by Townes Van Zandt. I love this song for many reasons, some of which are difficult to articulate. It is packed with natural imagery of mountains and rivers and themes of escape, love, loss, and solitude. The simple chord pattern has a sense of tragedy and mourning, which is reflected in the lyrics of the final verse, “…I’ll stay as long as the cuckoo wails and the lonesome bluejay cries.” The song is equally sad and comforting to me, and I can’t quite explain why. I keep coming back trying to understand its lyrics more thoroughly and also to feel the sense of peace it gives me.

Is there a particular music style that makes you feel most connected to nature? I’m looking forward to reading everyone’s posts this week!

Annika

References

Gray, P. M., Krause, B., Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C., & Baptista, L. (2001). The music of nature and the nature of music. Science, 291(5501), 52–54. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.10.1126/science.1056960

[amenvs3000w22]

Hey Annika,

I loved reading about your camping experiences! I have a lot of memories like this that I hold close to my heart. There’s something so pure about waking up in a forest and hearing nothing but the sounds of nature. I like that you included the idea that humans did not invent music, but that music is a characteristic of living things. Many people don’t think of nature's sounds as music, but music is so much more than modern songs. My favourite sound in nature doesn’t have a sound (at least i don’t think it does), but I love when leaves or flowers fall from a tree. Although there is no actual sound, I consider this to be music. Music to me is beautiful, and tells a story that makes me feel something, and this simple action of leaves falling from a tree gives me that same feeling; a symbolic realization that one chapter is closing, and another is opening. This may seem silly, but I’m a very lyrical person. When I listen to music, the main thing I am listening to is the lyrics. In terms of actual sounds, my favourite is water rushing through rocks in a stream (although I did see the mushroom video and that is a close second). There’s something so calming about water that gets rid of all of my anxieties. I really enjoy that you recognized the trees which produced your acoustic guitar. I think it is important that we question where our belongings came from, as everything originates in nature. 

I look forward to reading more posts from you!

All the best, Ally 

P.S. - I love the pictures you included! They make me miss the Summer!

[mbenvs3000w22]

BLOG POST 7

Hello everyone! 

This week’s blog prompt, “Where is music in nature? Where is nature in music?” made me think for quite a while. At first, I thought it was the same question repeated as they both go hand in hand. Once I thought about it more I realized the questions are quite different and both have very different answers.

As I was reading through the Grey, et al. 2001 article I was stumped by the question “Is music-making in humans defined by our genes?” Music is an art that combines vocal or instrumental sounds for emotional expression or beauty of form. It is a form of art that everyone can enjoy or see some value in it. We each respond differently to different forms of music and it can trigger specific memories and emotions within us. So therefore I think music-making can be defined by our genes as we all interpret it differently. 

A song that immediately brings me back into nature is called “Awaken” by Big Wild. If you have not listened to the song I greatly recommend it! Whenever I hear this song the twinkling instrumental noises and powerful bass makes me feel as if I am staring at the stars on a clear and warm night. Although this song has no words so much can be said and felt just by hearing it. From my interpretation and experience, this song has the power to connect me to my spirit, my soul and the basic element of the universe. I will attach the link to the song below if anybody is interested! This would be an example of “Where is nature in music.” In contrast, when thinking about “Where is music in nature” many things come to mind. Simply sitting outside and listening to your surroundings is like being at the symphony. I hear the birds chirping, the cicadas making rattlesnake-like noises and the crickets rubbing their wings together which all come together in beautiful harmony. The environment we surround ourselves in mimics a modern-day orchestra as the voice of each insect or animal has its own frequency, duration and amplitude (Grey, et al. 2001). Grey, et al. 2001 describes music as a rhythmically repeated utterance by a human, whale, frog or any being. For example, birds have similar rhythmic variations and combinations of notes as songs by humans composers use. Another example of music in nature that came to my mind is my always successful method of falling asleep. Each night before I go to sleep I play a youtube video on my phone which contains the noises of rain, thunder and lightning. These three simple noises together help me to quiet my mind at night and takes me to the point of relaxation where I can peacefully fall asleep. 

What songs do you feel take you back to nature?

Link to “Awaken” by Big Wild:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBTAJ-GHNes

Link to “Epic Thunder and Rain”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDq6TstdEi8

Reference:

Gray, Patricia M., et al. “The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music." Science, vol. 291, no. 5501, 5 Jan. 2001, p. 52. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A69270354/AONE?u=guel77241&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=fb9366a8. Accessed 3 Mar. 2022.

[amenvs3000w22]

Hey Makayla,

I thought your post this week was so interesting. The ways we interpreted nature as music were very different, but I think you made some excellent points. I’d never thought about the genetic aspect of how music interprets nature, but I’m so glad you brought this up. Music is a way of communicating and telling a story. When you think about nature, all organisms have their ways of communicating; be it through chemical exchanges, signals, expressions, or verbal communication. It is in our genes, and in the genes of all organisms, to communicate. Perhaps one way this could be interpreted as “music in nature” is that it is in our genes to communicate. When I was writing my post, I used literal sounds to represent the connection between music and nature (wind, bird songs, water), but perhaps that is more of a “nature in music” perspective. I think you absolutely nailed your interpretation of “nature in music.” It’s interesting to see that although we each interpret nature and music differently, that we both find the interpretation of nature through music to be calming, and to enhance the story. I had mentioned 2 songs in my post, but another one that I think you would enjoy that describes the calming effects of nature is “Joy” by Sleeping At Last. 

I look forward to reading more posts from you!

All the best, Ally

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjwtSUqnWIY <- here's a link to the song!

[amenvs3000w22]

Blog post 7 - The sound of music (in nature)

Music is everywhere, even in nature. Music is the wind whistling through grasses and trees, the buzz and hum of insects, busy collecting pollen or building homes. Music is the wings of hummingbirds, whizzing through the air, the calls of cheerful songbirds, and the splash of fish, swimming through clear calm waters. Individually, all of these components are just sounds, but similar to how bands are composed of multiple parts (guitar, piano, drums, vocals, etc.), when the sounds are all put together, they make a whole; a song. People can identify organisms by the sounds they make, connecting them to nature and allowing them to feel as though they are not alone. When I was in high school, I used to be a camp counselor, and one thing I would do while taking young campers on nature hikes was to have them close their eyes, cup their hands around their ears (making ‘deer ears’ as I would tell them) and listen to what they could hear. Although this was such a simple gesture, it always amazed these young kids. From this activity, they were able to recognize how great the biodiversity of the forest was, even though they couldn’t see all of it.

This is a picture taken of me in 2018 as a camp counselor. I was instructing campers on how to canoe before taking them on a nature hike through trails in the Heart Lake Conservation Area in Brampton, Ontario. 

As for where nature is in music, nature can be utilized and interpreted in many songs through the lyrics, or even in samples created from the sounds of nature. How many songs do you know that have birds singing, rain falling, or bees buzzing in them? Apart from a lot of instrumentals, there are quite a few modern artists that utilize samples like these to paint a better picture for their work, and tie their songs to have multiple meanings (example: a love song using sounds or lyrics inspired by nature could have a direct meaning of love, and an indirect meaning that to be in nature is to be in love). Music and nature both play a huge part in my life, but rarely do I reflect on how they are connected in so many ways. My personal favorite nature-related song is called “Bloom” by The Paper Kites. A love song with lyrics such as “Can I take it to a morning Where the fields are painted gold And the trees are filled with memories Of the feelings never told?” relates the singer’s best memories with their lover to time spent outdoors. The song is entirely acoustic, and is very warm-sounding, making me feel like I am walking through a sunny flower-filled meadow every time I listen to it. It is not directly written about nature, but the inclusion of nature themes helps listeners to picture the song and also interprets the wonders of nature. Songs such as this, and “Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver, showcase the calming experiences nature provides and indirectly advises listeners to spend time outdoors.

[ngsenvs3000w22]

Blog 6- Nature Interpretation through History

“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)

At first, I was stuck on this quote and what Edward Hyams tried to express. But as I read it over and over again, I got a sense of what he is trying to express. In the first part of this quote, he expresses that in order to keep the integrity in history, every part of history has to be known not just the main points or bias views. The full picture must be seen; however, this is not always the case. There are biases that changes the story as it goes on through people and generations that as it goes on the truth changes every time little by little.

The second part of the quote as I understood it, states how there are times in our lives leave a mark within us that then become a part of ourselves and our history. After each train has passed a lesson was learned and the tracts that stays are the path created after each lesson. With these ‘tracts’ we keep in mind the past and thrive with what was learned. Keeping this marks a part of our history.

This quote overall expresses that history sometimes is scattered having passed through many people who have different options or omitted certain details creating a biased. These biased can be everywhere in academia, everyday life, politics etc. and it’s because everyone has their own option and beliefs. However, we should try and keep the integrity of history by keeping it pure and showing the full picture and not just what we want to be seen.

As interpreters, we aim to make an impact/mark on people’s lives to be part of their history. To become a “railway station” with our tracks to guide and follow through to the future. Throughout this course we have all made references and told our memories of our relationship with nature or how nature has impacted us in a certain way and thus interpreting nature through history. This is important because a person will carry this memory with them and continue to relive it while also sharing it and the lesson they learned.

Also involving history with nature it gives more depth and meaning to it allowing others to truly grasp and learn as much as they can, while truly appreciating nature and its beauty.

[amenvs3000w22]

Hey Natasha,

I really enjoyed reading your post this week! I think you completely nailed the importance of history through interpretation. In my own post, I made reference to history being important so it doesn’t repeat itself (as the old saying goes), but I never considered bias as a potential reason for historical importance. You are right though, bias is everywhere, but it is important (especially when interpreting nature) to give nothing but the facts. Sugarcoating something, or only telling someone the negatives of something doesn’t paint a full picture. If interpreters only told the positive things about nature, then no one would be concerned about environmental issues and nothing would change. If interpreters only told the negative things about nature, then the true beauty of nature would be blinded. There needs to be a balance, and that’s exactly where history comes in. I really liked how you touched on politics in your post as well. I think you made an excellent point about the railroad tracks, stating that they push us from the past to the future, but I think another important thing to add is that it pushes us past our mistakes. The train never stops running. We don’t have time to dwell on our mistakes. We just need to learn from them. This part of history is crucial in future decision-making as it’ll determine the future of our environment. 

Really good job this week :) can't wait to read more posts from you!

All the best, Ally

[crdaenvs3000w22]

Interpretation Through History

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)

I had to read this quote over a few times to really try and understand the underlying meaning behind it. To me, this quote is primarily addressing the past and its significance to placing the pieces together for how things are today. The past may have come and gone and although I don’t believe it is wise to get too stuck in the past, dwelling on it, I do believe it is important to recognize how the past has shaped the way things are today and how it plays an important role in telling a story about a particular person/place/thing. While time is not stagnant and history is more than just a moment in time, I don’t think it should be treated as more than guidance for the decisions we make in the present and future. I believe this ties in to how interpreters use history as a way to really articulate the value and beauty of what they are interpreting. I believe an audience is much more engaged and likely to show interest when they are learning about the past behind what they are witnessing and how it was valued, connecting it to it’s value presently.  As seen also in our readings, even kids can take an interest in history when it has a lot of history and stories that have been passed down about it and that have been preserved well into the present. With this being said the value of something has a lot less to do with its age or how long it’s been a part of history, but rather how others interacted with it in the past and how it was influenced over time. 

History, as I have previously stated, should not be dwelled upon, however, it can serve as a lesson that we can learn from in order to refrain from making the same mistakes and inspire a better future. However, I don’t believe history is always kind to those within it. Perspective is a major part of interpretation and when it comes to history there can be a lot of different points of view and most of the time it is impossible to know what is really the truth. I believe that when history is being shared, it is crucial to remain as unbiased as possible and ensure that only the known facts are being stated, without trying to pin any one specific person or side as ‘hero’ or ‘villain.’ This is my only real issue with history, as it can be cruel to the memory and/or names of those who are no longer around to share their sides of the story. For this reason, I believe history can only be ‘taken with a grain of salt’ (as the saying goes), meaning it shouldn’t be taken too literally nor should it’s stories be considered fact or ‘set in stone’. While history is very important to understanding how we’ve come to get where we are today, it has little to do with the present and how our future must turn out to be. The readings share the example of Christopher Columbus who has been shared and credited throughout history as the first person to discover the Americas. Except overtime, people slowly started to pick apart this idea and spread the truth that the indigenous people were there and had their own lives years before his arrival. Christopher Columbus actually colonized the Americas and caused a lot of suffering for the indiginous people there before him. Thus, for Columbus to have been painted as a hero and the first to discover this land is both a lie and offensive to the inidigenous people today whose ancestors suffered under his hand. 

Thus, history is a great tool for interpreters to use to help their audiences gain a deeper understanding and connection to what they are interpreting, however, history should be used in a cautionary way, knowing how information can be falsely spread and therefore damaging to some. When sharing stories and ideas of the past, interpreters help their audience to understand from stories of personal experience or stories that were passed down to them. However, this once again can be dangerous because although personal experience can be valuable and relatable, making it easier to understand, it is usually also extremely biased.

[amenvs3000w22]

Hey Catarina,

I loved the way you worded your opinion, that history provides guidance for present and future decisions. In my post, I talked a lot about how “history repeats itself,” and I think history is definitely key in avoiding previously made mistakes. I do also like how you included nature interpretation in your post. Personally, I am a history nut. I love learning about how things work and why they are the way they are. For me, including history in nature interpretation captures my interest even more, and I know that it does the same for a lot of people. History is a way to help people connect better with nature as well. For example, on hikes, I’ll stop to read informative historical plaques along the trail, and I always feel more connected to the area. If the plaque says the trail was founded in the early 1900s, I’ll try to imagine what things were like back then, what their knowledge of the environment was, and how their connection with nature might differ from mine. I do agree with what you are stating, that history should be used cautiously as we don’t want to “dwell on the past” or put someone or something in a negative light, but I do think it is a crucial part of interpreting nature and for future decision making. In each botany or environmental course I have taken in university, we always have a unit about the history of plants or the history of the specific area we are focusing on. I think incorporation like this in classes, and interpretive programs, is crucial in shaping future conservationists. I am a tactile learner, so when I find out how something works or the history of it, it makes me more passionate about that topic. Do you think history is an important part of building passion? 

Looking forward to reading more posts from you!

All the best, Ally

[amenvs3000w22]

Blog post 6 - Nature interpretation through history

“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.”

This quote can be interpreted in many ways. Normally when I think of history and its impact on current events, I think of that old saying, that history repeats itself, and that history is important to know so we can manage our actions to mitigate any risks. However, this quote suggests that history is always present, and shows itself in all aspects. When considering nature, or various landforms, it is critical to think of the history of the area. Where did these plants originate? How/when were they introduced to this area? Was there use of this plant (food, medicine, etc.), and do we still use it for its benefits? How did this environmental event happen? Considering who, what, when, where, why, and how when interpreting nature is important in determining why nature currently is the way it is. This quote, it states “integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole.” In regards to history and nature interpretation, I believe this means that to fully understand or appreciate nature, you must know its history in addition to current information, otherwise you are only exposed to a fragment of nature and its wonders. 

In one of my other classes, we had an assignment where we had to locate the origins of the foods we eat daily, be it fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, grains, fats, etc. I obviously knew that most of the plants I eat regularly are not native, but since completing this assignment, I have gained a greater appreciation for the foods I eat, knowing how they need to be cultivated and where they originate from. Although this is not a very good environmental example, it still showcases the importance of interpreting history to strengthen the level of appreciation and be able to better manage processes to maintain sustainable ecosystems. 

History is part of a whole. Even when just thinking about yourself, your past is your history, and it is a part of you. Your friends might only know little pieces of you, but your history tells a story of why you are the way you are. The same can be said for nature. When it comes to nature, history is important not only to be able to identify why environments are the way they are, but to utilize knowledge about the past to determine future environmental management/conservation plans. For example; a forest was purposefully ignited, causing a forest fire, to promote new growth and more biodiversity, but ended up decreasing biodiversity. The landscape has now changed, and biodiversity still needs to increase. Conservationists can use the history of the area to properly determine a plan to improve the biodiversity of the forest without causing more harm. 

I look forward to hearing your ideas on what this quote means (as I’m sure we’ve all interpreted it differently)!

[nbenvs3000w22]

I Miss Travelling

For the past two years, we have all been stuck inside the house (Well, at least for me). I used to travel outside of Canada at least once every year. Though, because of COVID, I have not left Ontario since the summer of 2019. Now, this is not anything to complain about, but recently I have been coming across way too many ads that have been tempting me to leave the country. So I figured in order to feed my hunger for adventure, I'll share some of my travelling adventures with you, along with some tips on what to do while you're there.

Now I can go on forever on the places I have gone or the places I want to go to, but for this post, I am going to focus mainly on Japan. It is one of the main spots known for its ecotourism, which is going to different natural wonders in the country and supporting them. By buying a ticket to a natural attraction or supporting the businesses in the area, you are participating in ecotourism!

First things first, if you ever get the opportunity - please go to Japan. The country is filled with a rich culture, fascinating history, food to die for, super friendly people and beautiful scenery. It was like no other place I have been to. At first, it was a bit of a culture shock with the busy train stations and massive city centres, but you get used to it with the help of apps and locals. My sister and I took the shinkansen (bullet train) all around Japan, which truly helped me see the country's beauty. It was a quick, easy and eco-friendly option (they run on electricity) - we wouldn't have been able to do half the excursions we planned without it. Not to mention, on any long haul trips, the stations always had stalls where they served delicious snacks and bento boxes which you can eat on the train (Bento boxes weren't my favourite, but it's worth a try). So use this to your advantage, even if you just want to see the countryside.

On our way to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park via bullet train.

There are numerous places you can see that truly highlights Japan's natural beauty. Bamboo groves in Arashiyama, Sika deer in Nara Park, the floating Shinto Shrine in the waters of Miyajima - these are some of the many places we visited that support ecotourism. However, I would like to highlight two important areas that are a must-visit.

1. Mount Fuji

This is probably one of Japan's most famous, well-known spots for obvious reasons. I remember seeing this while taking the train and being in absolute awe. You can see it as clear as day, from kilometres away. The size of the mountain is insurmountable (3,776 m to be exact); I remember feeling so small compared to it. I won't lie, it was very touristy and hard to get to; however, the views are worth it. The picturesque lake, deep forests and the snow-peaked mountain is something that you won't forget.

Views from Chureito Pagoda, luckily no clouds covered our view! There were a lot of stairs though, so be prepared!

2. Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

If you like wildlife and anything nature, this is the place to go. The train ride is filled with rolling mountains and small towns with ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) and lush forests. When you get to the park, you are faced with a 30-minute hike through a beautiful forest within the mountain. There are a couple of small stores and a hotel on the path, but other than that, you are alone in nature. The hike was extremely peaceful (except for the muddy patches that destroy your shoes. Had to buy socks mid-hike from the shop) and filled with dense pine trees. When you get to the park, you get to see the wonder of Japanese Macaques relaxing in the hot springs. There were very few people there when I visited, which meant the monkeys were everywhere. You can't touch them or get too close for obvious reasons, but getting so close to the monkeys in their natural habitat is something you won't forget.

After a long hike being absolutely covered in mud, our reward was pretty sweet!

I'll probably talk about Japan way more in future posts, but here's just a snippet of one of my favourite trips. At the end of the day, it is essential to support ecotourism when you can, as it can help promote and sustain local environments. I would love to hear any travel stories you have, so please share them if you would like!

Information and facts from: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/japan/articles/japans-best-ecotourism-destinations-we-cant-wait-to-visit/

~Nicole

[amenvs3000w22]

Hey Nicole, 

I found your post so interesting to read because I’ve never traveled, but I’ve always wanted to. The only trips I’ve been on have been within driving distance throughout Ontario and Northeastern America. It must’ve been one long flight to Japan, but it looks like it was worth it 100%! I’m personally a huge fan of flowers (my favourite being the Plumeria from Hawaii) and have always wanted to visit places to see their native flowers. I’ve always wanted to be in Japan in the spring to see cherry blossom trees bloom :) 

Just from your pictures, it is easy to see how different things are in Japan compared to in Guelph. Seeing those monkeys after a long hike must have been quite the reward! I’m so curious as to what the biodiversity was like in the forests in Japan. You said pine needles filled your shoes and socks, so obviously there were pine trees, but I actually have no clue what other kinds of trees or plants grow in Japan. I think that one thing that’s important in nature interpretation is recognizing that each country and region in the world houses different plants and animals. This could be one thing to include when interpreting nature as people, like yourself, love to travel and experience different cultures. Explaining the different ecosystems and species in a country might inspire someone to go see them, or to get involved in environmental conservation efforts to preserve these treasures. 

I can’t wait to read more posts from you and hear more about your traveling!

All the best, Ally

[mpenvs3000w22]

As an introvert: blog post 5

When I saw that this week’s blog post was to be unprompted, at first I was really excited! “This should be pretty easy” I thought. What perfect timing as I’ve got such a busy week of schoolwork, this blog post should take me no time at all to finish since all I have to do is write about literally anything. However, once I actually started trying to write about anything, I seemed to be stuck. I never realized before how much I rely on prompts, not in just this blogging assignment but in pretty much every aspect of my life. I like to think of myself as an outgoing and spontaneous person, but in all reality, I have always been shy and reserved as I have struggled with social anxiety my entire life. I often find myself lost with what to do when there are no specific instructions or “prompts” given to me. While I know that this is just simply a part of who I am, that there is nothing inherently wrong with being a shy and quiet person, I can’t help but think how this will affect me in a career of nature interpretation or science communication.

As stated in our Unit 5 content, “you already know much of what you need to know, scientifically, and the rest is about approach”. Yes, I am very comfortable in my scientific knowledge, but what happens if I’m lacking in the approach? This topic has especially been on my mind this week as I just hosted my first live lesson for my science communication internship at Exploring By The Seat Of Your Pants. Since it was my first time, all I needed to do was introduce the guest speaker (which happened to be the Board Chair of the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, Carolyn Farqhuar) and welcome in all the classrooms tuning in from around the world. This took 40 seconds max, but I was SO nervous and was shaking so fiercely by the time it came to start the broadcast. I rewatched the livestream afterwards once it was posted to YouTube, and you could visibly see the fear in my face and hear every gulp and stutter. This upset me, because I doubt that listening to any kind of interpretation from someone who is shaking and stuttering the whole time would make for a memorable experience.

I often wonder whether this is a skill that can be improved, or if it is just an inherent trait that people have; where public speaking and engagement comes naturally. The most frustrating part is that I truly do enjoy forming connections with people by educating them about the natural world that surrounds us, but my lack of confidence has always held me back.

While this course has already helped me navigate the world of nature interpretation and given me a bit more confidence through the different assignments (such as this especially vulnerable blog post), I’d love to hear if anyone else has had similar experiences to me. Whether you are a “reformed” shy person, or still struggle with confident public speaking, how do you navigate the incredibly up-close and personal world of nature interpretation? And are there ways to still have a successful “approach” to interpretation without having a naturally energetic and magnetic personality?

[amenvs3000w22]

Hey Marie,

I think you did a great job on your prompt-less post this week :)

You made some really good points; interpretation does require outgoing tasks such as public speaking. There are so many other ways of interpreting nature though, one of them being this blog! Although it is vulnerable, I agree, it still gets the message across. In fact, it gets the message across to other introverts who have difficulty interacting with others in person. You’re not alone at all when it comes to public speaking. No matter how many times we’re forced to speak publicly in school, I always have that fear. One thing that helps me is passion. If I am very passionate about a topic, or if I am super knowledgeable about a topic, I find that I am more confident about what I am speaking about. You stated in your post that “you already know much of what you need to know, scientifically, and the rest is about approach.” I do agree with this statement, but I also feel that learning more about a topic can alter your approach. Considering scientific knowledge and nature interpretation, you could channel the species or ecosystem you are interpreting while presenting. For example, Mycorrhizae connects many systems, species,  and processes, so in your presentation, you could channel your inner Mycorrhizae and make lots of connections (either verbally or visually using a web chart, etc.). This may seem silly but it works, and it’s something that will stick in your audience's head.

I wish you luck with your interpretation and look forward to reading more posts from you! (If you actually try this approach let me know how it goes!)

All the best, Ally

[amenvs3000w22]

Discussion post 5 - Interpretation through science

This is a microscopic image of a plant stem cross-section that I took during a second-year botany course experiment. I’m not too sure which plant it was from (possibly a soybean or pea plant, I can’t remember), but I can tell it is a stem because of the structures and placement of the cells.

I was a little unsure of what I wanted to discuss this week so I decided to talk about some of my experiences interpreting nature through science as discussed in this week’s lesson. In previous posts of mine throughout this blog, I have discussed how obtaining information on an environmental topic gives me a greater appreciation of nature and improves my connection with the environment. I believe that a big part of this knowledge is obtained from science. Although an interpreter may not use scientific terminology when discussing an environmental topic, they use the basic premises of science to describe why nature is so important. An example of this could be describing how the structure of an organism (or a part of an organism) determines its function. The interpreter does not need to go into detail and describe how these structures are formed, but using science to acknowledge what is happening is an important part of nature interpretation.

This is a microscopic image of the cross section of a corn plant stem that I took in my second-year botany course during another experiment. It showcases the vascular bundles (dark sideways skull-looking clump of cells), comprised of xylem and phloem. 

Through science, I have also been able to interpret nature for myself and others through experiments. This past Summer, I took part in a field study course (field biology BIOL*4410) where I had the chance to conduct my own scientific experiments in nature and interpret my results to others. I have a strange love for bacteria, but I didn’t know much about it before this field study so I decided to focus on it. I learned all about the different types of bacteria (how they grow, where they grow, what they do) and I conducted my own experiment to try and grow as much bacteria as I could in a short period of time. I ended up making Winogradsky columns (columns with water, soil, and other organic additions such as salt, oats, eggshells, etc.) using water and soil from the pond behind my house and manipulating the conditions to see how diverse my community is. It took 4 weeks to finish this experiment, but 7 types of bacteria showed up. I was astonished by this. Normally when people think of bacteria, they think of dirty things, but when I looked at this pond it was clean and clear. The scientific knowledge I gained during this experiment allowed me to appreciate the amount of organisms that are present but are too small to see, and it made me remember why I wanted to be a biologist. 

This is a close-up image of my Winogradsky column at the 4 week mark of my experiment. Each colour in the jar represents a different type of bacteria: green, white, yellow, red, brown, black, grey. This jar is very diverse, and shows that the pond behind my house is so much more diverse than I thought. When I think about biodiversity, I rarely think about bacteria, but it is something that contributes to the biodiversity and health of the ecosystem as well.

The more I learn about nature and the environment, the more I want to know and the more invested I become. Experiments take time and effort, so results are more appreciated after conducting an experiment because it is something you took the time and energy to do, whereas it might not be as appealing to read about the results in someone else’s study. As a tactile learner, I think scientific experiments are extremely important in interpreting nature. Everyone remembers the science experiments they did in highschool: frog/pig dissections, photosynthesis experiments, cool chemistry experiments, etc. They are a fun, informative experience that stay with you forever and make you see nature in a different light.

[amenvs3000w22]

Blogging as an interpreting tool

Hey folks,

One of the classes I’m in this semester, Natural Resource Policy Analysis (BIOL*4500), required me to get in contact with several conservation managers and talk to them about different policies, habitats, land development, etc., to better understand the topics we have chosen. In my project, I am studying the Chestnut-collared Longspur bird species that reside only in the grassland regions of Manitoba. Because of the development of grassland into cropland, most of the habitats suitable to house the Chestnut-collared Longspur have been eliminated. Today I was able to interview the grassland conservation manager of Birds Canada, and I asked him about some of the tasks included in his role. Funny enough, he said that the biggest thing Birds Canada does to spread awareness and interpret environmental concerns is through blogging. He told me that his blog has 70,000 followers and that through informing the public about environmental concerns via the internet, the amount of funding and awareness surrounding threatened grassland bird species in Manitoba has significantly increased. Although none of us have 70,000 followers on our blogs, I still believe that blogging and spreading awareness through social media platforms is the most effective way of inspiring others and sharing relevant concerns/information. My interview today took me back to the beginning of this course when we were asked why blogging is an important part of nature interpretation. After my interview, it made me feel like even though I am still a student, I am a part of something bigger because it’s something that professionals do. Keep up the good work with your blogs everyone!

All the best, Ally 

[lmenvs3000w22]

Nature and Art

I have never been much of an artist myself, but that isn’t to say that I don’t still appreciate art on a daily basis. One of the ways that I do find myself appreciating art on a daily basis is through nature and its various landscapes, creatures, and environments. The textbook mentions that art can elicit certain emotions, such as empathy and sympathy, and that art is something that while eliciting emotional responses, also is an intellectual experience (Beck et al., 2018). Given this, it is easy to visualize nature as an art form. Nature is something that elicits sympathy and empathy, among other emotions (i.e. awe, excitement, and curiosity), as well as being something that is intellectually valued.

In this way, I am largely someone who looks at nature as I would a piece of art. When I’m in nature, I make sure to stop and really take in my surroundings. I make sure to take note of the surroundings, what colours stick out to me, the organisms present, the noises I hear, and so on. This is certainly an emotional experience, and oftentimes I am in a state of awe when I’m in nature, but as well, it serves as an intellectual experience. It is particularly intellectual to me as the more I am in nature, the more I feel I learn about it; the ecosystems within it, the way it works, and so on. As I mentioned, I am by no means an artist or have the capabilities to “properly” judge or critique artworks, however, nature seems like a sort of artwork that everyone is able to enjoy and interpret in their own way; there is no wrong way to interpret nature through the lens of art.

“The gift of beauty”, as the textbook describes it, states that, “interpretation should instill in people the ability, and the desire, to sense the beauty in their surroundings - to provide spiritual uplift and to encourage program and facility design” (Beck et al., 2018). This definition lends itself well to this discussion regarding art and nature interpretation. As we become better at interpreting nature, (we begin to notice the little things, or we spend more time in nature), we will inevitably begin to sense the beauty in our surroundings. This is similar to a person who interprets paintings, for example. The better they become at interpreting paintings (they spend more time learning about the artist and their intentions or spend more time generally exploring art), the better they will become at seeing the beauty or intention behind them.

I personally see the gift of beauty as something that grows and develops over time. We can’t expect to be necessarily “good” at interpreting nature when it’s something new to us. I would say that we have to work to cultivate an understanding of the beauty in nature and the complexity of the connections within it. As mentioned above, we begin to be more observant. Once we are able to better interpret nature, we are able to instill the ability and desire to sense the beauty in the surroundings in not only ourselves, but also others. This is to say that once we understand the gift of beauty, we are better equipped to explain this gift to others through our own interpretation.

Ultimately, I would note that there is just something so inherently beautiful about nature, and this is why it is so easy to see nature as a form of art. Being able to discover this beauty as I get more and more into nature is something so valuable to me, and I can’t wait to explore and discover more of nature in my future!

Side note - I’m currently in an advanced philosophy of the environment class, and we’ve been talking a lot about nature from an aesthetic appreciation/value perspective. I think this topic relates well to this week's prompt, as many of the papers we’re currently discussing make connections to actual art works and draw comparisons between art and nature to help explain why nature should be valued based on strictly aesthetic reasons (strange argument, I know!). I’ll attach a few of the papers we’ve read below in case anyone is interested in reading!

Papers on aesthetic value:

Brady, E. (1998). Imagination and the aesthetic appreciation of nature. The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism, 56(2): 139-147.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/432252

Carlson, A. (1981). Nature, aesthetic judgment, and objectivity. The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism, 40(1): 15-17.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/430349

References (for blog post):

Beck, L., Cable, T., & Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage. Sagamore-Venture Publishing LLC.

[amenvs3000w22]

Hey Lauryn,

I think you perfectly captured arts' purpose in interpreting nature by stating that it elicits emotions. These emotions are different for everyone, however, art is able to send a direct message to the audience. Just by looking or listening to different art pieces, you are able to understand the general tone and whether or not it is a positive or negative piece. When interpreting nature, this is an important part of capturing the listener's attention. Facts aren’t being thrown at them, but they are still able to understand what the piece represents (whether it is a good message, showcasing the gift of beauty, or if it is a bad message, showcasing problems occurring due to climate change, etc.). In your description of the gift of beauty, you stated how you believe it is something that grows and develops over time which I think is spot on. When you see a sunset or a pretty plant, you see beauty, but it is when you learn more about the processes that occur to allow these pretty things to exist that your appreciation and connection grows, and you begin to see things as even more beautiful. For that flower to be so pretty, it needs to use a huge amount of time, energy and resources to be able to grow and bloom, and when the flowers bloom and produce seeds, it promotes the growth of new life. Knowing this information makes me think so much greater of plants, and really allows me to see their importance on this planet. Have you had an experience similar to this, and if so, how did it change your perspective on nature?

I look forward to reading more posts from you!

All the best, Ally 

[mbenvs3000w22]

BLOG 4

When looking at the blog prompt I put some heavy thought into the following question: Who are you to interpret nature through art? This is an important question to reflect upon.  Firstly, how does art become an interpretation of nature? Art has the power to mimic nature by visually replicating objects we see in nature as they appear in real life. Another question to ask is do we need to have qualifications to interpret art, such as a university degree? I believe that anyone can interpret art regardless of their qualifications. When considering how I interpret art as an individual, that is a complicated question. I think art has the power to let your imagination run free and create beautiful images and stories. Art and nature are both very similar as the way they are interpreted are left in the hands of the interpreter. 

Speaking honestly, I have never had the most artistic eye and have never been good at actually making art. Although I do not have the most talent in this area I do enjoy it quite a lot. There are many ways different styles of art that I enjoy such as photography, painting, music and cinema. When I am in nature I enjoy taking pictures to capture its beauty. When I look back at my pictures I feel the emotions I felt at that time and relive the memories I had. 

(Estero Island, Florida (2017). Whenever I look at this image it reminds me of the memories I had on this trip and the fun times I had on the beach with my cousins. I remember feeling complete relaxation as I looked at this sunset. This just goes to show the power of photography!)

In my opinion, art plays a very important role in nature interpretation and should be incorporated more into programs. Firstly, many visitors may find it fun to participate in activities that include art. For example, incorporating crafts in a children’s program will likely stimulate their minds and help them take an interest in what is being presented to them. In addition, art has the power to resonate in our minds and help visitors truly take value in nature.  As the textbook highlighted; a dance, song, image or drama is likely to be more interesting than dense information. 

To quote the textbook: “The gift of beauty comes from the principle that interpretation should instill in people the ability and desire to sense the beauty in their surroundings (Beck et al., 2019).” This inspires people to connect with the beauty of nature spiritually, developing a connection that is bigger than yourself. It is so powerful that it can motivate resource preservation, making people more likely to protect the world we live in. The gift of beauty can also relate to nature interpretation through art. A visual representation of nature is another way visitors can feel and desire the beauty of nature. Art helps to visualize meaning associated with a place and can even tell a story. 

I am looking forward to reading about everyone else’s interpretation of the gift of beauty!

Beck, L., Cable, T., & Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage. Sagamore-Venture Publishing LLC.

[amenvs3000w22]

Hey Makayla,

I loved reading your post (and I really liked your picture!)! We have a lot of very similar views on who can interpret art. I think you’re entirely right by saying that anyone can interpret art, regardless of their degree. Interpreting nature through art not only spreads a message for those who are admiring the art piece, but it can strengthen the artists and audiences connection with nature. I definitely think that incorporating art into programs would increase stimulation and interest surrounding nature. These programs don’t even need to be advertised as nature programs, look at Bob Ross. All of his paintings perfectly capture the beauty of nature. If nature was interpreted in other programs (such as painting classes, photography lessons, etc.) it would inspire the audience to connect with nature. I think you absolutely captured the gift of beauty in your post by saying that it is powerful and could spark motivation to make changes. When you sign up for a painting class or a program, this may not be your first thought, but the way nature is interpreted in these programs could have this impact on it’s listeners. With all of the environmental concerns that there currently are in the world, this is the perfect opportunity for the gift of beauty to be portrayed in art. In my post, I suggested using art to target these environmental concerns, showcasing the negative impacts of climate change, etc., but this should be presented alongside the beauty of nature to really drive that message home, that there needs to be a change, and that nature really is a beautiful thing. I can’t wait to read more posts from you!

All the best, Ally