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[omenvs3000w22]

Blog Post 9 - A Final Look at Individuality

In true finale fashion, we bring the discussion this week unto ourselves. After delving into several topics revolving around the facets of interpretation, perhaps self-reflection is the hardest investigation to undertake. Looking in the mirror, I feel as though my ethic reflects experiences I have had and even my personality.

 What beliefs do you bring?

First and foremost, I believe that every human has the capacity to both learn and want to learn about the natural world. The trick in modern interpretation is turning that capacity into a willingness, a willingness that is hopefully persistent throughout generations. How do I think this is best conducted? Well, I don’t think I have a perfect answer, if I did, I would solve a lot of problems beyond interpretation. However, I believe the most universally effective method is exposure to the world outdoors. Raw experiences in the untamed wilderness are understood beyond borders, languages, and emotions. Arguably, there is nothing that sparks the imagination more than the unknown of the natural realm. To best interpret, before you incorporate social programs and conservation groups, you need to build a base in pure experience for your audience.

I also believe that interpretation may not be the best way to bind an audience and nature. I don’t mean for that statement to come off as contrarian or definite, but I do believe that as flexible as interpretation is, there are more important things to translate to an audience. What I mean by this is that interpretation is largely a luxury, and it is important to recognize that. Indeed, interpretation is vital and can serve great purposes, but there are things that are more important, and I think that should be reflected in an interpretation.

What responsibilities do you have?

As a nature interpreter your responsibilities are numerous, but overall, you must ensure the interpretation does not indefinitely ruin the natural world for the audience. This may come off as a no-brainer, but I think one bad experience has devastating potential. Think in the shoes of a hesitant audience member for a moment. Despite your reservations, your family has convinced you to participate in a partially interactive nature course in a provincial park. The course is an objectively awful experience, your caution was proven to be warranted, and you wasted time and money. Do you think this disgruntled audience member will take the messages in the course to heart? Do you think they will think about related natural topics in a positive light? Do you think they will take their kids, arguably the more vital demographic, to an interpretation event any time soon? Interpretation has upside and it has downside, it is on you as the interpreter to make sure you leave guests with at least a neutral to positive experience.

As an interpreter you will be exposed to an innumerable variety of guests, it is on you, disregarding the difficulty, to cater to all audience members. Primarily, catering to all kinds of guests is professional, expected, and polite. But, if you don’t cater as best as possible you lose valuable potential listeners, listeners who may act. If you lose those who can understand what you preach, then why interpret in the first place? Catering can be done in many ways such as literal translations to building accommodations. Currently, the internet and modern technology offer a plethora of ways to connect and cater in an interpretation setting. To ignore the potential methods to connect with your audience is akin to ignoring the issues the environment faces.

Also, it goes without saying but safety is a sizable responsibility too!

What approaches are most suitable for you as an individual?

When it comes to what I look for in an interpretation, I would stress both levity and entertainment to the highest extent. Most people spend their day being lectured to, working an insufferable grind, or live under a kind of duress. Nature is their escape as it is mine, so make it an escape. I know that I will ALWAYS appreciate a joke mixed into a serious topic, a little levity can go a long way. A joke is especially appreciated if it comes from an unexpected place, like an interpretation. When something is entertaining it has special properties, such as instilling the desire to want to live the experience again as well as the ability to ruminate in the brain for extended periods of time. For me, I want to enjoy both the message and the presentation, if you can nail both of those aspects, I know that I will be satisfied.

Additionally, in the same vein as having an interpretation be entertaining, I prefer if an interpretation can avoid sounding pretentious. The last thing I want when spending my own time in participation is to be talked down to. The interpreter should understand that all audience members have an understanding of the natural world and that there is no one way to interpret. An interpreter that overextends boundaries to drill in a point is simply not interpreting. I enjoy nuance in my interpretation accompanied by a relaxed interpreter who plays with the ideas of audience members. Ideally, if you don’t suffocate me with material, and give me space to breathe, I am sure that I will absorb more of message.

Individuality in nature interpretation is a unique topic and raises some intriguing points about how best to interpret. It is in our nature as humans to project ourselves into everything that we do but is that a good or bad thing in nature interpretation. Who is to say? Throughout this course we have learned the intricacies of interpretation and one of the main takeaways I got is that interpretation is ever-changing. It truly is an evolving discipline that sees a highly variable number of approaches and definitions. Overall, I think the future of nature interpretation is a bright one. I’d like to say that writing these blogs has been a nice break from the typical slog of the semester and have been a genuine creative outlet; thanks for reading everyone!

[cnenvs3000w22]

Hello there! I agree with your points on individuality playing a role in how people see things and that there is no one right answer. If I have learned anything over this time is that everyone is capable of interpreting nature in their own way that is unique to them. However, I find it interesting that you think that as an interpreter we should not try to force what we think onto an audience. Which is very much true. With everyone being so different, it only makes sense that we are going to run into people that do not think the same way. Whether it be because of background on the subject or how they feel about it, we are in position to tell anyone how they should feel.

That all being said I still think that we as interpreters have a role in trying to tell the story in a multitude of ways. We can not change the basic facts of biology. Instead we change how we deliver it. Leaving it up to the audience in how they want to take it. I think a better way to word our responsibilities is to not focus on what needs to be told but how it is told and leaving it at that. We should adjust our ideas to best suit them but we should not change what is told. In fact, I think that the podcasts we did are a perfect example of this. The same topic and practically the same information but changing little things like music and wording to better suit the audience. Then just leaving it for those listening to take as they please.

As you said, everyone is unique. We have learned a lot to adapt to such but in the end, it is all about the personal connection that people form with nature that makes it all worthwhile.

[rjsenvs3000w22]

Blog 10: Reflecting as an interpreter

Throughout this course, it’s been amazing to read all the different backgrounds each person brings from all over the world, that each brought us here, writing these blogs. I think it goes to show how strongly nature can really bring people together. Whether you’re in a science major or not we all feel some sort of bond with the outdoors we’d like to extend to others. In a month I’ll be graduating with a degree in Environmental Biology and I’m excited to see where it will take me. I think the writing and personal reflecting I’ve done throughout this course will surely help me in the future. I believe that the ethics and beliefs a person carries with them constantly evolve throughout life the more you learn, which has happened even to me during this last semester.

First off, I really enjoyed watching the video of David Susuki and Richard Louv discussing the importance of connecting with nature. A takeaway from the video is that it’s important to remember that nature can be found even in the most urban areas. We don’t have to travel to national or provincial parks to believe we are more connected than other people, it all depends on your perception of what’s around you. They said to think of what you can do in your own yard and neighborhood to appreciate what’s there. This could be starting your own little garden or collecting indoor plants, putting out bird seed or attracting pollinators etc. Even in a concrete jungle there are always ways to connect.

This is a picture of the greenhouse thats actually on uog campus attached the the Bovey Building! I’ve gone here many times this semester just to take in the beauty of all the plants. Its open to anyone I highly recommend taking a look if you havent.

This is another spot affiliated with uog on college ave across from the arboretum. The trial gardens in the summer and early fall are a beautiful place to see the colours of nature. 

I believe that nature truly has healing abilities and that everyone should have access to it. Studies have shown that spending just 20 minutes outside in nature can decrease stress hormones (Loria, 2019). This can range from a variety of things like a walk to just tending to your garden or plants (I think this is why I accumulated so many house plants during covid lockdowns). Nature can heal both mentally and physically by improving sleep, reducing depression, cardiovascular disease and obesity (Loria, 2019). I’ve become aware though that not everyone has the privilege to access nature for many reasons. I am very grateful for the fact I grew up with easy access to fun outdoor experiences, but I will agree it created a sort of ignorance to those with the opposite. Thats why its important as an interpreter to consider this. Each person brings along a personal set of experiences, interests, knowledge, ability and personality (Beck et al., 2018). I think to be a successful interpreter this must be acknowledged on the job, and to treat everyone the same regardless of past experiences.

I also believe that we should leave nature just as pristine as when we found it.

“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.” -Robin Wall Kimmerer

I think this is also a responsibility we have as a nature interpreter. While nature is there for us to enjoy, it is also there for the next people. This is why many parks have the “leave no trace principle” when camping or being a tourist. Interpretation involves the individual seeing the beauty or understanding the significance of the resource (Beck et al., 2018). Understanding the significance of all nature’s resources means we must develop a sustainable relationship in order to properly respect them. From a consumer level in our lives this can mean only buying essentials at the grocery store to reduce extra waste, and living a less materialistic life. As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned the importance of only buying what I really need, as everything requires energy and resources to produce. Being a good interpreter means practicing what you preach on or off the job.

The approaches that are most suitable to me as an interpreter would be through art or technology, since both of these can come in so many different forms. With digital advances, interpretation occurs via websites, blogs and social media among other technologies” (Beck et al., 2018), and has become a much easier way to interpret information across large scales. As I mentioned in one of my earlier blogs, my favorite way of sharing nature is through photography, which is a combination of both technology and art. This is a way of sharing to people that may have physical, temporal or economic barriers that may prevent them from ever seeing what’s in the photos. I’ve learned and remembered more from watching online nature documentaries and photos than I have from what’s around me. Although, there is a dark side to technology that pulls us away from nature. As mentioned in the notes, children spend more time inside on their devices than they used to in the past. Richard Louv mentioned that the more high tech our lives become the more nature we need. Using technology to connect with each other and nature is a way we can utilize it in a positive way. As interpreters, we have the responsibility to use these tools in a way that is enthusiastic and engaging. Not only this, but we must consider that everyone learns different ways, so using these to adhere to visual, auditory and kinesthetic learners creates the most successful approach.

Thanks to everyone I’ve connected with through these blogs!

-Reilly

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson, D.M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World (1st ed.). Sagamore Publishing

Loria, K. (2019). The Healing Power of Nature. Consumer Reports. Retrieved March 24, 2022, from https://www.consumerreports.org/health-wellness/healing-power-nature-outdoors/

[cnenvs3000w22]

If you think about it, the relationship can be a bit funny. On the one hand technology has evolved enough that our understanding of the world around us has increased as well. On the other hand it is the same technology and desire to learn more that is wrecking the system with each day. We extract what we want without a care about the world around us, in order to study the world. It's funny to me that the argument for destruction is for a future that may not exist because of said actions.

However, it is through people like us that are able to combine the two worlds together for the better. Take the greenhouse in your post for example. Yes, it is a bit strange for us to keep plants inside when the clear outside exists. We do so in a way that does not impede though. This is a form of studying that allows plants to thrive in a controlled environment that does not fully destroy everything else. A small place where humans can do as they please and teach others as well.

It is as you said it is best to take what we need without leaving an actual trace. In the long run technology is only useful if it can compensate for the losses it creates. The more that kids become absorbed in technology the less they look around. We were fortunate enough to have been a part of nature and slowly adapt to technology. I think that with this understanding of where we stand in this world, you would be able to convey your thoughts well in the future as a nature interrupter. You have already done such in this blog post, I hope that you continue the good work as you go on.

[cnenvs3000w22]

Final blog post

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[gvhenvs3000w22]

Nature makes me happy!

The most amazing thing I know about nature is how it can impact your mental wellbeing! As I'm sure we can all relate now, with the snow melting, the weather getting warmer and the sun setting later in the day, spending time in nature just feels so good. I'm so happy I can comfortably sit on my porch in a t-shirt while my cat rolls around on the concrete.

There have been many studies on how nature can impact your mental wellbeing. For example, studies have shown that those who took a nature walk did better on a memory test than those who walked down an urban street. Nature walks have also been show to help uplift the mood of people suffering with depression. Spending time outdoors has even lowered stress hormones in some people. A survey in Australia even showed that kids who participated in outdoor activities had better vision than those who spent more time indoors!

As I've mentioned many times in this blog, sitting at my rock looking out onto the lake makes me the happiest I can be as I can relax and feel calm. I'm sure theres some psychological reason that I am so attached to this rock, maybe because of all of the happy memories I've created over the years. For more reading on environmental psychology, check out this blog about environmental psychology! https://positivepsychology.com/positive-effects-of-nature/#:~:text=Nature%20improves%20psychological%20wellbeing,%2C%20%26%20Kaplan%2C%202008).

Finally, a photo of the famous rock! (2015)

I leave you with one question, is there a time where you could tell that being in nature was healing? I'd love to hear about some happy memories.

[cnenvs3000w22]

Hello there!

I can definitely understand what you mean by nature having an amazing effect on people’ mental health. To answer your question, the time that I feel healing from nature is, similar to you, from sitting on a bench in the forest. A lot of the time hiking trails, or places like the University’s arboretum have a bunch of benches off to the side that are perfectly under the shade that the canopy of trees give. In the warm weather it is nice to take a break without any distractions that human made things will produce. I think what I love about this the most is that it’s quiet but not quite. All around myself I can hear the rustling of the leaves or the animals playing. Off in the distance, sometimes, I can even hear other people that are close enough as well that makes me feel a bit less alone. A reassurance at times I must mention.

Now that the weather has been getting warmer and the days are getting longer I have gotten the chance to go sit outside without shivering a minute in. Even though I am older than 20 years old it is always shocking how much of an impact daylight savings time really shows the changes of sunlight we get in a day. It was a breath of fresh air. Very much literally. That just goes to show how healing being in nature is. It does not have to be a complex trip. Just sitting in the middle of it could do wonders.

[cnenvs3000w22]

Nature's resiliency

The most amazing thing I know about nature? That is quite the hard question when you talk to someone in a study based around the environment. There is plenty to talk about but what I want to focus on today is how resilient nature is. You hear it all the time. Especially nowadays. Global warming, resources running out, species going extinct. There is a lot that is changing in the world and it is going at a speed that is too much for the environment to handle. Yet they are trying their best.

This might not be as common as I might think but I would like to reference back to the Pixar movie Wall-e. To explain it to people who are not aware of what this movie is about I will give a brief plot line. It revolves around a robot named Wall-e who remains on Earth after all humans are transported to space. The reason why humans are in space? Because the whole place had become a complete mess. Trash is everywhere, pollution has gotten out of control and there are practically zero natural things around. Besides the cockroach AND a single plant within a boot. Meeting another robot they attempt to show this plant to the humans to show them. Fast forward through the movie, in the end the humans decide that they see hope in returning to Earth and try to save it.

Now this may be a movie but there is a lot to learn from it. There is a saying that applies here. “Art imitates life.” It is not a far fetched idea that we can destroy the Earth and seek refuge in space. Many scientists have already been looking into it. Whether it be for travel or cultivation, humanity has been trying to accomplish an alternative if we reach a point ‘beyond return’. Not only that but humanity has been damaging the environment so that it is not hard that we can reach the level that the movie portrays. Consider the fact that the movie was created in 2008. Over 10 years at the time of writing this.

However, the main similarity between the movie to reality is how resilient nature is. The world was in shambles and still managed to restore something with that plant without any help. Back in the day, the biggest thing was the hole in the Ozone layer. Though we did stop what was causing the hole, we did not necessarily restore it ourselves. The atmosphere did that. One of the biggest functions of fungi is to clean up toxins. Countless of bacterias doing the same. Species coming back stronger than ever. Even trees that are around us are cleaning what we have done.

More and more stories to add onto the ones that I have stated here. The Earth has a fragile balance that we are ruining but it has its ways to restore itself. That is how amazing nature is.

[arenvs3000w22]

Music and Nature

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

Some pictures from the lake:

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

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

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

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

Annika

References

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

[cnenvs3000w22]

Hello there! I think that your post compiles a lot of the different parts of nature that can produce 'music'. Most of the time I would think of birds chirping and other things that I can hear. It was interesting to see the videos of biorhythms and other silent shows.

To respond to your question of particular music style I find to be connected to music, I would think of classical. A lot of them have names that are the number corresponding to the order of production. But they do have an additional name. A popular example of this relating back to nature is the four violin concertos, The Four Season by Vivaldi. The one that comes to mind, in particular, is Étude Op. 25, No. 11 by Chopin, also known as "Winter Wind". When listening to this I can imagine a winter scene and having the cold wind blow nonstop. Like you said, even though this song is very old, it can still connect us to the past. The information and feelings that were performed in the song can be related even though a lot of time has past since we understand how the 'cold sounds.' Both past and present, for the most part, has experienced a cold winter that it is not a hard concept to portray to those listening. That all being said it really is fascinating how nature and human are able to interact through music.

[cnenvs3000w22]

Blog post 7

Where is music in nature? In order to answer this I asked myself what exactly is 'music'? For this a general definition was given as it being a pattern of sounds created for a variety of purposes (Gray et al. 2001). This is such a broad type of definition that I think that people are capable of finding it anywhere. Including in nature. In a two way relationship, nature can be found in music.

Again, so where is music in nature? I think that it is simply in the wind rustling plants. Whenever I have a stressful day, that almost quiet noise is what comforts me the most.Then again, there are countless other examples. The most common one I can imagine the general public can state is the birds singing. It’s not like they are actually vocalizing the same as humans to call it ‘singing’. We say it like that because we find it to be similar to the music. Even if, to them, it is just them yelling where food can be found.. It’s easy to say that any of these can be “music to my ears” if you find it to be something that you can enjoy listening to. In turn, nature in music can be seen in both a literal and metaphorical sense. Whether it be used to describe a scenario through lyrics or melody, people have found a way to take their natural surroundings to create more with it.

Same with nature interpretation, depending on how we present the information can change how people take it. If you think about it, music is just another form of communication in a language that is not entirely verbal. If you play a minor chord compared to a major one, even without much technical training, the majority of people would be able to categorize one chord as sad and the other happy. Understanding the message of the information, in this case music, can change how people take it. It is all in how you choose to show it.

A song that takes me back to a natural landscape is Flower Shower by HyunA. As you can probably tell by the name, the landscape that comes to mind is a field of flowers. In the song she sings about being herself and continuing to thrive like a wildflower. In a field of flowers she will dance and create a path down it herself that will have the flowers rain down on her like a shower. Through this song she combines the idea of flowers in a beautiful sense to portray herself and the literal landscape for herself to use. Overall I find it interesting that she is able to take the well known theme of flowers to turn it into herself in a way that is positive.

I have attached the official youtube MV link below so if you want to tell me your thoughts about it or about the rest of my post I’ll be happy to hear it out.

Gray, P. Krause, B. Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C. & Baptista, L. (2001). The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music. Science. 291. 52-54

[kdenvs3000w22]

Nature Interpretation Through History

“There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity, and integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole, and if these parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things. …. To think, feel or act as though the past is done with, is equivalent to believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it.”

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

This quote unpacks heavy content, in the sense of exploring a lot of bases of history, within a couple of sentences. As humans, each one of us have been passed down information, from either a parental figure, sibling, teacher, or any books/literature we have had the privilege to indulge in. Although each teaching may be similar; for example, the process of photosynthesis will always be the same, regardless of who is explaining it. Everyone absorbs knowledge differently, with their own point of view already subjected into the topic. From this, I think the message in this quote is, as an interpreter we have the obligation to present our knowledge onto the listener or reader with full honesty and accuracy.

I find myself picturing the game I used to play as a child called “telephone”, where an individual would start the game by making up a phrase, and then passing it on to the next person beside them. The idea of the game was to see if the phrase could go around the whole circle of individuals, without being changed or forgotten. At the end, the person who created the phrase, would shout aloud what had come back to them. Oddly enough, I always remember that the phrase would be changed. Most kids changing it for fun, or to get laughs out of their peers. But in hindsight, I feel as if this was foreshadowing reality. As once we got older, it was up to us to determine if the information we gathered was the full truth. As an interpreter, we must ensure we are informing the reader or listener with a deeper insight and truth on the matter. This allows them to create their own understanding on the subject from their own individual experiences.

The Telephone Game : https://icebreakerideas.com/telephone-game/

Furthermore, the part of the quote that stated, “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.”, reminds me of how a lot of us, create our own conformational biases. Once we are given information, we stick with what we know on it. Sometimes finding it hard to release the ego, that causes us to stop exploring the other side of the “story”. But as interpreters, we need to avoid biases. As for the past to live on, we must explore the hardships and the good time’s that come with every act in history.

[cnenvs3000w22]

Hello there!

I think you made a good reference with the use of the telephone game. For myself, I could see how information through history being passed down mainly through word and bias can become muddled, exactly like the game. Going back to the quote, it does relate to the game in which the 'merit' comes from keeping everything together. Through methods of communication and who has this information, it can change the whole situation. Like you said in the telephone game some people would mess up both intentionally and unintentionally. Then the next person believes it to be true and passes that along. Continue the story. Eventually what is the truth is non-existent despite it still having an impact on the current situation.

People use that to their advantage. Portraying the dirty winners of war to become noble figures. As interpreters we do the same with our wording and ideologies to teach people the importance of the environment. This can be both a positive and negative thing. If we take the time to learn more about the history and provide the truth behind it, we have the power to inform others. To spark more in them. I think that as a nature interpreter we only play a tiny role in what happens to those that listen to us. With the short amount of time that we have we should show them the information that they need to form their own opinions. Then continue the game once more with what they believe to value and to be true.

[cnenvs3000w22]

Unpacking history

Through this quote I find that I can describe the message with the one line of, those who do not know history are destined to repeat it. To expand a bit on why I think that this saying applies here is because people do not find value in learning history. Majority of people assume that because it is all in the past, it does not apply to them in the present. Which is false. The reason why we learn history is because we need to learn patterns about human behaviours.

Let me try to break this down a bit. The first sentence, to me, is directing less towards history but why it matters. In and of itself, history is as people view it. It is something that barely touches the present if we do not bring it up. It is because we need to bring it up that gives it meaning. Or as the quote says, merit. Then we move onto the later half of the first sentence, by keeping everything that we know about our history, we maintain the value behind it. It is not the events that make it important but that we acknowledge it as a whole. The way that we convey historical events, changes the message we learn. To be a bit dark, history is mainly written by those who win. Those that are able to get their story across, the ‘knowledge and memory’, were the ones that could give it meaning. Stories of epic, high adventures could become shrewd in a way that is not entirely true. I think that the fact that we can change how we view an event based on the wording alone is fascinating. And that is how I interrupt the first half of the quote. That we give history value.

However, the second part, post the ellipses, looks more at the saying that I mentioned at the beginning of this post. That if we do not know history, we will repeat it. The train may have just passed, but it does not mean that it was never there. It has and will continue to exist after its departure. We are never truly done with the past nor can we pretend that it never did exist. If we ignore it, it is only foolish thinking that it will not affect us when it has ‘merit’ that we have put in it.

Overall I think that this quote is meant to represent what we need to understand about history and the way we present ideas. We give meaning towards things in the past. To add on, just because we do not in certain cases, it does not mean that it never existed. History has impacted us in ways that we forget and should not forget.

[ejenvs3000w22]

How the Pandemic Has Changed Our Relationship With Nature

Before the pandemic started, most of us already knew about the importance of spending time outside, since modern technology (gaming, social media, internet) has impacted the way younger generations will see the outdoors. Once COVID-19 hit, the entire world was stuck in quarantine and this started the sudden fear to go outside. I remember during the first lockdown, I started loosing my mind because I was bored and there was nothing for me to do at home. Once spring arrived and the weather got warmer, I took the initiative to do more activities outside, since there was nothing else to do inside. I began running, exercising, walking, planning picnics, and going on long bike rides along the lakeshore in Toronto. I started to absolutely love going outside. It would improve my mood, reduce anxiety, and reduce stress levels.

I realized that my solution for lockdown was to go outside. Not long after, everyone started doing it. Families were going on family walks, people began buying more dogs and brought them on walks, parks were busier than ever, and it seemed like all people wanted to do was to go out and explore nature. Research shows that being out in nature can tackle depressing feelings and the body responds physiologically to the natural world (Richardson, 2021). I strongly believe that humans have a deeper connection than we think with nature and we are all connected. People need purpose and a place. Right now, people can not properly connect with each other and nature can provide us with the need to be a part of something.

Now being two years living through the pandemic, mental health has become a very concerning issue with our society and nature can help us. We have seen that nature can improve our lives and this pandemic has unlocked a new way in which people will view the environment. Climate Change is all I hear about nowadays and there is more talk around being sustainable and having net zero carbon emissions. I think the pandemic provided us with a wake up call to stop harming the environment and to start appreciating it more.

I believe that the future can look very optimistic if we stick to new rules to become a more sustainable society. Buildings being made with gardens on the balconies, electric cars, and global companies aiming to be completely sustainable are all examples of the new innovative projects that have come from providing solutions to global warming. The pandemic has provided us with a wake up call and has made people more aware of the environmental issues that we face. Not only are people starting to love the outdoors more than ever before, but the outcome from this pandemic has sparked a new generation of nature-loving innovators that will shape our future for the better and save our planet.

Reference

Richardson, M. (2021). How the pandemic has changed our relationship with nature. How the pandemic changed our relationship with nature - Issue 13 - University of Derby. Retrieved February 11, 2022, from https://www.derby.ac.uk/magazine/issue-13/how-the-pandemic-changed-our-relationship-with-nature/

[cnenvs3000w22]

Hello there! I totally agree with you that we, humans, are attracted to nature. Though many of us have adapted to shut ourselves inside the comfort of our homes there will always be a part of us that will look back towards nature for comfort. Whether it be actually going out to have some fresh air, or just having a simple house plant inside, we always have little things around us that connect us back.

Exactly as you said, the pandemic has been both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, mental health, even physical health, have been tightrope walking the longer lockdowns continue to persist. However, it is because of this extreme condition that I find that more people have been trying to find time to take better care of themselves. When people were forced to be inside more often, they found that going outside was a lot better than they envisioned. It is through their own time and conditions and it is probably the only thing without real restrictions in a time that has to ask permission from the government to go anywhere.

On top of that we do see people trying to be more environmentally friendly because they see how much value can come from one walk outside that would be taken away if we continue ruining the environment. The pandemic has served as a time where people have looked back upon themselves and tried changing their habits. In both favour of themselves and the environment.

[cnenvs3000w22]

Blog post #5

What has been on my mind lately? The snow! I was born and raised in Canada where snow is not anything to be fascinated by but within the recent years, it has not been appearing a lot. When it does it snows for a day, piles maybe a few centimeters and starts melting pretty fast. At least that was my experience. Of course I have had my own troubles when it piles up. Shoveling for an hour only to have it cover back in seconds. Trying to drive through it. The cold! However I still find value in it continuing to cover the land. I just listed out a few negatives but there are still positives. Like receiving an email that it's a snow day and you can sleep in. Or what about going out to build creatures and forts with it. This year my dog seems to love her first snowfall as she is constantly burying her head in it and tries to eat it as it falls from the sky. (Do not worry she is supposed to be a sled dog so she is not at all cold).

Maybe it is because of the nostalgic feel that it gives that I love snow. Or maybe it is because of the reassurance that we have some show of the earth not fully destroyed by global warming. There is just something that is so sad about it being dark and cold all the time without the presence of snow to accompany it. Not to mention that Canada is well known for its winter conditions. Which is funny considering that we have all 4 seasons.

I think the thing I like most with snow is that I have friends across the globe that have never seen it in real life. Whenever it starts to snow a lot, like it has this year, I would always send them pictures. This makes them extremely happy that it reminds me of how I was as a kid. They would say stuff like how it would be fun to build things or for Christmas they would not have to settle for fake snow. Gets me thinking about how my normal experiences here are such a foregin idea to others. I view having my winter break at home, not wanting to go out with all the snow. Imagining not having that in the future is kind of sad to think about. Fun fact but one of the reasons why my parents originally immigrated to Canada from Vietnam, a place with zero snow and very hot, was because my mother loved to see snow on the tv. She thought that it was so pretty and wanted to experience it. Nowadays she really hates how cold it is.

I guess it really does come with its pros and cons. Still I find that I am really happy to have grown up with snow despite finding it really annoying at times. That is all I have to say about it if you all would like to comment your thoughts and experiences as well.

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Nature Through Art

Ok, so I will be honest. As soon as I read the blog prompt for this week, I was a bit worried. I am no artist or art interpreter, no matter how much I tell myself I can "see the deeper meaning" in a painting. My boyfriend, who is very artistically inclined, always tries to explain to me that art needs to have emotion and personality, which I struggle to understand while doing anything artistic. So trying to interpret nature through art may be a bit of a struggle for me, but I will try my best to navigate through this prompt!

Who are you to interpret nature through art? For starters, I am a student learning about all the different aspects of nature. Through university, I have learned the ins and outs of different animals, plants and ecosystems that are in our world today. From a micro to a macro scale, I'd like to say I am pretty knowledgeable in anything ecology-based. But to dig deeper, I have always found a sense of peace within nature - it's almost like my second home. Whenever I am stressed or feeling down, I walk to my local park and listen to the sounds of the stream and the wind in the branches of the tree. I have always felt happy exploring different areas and checking out the views, etc. - however, happy never fully encapsulated how I felt. There are so many other emotions attached to various features of nature; it's hard to pinpoint an exact feeling.

So, due to the nature of this blog post, I decided to google "nature art." As I scrolled through the images, there were a lot of stunning pieces, but I only connected to some. I tried to interpret the feelings and emotions behind each image. However, I only seemed to connect to a few. However, this made me realize - everyone has their own interpretations of art and nature. No one person shares the same feelings towards a particular part of nature; everyone expresses it differently. That's why no art piece is the same; "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." So in regards to the question, I am not qualified to interpret nature through art (for obvious reasons). Not one single person is - there are no qualifications that can make a person truly understand the purpose behind an art piece. I believe the interpretation lies in the "eye of the beholder." No one person is right or wrong about what an art piece is trying to convey. All that matters is that the interpretation is meaningful to you.

Now, like myself and many others, sometimes it's hard to see the beauty in some aspects of our world. For myself, it's art, but for others, it may be nature. As nature interpreters, it's our job to help people understand the beauty of nature. That comes from "the gift of beauty," which can help others connect within nature. Through my interpretation, "the gift of beauty" is assisting people in getting that "Aha!" moment, where they realize a forest isn't just a bunch of trees. This "Aha!" moment happened to me while driving to Florida with my family. As a child, I used to H A T E doing road trips, mainly because it took forever to get to the final destination. My parents would drive through the mountains in Virginia and North Carolina, typically stopping to enjoy the view. As a child, I couldn't care less - they're just mountains. However, about four years ago, I decided to do the dreaded drive with my parents. However, it was different this time around. When we stopped, the view was breathtaking; I had no clue why I complained. This was my "Aha!" moment, which was very important to me. So hopefully, as a nature interpreter, I plan to teach people nature's sense of beauty so they can get their "Aha!" moment too.

Here was my exact "Aha!" moment while driving down to Florida. The video doesn't really do it justice.

~Nicole

[cnenvs3000w22]

Hello there!

I enjoyed reading your post since I was a bit confused about the prompt this week as well. As much as I do like art I do not have the artistic eye that many others have. I can look around and see that something looks nice but it does not have the same meaning as others. I suppose that is the fun part about art and nature. It is not suppose to have the same meaning for everyone. And for yourself, it does not come at the same time. I mean I assumed you saw a tree before your trip but still something struck that one time for you. Is that not just funny to think about? That we, as nature interpreters, are trying to tell people what we see in nature in hopes to get a reaction when in reality our words may not make sense to them. They have not had that moment of realization.

It may be hard to think that art and nature could be so closely related knowing that there is science and years of evolution behind it. However it is through people putting what they see into words that they can see that there is a connection. One that some people can see and say properly to others. Then there's someone like myself, and maybe yourself, that can see it are learning the process to guide others to seeing their own pictures.

[cnenvs3000w22]

Blog post #4

I do not think that I am anyone special to interpret nature through art. I was someone that was raised to explain the concept of science. Not why we feel the way we feel about conceptual understandings and values. For the most part if I like to look at nature I do not think of it as a specific way like artists do. Talking with my friends who are art majors, or at least a bit more trained in art than I am, they are able to appreciate when something looks good and why. It would be the colour, technique, balance of everything. I just look at it and think 'wow. That looks cool.' I wouldn't be able to explain any of it besides what I feel. Then again, I could not do that properly easily.

Looking at the list of set principles and associated gifts I would say that the gift of beauty is something I can half understand. The way one interrupts a gift can change the meaning. The way that I interpret it is helping people see the beauty behind nature in a way that makes them value it enough to preserve it. This is unique because it is not focusing mainly on what they see but why is it important for people to see it the same way. When people change their goal they change the connotation and language they use.

It also can change depending on the audience. I think that kids would be similar to myself in that sense then. A lot of adults will try to find a reason to value something. Whether it be because of scientific or monetary reasons, they place logic above emotion most of the time. When it comes down to it, I think kids see the gift of beauty and can teach it better because they avoid that mindset. Why do they see it so easily and can say everything needed to teach themselves? I think it is because they can be more in touch with everything than grown ups. They thrive being outside in the fresh air and open space. They bring innocence in the way that can inspire people purely to see the way that they do because people use to have that innocence that majority of people can relate to at least at one point in their life.

That leaves me somewhere in the middle. I do not have the same mindset of a kid to see beauty as the way it is nor can I properly tell an adult that is wanting facts all the time what they have to think. Interpreting nature is different for everyone based on their experiences. For myself I still look at nature without thinking much about putting it in words. I can try to explain the value of preserving nature and its beauty and help them in seeing everything in a non-materialistic way but in the end I, currently, do not have all the skills to interpret nature as an art form and help others with that mindset.

[efenvs3000w22]

Discussion 3

I think that when it comes to nature interpretation, and even having a relationship with nature, there is a lot of ways that privilege can have a large influence. My definition of privilege is the idea that some people are born with advantages that help them to move through life and give them opportunities that others do not get simply because of the position they were born into in society. I see that I have the privilege of being born in a white middle-class family, with parents who have helped me financially be able to go to University. Because of having my parent’s support, I have been able to spend money that I have saved on trips and activities where I gained experience outdoors. This can impact people because a large part of getting a job in this field is having the skills and experience that comes with being outdoors often, like being knowledgeable on various activities and on local wildlife. Some people may not be able to get jobs in the sector simply because they were not able to get this type of experience, whether that be from financial or location reasons, or any other reasons. 

I think it is on a smaller scale as well, with my parents having 9-5 jobs so my dad had time to take me into nature on weekends. We had access to our own vehicle to get to out of the way nature areas, could do fun activities like camping because we had the equipment for it. Often people use nature as an escape from daily life, but not everyone can afford to do so or has the time and means. It can be a daunting task to go out of your comfort zone and do something for the first time by yourself, such as learning a new outdoor activity. All this to say is that privilege comes in many forms, and when it comes to nature interpretation it has a large role in shaping people’s experiences. 

It is important to consider your audience. An example I can think of is using eco-friendly products. Often these types of reusable, or low-environmental impact products (cleaning supplies, kitchen supplies, organic food etc.) are more expensive options. Not everyone can afford to purchase the more expensive option, so people’s financial abilities would be something to keep in mind when promoting actions or things that are eco-friendly. 

As a woman, I can see how going into nature on hikes, camping trips, or anything really is a risk - especially if you are alone. I think that most women I know would be hesitant to go into the woods alone for something like a hike. This has an impact on nature interpretation because you want to make sure that your outreach is accessible for a large audience, and that everyone feels comfortable and safe if you are outdoors and in charge of teaching or guiding others. Not everyone has the same level of comfort with being in nature and that is an important consideration to keep in mind. As the textbook suggests, getting to know your audience is essential for being a successful nature interpreter, and part of that is assessing your audience’s level of prior knowledge and comfortability.

[cnenvs3000w22]

Hello there, I found your post to be very interesting. The point that I liked/ thought about the most was about handicaps and eco-friendly products, as well as being a woman. As someone that is a part of both groups sometimes I forget that I am lucky that nothing extreme happened that could have restricted me from learning and doing what I wanted. At the same time, I do completely understand your point about not feeling safe while walking alone. It became just another part of my life that I thought it was normal to avoid being alone. However, it is because I am female that I am restricted in a small way that is practically invisible to me after so long. The same could be said because of a handicap. From a past incident, I am not fully mobile as others are. Though it does not restrict me on a normal walk, there are days that can make it a lot harder to keep up with other people. I am lucky enough that I can function on my own but that is not always the case. For something so simple as a walk, it can be restrictive. Going on walks in the forest there is a lack of flat plains to be wheelchair/ crutch accessible. Even in just Canada, a walk on the sidewalk in the winter is hard enough. Or as you mention, reusable environmental products. I am sure that majority of people want to be able to experience and value nature it can be hard if they do not have the resources that they need in order to do so. And so it is up to us in order to provide said accommodations to help them learn the same as everyone else.

[cnenvs3000w22]

Blog post #3

Privilege is a special advantage that someone may be given based on their gender, appearance, race, and etc. For something like nature interpretation it is meant to be inclusive for everyone to learn but with the presence of privilege that may not always be the case. Unfortunately, we live in a society where people are not equal and it can prevent people from gaining knowledge that others would have easy access to.

For myself, I am of Vietnamese/ Chinese descent that I am glad to live in Canada where multiculturalism is a bit more accepted. However, I do know that in other countries I would not be given the same opportunities as I was growing up. To give a bit of props to someone, it would be towards my parents that took the risk in immigrating to a completely unknown country that could have been worse for me. For them as well. Yet that paid off in me growing up in an environment that allowed me to learn without much constraints. Being in Canada made it easier to open myself up to new ideas while receiving an education that can relate to that.

That in of itself can be a form of privilege. Though I have had my fair share of struggles growing up, I never was at a disadvantage because of my minority. Besides my cultural minority and gender, I grew up in a standard household with little trouble in terms of others judging me.

Though I can not say it from personal experience, I can understand how privilege can play a role in nature interpretation. For one thing, someone of a lower class may not be able to have the same leisure that I did to go out and appreciate nature. In a past blog post that I wrote, I mentioned that I did not enjoy being outside. It was out of privilege that I was able to say that I can have somewhere safe to go to escape nature’s elements. That is not always the case for people who may be of lower class.

Another note is just my education that may give me an advantage. I was able to attend elementary, secondary and post secondary. However, I do know a few people who chose to join the workforce after secondary school mainly due to not having enough funds to continue their education. In one way it does put them at a disadvantage as they do not have a degree that could make them more favourable in certain jobs, On the other hand, they have gained a different set of skills and views that can not be taught in school. It was a risk that they took to not get a degree but one that they were, in a way, forced to take. 

With nature interpretation, I have a slight advantage in having professors who have studied a good part of their life teach me. I was exposed to a variety of aspects of the environment. Compared to my friends who have to learn by themselves. We are all capable of learning about the environment and appreciating it but privilege plays a role in how easy it can be to gain resources and knowledge.

[ejenvs3000w22]

My Ideal Role as an Environmental Interpreter

My role as an Environmental Interpreter would be to help humans understand our natural world and how they can form a sustainable relationship with their environment. As I stated in my first blog, people should appreciate the area around them no matter where they are in the world. Although environmental landscapes in different parts of the world are vastly distinct, people should appreciate the area around them, even if they think the area they live in is incomparable to other places on Earth.

This job entails allot of communication and background knowledge about the environment. For someone to become an Environmental Interpreter, they must have a great interest in our nature and help form the concept of humans living on Earth without harming the planet and our wildlife. Personally, I can see myself becoming an Environmental Interpreter in an environment that I am not used to seeing everyday. Although Ontario does have beautiful landscapes, I would like to work in an environment that can show all types of land formations. Ideally, Western Canada would be the best place to be an interpreter because you have access to all kinds of environmental landscapes that most people don't see in Eastern Canada.

Mountains for example, give us time to take a moment to be in awe of the natural beauty of the world. Escaping the rush and pollution of modern life and altering your perspective. Being exposed to grand landscapes like mountains can have a positive impact on your wellbeing and can help an interpreters audience to form a positive relationship with the environment. As I have previously taken classes related to science communication, there are allot of skills i've developed that can come into play with this job. Understanding what information you will present, how your targeted audience will change your approach, and ways you can make your message personal are all questions that I've already learned to answer when trying to communicate science to an audience. These questions helped me form skills that I can use as an Environmental Interpreter. Having the ability to communicate a message with an audience without boring them and understanding how to package that message for your audience are important skills you need as an interpreter for nature.

[cnenvs3000w22]

Hey there!

I think that you have a really good point about humans appreciating nature around them even without super fancy things. There are definitely times when I, even though I have been a thousand times, would still find myself enjoying a simple walk in the university’s arboretum. At the same time I can still picture that I would have a similar reaction to places completely different like mountain sides.

I agree with you that an environmental interpreter should be, both, knowledgeable and caring towards the environment. While having one of these characteristics is important, it is only by having both that they are truly able to make a difference. At least in my opinion. In my eyes, even if they are knowledgeable they could not really care or vice versa they care but can not help because they do not know how to. That is why your point on humans appreciating nature is important. It is because they love it so naturally, they put time and effort into building onto their skills. And it is up to environmental interpreters, like us, to support them in a way that can only be described as a positive experience for them.

We learn so much in school about how to scientifically explain key concepts in the natural world that we do not think that the simplest method would be easiest. Knowing our audience, we can effectively communicate our ideas. Whether it be the person knowledgeable but uncaring to the caring but not knowledgeable.

[cnenvs3000w22]

Blog post #2

To be an ideal environmental interpreter, in my eyes, would be to make the experience fun and educational. I am not entirely sure of what I want to be in the future that would include this but one personal example that I know of is when I volunteered to be a summer camp helper at the Kortright conservation site.

A question that one of the kids asked me that struck me off for a second was “why do we have this building (the main center) in the middle of the forest? Wouldn’t it take up space from the forest already here?” This threw me off for a second until I realized how they made full use of the center’s position. It was not like they placed a building in the middle of a forest purely for aesthetic reasons. The Kortright center was in the middle of a vast forest, had a small lake, a diverse collection of plants and animals, that made use of it to teach the general public of its beauty and all it has to offer. To answer the kid, I told them that without the center being here, they would not have the chance to experience everything that they could. 

I think that is what made the whole thing work. Through this camp we would focus specifically on doing activities in different environments in a way that kids would never have experienced in their daily lives. Majority of the kids lived within the GTA. They would not really get the chance to cool down in the summer by walking the river to observe some marine creatures. Even if they did, with us volunteers and camp counselors we were able to give them information that they may not have known prior. Countless more examples.

While I say a lot that it was because of the center’s location that they were able to learn, they have a lot of thanks to give to the workers there that knew the place like the back of their hand. The skill that I admired was both in how friendly they interacted with the kids and how knowledgeable they were. It was not like everything was taught to them. One that I worked with was able to identify the majority of trees and another, amphibians. They were able to apply what they learned prior to the job to their advantage. All the time, kids would go up to them to ask them questions about identifying the organisms and help them in learning that skill themselves. It did not feel like they were teaching them like in school. It was like friends talking to each other about a new trick they could do.

I do not believe that my ideal role in nature interpretation would be in the same position but I do hope that I can create an impact in the same way. I would need to improve on my knowledge about certain aspects and interpersonal skills. More importantly, it is about combining these two concepts in order to properly create a memorable experience for those wishing to learn more about the environment.