ENVS 3000 UoG Blog

[bmenvs3000]

Me, Myself and Nature Interpretation:

For my last blog prompt of the semester, I am excited to describe and talk about my personal ethic as I develop as a nature interpreter. However, it is only fair to first start this post off by defining what ethics means to me; ethics are principles that follow a specified assortment of morals, more specifically I think that ethics is knowing the difference between what is nobly right and what is nobly wrong and then basing your actions accordingly. Some of the qualities that a nature interpreter can possess include hope, passion and beauty. These qualities are very important to me as an individual as they encompass my personal code of ethics and beliefs that I carry with me and will continue to carry with me into the future. Over the past couple of weeks, thanks to this course, I have learned and obtained various skills and tools and while on this journey of interpretation, learning and growth, I began to realize that I have already possessed some of these skills prior without noticing. In this final blog post, I will discuss (in detail) my personal ethics, values and beliefs. I will also aim to describe how I believe that we as nature interpreters have an immense power to make positive futuristic changes. Lastly, I will share different approaches that I’ve used in different situations that have helped shape my abilities as a nature interpreter.

Looking back at my first ever blog post, I reflected on how my first experience with the spark of nature or in other words my first “sense of place” as Beck et al. describes; it was when I was younger. I reflected on different memorable camping trips that I had experienced with my family and cousins during the summer. Thinking back on this first blog post, I realize that to me a spark is really my first memorable experience with nature. It can happen at any age or stage in a person’s life; mine happened when I was young. My initial spark of spending time outdoors with close family led me to further observe and experience my natural surroundings, which in turn allowed me to further appreciate nature and all that it can do for me. Referring back to the course textbook, effective interpretation allows for the trigger of brain paths and stimuli and for the information to be processed and stored for later use. I think this is important to address because it is initially the first step that anyone has to take in order to become a nature interpreter and was a step that I now realize I had taken unknowingly when I was younger through my camping experience.

Heres a photo of me fishing while camping near Lake Simcoe, ON when I was younger. Fishing was something that I really enjoyed doing as it made me feel very relaxed and at peace.

The main value and belief that I bring to my interpretations is that everything in nature matters, this means respecting everything that nature has to offer while appreciating the land. Anyone can say that everything in nature matters, but do they really mean it? Well that’s a matter of perspective and opinion. I really do care about nature and its future as this was something that was passed along to me through my dad who is the biggest nature advocate that I know. So, put simply, yes, everything in nature matters and has a purpose. That being said, there are many other beliefs that I have that I feel should be addressed in relation to nature interpretation. Another important belief that I possess is knowledge, and more specifically sharing the things you learn with others. This is important as knowledge spreads awareness and with awareness comes change. I say this because we are currently in an environmental crisis and there are many problems at hand that the average person may or may not be aware of. I took Climate Change Biology (ENVS*3010) last semester and learned, in depth, of the many issues we are currently facing when it comes to climate change and our environment. Being able to share this information with some of my friends (who didn’t take the course) and some family members made me feel good in the sense that I was doing something to initiate a change (no matter how small). Throughout that course, I was able to comprehend the impacts that climate change has on human health, safety, the economy, our natural resources and our ecosystems. I could talk about this issue for hours on end, but for the sake of the word count all I can say is: Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution and it needs to be talked about more. 

This is a photo I took off of @recycleseas instagram page. This page advocates for change and attempts to spread everyday awareness about the issues our planet is currently facing. I think about this picture often and wanted to share it with you guys. 

The main responsibility that I believe I have is the responsibility of using my knowledge to advocate for changes when it comes to different environmental issues. I feel as though this goes hand in hand with my previous talk about beliefs. Being privileged enough to go to university and learn first-hand about issues we face as a society I feel as though it is my responsibility to relay these issues to other people and make conversation. This doesn’t just go for issue-based knowledge, it applies to interpretational knowledge as well. This course has helped me understand the journey of a nature interpreter by peeling back the layers of the environment, appreciating them and understanding them. Once you have the knowledge of a nature interpreter you have such a rich understanding of the world that you want to protect it. Because of my passion towards nature, I find it is my duty and responsibility to share this passion with other people, so they too start their journey in becoming a nature interpreter.

As for approaches, I think some of the approaches that are most suitable for me include factual and practical approaches. I find that facts really stick with me and I can remember them really well, which would be useful to add to my interpretations. Additionally, practical approaches like learning how to identify thing works for me as well. I find that my go-to combo is based on factual and practical approaches; I like to identify things, research them (background information, history, etc.), and discuss them with others. I think this is a great way to develop identification skills, because it allows different perspectives to shine through during the discussion aspect of the approach.

To conclude, I’d like to end my final blog post by emphasizing how much I really enjoyed this course and how eye opening it has been to me as an individual interpreter. I loved being able to interact with my classmates and learn about their different perspectives as well. Overall this has been a great experience and it has me considering future career options in nature interpretation.

Thank you for reading!

Best,

Balsam

Reference:

Beck, L., Cable, T., & Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Urbana, IL: Sagamore – Venture Publishing LLC

[cdenvs3000]

Hi Balsam!

I really love your reflection back on your first post in the course. Thinking back to that point is amazing if we consider all of the knowledge we have gained since then. I also enjoy how you've reevaluated your first spark with your connection with nature, truly thinking back on your first views as an “amateur nature interpreter”. When I think back on my first interactions with nature with the knowledge and information I have now, it makes me happy as I still have a love for what I initially did. I am now able to understand the impact that being able to play and learn from nature really shapes your view of the world and your ability to interpret nature as an adult. While I was writing my post I remembered how I took a recording of the waves hitting the shore at the beach near my house before I went away to university in first year. I took that recording to use as a calming and grounding mechanism for when I felt stressed out or homesick. Little did I know I was allowing myself to interpret nature in a form other than physically being in it. In my opinion this is one of the first steps to becoming a nature interpreter. To be able to understand the different ways that it can be interpreted is a valuable skill that I truly only grasped after starting this course. 

Thank you for sharing this post Balsam! I really enjoyed reading how your reflected on this past semester

All the best!

Caitlyn 

[mrhenvs3000-20]

My personal responsibility to nature

Today, I sit down in a silent room and think about myself as a nature interpreter.  I learned a lot in this course, and I thank my professor and university for offering something different from all my past experiences. The projects that I have done in this course are challenging because they make me think outside the box. I came into the course with just a love for nature, a love that started when I was a child going on camping trips with my family, but I come out of it interested in working as a nature interpreter.

A photo of people enjoying camping and nature. Similar to what I used to do as a child. Moments like these are priceless. Retrieved from https://www.anyrgb.com/en/free-image-ybbnsy

As I develop as an interpreter, I believe that I have a responsibility towards nature. I have a responsibility to protect nature, show and spread its beauty to everyone. People in our day and age are missing out on nature. People are always busy with life. Busy making more money and buying bigger things. Our lives are short, and we must enjoy nature and our planet while we can.

I believe it starts at a young age. As a child I developed my love for nature when I used to go camping with my family. Our children are the future and if they don’t care about nature and our planet then we are in trouble. Our world moves into becoming more urbanized and the emphasis on nature is becoming less important. We have less connection to nature than people before us and our children will have even less. This trend will continue if we don’t take action now as nature interpreters and show the importance of nature to our children. We must take our children outside and let them enjoy outdoor activities like camping, hiking and climbing. We must take them on nature walks and allow them to wonder and ask questions about nature. Dr. Richard Louv mentioned in one of the videos in our lectures that we are animals, and we need nature for our health. I truly believe that and think that everyone should experience nature in some sort or form. Whenever I feel down or depressed, I go for a walk or a run through nature, I feel peace and calmness when in touch with nature. I have a responsibility to spread this knowledge to people around me. I need to inform people about the benefits of taking some time off and going out in nature. We need to stop and contemplate away from the busy lives that we live. Enjoy the little things outdoors, it’s good for our health especially mentally.

My personal experiences must be translated to a larger audience and I have a responsibility to do so. As nature interpreters, we must continue to fight for nature educational centers. We must be alongside any programs that exposes people to nature especially children. I think that a large number of people don’t realize the importance of nature and these programs showcase that importance.

People making gardens and showing children the importance of nature. Programs like these are wonderful and it our responsibility as nature interpreters to be involved in such programs. Retrieved from https://friendsoftheearth.uk/nature/importance-nature

We have explored many concepts throughout the term. The two that stands out to me as I think today are privilege and technology. As nature interpreters, we are privileged when it comes to nature. We are receiving the education that nature is important. We are realizing how important it is to humans. Some people grow up not experiencing nature at all and sometimes it’s too late. Ones humans grow older, their minds are set on what’s important in life and if they don’t grow up loving nature, it’s hard to change their mindset. No matter who you are or where you come from, nature always has something to offer. I consider this realization a privilege. Therefore, we are privileged to be learning about what nature has to offer. This knowledge can be translated into helping nature in the future. As I mentioned, the world is becoming more urbanized and technology is taking over our lives. The need for people to focus on the preservation of nature is never been more important.

This brings me to the second concept that stood out to me during the term which is technology. I think of technology is a double-edged sword. We have discussed in lectures and readings the positives and negatives of technology. Technology can keep us inside our homes. Nowadays, you can do everything from the comfort of home and there is no motivation to go outside. This can make people more stagnant. People will be encouraged to spend their free time at home, they will watch movies, play video games, use their phones for hours and never think about going out and enjoying the outdoors. This is a huge concern when it comes to technology. Technology can actually turn people away from nature if used incorrectly.  

A photo encouraging people to work and stay home. Notice that ‘DREAM’ is also written to convince people that this is the dream. Making money wile working from home. Photos like these make people want to stay home even though they don’t realize it. Retrieved from https://quickmarket.co.uk/ad/work-from-the-comfort-of-your-home-and-earn-money/

On the other hand, technology can actually be the answer to more people experiencing nature. Technology allows us to see beautiful natural places in photos or videos which will in turn motivate us to go out and experience these places. I know myself; I would research beautiful areas and see images of them before I travel. Seeing a beautiful natural environment motivates me to go to it. In that sense, technology is helping me experience more nature. Technology also helps preserve nature. It has many methods of preservation but one way that I think is very important is GMOs (genetically modified organisms). Plants can actually be modified to be more resistant to climate change for example. That means they can live longer under harsh conditions. This will preserve nature and allow us to enjoy it for longer time. Our planet needs more plants and technologies are vital for a better future. Therefore, technology can be helpful from these aspects.

Photos like these inspire me to go to them. This is located in Jamaica, a country that I would like to visit for its natural beauty. Retrieved from https://www.iberostar.com/en/inspiration-guide/travel/nine-natural-wonders-you-cant-miss-in-jamaica-nature-caribbean/

As a nature interpreter, I’m privileged to know the importance of nature and I must use my knowledge and transfer it to the people around me. We are key in saving nature, knowledge alone is not enough. Interpreters translate this knowledge and make easy and accessible to everyone in society. Whether you’re into nature or not, interpreters can help.

[cdenvs3000]

After reading your post I feel as though we look at nature and nature interpretation in a similar way. I love your reference to technology being a double edged sword. I too mentioned in my post and many others about the dangers of technology. Technology allows us to connect with others and become educated about various issues impacting nature. It can even allow us to interpret nature through different mediums. However i think a main issue in this social media, internet driven society is a divide between true connection and a false sense of connection. This is true for any form of connection, but you and I both agree on the impact it can have on ones connection with nature. If we as interpreters push those around us to take a breather from our devices and endless scrolling to go outside and connect with nature, I think the positive effects would be incredible. I touched on this in another post, but levels of anxiety are at an all time high for our society. Finding peace and connection with mother nature truly allows us to decompress and focus on the beauty around us, instead of the false reality behind our screens. Reforming our connection with nature as humans would allow so much more growth for the following generations. 

Thank you for your post! You provided some wonderful food for thought!

Cheers!

Caitlyn

[cdenvs3000]

Final Thoughts

This semester I have gained more insight into what it really means to be a nature interpreter. I have also learned that this term can mean different things for many people. There are various ways in which one can interpret nature, just as there are various ways that everyone connects to nature. This is the beauty of nature, in terms of how it connects those in such individualistic ways. For me and my personal ethic, nature has a very spiritual aspect to it, although I am not a necessarily spiritual person. There is something about nature that allows me to feel centred and grounded, as though I am one with the earth. These are the feelings that I have when physically interpreting nature. This semester has pushed me to examine nature in different forms such as film, music, art, text, as well as podcast. Something that I find interesting is how all of the aforementioned ways to examine nature, can all be categorized as art. In each of these forms of interpretation, nature must be examined through a different lens, allowing you to truly interpret the whole picture. 

When you embrace nature and experience it in different landscapes you begin to notice how small we truly are in terms of the power that the earth has in controlling its natural landscape. Noticing the sounds, the feelings, even the movements of the natural landscape you begin to form more of a connection with nature. From season to season, day to day you can see these changes which impact the way we can interpret nature so much. One aspect that ties nature to nature interpretation is connection. The ability to connect with your surroundings is a dying skill in the new age of social media and internet use. As we stray further form being able to connect as a society, people like the ones in this course, who have gained the knowledge of nature interpretation, should pass on this skill. It is through sharing knowledge that society can grow and develop. 

As I mentioned how we are so small in this world, we are also unfortunately causing big changes. As our human civilization has grown we have forced mother nature to change. Many of these changes have warn down on the earth and were now seeing the drastic effects in climate change. For me when I think of nature interpretation my mind aways goes towards climate change. Maybe this is due to the fact that this semester I have taken environmental science courses which all discuss our impact on the earth and the damage we have done. So for this reason I feel as though my responsibility as a nature interpreter that also has this knowledge is to attempt to make a change. As cheesy as it sounds, choosing to make small decisions that decrease our impact on the planet really matter. If everyone did a small part we would be able to reduce the harm we are doing to our earth. As climate change continues to alter our landscape year after year there are things that you should consider. Things like if your kids will be able to see snow on Christmas, or go to the same beaches that you remember enjoying as you've grown up. All of these things will impact the ability that our children will have to interpret nature themselves. 

I think my personal ethic as I grow as a nature interpreter is telling me that I need to continue to make changes in my life that allow me to embrace nature as much as possible. I think that experiencing more aspects of nature and different environments in different places would allow me to feel more “whole” in terms of accomplishing interpretation. Like many, I hope to be able to travel more after I graduate. I would love to experience mountains, coasts, forest, beaches and countrysides in countries all over the world. As a nature interpreter the idea of experiencing these sights in different places excites me and pushes me to want to connect with nature more. With that being said, being able to appreciate the nature that I see around me everyday is something that I hope to continue to expand upon as well. I look at this in terms of having gratitude for nature and appreciating all the little things that I have the ability to interpret everyday. 

My final thoughts over all are that as a nature interpreter my responsibility is to push others around me to connect with nature and embrace it in all of its forms. Whether it be through a painting of a landscape, audio of the waves crashing on the beach, or a video of animals in their natural habitat. Understanding and connecting with nature leads us to have compassion for our environment, which is an important stepping stone in pushing actions against things that can destroy nature such as climate change. My main question to you reading would be, what would you tell someone who wants to make a difference for the environment?

[cdenvs3000]

Reflecting on Interpreting Nature Throughout the Semester

After taking this course I find myself thinking of nature with a different mindset than I previously had. Throughout the semester we have been challenged to view nature through various lenses as corresponding to course material. Sharing our thoughts with our peers in the form of this blog has been an incredible way to see how others interpret nature different from myself. 

One thing that I am certain of is the fact that humans can all find a sense of peace within nature. This is something that has been displayed through the blog posts of various weeks. Some common words that come up when discussing our views on nature interpretation have been peace, calm, serenity, and escape. This is all quite interesting as our society has been more and more disconnected from nature throughout the years. This still does not take away from the fact that embracing nature can be seen as a (literal) breath of fresh air and escape from this technology and Internet based reality that we face today.

Something that  now wonder is if everyone realizes this remedy power that nature holds. As our society becomes less in touch with the actual world around us, I wonder if the understanding of the healing powers of nature are being lost. An interesting topic that has been discussed in a couple podcasts that I enjoy listening to is how we now seem to live in “hustle culture”. This term meaning that everyone feels as though they must always be working, studying, or planning their next move in life in order to feel a sense of purpose or accomplishment. If many of you think about this you will probably agree that this is true. With the society we live in, having access to work or studies all hours of the day as its literally in our back pockets on our phone, it’s hard to disconnect. This is why I wonder if the simplicity and peace of connecting with nature is being lost, and if it can be restored.

Moving forward with the thought that society has lost the appreciation for nature, it inspires me to push those around me to connect with the environment around them. Using nature as an escape from our digital reality is something that should be utilized much more. We can only hope that as people connect with and interpret nature around them they will be able to gain more of an understanding on issues impacting our nature in terms of climate change. This is something that also inspires me as I have taken various courses on the topic this past year. If more individuals can look at their surroundings in nature and acknowledge how they observe small changes, it will cause more of a push for protecting of our natural environment. Aa I have previously mentioned in other posts, I live in a beach community along Lake Huron. When I moved there 8 years ago there was sandy beaches all along the shore of our town. Now the city is taking action in preventing erosion from rising water levels from destroying roads and the surrounding land. Connecting with nature and observing changes such as these pushes people to want to protect our environment, much like Beck et al. stated. 

I feel as though I can ignite in terms of nature interpretation by continuing educating myself on ways to understand nature around me, even beyond this course. As our generation grows older I feel as though it is our job to ignite a passion for nature within the next generations. Our first blog prompt was to describe who offered us a sense of place within nature, I feel as though it is now our job to offer others a sense of place here as well, much like someone in our lives did for us.

[vbenvs3000]

Mesmerizing Monarchs (Podcast Review)

“And when all the wars are over, a butterfly will still be beautiful” (Bond, 2010).

Thompson, A (2016). Where to see thousands of migrating monarch butterflies in Mexico this winter [Image]. Retrieved on November 2, 2020 from https://matadornetwork.com/read/monarch-butterfly-migration-mexico/ 

Growing up in Ontario, monarch butterflies have always been one of my favourite insects. I recall the excitement of seeing a monarch on hikes and walks with my family on the beausoleil islands. Therefore, I was very excited to listen to the podcast about monarch butterflies because I don’t really know much about them! In the first thirty seconds, it was evident this group did an amazing job with pulling the audience in with fun and exciting audio as well as the development of the monarch character “Miss Monarch”. The monarch character was such a brilliant element to add to a children’s podcast because it provides a sense of imagination and wonder. The conversation with the monarch created a vital relationship between the monarch and the audience. Since podcasts are a digital medium, it is important to create an enjoyable digital space through the close meaningful conversations between the monarch, interpreter and the interviewee. This way, we are able to connect through voice rather than visual interactions. It was evident that the podcast had a goal in mind that they were wanting to accomplish; get children interested in monarchs and their protection, through these conversations it was evident that they accomplished this goal. I really liked that the podcaster made simple children-friendly connections to help the audience better understand the subject matter. For example, referring to the chrysalis as a sleeping bag, or referring to migration as an exciting trip, provides the children with a clear understanding of the content and paints them a picture. These connections were memorable and effective. 

Throughout the podcast, I gained a general knowledge of early days of a butterfly, migration and how to help monarchs in my everyday life! Through conversation with the monarch character, the group was able to teach the audience about how a butterfly becomes a butterfly. The monarch described the process of breaking out of the shell as a caterpillar and eating milkweed plants. They captivated the audience by describing how picky of an eater the monarch is! The monarch then described the process of metamorphosis and creating a chrysalis, “I make my own chrysalis, which is my own version of a sleeping bag!”. From there she described transforming into a beautiful butterfly. Another lesson that I learned in the podcast was the migration process, “I am just about to leave for a trip of the lifetime”, the monarch described, since Guelph becomes too cold, monarchs must migrate and travel to Mexico for the winter months. Lastly, I learned how I can help monarch butterflies. Simple things like using less water, riding your bike, or walking can help save monarchs from climate change. You can also plant milkweed, and wildflowers in your backyard. This is something that the children will learn and look forward to doing after the podcast is complete. By talking about the monarch butterflies the group is able to educate, inspire and empower individuals to pursue their passion further. These lessons were perfectly adapted for the lens of a child, it is important to understand that, “interpretation addressed to children should not be a dilution of the presentation to adults but should follow a fundamentally different approach” (Beck et al., 2018). This group did an amazing job at adapting the information of the podcast to make it kid friendly and engaging for a younger audience. 

Overall, I would definitely try to use their technique of incorporating a conversation between intriguing characters for my future podcast. This technique was effective in addressing information but also captivating the audience. My overall experience listening to this podcast was amazing. I was very entertained, fascinated and absorbed in the content, I didn’t want it to end!

Hadley, D (2019). 5 Things You Didn’t Know About The Monarch Butterfly Migration [Image] Retrieved November 2, 2020 from https://www.thoughtco.com/monarch-butterfly-migration-1968018

References: 

Beck, L., Cable T., Knudson, D. (2018) Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage. Sagamore Venture Publishing. 

Bond, R (2010). Scenes from a Writer’s Life. Penguin Group. 

[cdenvs3000]

Hi there! I also gave this podcast a listen and couldn’t agree more with your feedback. The creation and use of the character “Miss Monarch” was so clever and really helped as an ambassador to educate kids on this amazing insect. I think that many people can also agree that monarch butterflies are beautiful creatures. I remember in elementary school, learning about how milk weed was on a decline so monarch butterflies were endangered. This was something that made me sad to hear at a young age. I’m not sure if I’m the only one, but did other people feel as though they saw a lot more monarchs this summer than in the past? Hopefully this trend was saw in other places in Ontario, because I know I definitely saw plenty of monarchs in my hometown. 

I too loved how the character “Miss Monarch” described her travel to Mexico as she was leaving Guelph. This allows children to picture a monarch butterfly travelling the great distance and to realize just how incredible it is. I also thought it was quite cute, and effective the way they described “Miss Monarch” as a picky eater. This is something that kids can relate to as many have probably been described as that by their parents. Things like this allow the child to feel connected to the character of the monarch butterfly, all while learning valuable information. This podcast was so enjoyable to listen to, and your review of it was really amazing!

[cdenvs3000]

Snapping Turtle Podcast

Seeing that there was a podcast done about snapping turtles really caught my interest as I find snapping turtles to be such an interesting, cute species! I think many people have seen snapping turtles out in their natural environments in ponds and such. Here in Guelph there is a turtle crossing sign on Kortright road which I think is so important. From the podcast I learned that turtles are now on the special species list meaning their species has had decreased populations. From another course that I am in, Wildlife Rehabilitation, I have learned that cars are snapping turtles biggest predators. This is something that the guest in this podcast spoke on as well! Snapping turltes try to reach up and bite at the under carriage of vehicles as a car drives over top of them, meaning they tend to have broken jaws.

Raftis, P (2020). Turtle crossing signs to be permitted on country roads. Retrieved on Nov, 3rd, 2020 from https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/turtle-crossing-signs-to-be-permitted-on-county-roads/

My first impression of the podcast was that the group definitely had a lot of information to cover, however I don't think this seems to be directed toward children. The initial intro music you used was a nice touch and I think next time you could try to incorporate more of that to break up the conversation within the podcast. Snapping turtles are an animal that children find very interesting so simply having added a little more attention grabbing material would have been a nice addition. I also feel as though the main lessons could have been made slightly more clear as even I had to think for a little about what these lessons were. For children, being educated on a species is definitely interesting, however to ensure that they are fully grasping the information I would suggest highlighting a few points.

Based on what I could gather from the podcast the main objective was to educate children on snapping turtles as they are considered a species of special concern. Educating children on these issues is very important as they are the next generation that can help to make a positive change for our ecosystems. Emphasizing that snapping turtles are a species of special concern and explaining that more in depth could have added more purpose to the podcast. This also allows children to think that they are being involved in something really important, further grabbing their interest! Overll, that was definitely a main lesson that I learned from this podcast. Another lesson learned was that turtles main predators are vehicles. This could have been highlighted more as well, educating kids about how to prevent turtles from being injured on the roads. One other lesson that I learned from this podcast was that snapping turtles can actually grow to be quite large! I always thought that snapping turtles stayed quite tiny, as I have only ever seen small ones. From the guest on this podcast though, I learned that snapping turtles can grow to be the size or weight of a medium sized dog of up to 15 pounds! I think the podcast and the guest offered so much great information but it was somewhat lost within the style the podcast followed. Especially since this was geared toward children I would say that the interview could have been edited in a way to make it less long and like a full conversation.

I think that you had a really great guest that was definitely an expert on your topic. I could tell that the interview portion was from a recorded phone call, which was a different approach than what my partner and I took for our interview. We had our guest record their answers to the interview questions all speperately. I do like the approach you took for this, and I think more of a free flowing conversation would work well for the second, adult-targetted podcast submission.

Overall, your podcast was very educational as your guest was very good, but I think it could have been delivered in a more child friendly way. If you follow a similar format for your adult podcast I think you could do very well!! My main suggestion would be to break up sections with a little transition music or sound effect to highlight seperate components of your episode. Good job to the group and thanks for all the information about snapping turtles!

[cdenvs3000]

Changing of the Seasons

Currently as I write this I am sitting in my living room of the house that I rent with my friends in Guelph. I’m looking out the big window at the front of our house looking at beautifully bright yellow leaves. This is not an uncommon sight in the fall, as the landscape turns to a beautiful scene of warm toned leaves and the air gets cold. In my opinion the changing of the seasons is one of the most amazing things about nature. 

Here in Ontario we experience the seasons to such incredible extremes. In the summer months it gets hot, humid and extremely sunny making great weather for beaches and cottaging. On the other end of the spectrum we have crazy winter months where the temperature drops to bone chilling levels and we experience the beauty of snowflakes and ice. My favourite times of the year are when we get to experience the changes from season to season. Nothing stands out in my mind as one of my favourite feelings quite like walking outside around March and feeling the sun shining through the clouds warmer than it has in months. Putting your winter coat back in the closet and switching to your favourite sneakers instead of winter boots is a feeling of freedom that I think most people can relate to experiencing! 

To me, each season reminds me of certain feelings. When the winter months roll around I feel much more cozy and comfortable being at home. However, when it’s summer all I want to do is be outside in the sun and at the beach. There is definitely changes to life style for people as the seasons change. True outdoorsy people don't let the cold and snow stop them from going outdoors and exploring, but for many (like myself) that is not the case. As the weather turns cold, like right now, I enjoy experiencing it in very small doses, like  5 minutes at a time. I like to be able to retreat back inside where I can be warm and cozy while I admire the snow and ice out of a window. Like I said before, for me, being outside in the warmer seasons is something that is very important to me. In the fall I love the balance between the sun that's still warm to the air that's beginning to get crisp and cool. 

This is a bonfire that my dad, sister and I had when we went on a camping trip in Algonquin Park. I love this photo because the fire is so vibrant and in the distance you can see the end of the sunset between the warm outlines of the trees.

One of my favourite things to do when the weather is warm and the nights are cool is having bonfires. When I’m back in my home town, I love getting together with my boyfriend and our friends in cozy clothes and having a campfire to just hangout outside. This is something that we did basically every night this summer which created some really nice, fun memories all together. 

Overall, there are aspects of every season that I really love, which allows us to have different activities during each one! I’d love to hear what seasons everyone else feels is their favourite because I’m always personally torn between fall and spring/summer. What activities do you love in your favourite season?

Have a great weekend!

Caitlyn

[cdenvs3000]

Recognizing Art in Nature

This discussion prompt is one that I find quite interesting. When you think of all the different genres and expressions of art you think of paintings, drawings, theatre, music, films and so on. This is something that the textbook touched on this unit. Everyones definition of art can be different and most people have different things come to mind when they first think of art. However, most would probably agree that art can quite obviously be seen in nature. For me when I think of art, landscape paintings and photos are the first thing that come to mind. This may be due to the fact that my dad is a big fan of the Canadian group of artists Group of Seven, as we have multiple replica pieces around our house. The artwork of this group mostly showcases landscapes of some of the most beautiful places in Canada. In Canada, especially in Ontario, we are lucky enough to experience all 4 seasons and the way that they transform the landscape. I remember in elementary school classes having to draw each of the different seasons in a different way for almost every grade I was in, I’m sure some of you had the same experience. Even at a young age in school we absent mindedly we were interpreting nature as art forms. 

This is a pretty low quality picture I quickly took out of the window of our living room here in Guelph with my roommates. This was last winter during a snowfall just before going home to spend Christmas with my family. I always have found something so picturesque and magical about snow on the branches of trees.

I think it is clear to see that most people, whether they know it or not can see the art in nature. One of the best examples of this is when social media gets filled with everyone posting photos of the sunset on a particularly amazing evening. I’m not sure if anyone else can relate but during quarantine, one of the most popular activities used to pass the time that I saw (other than baking banana bread) was painting. More often than not when people would make a social media post about socially distanced painting with their friends, at least one had painted a sunset. This just further proves how common it is to interpret nature in as a form of art. I too do this whenever I sit down to try and paint as a way to try something new and fun, my mind always goes to the most beautiful sunset I’ve seen. One of the most popular artists to come to mind right now is Bob Ross. Bob Ross always created incredible paintings of various landscapes, truly using nature as inspiration and a direct reflection of art. Another example of art in pop culture would be the extremely popular Planet Earth series. Those films/documentaries simply show the relationships between animals and their natural environment, which the world loves to see as it is calming and beautiful all in one. Overall nature is the most simple yet amazing example of art. 

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My difference in scenery

This week, I struggled to find an interesting blog to write about. I decided to get inspired by nature and take a walk outside. I realized that over my life, and the many times I have moved, my change in scenery and close proximity to nature has only seemed to decrease. Recently I moved closer to the GTA (I don’t want to disclose exactly where I live) and as we all know, the closer to the city you get, the farther you are from large parks and conservation areas. Of course I am okay with moving to a new area. I moved a lot throughout my life so it isn’t a huge change for me, except for the lack of nature. There are a few small forest trails that do aid for the lack of natural areas. 

I used to live across a soybean farm, still in a suburban area. However, the area was new and developing, so there were plenty of green spaces around. It was never the same old park because i easily had many options, and the closer north I went the better it got. 

Photo taken May 25th, 2020 - a beautiful forest beside my old house. 

I can relate it to when I lived in Guelph for the past 3 years. I lived in two different houses, both with large parks or forest trails right on my street. If I was ever stressed out from school work, or simply wanted to enjoy a walk with my roommates, it meant simply walking down the street and spending easily 40 minutes through a trail. I don’t think I have to remind anyone about the Arboretum either! I’ve visited the Arboretum countless times in my first year of University not only for some classes but on my own time as well. Overall, having nearby green spaces made it much easier to find a nearby escape being a difference in scenery. Being exposed to nature is known to reduce stress, anxiety, and overall increased serotonin (American Heart Association, 2018).

Now that I have moved, I realize I have taken these green spaces for granted. I am still able to go outside for walks, but the lack of dense trees, small ponds or lakes, and different creatures does bother me. I find myself yearning for small moments with nature and clearing my mind of the daily stressors most of us go through, especially after my trip from Alberta.  Looking at the heart.org page, it’s evident that nature is a great way to solve a lot of our common issues. Working out in nature helps reduce anxiety, and looking at scenes of nature calms your nerves when feeling stressed (American Heart Association, 2018). I guess this means I should still be thankful for the small forest trails I have near my house because it’s definitely better than nothing. And even though they may not compare as great as some places I have lived before, I can still appreciate that there are still some natural ‘de-stressors’ close-by.

While reading about the benefits of nature, I came across a super interesting research paper that can be found at the link here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Brenda_Wiederhold/publication/332341600_ANNUAL_REVIEW_OF_CYBERTHERAPY_AND_TELEMEDICINE_2018/links/5cae97224585156cd78f5d65/ANNUAL-REVIEW-OF-CYBERTHERAPY-AND-TELEMEDICINE-2018.pdf#page=111 

This research essentially looked at the possibility of VR experiences in natural settings and if it was effective in reducing stress. It turns out it was pretty useful! Does anyone think this is something that will be very valued in the near future?

- October 4th, 2020 Tatiana

Sources: 

American Heart Association. (2018, August 1). Spend Time in Nature to Reduce Stress and Anxiety. Retrieved October 05, 2020, from https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/spend-time-in-nature-to-reduce-stress-and-anxiety

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Hey Tatiana!

I really enjoyed reading your post, I actually agree that having free rein this week had me really stumped on what to post about. I too can relate to having moved a few times in my life and experiencing different kinds of natural ecospecies around me. I moved twice in the city I was born in, the neighbourhood I primarily grew up in was a subdivision that was plopped in the middle of farmers fields. From a somewhat young age I was able to go out for a walk down country roads with my family and really see how peaceful it is with less civilization around. I think most of us in this course can agree on that! The kids in my neighbourhood and I would go to the edge of the subdivision and catch frogs at “the creek” (which was really just part of a drainage ditch for farmers field run off lol). Something about this though was so fun and really allowed us to continue the experience of getting outside and playing, which i know young kids today lack a lot of. I now live right along Lake Huron which I know I’m so lucky for. For me walking to the beach and watching the sunset is such a tranquil moment that I always look forward to when I go home. Nature is just so beautiful and provides so many amazing benefits to human health, we really need to try our best to preserve it!

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Growing up

All throughout our lives were obviously evolving, changing, facing new problems and gathering skills to solve those problems. Every stage of life takes adjusting to, from entering elementary school, through puberty, going to high school and so on. I imagine everyone, much like myself, can look back and remember the awkwardness and uncomfortable adjustments that each of these stages brought. For me some of the biggest adjustment periods that I can remember was going from grade 9 to grade 11. I’m really not sure why but those years were when I truly started being myself and felt changes between my peers happening at different rates. That being said, I think that I really noticed these changes in my final year of high school and entering into university. My grade 12 year was when I started to actually have to try much harder in my classes and really not do well in some. The pressure of doing well combined with the daunting thought that one mis-step could mean that university acceptances would not arrive started to give me anxiety and panic attacks in the middle of class. I had no idea that I was really experiencing them until speaking with my doctor, but this is something that kind of allowed me to realize that I really am growing up and this is some real life stuff. 

Going away to school is supposed to teach you about who you truly are and cause you to grow and become more independent. For me, I was always told I was a mature teenager and young adult, which I definitely felt, but going away to school was still a shock, much more than I realized. Navigating new friendships while missing your friends and people from home, all while dealing with new class environments was nothing close to calming. Overall I know that my first year of university taught me so many things about myself that I wouldn't have discovered so quickly had I not gone away. 

The stage of life I’m in right now is kind of a complicated one and I’m sure a lot of you can agree. I’m currently 21 years old, fully an adult with some adult responsibilities like minor bill payments and taking care of myself while I’m away at school, all things that don't bother me at all. I’m conflicted with the feeling that I just want to do whatever I can to accelerate the start of my life. I don’t want to be in school any longer than I want to so the idea of doing a masters just sounds so awful to me, but I know it would be beneficial. I want to live on my own and fully move out of my parents house, but how can I ever afford anything with todays housing prices? It sounds weird but the idea of being a mom excites me to no end, but will I be able to find a stable job soon so that I can have kids young? It’s somewhat of a negative mindset, but I feel like the demand for everyone to get a huge decade long post secondary education is something preventing me from starting my life and actually living. Does anyone else feel this way as well? These are just some things that are constantly in my mind recently as I’m in my final year here at UoG, entering into the stage of life that I feel is so crucial. 

Thanks for reading my random mind dump and rant!

Caitlyn  

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The Privilege of Things

When considering the role privilege plays in nature interpretation, there are many different avenues this post could explore. Privilege is a factor interwoven into every aspect of society. My working definition of privilege would be a benefit or exclusion from added hardships only afforded to a particular group of people and created by social constructs and human history.

To unpack this further, a very prominent example of privilege for a specific group of people, created by humans and social constructs, is the privilege exclusively afforded to white people. Additionally, this privilege is not afforded to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour), who, throughout history and still today, experience prejudice and discrimination that white people do not.

When thinking about white privilege and nature, something stands out to me in relation to climate action. In the day’s climate action movements and media coverage, those with white privilege are often afforded the centre stage of media coverage to speak on their concerns about climate change and share their interpretations of the impacts it has on nature.

One stark example of this was when Ugandan youth climate activist, Vanessa Nakate, was cropped out of a photo by a news outlet that originally pictured her and several white peers, including Greta Thunberg. In response to what happened, Vanessa Nakate called out the racist photo editing and very powerfully said, “we don’t deserve this. Africa is the least emitter of carbons, but we are the most affected by the climate crisis…You erasing our voices won’t change anything. You erasing our stories won’t change anything” (BBC News, 2020).

Instances such as this point out that the opportunity to speak about what threatens our relationships with the environment is impacted by privilege and racism. The media chooses which activists to cover, who gets the opportunity to share their interpretation of nature and climate, and who many of us listen to. This limits our knowledge of the full impact of climate change and restricts the narratives many of us hear to only those coming from white activists. So, it is up to us to educate ourselves and listen to those the media is neglecting to cover.

Instances like this occur in Canada as well. Media attention is rarely focused on the impacts of climate change on Inuit communities, despite the severity of its impacts on Inuit culture, traditions, knowledge, and life. Instead, the narrative the media shows largely comes from young white activists and their interpretation of nature, climate, and how and why we should take action. The media, therefore, ignores a plethora of other dialogues and meaningful interpretations of nature.

I’d like to end this post by recommending a few sources to check out if you’d like to learn more about different perspectives and relationships with the environment as well as climate activism.

Check out: Indigenous Climate Action https://www.indigenousclimateaction.com/

This David Suzuki article: “Tackling climate change means purging privilege from politics” https://davidsuzuki.org/story/tackling-climate-change-means-purging-privilege-from-politics/

If you want a good book to read: “The Right to be Cold: One Women’s Story of Protecting Her Culture, the Arctic and the Whole Planet” by Sheila Watt-Cloutier

References:

BBC News. (2020). “Vanessa Nakate: Climate activist hits out at ‘racist’ photo crop”. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51242972  

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I really enjoyed your human rights take on privilege and nature, as unfortunately were seeing so many issues that haven’t been addressed in the media. I had no idea about Vanessa Nakate, the Ugandan activist and the racism she faced when she had been literally cropped out of a photo showcasing others that were climate activists. This is a sickening and eye opening display of white privilege, even in something as serious as climate change. Where I live we are home to Chemical Valley, which I’m sure you’ve heard of if you’ve taken literally any enviro-sci classes. This obviously poses an environmental issue for our community but where the real issue lies is that these chemical plants have been made on Indigenous land. Indigenous reservations where many Indigenous people still live are right beside these chemical plants. This is obviously another display of privilege in terms of the environment that the Indigenous people of Sarnia live in. This is unfortunately not a problem that minorities in only my city face, this happens all over the world, especially North America, as it’s seen that minorities live in the areas that tend to be more polluted and have factories or refineries right in their backyard. Hopefully the education and information that our generation has will bridge this gap in privilege. 

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My ideas on “Privilege”

Initially when I think of privilege in terms of nature interpretation, I think of the people who get the opportunity to travel the world and embrace nature from different countries and vantage points. My personal definition of privilege definitely revolves around money as the materialistic things in life that we view as valuable can be purchased with money. These things being homes, cars, electronics, brand name clothing, etcetera. However, when you think about it, there is something that is lacking in that list of things that come to my mind (and maybe others), and that thing is a connection to nature. In the way that I initially describe and define privilege it seems that those that are truly privileged have the farthest gap between them and Mother Nature. Of course having the wealth to afford incredible trips to the oceans and mountains across the world is something that I’m sure anyone would like, truly embracing nature can happen just about anywhere. A lot of the time those that are the most privileged are the ones that don’t understand the healing, energy, and comfort that can come from being outdoors. A quote from Socrates states that “He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature”. Basically this quote just states how people with the least can be the most content and I truly believe this. Especially in terms of nature interpretation, having the ability to step outside, slow down and embrace the simplicity and beauty of nature is an incredibly valuable skill to have. The ability to form true connections with your surroundings and environment is a skill that many people lack more and more, which honestly shows with the increasing mental health struggles with anxiety and panic disorders. As a society we need to take away the idea that privilege comes with fancy things and lavish vacations to up beat cities, and bring back the appeal of serenity and calm. Just this past weekend I was at home enjoying the warm weekend at our local apple orchard with my mom and boyfriend. I had a moment of realization of just how amazing all of this low priced, fresh, local produce is. Small simple things like this make me personally feel privileged that I’ve been able to grow up in a small town where I can go to a farmers market like this and buy produce that was grown just down the road from me. I don’t live a lavish life by any means, and my family doesn’t take many vacations, but I do know that I am privileged to have the life style that I do, regardless of those things. I am extremely grateful for all the opportunities that I have had in my life, especially the different places that I have been able to experience nature from. 

This is a picture of just one of the many incredible sunsets that I have seen at the beach in my neighbourhood in, Bright’s Grove, Ontario. These are some of the moments when I feel so privileged to be able to experience this so easily where I live.

All the best to everyone this week!

-Caitlyn

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A sense of place: nature

I am mesmerized by nature. Not to sound very corny, but being surrounded by nature makes me feel peaceful, and inspires me to better myself. I have always felt this way growing up. I believe my love for nature developed from a young age. It started from my love of animals; all kinds. I loved doing things like catching bugs or frogs, visiting zoos and farms, and just watching animals in their natural habitat (like seeing a deer in a forest). My parents consistently involved me in activities that revolved around nature. These included camping, hiking, picnics, road trips, cottaging, and fishing. I always felt good doing these activities as I never got bored and always got a sense of internal happiness from being outdoors. Therefore, I would say that my parents offered me a sense of place as described from the textbook. Growing up, camping, fishing, and hiking were my favourite activities. I loved to explore on my own and was never afraid to get my hands dirty. My parents definitely knew that it was easy to make me happy if I got to be outside!

My family on a camping trip before I left for University! - August 2017

Today, my appreciation for nature has only grown. I still enjoy the same activities, especially hiking. At the end of this past August, I travelled to Alberta and did some hiking. I can’t say I hike often and that I did lose some desire to hike as often as I used to within the past few years, however this trip brought me right back to my past self. The hikes were amazing, and the best part was of course the top view. My favourite hike had to be Ha Ling Peak. The top got me pretty scared as it was very steep and got much more difficult. However, the whole experience made me feel very satisfied and definitely pumped me with a lot of endorphins. It reminded me to get back to being involved with nature as much as I can. Walking through such tall trees, breathing clean air, and seeing some wildlife in their natural habitat was fascinating. I cannot emphasize the feeling of peace and satisfaction I experienced on the way up a mountain, sitting at the top absorbing the view, and the way back down. Also, best workout ever!

My boyfriend and I at the top of Ha Ling Peak. He’s terrified of heights! - August 2020

I am also reminded of why I feel connected with nature while studying for my degree - BBRM Environmental Management. Taking environmental science courses reminds me of the importance and overall significance of learning about our natural environment. It provides me with a sense of meaning, and that whatever stream I endeavour on in my future will be important and meaningful to more people than just myself. I realize now that I am older, that there is a continuous pattern of experiencing a sense of place when it comes to nature. This will continue for the rest of my life and I have no problem with that!

- Tatiana - September 19th, 2020

[cdenvs3000]

I can totally agree with you for so much of this blog post! I too found my sense of place from (one of) my parents, which I think is such a beautiful thing. Passing down your hobbies and joys in life is such an important thing between generations and I feel that were so lucky our parents passed down their love for the outdoors. When you mention how your trip out West got you back in touch with your side that loves nature, I can completely resonate with that. I also went for a recent trip out West and it honestly reminded me so much how I love nature and it brings me a lot of peace. Your picture with your boyfriend on the mountain is super sweet as well, I can’t wait to go back out to the mountains with my boyfriend soon :) I think its very captivating that you're gearing your entire future career goals toward environmental science. For me I never pondered the idea of doing that very much but in the last year or so it has definitely been at the forefront of my mind. I really enjoyed reading your post! Best wishes for the rest of the semester :)

Caitlyn

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Finding my Sense of Place

From a young age I was able to appreciate and acknowledge the beauty in nature around me. Stepping outside in late March when the sun begins to feel warm on your skin and the air is crisp and refreshing will forever be one of my favourite feelings in the world. Like many, I find a lot of peace in nature around me, whether it’s walking on a tree canopied trail, or at the beach watching the sun slowly set and change colour. I was fortunate enough to move to a beach community at a young age where I was able to hop on my bike and be at the sandy shores in just minutes. Based on what I’ve written so far I think it’s clear that the spring and summer are some of my favourite months to really sit out and be a part of nature. I get this trait from my Dad, someone who truly offered me “a sense of place” with mother nature. From a very young age my Dad began to share his love of the outdoors with me. Algonquin Park is somewhere that my Dad loves to go and fully immerse himself in the tranquil depths of the forest. He has taken trips camping out in bush completely by himself as a way to reset and slow down from the crazy world that we live in. My Dad brought my sister and I out to Algonquin Park when we were very young multiple times. One of the times 9 years ago we went and redid a trip that he had done himself and loved. This past summer we redid that same trip. Spending time in mother nature is a really bonding experience for my Dad and I. He taught me to truly be present and observe the sounds and environment around you when you're outside in different environment. 

My Dad and I at the base of one of the oldest glaciers in British Columbia, August 2019

I think that many people have a pivotal point where they realize how much they truly care for nature. For me a monumental point in that realization was when I took a family trip out West to British Columbia and Alberta and had the experience of horse back riding through the mountains. Growing up around Southwestern Ontario, I’ve been used to the most interesting landscape being a cliff of part of the escarpment, or the shores of Lake Huron where I grew up. But being in British Columbia climbing mountains really makes you realize how extremely incredible Mother Nature and Mother Earth is. All the beautiful mountains, next to the ocean, all while there is some of the tallest trees in the world towering into the sky. I recommend that anyone and everyone takes a trip out to Western Canada at some point in their life to truly admire how vast and beautiful our country is! An eye opening part of the trip was when my Dad and I got out of the car to check out the base of a glacier where they had marked how much the glacier melts every 5 or so years. This was something before my eyes that proved how bad and real climate change is. All the incredible blue lakes in the mountains occur because of glacier melting, and before we know it there won’t be any more glaciers to melt and transform into those beautiful aqua blue lakes. This made me want to learn even more about the environment and the way our climate is changing which is why I enrolled in this course and a few other environmental sciences this semester! 

An elk that grazed beside our hotel room every morning of our stay in Alberta

As I get older, I constantly find more and more peace in the outdoors, much like my dad. I truly believe that Mother Nature can offer us her energy in such a healing manner, allowing us to feel more whole, complete beings. If everyone were forced to spend time outside in a secluded area for a couple hours with no cell phone service I think people would be amazed at how their well being would be positively altered. I’m very excited to take the time for this course and expand in my connection and interpretation of nature. I look forward to physically spending more time outdoors in an attempt to fully throw myself into this course and get the most possible out of it.

[cdenvs3000]

Disclaimer

This blog was created for ENVS 3000, University of Guelph. The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of the University of Guelph. The University of Guelph is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by this blog.