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Disclaimer
This blog was created for the course of ENVS3000 F24 at the University of Guelph.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of the University of Guelph.
The University of Guelph is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by this blog.
Unit 10 Blog Post
Developing My Personal Ethic as a Nature Interpreter
Interpreting nature is an opportunity to inspire, educate, and foster deep relationships between humans and the natural world, not just a job or duty. As I cultivate my own ethics as a nature interpreter, I think carefully about the values I uphold, the obligations I have, and the methods that best suit my character and life experiences. These components will be examined in this blog post, which will weave together the knowledge I've gained from this course, my past experiences, and my future goals.
Beliefs That Shape My Approach
My conviction in the inherent worth of nature is the foundation of my work as a nature interpreter. My early upbringing in an environment with well-kept parks and gardens gave me a deep appreciation for the natural world. These areas served as more than just backgrounds for my life; they were havens of inspiration, happiness, and comfort. Nature can be a source of serenity, concentration, and sensory engagement, as Richard Louv stated in Last Child in the Woods. These encounters shaped my conviction that nature merits our protection not because it is useful but rather because it is valuable in and of itself.
The value of developing a close relationship with nature is another guiding belief. The notion that people protect what they love inspires me greatly. I want to encourage people to take care of the environment by giving them the chance to feel amazement and wonder in natural environments. This viewpoint supports the notion that interpreting nature is about fostering a closer bond between humans and the natural world rather than only dispensing knowledge.
Responsibilities as a Nature Interpreter
I recognize the responsibility that comes with being a nature interpreter. First and foremost, it is your role to convey important and correct information. In a time of environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change, it is critical that I base my interpretations on facts while also making difficult subjects approachable and relatable to a wide range of audiences.
Promoting accessibility and inclusivity is a further responsibility a nature interpreter would have. Everyone has a right to nature, yet access to its wonders may be privileged; restricted by obstacles, whether they are educational, cultural, or physical as discussed in Unit 3. By developing interpretive experiences that speak to people of all backgrounds and skill levels, I hope to dismantle these boundaries. This entails taking into account various learning preferences and making sure my language and teaching strategies are welcoming and inclusive.
My obligation to future generations is just as significant. Children are not only participants in the events of today, but they will also be the future stewards of the environment, as Richard Louv discussed in Unit 8. Young people can develop lifelong curiosity and compassion by being exposed to the wonders of nature, whether through up-close interactions with wildlife, an engrossing tale, or a practical activity.
Approaches That Reflect My Personality and Skills
My approach to interpretation is both disciplined and dynamic, as I thrive on organization, passion, and goal-oriented communication. Presenting factual information while fostering moments of wonder and engagement is something I try to balance. One of my favorite methods is storytelling, since it enables me to relate relatable anecdotes to scientific principles. For instance, in our first Podcast instead of just outlining the ecological effects of outdoor cats, I might tell a tale about a particular species of bird that is impacted by predation, allowing my audience to sympathize with the difficulties that wildlife faces.
Another essential component of my strategy is interactive experiences. I place a high value on conversation and active engagement whether I'm presenting a workshop, leading a nature walk, or producing a podcast. In addition to keeping the audience interested, questions, observations, and comments provide them the chance to influence the event in ways that are significant to them.
Another aspect of my evolving strategy is the careful integration of technology as mentioned in Unit 8. The significance of employing platforms like blogs and podcasts to reach people who might not be physically present in the field was emphasized in this session. I can share tales, photos, and thoughts with a worldwide audience while preserving the warmth and genuineness of in-person encounters by utilizing digital platforms to expand the reach of my interpretive work.
Balancing Challenges with Hope
Addressing the gravity of environmental issues without overpowering the audience is one of the biggest challenges in nature interpretation. Being an environmental educator can be like attempting to use a teaspoon to halt a rushing river, as Jacob Rodenburg points out in Unit 9. The enormity of the issues we confront such as plastic pollution, habitat devastation, and climate change can seem intimidating. But hope, in my opinion, is a powerful remedy for despair.
To balance honesty with hope, I focus on actionable insights and success stories. Promoting regional conservation initiatives, outlining easy activities people can take to lessen their influence, and acknowledging any advancements made, no matter how miniscule, can give people the confidence that their actions count. For example, to provide participants a practical approach to support biodiversity, a pollinator program can incorporate a hands-on lesson on growing native flowers.
The possibility of regeneration is another source of hope. According to Rodenburg, communities that are rich in nature should be established where kids may both maintain and revitalize the natural systems in their immediate surroundings as mentioned in Unit 9. I see my job as a nature interpreter as fostering this regenerative mindset and assisting others in progressing from awareness to action and, eventually, advocacy.
Making Interpretation Meaningful
In my opinion, the key to meaningful interpretation lies in authenticity and passion. The inspiration for my interpretive work comes from my own relationship with nature. I can provide programs and content that are not only educational but also profoundly personal and influential if I remain loyal to my experiences, values, and voice.
Adapting experiences to the audience is another way to make interpretation meaningful. I can create messages that connect when I know who they are—their needs, interests, and degree of nature acquaintance. A program for a group of young children can emphasize sensory exploration, such as discovering edible wild berries by their leaf patterns or acknowledging the differences in birds based on their chirp. A guided hike for adults could cover ecological principles or conservation tactics.
Finally, I will try to use every interpretative experience as an opportunity to improve, both for my audience and for myself. A crucial step in this process is reflection. What went effectively? I ask myself after every program. What might be made better? How can I learn more about the subjects I'm presenting? My work will always be effective, current, and new because of my dedication to learning and adapting.
Carrying the “So What?” Forward
This course has forced me to reflect critically on my identity as a nature interpreter, reaffirming that nature interpretation is a calling rather than merely a career—an opportunity to uplift people, build relationships, and support the survival of the earth. I carry with me as I go ahead the knowledge that interpretation may lead to change, the obligation to make good use of my education and privilege, and the conviction that even a modest act of connection can have a significant influence. I'm dedicated to making every minute matter, whether I'm hosting a forest walk or producing a podcast, for the sake of the environment and its inhabitants.
Hi Michelle!
Your post really expresses the delicate balance between personal passion and professional responsibility in nature interpretation. I resonate deeply with your belief in nature’s inherent worth and the importance of fostering meaningful connections between people and the environment. Your integration of storytelling, interactive experiences, and technology demonstrates a dynamic and adaptive approach that reflects the complexities of modern environmental education.
I’m especially intrigued by your discussion of balancing environmental challenges with hope. The metaphor of using a teaspoon to stop a rushing river captures the overwhelming nature of these issues perfectly. Your focus on actionable insights and success stories provides a valuable framework for maintaining optimism. Were there any particular success stories or local initiatives that you found most compelling in motivating your audience to act? How do you tailor these stories to different age groups or levels of environmental knowledge?
Your use of telling stories as a way of making complex issues relatable is a powerful tool. The example you used, which linked outdoor cats to an ecological effect on a species of bird, really highlights how personalization inspires empathy. How do you decide on the stories to tell?
I also love how much emphasis you put on reflection and constant improvement. You said something about adjusting your approach to suit the different needs and interests of your audience. How do you go about judging your audience quickly in situations where you may not have enough time to get to know them? Are there particular cues or techniques that help you tailor your interpretation effectively on the spot?
Finally, I love your idea of integrating regeneration into your work. Your commitment to carrying the “so what?” forward is admirable, and I’d love to hear how you plan to grow this ethos in the future! Great work!
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.
Hi there!
I think your post captures the depth of responsibility and opportunity inherent in being a nature interpreter perfectly. I love how you relate ethics with personal growth and how you bring historical context and worldview into your philosophy of interpretation. The way you relate all these concepts with practical examples like rewilding and biodiversity patches, was really inspiring.
I find your belief in leading by example really powerful. Experiences you share with your audience, whether about building a native prairie garden and the biodiversity it allows, serve to show the very behaviours that you hope to inspire. It is interesting how the ripple from something as small as planting wildflowers creates connections, not just between people and nature but within communities. And I have to ask, how do you handle those situations when people are resistant or perhaps a little skeptical to make these changes? Are there specific approaches which help you break through that skepticism and spark up curiosity or interest?
Your emphasis on the safety and flexibility of learning styles is so important. It can be tricky to balance the needs of many in a way that keeps everyone interested. You use a great "classroom" approach, along with hands-on experiences. How do you maintain those experiences to be just as impactful for learners who may not be drawn to nature immediately? Do you have any strategies to specifically engage them-mostly those who would not describe themselves as "outdoorsy people"?
Last but not least, your enthusiasm about rewilding and the meaning this brings to life is amazing. Have you considered ways to scale this concept beyond individual gardens, perhaps at a community or municipal level? How could nature interpretation help encourage larger-scale rewilding efforts, such as transforming urban spaces or influencing local policies?
Your work and reflections remind me how deeply impactful even the smallest steps can be in fostering a culture of conservation and connection. I’d love to hear more about how you envision growing your personal ethics and practices further!
Unit 10 blog post - final blog
Hi everyone!
It's been fascinating to read about the various backgrounds that each student has brought to this course from all around the world, which has led to us all creating these blogs. It just goes to illustrate, in my opinion, how powerfully nature can unite people. We all have a connection to the outdoors that we would like to share with others, whether or not we are majoring in science or something else. I'm confident that the writing and reflection I've done during this course will benefit me going forward. In my opinion, a person's ethics and beliefs change throughout time as they gain more knowledge. As I develop as a nature interpreter, I find myself continuously reflecting on the beliefs, responsibilities and approaches that guide my work. For me, nature interpretation is not just about sharing knowledge but more about creating meaningful relationships between people and their natural environment. It’s a dynamic process, shaped by personal experiences, evolving philosophies, and the recognition of the diverse audiences I aim to serve. I base my nature interpreter ethics on three things: accessibility, authenticity, and empowerment. These values guide my practice and inspire my dedication to ensuring that nature becomes a space for discovery, learning, and healing for all.
At the core of my work as a nature interpreter is the profound belief in the fact that nature is a common ancestral heritage of all people, and therefore we all have equal rights to access and enjoy nature. I am one of those lucky ones who, while growing up, got to witness nature in all its raw beauty, camping with my family and exploring the forests nearby. Such experiences instilled in me a very deep respect for the way life interrelates and the realization that every creature, ecosystem, and element plays a vital role in maintaining the balance on our planet.
I also believe that nature is both a healer and a teacher. It has taught me all about patience, resiliency, and humility through time spent outdoors. It has been comforting during tough times and has given me room for joy and adventure. I am highly committed to sharing this view with others who have not had a chance to experience it first-hand.
Lastly, I believe inclusiveness and equity should be guiding principles in our work with nature interpretation. Nature cannot continue to be a luxury for a few select people. We must actively seek to remove the obstacles that keep people from accessing nature, whether they be social, economic, physical, or cultural. In sum, I believe as a nature interpreter I work hard to make sure that my messages speak to a variety of audiences and take into account their particular requirements and viewpoints.
As a nature interpreter, my responsibilities go way beyond the sharing of facts about ecosystems or wildlife. They include facilitating accessibility, building emotional connections, and encouraging stewardship. I consider it my responsibility to create experiences that are accessible to all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. This might be done in terms of adapting programs to suit people with disabilities and offering multilingual services, or it might be interpreted by working with communities that have less opportunity to engage in nature. Moreover, facts alone are not enough to inspire change. My responsibility is to create experiences that provoke admiration, curiosity, and a sense of belonging in the natural world. Lastly, nature interpretation provides the opportunity to inspire responsibility for the environment. I want to enable people to make choices supportive of sustainability and conservation through knowledge of the consequences of their actions.
Over time, I’ve come to realize that my most effective approaches to nature interpretation are those that align with my personality, skills, and values. This includes hands-on experiential learning, creating inclusive spaces, encouraging curiosity and inquiry, and blending fun with learning. I firmly believe that people learn best when they can experience the world around them directly. This could involve taking participants on a nature walk and pointing out various plants and animals, or facilitating activities such as building birdhouses and planting gardens for pollinators. Besides these experiences helping individuals gain knowledge, they tend to make people confident enough to take part in nature. As previously mentioned, inclusivity is central to my approach. This implies sensitivity to the use of language, avoiding talk and language that may confuse and alienate others, enabling activities to be modified for a range of skills or abilities. This may include adding more tactile activities for visually impaired participants or providing quiet areas for overstimulation from large groups. Next, rather than presenting myself as an all-knowing authority, I prefer to position myself as a co-explorer, encouraging participants to ask questions and seek their answers. This helps people develop a sense of responsibility and possession regarding their learning. In my opinion, getting people to ask their own questions instead of telling them the answers to everything will encourage curiosity. Lastly, as a nature interpreter, one of my goals was to let people have fun while learning about the environment. Games, scavenger hunts, and other creative activities like nature journaling or photography, are perfect ways to engage participants while sneaking in messages about ecology and conservation.
I look back at my journey as a nature interpreter and believe my ethic is still unfolding. I often revise my methods and reflect on my beliefs to continue refining them to be representative of my goals and the communities I serve. As I develop my personal ethic, it has taught me to be humble and not set in one way. Nature reminds us that change is constant and that there is always more to learn. By staying open to new ideas and perspectives, I hope to grow not only as a nature interpreter but also as an advocate for a healthier and sustainable relationship with our planet.
It has been great to read and interact with you all this semester through these blogs and I've learned so much about everyone!! I hope you all have a great rest of the semester :)
Unit 9 blog post
One of the most amazing things that I know about nature is bioluminescence. It is something that has always had me in awe from the moment I first learned about it. Seeing it through nature documentaries, YouTube videos, and even in real life is something that will shock anyone. I first fell in love with bioluminescence through my love of nature documentaries and have learned almost everything from there as well as through school. The natural phenomenon occurs when living things generate and release light. From sparkling plankton, ocean waves to fireflies glittering in the night, it is a mystical sight that is shared amongst many organisms. This amazing thing has vital roles in these organisms life and is not merely for show.
Fireflies is one example of an organism using bioluminescence and one of the more popular ones that people know of. Fireflies emerge to provide a stunning ballet of lights as soon as the sun goes down. They use this to communicate, attract mates, and to fend off any predators. In certain species, each flicker is a component of a secret code, and the flicker patterns are so complex that they can even transmit messages.
Now imagine your lost in the woods when all the sudden, the ground beneath you starts to light up. Certain types of fungi, like some mushrooms can glow in the dark. From watching Netflix’s “Night on Earth”, it is believed that this bioluminescence draws in insects, which help disperse the spores of the mushrooms.
My personal favourite and something that is on my bucket list to see is the ocean waves during their bioluminescence time. Marine organisms are the cause of producing sparkle phenomena. They are microscopic plankton that produce a beautiful blue glow when disturbed, which gives the water a shimmering appearance. Surfers, swimmers, etc. can leave a path of shinning blue behind them when in the water.
In addition to being a beautiful sight, bioluminescence is essential to ecosystems. It promotes predation, camouflage, and communication. To ensure their survival in the most hostile settings on Earth, several deep-sea organisms, for example, use bioluminescence to entice prey or disorient predators.
So, embrace bioluminescence and allow it so to strengthen your bond with nature. The wonders of nature serve as a constant reminder of the remarkable beauty that our world gives us, whether it be a flying flicker of light from a firefly to the glow of mushrooms or the glimmer of water.
Hi Julia!
Bioluminescence truly is one of nature’s most captivating phenomena! I completely share your amazement at how this light show in nature connects diverse species, from ocean plankton to fireflies, each with its unique glow and purpose. It’s fascinating how fireflies’ light signals are essentially their language, using specific flash patterns to communicate. And you’re absolutely right, those flashes can even act as “codes” for finding mates or warning predators. The idea that light can be a survival tool, as well as a form of beauty, is insane.
I also love your point about how bioluminescent fungi light up forest floors, creating an amazing view for anyone watching. As you mentioned, some believe this glow attracts insects to help spread spores, showing how every glow has a purpose, even for mushrooms.
Seeing bioluminescent waves is high on my list, too. Although I have never seen it in person, it's almost extraterrestrial. The way plankton lights up the ocean, leaving sparkling trails behind swimmers or surfers, is a reminder of those deep, unseen connections binding an ecosystem together. Besides beautiful, bioluminescent creatures hold life together in some of Earth's harshest environments, such as the deep sea, in which organisms resort to their glow as a means of attracting prey or confusing predators. Have you ever thought about how bioluminescence might evolve in other organisms over time? I think it would be fascinating to see what kind of organisms would have this feature in the next couple of thousand years.
Bioluminescence does remind us of the mysteries and toughness of nature. There is always something more to be learned. Thanks for sharing! It is a beautiful reminder of the wonder awaiting us in the natural world.
Unit 09 blog post
Hi all,
One of the most amazing things I know about nature, in my opinion, is the ocean. The ocean covers more than 70% of our world and holds within it such vast mysteries that we hardly ever actually get to understand it. It is a completely different world of extremes-conditions and housing thousands of complex creatures. Take, for example, the anglerfish that lives deep beneath the sea. Its needle teeth and the luminescent light which dangles in front of its mouth are good tools for life spent in complete darkness a couple of thousand feet below the surface. This is just one of many bioluminescent adaptations developed by creatures of the ocean to make life possible with crushing pressure and no light.
The ocean is home to multiple other truly remarkable creatures. Take the leafy sea dragon, for example. With fronds that look just like bits of floating seaweed, it blends perfectly into its surroundings, hiding in plain sight from predators and giving it an almost mythical look. Then there is the world's largest animal, the blue whale. The blue whale can communicate with other whales over great distances thanks to its loud, resonant cries, which can reach for miles. To me, this is fascinating as they can use clicks, whistles and pulsed calls, like songs to communicate. These creatures give us a look at the ocean’s mystery.
Arguably, though, the most amazing thing about nature is not the strange or the beautiful creatures that live in the ocean, but that it is something that can be accessed at all times by all of us. Whether you are standing on some remote cliffside, watching waves crash against the rocks, or taking a moment to look up at the night sky from your backyard, nature finds ways to get to us. You do not have to be an adventurer or scientist to sense its power. We are connected to something greater even just by going outside and experiencing the warmth of the sun on our skin or listening to the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze. The balance that exists in nature serves as a reminder that we are a part of something much bigger than ourselves, something that existed before us and will undoubtedly outlive us. It reminds me of how my mind was racing with deadlines and worries one day while I was walking through the arboretum. For around five minutes, I sat on one of the benches and continued to notice small details in my surroundings. First, it was the sound of the mosquitoes around me, which I was not happy about, but then I saw squirrels playing with one another and then noticed how the sun was warming up my ears, and the rest of my face. It is these little moments that remind us how beauty in nature is not something that is rare; it's everywhere, waiting to be noticed.
This is a picture I took of the stars around a year ago, in the arboretum! Looking up at the stars and it being so quiet outside was such a peaceful moment for me.
So, while the ocean's mysteries are complex and impressive, the true beauty and amazing thing about nature is how it is all around us, at all times. Nature is there for everyone, a source of happiness, calmness, and connection that reminds us we're all part of the same world.
Thanks for reading!
Blog Post 7
Our world is filled with sounds, and when you think about it, music and nature are more connected than they might seem at first glance. Humans didn’t just invent music, it’s something that exists all around us. This week’s unit pushed me to think about how music and nature influence each other, and I’ve realized that these two concepts are more intertwined than I initially thought.
In "The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music", they talk about how animals like whales and birds make sounds that actually resemble human music (Gray et al., 2001). For example, humpback whales create songs that follow patterns similar to human compositions, like repeating themes and using different pitches, almost like they’re crafting their own symphony. Even birds sing in scales that sound familiar to us. If we really stop and listen, nature is full of music, it’s just that often times we don’t always notice it.
During this week’s course content, there was a big focus on how we can use these natural sounds in environmental interpretation. As nature interpreters, we can actually use the music of nature to engage people more deeply. Think about the wind rustling through leaves, the steady rhythm of waves hitting the shore, or even the sound of frogs in the spring. This ties into our podcast assignment. By incorporating nature sounds from places like the Arboretum, or urban areas, we could tie in the words that we’re saying with the natural noises of the environment.
Human music has always been influenced by the natural world. Songs, dances, and poems in many cultures reflect the beauty of nature and often carry deeper messages about the environment. In "Spiritual Values of Protected Areas in Europe", they talk about how Indigenous cultures incorporate music and spirituality into their connection with nature (Josep-Maria, 2012). This approach feels different from how we often treat music here in Canada, where we tend to separate art from learning. But in many cultures, music is a way of communicating environmental knowledge and inspiring action to protect nature, which makes me think we could do a better job of blending these two areas.
As mentioned from this week’s material, a musician, Ben Mirin started mixing bird songs into his beatboxing performances, and it really took off. Mirin brings the sounds of nature into modern music and helps people reconnect with the environment in a fun, creative way. It shows that music can act as a bridge between people and nature, even when we feel disconnected from the natural world. As interpreters, I think this is such a cool way to engage people by using creativity and music.
In conclusion, music is all around us in nature, and nature is deeply rooted in music. The two are constantly influencing each other. We just need to open our ears and listen.
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. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A69270354/AONE?u=guel77241&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=fb9366a8
Mallarach, Josep-Maria (ed.). Spiritual Values of Protected Areas of Europe: Workshop Proceedings. Bonn, Germany: Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, 2012. 170 pp. ISBN: 978-3-89624-057-6.
Hi Milana!
I really enjoyed reading your post! I liked how you reflected on how music and nature are intertwined much more than they first seem to be. You're right, humans didn't invent music; rather, we borrowed from nature. A perfect example was your explanation of how humpback whales create song-like patterns in their sounds, again proving that music does exist outside of human culture. It is cool to think that even birds sing their own types of melodies that appeal to us, showing us that music truly is a universal language. I also agree with your point about using the sounds of nature in environmental interpretation. If one starts to tap into the rhythm of nature, for example, the wind rustling through trees or the constant beat of waves, then others can connect deeper with the environment. Incorporating these sounds into interpretation programs, such as your podcast idea, makes the experience more immersive and emotional, creating a lasting impact. The idea of Ben Mirin transforming birds' songs into music shows how creativity has motivated people to reconnect with nature. This makes me question: What sounds in nature do you find most musical or soothing, and why? Personally, my favourite would have to be the sound of rain or a calm river. I really like the sound of water because it brings me a sense of peace and calmness that I can find every time when I hear natural water sounds.
Unit 07 blog post
Hi all,
To answer the question, “Where is music in nature?” and “Where is nature in music?”, I think there is more than one response. Music in nature can be found, in my opinion, quite literally everywhere. Whether that is the sound of trees rustling on a windy day, birds communicating while flying overhead, waves crashing into each other, or even rain during a heavy thunderstorm. Although this isn't quite like the music we like to listen to on our headphones every day, I find it can still be just as enjoyable. These natural sounds can even inspire the composition of music we hear today. Many different cultures across time have incorporated animal sounds, fire sounds, and many more natural melodies into their own musical traditions. It goes to show that music and nature are intertwined with one another.
Many natural rhythms are influenced by the sound of the sea, wind, and rain, which serves as a reminder of how deeply ingrained nature's melodies are in music. According to the article by Gray et al. (2001), musical sounds observed in nature indicate a connection between any living things, and that this relationship can be understood as a shared language among species. On the other hand, when it comes to music, there is so much more to reflect on when it comes to nature rather than just purely imitating the sounds. Composers often write their music according to the landscapes they see. This includes mountains, lakes, or even a thunderstorm. It can be a way of portraying the place, where the listeners feel themselves there when they are far from it. For songwriters who have enough talent to capture the wide range of feelings, narratives, and visual beauty found in nature and transform them into sound, it can be a constant source of inspiration. For artists, songwriters, and composers, nature is an endless source of inspiration. It offers a variety of feelings, stories, and visual beauty that may be transformed into sounds. Tilden's principles state that interpretative programs that combine art and information can have a profound emotional impact that leads to a sense of connection with nature, which should then inspire responsibility. Incorporating bird melodies into beatboxing is one example of how Ben Mirin uses his skill to capture the sounds of specific species. This gives audiences a new perspective on animals and ecosystems that they might never get to see firsthand.
One song that immediately takes me back to a natural landscape is “Good Days” by SZA. The reasoning for this is that I find the song to be really dreamlike as if I’m walking on a beach at sunset or nighttime. SZA has been one of my favourite artists for a long time so I am definitely also a fan of her voice, in this song specifically. The song is about how even though things might be tough right now, “good days” are coming. I love the meaning of this song because it is a reminder to not be more present and to not focus too much on the things that stress us out in life.
This is a picture I took two summers ago, walking along the beach at around 11pm, listening to "Good Days". I love this picture because even though the quality is not the best, it takes me back to that time when I felt so at peace :)
Thanks for reading!
Unit 6 Blog Post
Hi everyone!
I’d like to begin this blog post by saying that I think acknowledging historic events is truly the only way we can grow and learn as a society. I feel like the Edward Hyams quote presented really hones in on this notion and does a great job at expressing the importance of value in knowledge and not necessarily in objects. It’s true, “There is no peculiar merit in ancient things”, rather, there is merit in the ways that we interpret the ‘thing’ and how we can communicate how it has impacted history via nature. For example, the removing of colonial statues in Toronto allowed a good opportunity to learn and truly understand how much weight an object can hold. In the context of Canada, a colonial statue is not just a person made of metal; it represents the takeover of certain demographics and cultural genocide that still effects our society to this day. I would have liked to see them integrated into a museum display with plaques that properly address the harm that these figures have played a role in. Public art is a great way to educate passerby’s and we can mould these negative figureheads into a learned experience through writing.
In the American History TV interview with Robert Sutton he mentions layering the interpretation experience for guests. When discussing the Pea Ridge battle and Cherokees, he explains that the Trail of Tears falls into the middle of a National Park. The park has a guided tour that immerses guests into the history, but they also recommend that guests visit the capital of the Cherokee nation of Tahlequah; which is not far from the park. The goal of nature interpretation is to leave guests with a lasting impact. By recommending they visit different sites to learn more, it can enhance their experience. This does not have to take away from the nature or draw customers away. Perhaps Tahlequah will have public art, museums, or personal anecdotes that a scenic park might not convey in the same manner.
Writing is oftentimes the best method of information permanence. We tend to forget spoken word, mix up details of a story, or have trouble recalling events chronologically. While writing does not address every learning style, the ways that we can reflect that writing into different mediums, does. If we were to all disappear from the planet, what information could we convey? Words and images seem to be the primary source of developing past historical events, and we can still use these techniques to ensure that our own present life is well-documented. Back to the colonial statue example…a tourist could see that statue and think that Torontonians feel positively about a specific historical figure, when that might not be the case. Words in combination with an image can help to place merit into the object and set the scene. Without words and information, a park is just a park and a statue is just an old figure. It is our duty as nature interpreters to leave accurate information before it does turn into an ancient memory.
Thank you for reading :)
Hi Emily!
Your post is great, and I couldn't agree more. Acknowledging history is such a part of how we view it and take lessons from it. I loved the example you used about the colonial statues in Toronto. These definitely do represent a super harmful legacy, but at the same time, they can be teaching tools-if framed properly, at least. But while reading your post, another thing came to my mind: how we handle personal history and its impact on our identity.
The world we live in today is shaped by our individual experiences, just as public monuments serve as reflections of larger historical stories. We tend to cling to an idea or tradition from an era that no longer might serve us better, simply because they are part of our history. But just like those statues, a choice in how we "frame" such experiences in our lives does exist. We get to choose which memories we grow and which ones we might need to recontextualize or perhaps even let go of.
One that comes to mind would have to be the holidays and traditions my family always celebrated, which, as time wore on, never really made much sense to me. I felt guilty in the beginning for questioning these customs, but eventually, I realized that I may reinterpret them according to my values while still honouring my past. We all somehow are interpreters of nature in our lives, for we are continuously struggling to balance what we must retain, what we have to alter, and how to make sense of everything as we go through it.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
Unit 06 blog post
Hi everyone!
As I read this quote- "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…", one of the things that came to mind was our relationship with the past. The quote indicates that the past should not be valued simply because it is old, but the integrity of things that exist beyond a certain period of time must still be preserved. It is understanding and remembering what came before that provides the insight necessary to keep a coherent whole, whether in society, tradition, or our own private lives, together. “Integrity entails the keeping together of the parts”, this part of the quote produces interesting questions as to what extent the past continues to have relevance for the present. Take environmental issues, for instance. It is a very modern concern, yet deeply rooted in ancient practices. For centuries, indigenous peoples worked very hard to be in balance with nature, and failure to understand that might cause us to miss out on some key information about how to care for our Earth. Not learning from ancient wisdom compromises our current environmental efforts. On the other hand, not all things passed on from the past are worth preserving. For example, the old ideologies of sexism, racism, and colonialism need to be left behind. The quote recognizes that the value of all things ancient lies not in their inherent worth but rather in the wisdom they teach about what should be preserved and what should be let go. To maintain wholeness in the integrity of living today, we have to carefully pick which elements of the past support that wholeness and which elements do not.
I found the railway station analogy to be very powerful: “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 passage of the quote makes me think of a train ride I took last summer in Switzerland, through tiny villages and scenery that seemed to be only a brief glimpse of another world. But that does not mean the towns and people that lived in them disappeared just because I moved on. The past is similar to those towns: it does not get erased just because we have moved on through it, it continues to shape the present whether we like it or not.
This is a picture of one of the beautiful towns I passed by, while on the train.
This led me to think; how do we determine what pieces of the past are worth keeping? I think the answer lies in whether those pieces contribute to sustaining integrity. In my own life, I’ve let go of family customs that felt more like obligations than meaning, but I’ve held on to others, like gathering for family dinners, because they keep a sense of connection and wholeness.
Ultimately, the past should neither be idolized nor discarded. It is but a part of the whole, and integrity means knowing which parts serve us in staying in touch with our selves of today.
unit 05 blog post
A green sanctuary amidst the busy activity of New York City has long been Central Park. But after my visit with my father, it became more than just a well-known landmark—it became a destination that held special value for me. I sensed the park's connection to both the nature world and the urban world as I strolled down the trails, surrounded by towering trees and the soft rustle of leaves.
We stopped to observe people feeding birds beside the lake; it was a small gesture that demonstrated the coexistence of the city's wildlife and its humans. As they gathered crumbs, the pigeons, and other birds flew down smoothly, their wings flapping in a flurry. Central Park is an ecosystem that survives in the middle of an urban setting, however, this visit made me realize numerous animals find a home at this sanctuary, where they can live and visit alongside locals.
Photo of indivdual feeding the wildlife.
The fact that Central Park exists at all in the middle of one of the busiest urban environments on earth is evidence of the city's dedication to preserving nature. The park was purposefully created in the middle of the 19th century by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux as a green haven for New Yorkers, placing an emphasis on the environment and overall well-being over the city's continuous growth. To preserve its green gardens, varied ecosystems, and lakes for future generations, Central Park has undergone extensive maintenance and restoration throughout the years. Urban conservation is important, and the Central Park Conservancy's work and city initiatives demonstrate this.
The classic horse-drawn carriages, travelling along the tree-lined paths, added to the park's timeless attractiveness. It's amazing how this urban park offers a haven where people can enjoy the outdoors and hear nothing but the sound of passing cars and horses' hooves.
Photo of the horses that occupy Central Park.
I stood under an old elm tree in the park, looking up at its canopy and feeling its rough bark under my hands. It served as a reminder of the resilience and beauty of nature.
Photo of Elm tree.
New York has put in countless hours to strike a balance between the demands of recreation and the needs of the natural world, protecting the park's aesthetic appeal and guaranteeing that it will always be a haven where people and wildlife may coexist peacefully. Central Park serves as a reminder that nature can thrive in the middle of a metropolis and provide peaceful, quiet moments.
Hi Lucy!
I really enjoyed reading your blog as I found that your love for Central Park was really inspiring. I once visited Central Park, however, it was many many years ago when I was around 11, so I don't remember much! However, after reading your very detailed blog, I felt as though I could also feel the connection. When I think of New York, I usually don’t really think of nature or the environment. I think of Times Square, Broadway, tall buildings and a whole lot of people. So seeing that people feed the birds demonstrates the coexistence of humans and the environment. The fact that Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux were able to imagine a location dedicated to relaxation and environment in the 19th century is in some ways inspiring. These people's vision in prioritizing the environment in those early years of urbanization is still important now and serves as a reminder of the significance of maintaining green spaces in our cities. The mention of the Central Park Conservancy's ongoing effort indicates that urban conservation will be required to preserve the park's aesthetic appeal and ecological richness for future generations. Your experience is a great example of how this park not only offers a break from the business of the city but also fosters a connection to nature that significantly benefits our mental well-being. Central Park is a perfect example of how nature can coexist with urban development, permitting quiet periods of reflection among the lively action of New York City.
Unit 05 blog post
Hi everyone!
I was really excited to see that this week's blog prompt was up to us because it gives me the opportunity to talk about something that has always fascinated me: the disaster of Chernobyl. In the early morning hours of April 26th, 1986, with a late-night safety test at the nuclear power plant in Ukraine, a reactor exploded and let an immense amount of radioactive material into the atmosphere, resulting in the catastrophe of Chernobyl. This explosion called for the evacuation of more than 100,000 people, creating an exclusion zone. Even today, the long-term health and environmental effects are still being studied. The reason I wanted to talk about this is that now, more than three decades later, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone has evolved into an unlikely sanctuary for wildlife.
Wolves, lynxes, deer, and horses are animals that have thrived outside of human interference in Chernobyl. The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone essentially depicts how nature can thrive in isolation, even with the presence of radiation. Trees in Chernobyl have taken back much of the area, growing over the empty pavements, roads, and buildings left after the accident. Through gaps in the concrete, birch trees have sprouted, and mosses and ferns thrive where people once lived. Such remarkable regeneration proves how nature can reclaim land destroyed by humans and shows that ecosystems can rebound in surprising ways-even in radioactive zones. It is also quite interesting to watch how life within the exclusion zone has adapted to radiation. Even though the levels of radiation remain ridiculously high, some species have shown an incredible ability to not only survive but also thrive within the area. As a matter of fact, some studies have pointed out that some bird species have developed higher quantities of antioxidants, which may protect them against the harmful effects of radiation (Galván et al., 2014). These adaptations enable a long-term view of how radiation has acted through living things and allow a fascinating glance at how life changes in response to a harsh environmental push. How Chernobyl went from the most dangerous place on earth to a new and relatively healthy ecosystem helps one gain a whole new different perspective on nature.
The Chernobyl tragedy resonates highly with me because my grandmother was born and raised in Belarus, one of the most affected places by the explosion. She was not that badly affected physically, but her friend suffered from thyroid cancer because she was exposed to so much radiation. For nature interpreters like ourselves, Chernobyl teaches that even at the most unfortunate moments of Earth's life, it will find a way to survive and even thrive. The exclusion zone shows the importance of interaction between human beings and nature, with a possible ecological regeneration in post-disaster situations. It is indicative of the resilience of nature and is an extremely good example of how ecosystems can recover when man steps aside.
Thanks for reading!
Galván, I et al,. (2014), Chronic exposure to low-dose radiation at Chernobyl favours adaptation to oxidative stress in birds. Funct Ecol, 28: 1387-1403. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.12283
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.
Hi Abbey!
I really enjoyed reading your post because I thought you made some great points regarding how one's reflection on the concept of art as a way to connect with nature, regardless of firsthand experience, highlights a powerful idea. Art captures nature’s beauty and allows others to see it from different perspectives, which is a powerful way to share those experiences. I also agree with your point about how each person’s background and privilege affect their connection to nature. Those who have had more direct experiences with nature might interpret it differently from those who haven’t, but both views are valuable. Your idea that art acts as a bridge between personal experiences and shared interpretations is great. It shows how art lets people understand and feel nature, even if they’re seeing it through someone else’s eyes. Personally, I know I always enjoy seeing pictures of the moon, or of a nice sunset that my friends send me. Your thoughts on the "gift of beauty" being something that uplifts and inspires us are very relatable. When we appreciate the beauty of nature, it encourages us to protect and care for it. This connection between recognizing beauty and wanting to preserve nature is key to fostering respect for the environment. You did a great job showing how art, nature, and personal experience come together to inspire us to protect what we find beautiful!
Unit 04 blog post
Hey everyone!
As was mentioned in unit 04, art is not only paintings and drawings, but also pictures, sculptures, songs, dance, and much more! It is important to emphasize this as many art forms frequently get overlooked. Humans have long been creators of art, dating back to thousands of years ago when cavemen would sketch their surroundings, documenting animals, landscapes, and celestial bodies that they could see. Their interpretation of nature was more or less an observation of the world they knew so little about. This drive still exists within us, but we are no longer just recorders of our environment, we interpret it through layers of culture, emotion, and perspective. Dr. Kurt Hahn made some really insightful opinions about how young people today are losing their physical and mental vibrancy. He pointed out six "social diseases" that include a decline in fitness, imagination, self-discipline, and compassion. These signs of modern living, which stem from a disconnect from the natural world and an over-dependence on technology, pose a problem for society. The inability to value and interact with nature is at the core of this detachment.
One method of reducing the consequences of these social problems and re-establishing a connection between people and the environment is through artistic interpretation of nature. Art facilitates communication between people and the natural world in many ways, enabling us to analyze and consider the environment we live in. Not only does art depict the aesthetic beauty of nature, but it also stimulates intellectual and emotional reactions, developing compassion and imagination that Hahn believed were diminishing. Through artistic interpretation of nature, we can counteract these declines by promoting participation and curiosity.
When it comes to interpreting the gift of beauty, there is much more to it than surface-level aesthetics. Beauty in nature is about realizing the intricate connections between all living things and the environmental systems that sustain us, not just about what is aesthetically beautiful. The intricate patterns of a leaf, the complexity of an animal's behaviour, or the patience needed to study a forest ecosystem can all be considered beautiful. Not only are they translating what they see when artists interpret nature, but they are also communicating the sense of amazement and dependency that characterizes the world. Not all forms of beauty follow strict criteria or meet preconceived notions of "perfection." A landscape's colour can make it attractive, but there are other kinds of beauty that can be found in a single, “imperfect” flower or a sunset.
Because it affects us, whether it be through joy, calm, or even sadness, beauty is unique. It causes us to stop and enjoy the present. Creating art becomes a way of expressing our feelings when we see beauty in the natural world. A poem can convey the calmness of a peaceful river, while a painting can convey the bright, alive feeling of a forest. Although they are both representations of the same world, each one displays a different perspective because they are created by different artists. By expressing nature in different ways, artists help others see and feel what they experienced, making the gift of beauty something that can be shared.
Thanks for reading!
Unit 03 Blog Post
Why are we addressing difficult socioeconomic themes, such as privilege, in a course about nature interpretation? Well, if you feel compelled to ask this question, I’d argue that there’s still a lot more to unpack to fully understand nature interpretation as an approach to experiential learning.
By now, we have well-established that nature interpretation is centered around providing emotionally and intellectually meaningful experiences to the audiences that visit interpretive sites. Interpretation is an intensely personal process for every visitor. As I mentioned in my previous blog post, everyone enters an interpretive experience with their own values, preferences, life experiences, and interests that directly influence how they conceive meaning in a natural setting or perceive the natural world in general. In this sense, nature interpreters work with “sovereign audiences,” and should engage with individuals within the context of the unique understandings and values that they bring.
So, how does this relate to privilege? Well, whether or not you receive certain privileges in life based on age, race, gender, ability, sexual identity/ orientation, or class status will significantly influence your lived experiences. Perhaps it’s simply the economic privilege of owning a car preventing a person from accessing remote interpretive sites. For others, it may be a lack of encouragement or physical disability discouraging them from participating in interpretive nature experiences. Ultimately, since privilege can affect a person’s outlook on nature, interpreters must recognize the role privilege plays in the accessibility of their programming while taking the necessary steps to remove barriers and create more inclusive spaces.
I’ve included a video that highlights the intersectionality of privilege and illustrates how privilege can impact the lives of individuals in ways that often go unnoticed.
Video published by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s YouTube channel titled “What is privilege?” where 11 diverse participants undergo an exercise called “The Privilege Walk.”
Video retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3AMhtHPKNk
“Sitting in a place of having an unearned benefit because of a particular social identity or social group membership” (Williams & Franks, 2013), constitutes my working definition of privilege.
Following this week’s readings surrounding “underserved audiences" in nature interpretation, I took time to reflect on my mother’s experiences as a Hispanic immigrant. Immigrating to Canada from El Salvador at the age of twelve, my mother juggled far more responsibilities than I did at that age. Besides having to learn a new language/ adjust to Canadian society, my mother had to help out her parents constantly, look after her younger siblings, and despite wanting to attend university, she attended college as a more affordable/ quicker route to stable employment. As a recent immigrant, leaving the city to connect with nature was a luxury she simply didn’t have the time or resources for (at least not until later in life).
Taking a moment to unpack my own “invisible backpack,” I can recognize several unearned assets that I benefit from every day. As an English-speaking, educated, able-bodied, middle-class Canadian, I’ve never been short of resources or opportunities and it would be ignorant to pretend otherwise. I’m beyond privileged to attend this university, pursue my desired degree, be supported financially/ emotionally by both of my parents, and be afforded plenty of opportunities to explore my interests in nature.
In conclusion, as future interpreters, I hope we can continue to unpack our privilege and work toward making interpretive sites more welcoming and supportive to wider audiences.
References:
Williams, O. F., & Franks, C. L. (2013). Privilege. Encyclopedia of Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.305
Hi Emily!
I really enjoyed reading your post as it was very insightful. I watched the video you added and thought it really put things into perspective and was a good way to show how the advantages or disadvantages of privilege affect everyone differently. Making inclusive and fair educational experiences requires an understanding of the relationship between privilege and how nature is interpreted. Engaging a variety of audiences and providing them with meaningful interactions with the natural environment is the essence of nature interpretation. But we are at risk of excluding specific groups if we don't acknowledge the different privileges that affect who can have these experiences.
I am moved by your mother's story as it reminds me of my own mother's immigration story. However, they are two very different experiences. My mom immigrated to Canada from France when she was 26 because she wanted to be able to expand her English skills and follow her dreams of becoming a teacher. This ended up being a fairly easy process for her as she could already speak basic English and she had enough money to provide for herself at the time. In contrast, your mother’s journey highlights the additional burdens and sacrifices faced by many immigrants. This really emphasizes the different layers of privilege and how they shape our experiences.
It is our duty as future interpreters to always evaluate who our system benefits and who it might unintentionally exclude. How do we make sure that everyone is welcome to learn and engage with nature in the spaces we're creating? How can we broaden our approach even more to ensure that everyone can understand and connect with nature?
Unit 03 blog post
Hey everyone!
This week's topic is definitely more serious, but it is something that needs to be addressed. I would describe my definition of privilege as certain individuals being put at a certain advantage for reasons such as race, gender, sexuality, physical ability, and socioeconomic status. People are usually born with privilege for any of those reasons listed above, as we cannot choose how we are born. I am a straight white woman in the middle class with no physical disabilities, meaning I have been privileged for most of my life. After reading through this week's unit, it has been very eye-opening for me. It is always easy to say that you acknowledge and can understand your privilege, but unless you are in the shoes of somebody else, you will never understand the full extent of it.
Although it may not be obvious, privilege unfortunately does play a role in nature interpretation. An example that stood out to me is being in perfect physical health. Around 2.7 million people in Canada have a mobility disability. This implies that there are many opportunities that they do not have regarding nature interpretation. For example, going on certain hikes. It is much more difficult for an individual in a wheelchair to climb a mountain or a demanding trail with rocky terrain. Individuals without disabilities frequently have greater freedom to venture into difficult terrain or partake in demanding outdoor activities. Because many parks and trails are not made to be accessible, people with disabilities may have varied experiences in natural settings.
Another example that is important to acknowledge is economic privilege. Marginalized groups are frequently negatively impacted by environmental degradation. For instance, low-income areas may be closer to pollution sources or lack adequate green space. It is also important to note that many beautiful places around the world cost money to go see. For example, the Grand Canyon National Park requires a certain fee to visit it. Not only does it require a fee, but for those who don’t live near those places, a plane ride would be required which would cost even more money. And if an individual does live close enough, they would require a car to get there, which would cost money again for gas and insurance. Many people do not have access to a car meaning they cannot go see many areas of nature unless there is a bus that could take them there.
Lastly, speaking English is a privilege that many of us don't even pay mind to. Think about when you go to the arboretum here in Guelph. Almost every single sign describing the plant you see is in English. Even though there are now ways to translate these signs, using apps like Google translate, is still an inconvenience, especially for individuals who do not have a phone. Speaking English also puts you at so many more advantages when it comes to jobs and careers in nature interpretation, specifically in Canada. Why is it that two people, speaking different languages can have the same passion and love for nature interpretation, but only one of them would get a job from it?
Week 2 Blog
Describe your ideal role of environmental interpreter. What might it entail? Where might it be? What skills might you need?
Environmental interpreters have the potential to fit into many molds that requires their expertise. I would like to talk about a few of these molds that I feel would best resonate with me that I think I could best do.
The first role I can think of that really speaks to me in the field of an environmental interpreter lies within education. I think that by developing programs with the full immersivity that is required for someone to potentially find their “sense of place”, I would be able to both fulfill a personal goal of eventually falling into education, also allowing the youth the opportunity to get more in touch with nature by any connection they may find.
Community engagement is another role of an environmental interpreter that I think acts as the baseline for someone in this profession. I personally would love to be able to start up programs and fundraisers to raise awareness for a community. I think the fundamental difference between a role in education compared to community engagement lies in the interactivity and impact I would have on the audience. In the educational system I would be more engaging and would have the same audience for longer than I would as a community engagement which gives me the advantage of instilling long lasting lessons along with constructive criticism and feedback in order to better reach the individual.
The last role I can think of that best suits me in this field would lie in a form of advocacy. Promoting sustainable practices and encouraging the public to make environmentally friendly choices seems like something that matches my personality and skillset in a complimentary way. Creating content such as videos, blogs, or social media posts to reach a wide audience and primarily raise awareness to environmental issues from a more political standpoint. If this was my role then I would strive to find a way to have an equal balance between online promotion and in person activism that would benefit me from potentially losing the point in social media, but also benefit the audience by allowing a wider demographic between introverts who would rather stay online and extraverts who wish to help the cause or deepen their physical understanding of nature.
I think there are many traits that would benefit someone in this field. Communication and public speaking go hand in hand in the sense that all of these roles involve communication with the public in some degree. Being adept with these skills will prove incredibly beneficial to someone who is looking to relay lessons and share experiences with others. Knowledge and education techniques I also believe play a pivotal role in an environmental interpreters’ life, needing to both educate and be knowledgeable on the topic they are educating is crucial when an audience is eager to learn and expand their own knowledge and they look to you for that exact guidance. Last but not least, creativity I believe is an absolute cornerstone within all of these roles as all of them involve creating programs, systems, and lessons that other people can use to help broaden their horizons in the environmental world.
Hi Hunter! I loved the various different pictures you added to your blog, it definitely adds a lot! I wanted to reply to your blog because I felt like I resonated with it a lot. I also love any role in education. I believe it is one of the most fulfilling jobs there is as you can shape young minds and help them find their “sense of place” like you mentioned. When I had a job as a camp counsellor, I loved making emotional connections with the kids and seeing the way that my actions impacted them, and that was one of the best feelings ever! I also liked what you said about advocating for sustainable practices and encouraging the public to make more eco-friendly decisions. In our generation, social media has taken over everyone's lives and we should try our best to use it to our advantage. Using social media to get a larger audience, for example, introverts who prefer to stay home, is a perfect way to get their attention. This I believe also falls into community engagement. I love your idea about starting up programs and fundraisers and I think social media could also help with those to get them a bigger audience! Would you ever consider creating a podcast about raising awareness and inspiring action on climate change or other environmental issues? Based on your blog post, I think you would do a great job! Thanks for sharing!
