Nature Interpretation Blog

Cidalia's Blog for ENVS 3000 DE

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Unit 10: My Ethics as an Intepreter

So here we are, finally rounding out the end of the semester, the last round of blog posts. This course has given me the opportunity to analyse and reflect on many different aspects of a topic I had a lot of intuitive understanding of, but one which I had not given much serious thought before now. I was also able to learn about several topics I had never considered before, and learn from a variety of different points of view through all of your posts. Of course, this week’s prompt is just as thought provoking as ever. 

In considering my personal ethic as a natural interpreter, I was forced to analyse the ethical views I hold in all aspects of my life. As a human being interacting with other human beings in this thing we call a society, I value things like honesty, responsibility, integrity, empathy, and above all, respect. These are important character traits that I try my best to embody in my own life, and hope that others offer to me. They are also important traits when acting as a nature interpreter, both for my own interpretation and as a group interpreter. 

As interpreters, we all bring certain biases into our interpretations. To be human is to be incapable of objectivity. Because of this, the next best thing is to be conscious of these personal biases, and let them affect my interpretation as little as possible. In a previous unit, we did a bit of reflection on our unconscious biases and unpacked our ‘invisible backpacks’ to get a better understanding of where each of us are at as we each come to the table as interpreters. This exercise was a good reminder of some of the parts of my identity as an interpreter which cloud my interpretation. No matter what, by virtue of the fact that we are all individuals with unique lived experiences, I will have inherently different points of view, which I have to make sure I am conscious of as I present various elements of nature and the world around us through an interpretive lens. 

Some of the things which influence me whether I like it or not are things like the circumstances of my upbringing, my education, my gender and my ethnicity. These are things which play a role in how I view the stories I will be sharing as an interpreter, and they have the potential to alienate my audience, or help us connect. There are many other factors which will influence my effectiveness as an interpreter. For instance, I have a strong inclination toward enjoying the outdoors, and get a sense of fulfillment from being in nature and learning about the various processes which make up the world around me. I conduct my interpretation through a naturalist lens, informed by my study of biology and general interest in pretty much all aspects of science. This offers me many advantages in explaining certain concepts and offering an interpretation consistent with our modern understanding of the world, but it also has the potential to alienate or just plain bore some people.

Respect is, in my opinion, the most basic and important ethics and character trait to reflect on. Respect for the environment we are interpreting, respect for the people I am helping in interpretation, and their respect for both of us are crucial elements of effective interpretation. It almost goes without saying that without this basic respect, nothing really meaningful can come of any interpretation which is done. From this basic understanding, all the other ethics come fairly naturally. 

Honesty comes with respect, and it is a vital part of building interpersonal relationships, and being an effective leader. Part of my role and duty as an interpreter is to be honest and truthful with my audience. A blog post that I began to write and which slowly morphed into a couple of thousand words’ worth of rambling focused on the HBO series Chernobyl. This 2019 miniseries focuses on the cost of lies and the value of the truth when disaster strikes and people’s lives are at risk. Eventually I may finish that essay (?), but at least I get to reference it here, along with the excellent show which inspired it.

Responsibility is another crucial element of being a good environmental interpreter. I feel an inherent responsibility to be a good steward of this Earth, and in my role as an interpreter, I have that same feeling of responsibility to instill that sense of stewardship through my interpretation and storytelling. I also feel it important to have a sense of responsibility towards those I am leading in interpretation, both in terms of their physical safety, and ensuring that they are receiving accurate, measured information, and hearing as many well reasoned points of view as possible.

Integrity goes hand in hand with honesty, but in my mind encompasses a general sense of not only being truthful, but also having that sense of responsibility and duty to what is true and what is right, even when no one is around to see. It means not being compromising in one’s ideals, while at the same time not being afraid to change one’s mind when new information is provided. This is, in my opinion, the trait which ties the rest together, and is especially important in education.

Empathy is, if you ask me, an underrated virtue. It invokes a sense of emotional vulnerability, but I find that it also aids one in understanding and being receptive to other people’s feelings, and one’s own. I think if more people were more empathetic, there would be far fewer problems in the world. I also think that when considering nature interpretation, or any kind of education, empathy is crucial to being a good teacher and understanding a student's needs. 

As we close out the semester and look to the future, there is a lot to think about. With each passing day, I feel more and more that we now stand on the precipice of several monumental changes. Anyone reading this now has already lived through many of them, both good and bad. The 24 Hour news cycle, the Internet, climate change, social media, the pandemic… “we didn’t start the fire!” 

It is not inconceivable that a person alive right now will set foot on another planet. It is extremely likely that they will be doing so in an effort to help our species find refuge from an increasingly inhospitable home. As nature interpreters, we must do our part, working in classrooms and board rooms and recording studios and maybe even in the stars, to work ethically, with respect, integrity, duty, honesty, and empathy, to offer truthful and meaningful lessons about the world around us.

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Hi Ryan!

Thank you so much for such a wonderful final blog post.

I would like to say that I loved going through your whole blog site as I found it very engaging, and it exhibits your passion for the natural world.

Your layout for this post is what originally caught my attention. Each of the values you have listed resonate with me as they coincide with my own values as an individual and as a nature interpreter.

Respect – undoubtedly, I agree that this character trait is beyond essential. The bare minimum if you will. I had mentioned this in my original post and cannot stress it enough. Whether you’re interacting with your audience as a nature interpreter, working with your colleagues/peers on a project, standing next to a stranger at the grocery store, or visiting a national park – we should always consciously remember to treat others with the utmost respect. Specifically, the point you made regarding other ethics coming naturally from obtaining a basic understanding of respect stuck out to me. I could not agree more that respect comes into play with the following values; however, I would like to focus on the responsibility aspect that you had mentioned.

Responsibility – I believe that respect is a requirement for carrying out any type of responsibility. You must show respect to all who is involved, as well as yourself. One thing that helps me in committing to and staying consistent with my responsibilities is thinking of its purpose and why it is important. Like you said, it is our responsibility to be good stewards of this Earth by caring for it accordingly. I often actively reflect on why doing so is important and ways I can show my respect and appreciation. This ensures that I am held accountable for said responsibilities. In turn, by honouring your commitment to this earth you are portraying the other values. You are showing empathy to the living beings that are unable to advocate for themselves. You are displaying your strong morals; actions speak louder than words.

Overall, I found your perspective amiable and refreshing. Keep up the great work! I wish you the best of luck on the remainder of the semester and all your future endeavours.

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Nature Interpretation's Role in Environmental Sustainability

Hi everyone,

Wow, how time flies! I cannot believe that I am writing my last blog post for this semester. It has been a pleasure getting to know all of you over the course of this semester. I have enjoyed reading all your thoughts and opinions through each blog post.

I will admit when I enrolled in this course I did not fully understand what it meant to be a nature interpreter. Now that we have reached the final unit, I can confidentially say that not only am I well-informed on what nature interpretation is, I was able to discover who I am as a nature interpreter.

These weekly blog posts have provided me with the opportunity to take the time to reflect on who I am as a nature interpreter. Through these reflections I was able to come to a better understanding of what this title means to me. I have realized that my role of a nature interpreter consists of helping others better understand the significant part that the earth plays into their lives and ways that we can show our gratitude by looking after it. My main goal as a nature interpreter is to help people deepen their own relationships with nature and get them excited in doing so.

This course has taught me so much about nature interpretation and the responsibilities associated as such. From this, I have been able to construct my own personal ethics related to being a nature interpreter.

First, I would say my own personal ethics go hand in hand with being a nature interpreter. I value being fair, understanding, accepting, kind, respectful, welcoming, compassionate, considerate, and caring to all forms of life. These attributes are important in both my personal life and in my role as a nature interpreter.

Also, my personal ethic as a nature interpreter values inclusivity. As a nature interpreter, it is my responsibility to provide my audience with an enjoyable experience while being accommodating to everyone.

Earlier in the semester, when I first wrote about what type of nature interpreter I am, I talked about how I would prioritize incorporating a wide range of multiple intelligence activities that cater to the different learning styles (Beck et al., 2018). As the semester progressed, I learned how necessary it is to accommodate to the various learning styles and circumstances so my nature interpretation can be useful and accessible for everyone. The textbook mentions some characteristics of being an effective nature interpreter, such as being a good speaker and being able to adapt to the needs of their audience (Beck et al., 2018). I further considered strategies for implementing this. Some examples of ideas I have thought of included providing hands on activities for tactile learners, offering pamphlets and YouTube demonstration videos for visual learners and to incorporate Q&A sections during presentations for auditory learners.

Specifically, I found the group podcast was an educational experience for both myself and our viewers. I believe that participating in the group podcast assignment significantly helped me improve as a nature interpreter as I was able to execute my acquired skills and knowledge. As a tactile learner this project was a great educational tool for me. This assignment taught me so much about engaging in nature interpretation through hands on activity, that I believe I would not have been able to grasp as well had it been through just reading the textbook.

Although we faced a few challenges during the recording process, I am grateful to have been granted this amazing opportunity for learning and advancing my skills as a nature interpreter. I was able to practice and improve my public speaking, pronunciation and overall nature interpretation skills. Additionally, our group had to come up with ideas for keeping our audience interested, entertained and attentive. To keep the podcast upbeat and entertaining for our younger listeners, we implemented our creativity using jokes and music. We also made sure to write our script using simple language so that our listeners can easily follow along and understand, as suggested in the textbook (Beck et al., 2018).

I am glad to have had the privilege of being able to access the recording studio and utilize its tools for producing our group podcast. This granted opportunity was a new and fascinating way to help build on our levels of experience and capabilities.

As discussed previously in the semester, education and its resources are a privilege, which unfortunately are not accessible to everyone around the world. The textbook mentions that there are a variety of possible barriers that can prevent someone from being able to participate in nature interpretation (Beck et al., 2018). As a nature interpreter it is my responsibility to take these barriers into consideration so that I can come up with ways for anyone to fairly engage in nature interpretation.

Nature interpreters serve an honourable role in educating others and advocating for the environment and the living beings within it who are unable to advocate for themselves.

Overall, I truly enjoyed learning about every topic that this course offered me. I must say I feel quite prideful in my development as a nature interpreter over the course of the semester. I am grateful to have been able to have taken this course as I feel that it has helped me build my relationship with nature. Often, life gets in the way, and it is easy to lose touch with things that bring you joy and peace, and I believe that this course has been successful in strengthening my connection with nature. I will continue to implement all I have learned from this course in my daily life.

Wishing you all the best of luck with your future endeavours! Take care.

P. S. Please don't forget to take time to un-plug tomorrow at 8:30 PM for Earth Hour!!

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For A Better World. Sagamore Publishing.

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Making Sense of Nature Interpretation

Choosing one topic to discuss for this week's Blog post was a little challenging, especially since I have learned so many different intriguing facts over the duration of my studies in biology at the University of Guelph. Choosing one amazing fact about nature did not come easily to me, since nature is full of interesting aspects.

To me, I find every aspect of nature to be breathtaking. Whether it is plants, animals, landscape, etc. Although, I will say I particularly love learning about every area of nature, I especially love learning about animals.

As many of you may have already heard the tragic story of the MarineLand orca Kiska, who recently passed away in captivity. Kiska swam alone in a tank at the theme park for over a decade.

This situation has been on my mind and has encouraged me to think about the effects of animals in captivity versus in their natural habitats, especially on large marine mammals.

Unfortunately, the orca population has been rapidly declining, in which the Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) have been declared as an endangered species. As of October 2021, there are only 72 living SRKWs (University of British Columbia, 2021).

I want to use this opportunity to discuss this beautiful species and shed light on their amazing qualities, bringing focus to the importance of healthy environmental conditions and resource availability for this species to thrive in.

So, let’s share some cool facts about these remarkable creatures!

Orcinus orcas (more commonly known as the killer whale) are marine mammals that can swim as fast as 50 km per hour! S P E E D. They often travel with their pods and matriarch lineages, averaging to approximately 120 kilometres each day (Whale Trail, 2018). Each orca has specific markings referred to as “saddle patches” which are located behind their dorsal fins, making them identifiable from others – kind of like fingerprints for humans (Whale Trail, 2018).

Also, orcas have the second largest brain weighing in at roughly 17 pounds!! (Whale Trail, 2018). No wonder they are so smart ;)

To put it into perspective, the average human brain weighs around 3 pounds (Winston Medical Center, 2023).

Female adult orcas average 5.4 – 6.1 meters in length, weighing between 6,000-8,000 pounds. Whereas males are typically 6.7 - 7.3 meters and between 8,000-10,000 pounds. The life expectancy for this large marine mammal can be anywhere between 30 to 100 years (Whale Trail, 2018).

One fact that is exceptionally interesting is that orcas can use echolocation to help detect their prey! Killer whales can use echolocation to detect fish in areas where they cannot visually see, up to distances as far as 500 ft (NOAA Fisheries, 2015).

These wonderful organisms and their surrounding environment must be preserved. More effort needs to be put towards protecting this species. We need to think of ways to provide organisms with the resource availability to allow them to live safely in their natural habitats.

Everyone can do their part in being conscientious when it comes to:

Recycling / disposing waste

Using plastic materials / hazardous materials - 78% of marine mammals are at risk of choking on plastic (Fleshman, 2021).

Refraining from over-fishing / resource availability

Boycotting captivity (ie SeaWorld, Marineland etc)

References

Fleshman, R. (2021, September 7). Environmental Fun Facts. KPWB. Retrieved March 18th, 2023, from https://kpwb.org/environmental-fun-facts-2/

NOAA Fisheries (2020, June 15). Sound Strategy: Hunting with the Southern Residents, Part 2. NOAA. Retrieved March 18th, 2023, from https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/sound-strategy-hunting-southern-residents-part-2#:~:text=Echolocation%20allows%20killer%20whales%20to,see%20in%20the%20dark%20water

The Whale Trail (2018). Southern Resident Killer Whale. TheWhaleTrail.org. Retrieved March 18th, 2023, from https://thewhaletrail.org/wt-species/southern- residentkillerwhale/

University of British Columbia. (2021). No apparent shortage of prey for southern resident killer whales in Canadian waters during summer. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 17th, 2023, from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211012112222.htm

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Nature Interpretation through Music

Music is something that is integrated in my everyday life. Honestly, I simply don't know how to go a day without it. Cleaning, doing homework, walking my dog, exercising, driving. I constantly have music playing throughout my day.

When considering music and nature, there are many ways one can interpret this concept. For instance, one can simply listen to sounds made by nature as a form of music. Many forms of music even include recorded sounds from nature. Such as raindrops, thunderstorms, birds chirping, waves clashing, and so much more. A specific example of a form of music is called Biophony, which can be defined as the cumulative sound produced by organisms within a specific biome (Clarke, 2022). Personally, I find sounds from nature to be very calming and help me to relieve feelings of stress and anxiety. Often, when I am struggling to fall asleep or just relax, I play nature white noise sounds (I especially like ones with whale noises, bird noises, and heavy rain).

Others, use references of nature to convey particular feelings and emotions in their music. I would say nature in music helps provide a sensational impact. In fact, many of the greatest sources of inspiration has be drawn from nature and many artists use symbols of nature to express themselves in songs.

Many other songs have been inspired by environmental issues, and have used music as a way to advocate for making a change for the better. The textbook mentions how music can be used to bring awareness to nature and resource issues, which has resulted in many positive outcomes (Beck et al., 2018).

The following link includes some examples (feel free to check them out and add to your playlists! ;) ) :

Nature is beautiful. From the thick green forests to the oceans, clear blue skies, dusty desert sunsets, and water creeks. Sadly, human acti

Either way, combining the beautiful aspects of nature and music can be utilized as such a powerful tool of expression. Music can truly be an enchanting and compelling way in providing others with a deeper understanding of the importance of nature, strengthening their connections with nature (Beck et al., 2018).

References:

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

Clarke, N. (2022, August 15). What is biophony? Definition and examples. earth.fm. https://earth.fm/glossary/what-is-biophony-definition-and-examples/

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Nature Interpretation through History

For this week’s blog post I will be trying to unpack the following quote to the best of my ability:

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

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

I believe that the interpretation of this quote may vary for everyone, based on how they personally relate to it and resonate with it. For me, I personally felt as though this quote symbolizes the importance of gaining a deeper understanding of history with integrity. The quote exclaims that to maintain a thorough level of integrity in modern interpretations, the past must be taken into consideration as well.

The quote graciously implies that the past holds valuable insight and wisdom that can be used to maintain and better our current world. I believe that the validity of this point is nearly undeniable, as it is relevant to all aspects of life. Knowledge on the world’s history allows for one to be able to consider humanity’s greatest triumphs and progression, which need to be considered to continue to grow and develop for a brighter future.

This is also applicable in nature interpretation. We must not become blind-sighted by forgetting lessons learned from the past. Many historical moments have revealed important insight that should follow us through our journeys in order to prevent mistakes made in the past and try to fix the problems that have been done. I believe that the quote is reminding us not to let history repeat itself.

The following link includes 10 key moments that have shaped environmental history:

These historical milestones (along with many others) have influenced the development of the environmental movement. I believe that it is our duty to graciously and righteously pass on the knowledge of and the wisdom gained from these moments.

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Nature Interpretation through Art

As someone who loves using art as a form of stress relief, I found this week blog prompt quite intriguing. There are a wide variety of materials and tools that artists can utilize when interpreting nature. Whether it be expressed through dance, theatre, poetry, visual arts, the potential to convey important and powerful messages regarding nature’s beauty is limitless (Beck et al, 2018). According to the textbook, Interpreting Culture and Natural Heritage for a Better World, the principle of “the gift of beauty” can be defined as “interpretation should instill in people the ability and desire, to sense beauty in their surroundings and to provide spiritual uplift and to encourage resource preservation” (Beck et al, 2018).

The concept of “the gift of beauty” is subjective and varies for everyone, in which an individual’s perception can be influenced based on their personal values, views and culture. There is no correct way to interpret nature as it is so personal and unique to each person. Personally, I interpret “the gift of beauty” as the feelings that being in nature brings me. Joy, admiration, gratitude, a calming sense of peace and hope. The little details are truly just a wonderful thing that helps ground me and take time to appreciate the little things in life. Using art is a great form of expressing these feelings when I struggle to put them into words.

When I was younger, I went to many different arts focused summer camps where I developed a variety of skills. During my time at the Glenhyrst Art Gallery's summer camp, we spent a significant amount of time outside finding things in nature to paint and draw. The camp counsellors integrated many opportunities to express what we were interpreting from being in nature through many forms of art. For instance, I remember sitting under an oak tree and being instructed to sketch every little detail in the bark while also focusing on the surroundings in depth. At the time I remember a part of me was confused as to why we weren’t focusing on more “interesting” and “creative” things to draw. However, overtime my appreciation for nature grew much stronger and I was able to further expand my mind and see the beauty in what previously appeared to be just a simplistic focal point. I believe that these calming activities helped me with connecting with and interpreting nature from a young age. Now, I can thoroughly see how captivating each little sound, smell, and sight can be. I am grateful to have such a wonderful experience and such passionate counsellors as it helped construct my own concept of the gift of beauty. To this day, when I am feeling overwhelmed or just need a moment of clarity, I love getting outside and drawing and/or photographing the things I see outside as a form of grounding myself.

Overall, I believe that expressing one's interpretation of nature through art is quite sensational.

Beck, L., Cable T. T. & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For A Better World. Sagamore Venture.

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Recognizing Privilege

There are many ways one could define privilege, making providing just one definition difficult.

I believe that this is a definition that may vary amongst each person, which could be influenced based on their own perceptive and levels of gratitude. For instance, something that one may consider ordinary may be something that someone else has always dreamed of having.

There are many different aspects to consider when defining what privilege means. Such as, socioeconomic status, race, gender, education etc.

To put it simply, my working definition of privilege is being granted with unearned assets/opportunities. Privilege provides specific people with an advantage that others may have to work very hard for and/or may be completely unattainable. Privilege is not having to be concerned by obstacles that other individuals may face.

This concept can be better dissected by understanding what it means to “unpack your invisible knapsack”. The concept of an invisible knapsack indicates that each person will have a varying view and perception of privilege until taught otherwise (Gallavan, 2005).

A personal experience that constructed my own invisible knapsack is when I took a trip to India with my mother in the fourth grade. Although I was quite young at the time, this was an eye-opening experience that I will never forget. It made me realize how lucky I was in comparison to the conditions that the people living there had to face on the daily. I witnessed many extreme cases of poverty that provided me with a new perceptive on privilege and graditude. I remember being quite confused about why we had to thoroughly boil water before drinking it, or why people were shoveling heaping piles of garbage into bodies of water. Within the first week of being there I got very ill from all the pollution that my body was not used to. I still remember the heartbreaking feeling of seeing the abundance of stray animals and homeless people that were incredibly malnourished. I found a stray dog with a litter of puppies sleeping in the park around the corner from where I was staying, in which the locals refused to for safety reasons. However, I will admit that my stubborn self snuck out quite a few times to bring them blankets, water, and food. Looking back at it, it probably was not the smartest decision for my safety but honestly, I have no regrets.

Unfortunately, this type of lifestyle was all too common to those living there.

I can confidently say that this trip changed my life and shaped me into the person I am today.

When looking at the role that privilege plays into nature interpretation, opportunity and barriers are also big factors that comes into play. Although everyone deserves the opportunity to participate in nature interpretation, unfortunately many people face barriers that prevent them from doing so. For instance, cultural barriers may prevent individuals from experiencing wildlife and outdoor activities. Barriers may be created by a lack of accessibility options (ie wheelchair ramps) for those who are facing disabilities (Beck et al., 2018). Economic barriers may prevent someone from being able to drive/travel to a destination. Another barrier that may prevent individuals from accessing nature could be the costs of protective wear/gear (winter clothing, hiking shoes, umbrellas etc) (Beck et al., 2018). These are all opportunities that can help build levels of experience and knowledge, in which some people may not have the privilege of being able to afford and/or experience (Gallavan, 2005).

I think it is so important to actively reflect on the opportunities that we have been granted. It is a privilege to be surrounded by all the forms of nature we as a community must remember that.

We need to be grateful for the earth that we live in and care for it accordingly.

Beck, L., Cable T. T. & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage for a better world. Sagamore Venture.

Gallavan, N.P. (2005). Helping teachers unpack their “invisible knapsacks”. Multicultural Education, 13(1), 36.

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Teaching Learners

Environmental interpreters play an honourable role in helping individuals gain a deeper understanding of the environment that surrounds them. The role of an environmental interpreter consists of examining and highlighting the alluring characteristics of nature. To me, a good environmental interpreter takes the time to educate themselves on both the biophysical and cultural aspects related to the setting. Additionally, an efficient environmental interpreter has gained direct experiences that exhibit their dedication and excitement that align with their values interpreted. By taking the time to educate themselves and others on the importance of caring for the environment, they are building on their own personal relationship with nature and helping other individuals to as well.

When I think of my earliest memory of an environmental interpreter, it would have to be when I was in the first grade during a class field trip to visit Apps Mills Nature Centre. Apps Mills offered a variety of outdoor and indoor programs and had a beautiful hiking trail surrounded by forests, fields, and wetlands. I remember all the tour guides being very passionate about nature and wanting to teach us all about the living organisms within the conservation area.

The guides organized many engaging and educational activities for us to enjoy. For instance, the tour guides showed us the importance of wetlands through activities and animal exhibits within their wildlife centre (where we got to see turtles, birds, snakes, and many insects).

Another example of these interactive activities included participating in a marsh invertebrate identification activity which allowed us to put our new knowledge to the test by catching invertebrates with nets and identifying them using a dichotomous key tool.

We also got to tap maple trees to collect syrup and build shelters using branches we found in the forest.

When considering my ideal role of an environmental interpreter, I believe it would be similar to the role of the guides at Apps Mills. Individuals should learn about the importance of environmental preservation early on and providing them with fun experiences is a great way to do so. This may entail conducting educational programs for visitors and/or organizing nature tour walks. The primary goal should be to provide individuals with a positive experience outdoors for them to connect with nature, while simultaneously promoting sustainable environmental practices. Such as, tree planting, recycling, and reducing carbon emissions.

After taking the "What's Your Learning Style?" quiz, my results indicated that I am 55% a tactile learner, 30% an auditory learner, and 15% a visual learner. Meaning I learn best through experiences and active application. A good interpreter must be able to adapt to the needs of their audience and work towards catering to the different learning styles. For my role as an environmental interpreter, I would prioritize integrating a wide variety of multiple intelligence activities to ensure that I am catering to all the different learning styles (Beck et al., 2018).

All in all, environmental interpreters serve a very important role in educating others and advocating for the environment, which helps shape this world into a better place.

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. SAGAMORE Publishing.

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Hey Cidilia,

I appreciate your insight about the many ways interpretation can be meaningful. I would agree that a passion for the subject, as well being conscientious with their audience. There are not only numerous learning styles to consider, but also many different knowledge bases and worldview that each audience member may bring with them when engaging with an interpreter. I think this just furthers the point that a strong interpreter needs to be adaptable.

I enjoyed hearing about your experience at Apps Mills. I think it highlights how quality interpretation can leave a lasting impression, and inspire people to pursue further education with nature. It sounds like you participated in a variety of hands-on activities, which works well since as you said you are a strong tactile learner, but it sounds like they may have had some exhibits or other presentation types as well.

Thanks for sharing!

Nolan

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Unit 02: Teaching Learners

Importance and Roles of an Environmental Interpreter

Environmental interpreters are essential in engaging the public to form a meaningful connection to the environment and world around us. The Environmental Interpretation Manual for Protected Areas in the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System describes environmental interpreters as people who specialize in making an entertaining and critical interpretation of the realities that can be observed in a natural and social area. The purpose of environmental interpretation is to help humans understand the natural world and help people create a positive, lasting sustainable relationship with the environment (Youngentob & Hostetler, 2018). 

When reflecting on who I would want to be as an environmental interpreter, I think of the interpreters I have encountered in past scenarios. More specifically, I think of encounters that I’ve experienced from both my childhood and adulthood. As a child I found that the most engaging presentations were ones that involved a lot of visual stimulation. I also found tactile exercises really beneficial to learn from even if I wasn’t the one chosen for the demonstrations. Through experiences I have faced, I find that the most effective forms of environmental interpretation are those that can grab both children and adult’s attention. An example that reflects this is when I witnessed a Wild Ontario educational presentation in Algonquin Park, Ontario. The presentation was targeted towards children, but it was very effective because it caught the attention of adults as well. I think this quality should not be overlooked because if parents are interested, it encourages them to experience more environmental interpretation opportunities and exhibits, which provides education for current and future generations.

Einstein the Great Horned Owl, picture taken from myself in Algonquin Park, Ontario during a Wild Ontario presentation in August 2022.

Skills required to be an effective environmental interpreter includes being a good speaker that exudes confidence, enthusiasm and amiability (Beck et al., 2018). It is important that interpreters leave a lasting impression and this is most effectively done with simple language so that non-experts can understand the information that is being delivered (Beck et al., 2018). It is also important that interpreters acknowledge that individuals learn through three different learning styles; auditory, visual and tactile. As an environmental interpreter, I would incorporate teaching styles that would benefit each of the three types of learners. This would include having a captivating voice and story-telling ability, including visuals in presentations, as well as if it's possible to include hands-on activities that relate to what information is being shared. 

My ideal role as an environmental interpreter would include the past skills I have mentioned. I would aim to use creativity and passion to teach my audience what I know rather than teaching purely through memorization of scripts. By making personal connections with my audience, the chances of them retaining the valuable information would be much higher. Although it may seem unattainable, my ideal job as an environmental interpreter would be at Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica where I would educate the public on the vast diversity of life we have on our planet, and the importance of preservation for species at risk. There is no better place to do so than in one of the most diverse regions on earth. Although I have never been, this park holds incredibly diverse wildlife especially due to its tropical climate. This is an incredible location to teach about biodiversity which is the topic that I am most passionate about and have dedicated my undergraduate degree to! 

Images of Corcovado National Park signage and landscape taken from World Atlas website.

References

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage : for a better world. Sagamore Venture.

Dodd, C. (2021) Corcovado National Park, WorldAtlas. WorldAtlas. Available at: https://www.worldatlas.com/national-parks/corcovado-national-park.html (Accessed: January 21, 2023).

Environmental Interpretation Manual for Protected Areas in the MBRS. Convention on Biological Diversity . Available at: https://www.cbd.int/doc/pa/tools/Environmental%20interpretation%20manual%20for%20protected%20areas%20in%20the%20MBRS.pdf (Accessed: January 19, 2023).

Youngentob, K.N. and Hostetler, M.E. (2018) Environmental interpretation: How to communicate persuasively. Available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW182 (Accessed: January 20, 2023).

[csaenvs3000w23]

Hi Catherine!

Your photo of Einstein the Great Horned Owl put such a large smile on my face! How adorable!

I really enjoyed reading your post, thank you for such a well-developed contribution. I agree with a lot of your definition of the role of an environmental interpreter and the required skills that you had mentioned.

Based off your post, you seem like the perfect candidate for the role of an environmental interpreter at the Corcovado Nation Park. When I envision my ideal role of an environmental interpreter, this is the exact description that comes to mind. I have always wanted to visit Costa Rica, and your post has really persuaded me further. You seem like someone who is very passionate about the environment and aims to inspire others to better their relationships with nature. I believe that these are all qualities needed to be an effective environmental interpreter. I say, follow whatever makes you happy! Anything is attainable if you set your mind to it!

I wish you the best of luck with your goals and I am excited to see what else you share over the course of this semester!

[csaenvs3000w23]

Teaching Learners

Environmental interpreters play an honourable role in helping individuals gain a deeper understanding of the environment that surrounds them. The role of an environmental interpreter consists of examining and highlighting the alluring characteristics of nature. To me, a good environmental interpreter takes the time to educate themselves on both the biophysical and cultural aspects related to the setting. Additionally, an efficient environmental interpreter has gained direct experiences that exhibit their dedication and excitement that align with their values interpreted. By taking the time to educate themselves and others on the importance of caring for the environment, they are building on their own personal relationship with nature and helping other individuals to as well.

When I think of my earliest memory of an environmental interpreter, it would have to be when I was in the first grade during a class field trip to visit Apps Mills Nature Centre. Apps Mills offered a variety of outdoor and indoor programs and had a beautiful hiking trail surrounded by forests, fields, and wetlands. I remember all the tour guides being very passionate about nature and wanting to teach us all about the living organisms within the conservation area.

The guides organized many engaging and educational activities for us to enjoy. For instance, the tour guides showed us the importance of wetlands through activities and animal exhibits within their wildlife centre (where we got to see turtles, birds, snakes, and many insects).

Another example of these interactive activities included participating in a marsh invertebrate identification activity which allowed us to put our new knowledge to the test by catching invertebrates with nets and identifying them using a dichotomous key tool.

We also got to tap maple trees to collect syrup and build shelters using branches we found in the forest.

When considering my ideal role of an environmental interpreter, I believe it would be similar to the role of the guides at Apps Mills. Individuals should learn about the importance of environmental preservation early on and providing them with fun experiences is a great way to do so. This may entail conducting educational programs for visitors and/or organizing nature tour walks. The primary goal should be to provide individuals with a positive experience outdoors for them to connect with nature, while simultaneously promoting sustainable environmental practices. Such as, tree planting, recycling, and reducing carbon emissions.

After taking the "What's Your Learning Style?" quiz, my results indicated that I am 55% a tactile learner, 30% an auditory learner, and 15% a visual learner. Meaning I learn best through experiences and active application. A good interpreter must be able to adapt to the needs of their audience and work towards catering to the different learning styles. For my role as an environmental interpreter, I would prioritize integrating a wide variety of multiple intelligence activities to ensure that I am catering to all the different learning styles (Beck et al., 2018).

All in all, environmental interpreters serve a very important role in educating others and advocating for the environment, which helps shape this world into a better place.

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. SAGAMORE Publishing.

[aebenvs3000w23-blog]

My Relationship with Nature

My current relationship with nature is something I describe as beautiful. I use nature, the great outdoors, as a de-stressor and an escape from day to day life.

My husband and I go on many camping adventures. Not only is it a cheap way to travel, it is also a great way to be immersed in nature for a week or weekend. I always find myself coming back from our camping trips relaxed and more grounded. I feel a sense of having a recharged attitude in my daily life. Sure, I may be a little tired and dirty (depending on the shower arrangements), but I always wish I could stay out in the wilderness longer.

(My daughter, Mary Ellen, and my two dogs Charlie (blond) and Oliver (black) at Valens Lake Conservation Area)

There is an abundance of research that proves many different types of natural experiences can be linked with mental health benefits. There are both cognitive and physiological benefits to walking in a natural environment verses an urban setting (BRATMAN et al., 2019). There is a large range of evidence that proves being in nature can benefits someone’s mental health on a short-term basis (BRATMAN et al., 2019). There is still work to be done to determine the effects on long term mental health (BRATMAN et al., 2019).

As a child, my family had a seasonal trailer in the Bruce Peninsula filled with a lot of amazing memories. I feel like the summers I spent in the area shaped me into the nature lover I am today. We were always out adventuring. Whether that meant walking around the camp ground, swimming in Georgian Bay, or what we called “bear hunting” which was really just family car rides at dusk looking for black bears and other wild life.

(Exploring the open waters in the Bruce Peninsula with my family)

One big thing that we did was Explor the Bruce. It was this amazing program where yearly they would come out with Explor the Bruce “passports” and you would have to hit all of the locations on the passport. It was a great way to see the area and learn new things.

(My younger sister, Hannah, stamping a stop off of her Explor the Bruce passport)

One person who was always leading the exploration was my dad. My dad is the kind of guy who knows everything. As we would walk these new trails he would point out the different types of trees, and explain what formed the pot holes we would pass. He would very carefully help us look out over the escarpment and allow us to be amazed and full of wonder over how beautiful it was. I was always amazed by how much knowledge my dad had and as an adult I realized there is so much more to learn.

I hope this course helps me define my true feelings of nature better than I have above. Nature is one of the very few things that can make a bad day better and fill my sole with warmth.

https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/sciadv.aax0903

[csaenvs3000w23]

Hey there!

First, I would just like to say that you have such a beautiful family! Wow! Your daughter and your dogs are very adorable! I am sure they are thrilled to spend quality time with such a lovely mother. They are so lucky to grow up making these memories that will be cherished forever. Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos with us.

Second, I loved reading about the relationship you have with nature. I have to say that I completely agree with the point you made regarding nature and its benefits on mental health. Personally, I can confirm that spending time in the outdoors has significantly improved my mental well-being.

I often stay at my friend’s cottage in the Bruce Peninsula, and it is such a calming place to be. I love swimming there as well, even though the water is often quite chilly. It is so nice to hear that this place has also contributed to your love for nature.

I came across some pictures that I have taken there that I thought I would share.

I have never heard about the Explor the Bruce passport until now, however this program sounds like so much fun! This is something that I will be looking into trying in the future!

It appears your whole family understands the importance of nature and spending time outdoors, which it truly such a beautiful thing.

Overall, great post! Reading this truly put a smile on my face! I look forward to seeing what else you contribute over the course of this semester.

[csaenvs3000w23]

Relationship with Nature

Throughout my entire life my relationship with nature has been quite strong.

Growing up my family spent a significant amount of time engaging in outdoor activities, such as camping, kayaking, and hiking. We lived in a suburban area that had a beautiful trail that was perfect for hiking with my dogs and going on runs to clear my head. There were many rivers and ponds nearby that my dogs loved swimming in. Often when I found myself feeling overwhelmed and stressed, this was my sweet escape (Beck et al., 2018).

This may explain why I find so much peace and comfort in the outdoors.

My family also loved travelling.

In the third grade, my family took a trip to my father's birthplace, the Azores in Portugal. This is where I first surfed in the ocean and fell in love with the beautiful country.

My father's childhood home was backed onto the ocean, which is where he spent most of his time. As he would say, "the ocean was my backyard". He would often talk about his stories cliff diving, surfing and swimming with dolphins (anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE dolphins). We did a lot of sightseeing around the island, including visiting the hot springs and many other scenic spots.

In fact, I got to see the exact cliff that my parents were on when my father proposed to my mother (shown below).

I would always hear stories about my father's homeland and finally getting to experience this place firsthand was breathtaking. I cannot wait to go back.

Spending time outside has been beneficial for not only my physical well-being, but my mental well-being as well. This was especially necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic since isolation was a struggle for us all. During these times when I was feeling particularly anxious and/or bored, getting outside really helped ground me. Even just sitting on a park bench and painting was a good way for me to relieve my stress, while soaking up the sun.

As I have grown older, I have developed an even deeper connection to the earth and the various times of life forms living in it. I have gained a more in-depth appreciation and respect for the world and all that is in it.

The earth holds such a special place in my heart.

My parents offered me a "sense of place" as they always encouraged me to spend time in the outdoors and provided me with many opportunities to do so (Beck et al., 2018).

I believe that my passion for nature and all living creatures has led me to my path in the biological sciences. All these aspects have shaped me into who I am today, and for that I am eternally grateful.

I can confidently say that my relationship with nature has only grown stronger over the years, and I strive to continue to work towards further building this bond by being more involved. I am hoping to improve on this relationship further through learning about nature interpretation and gain a better understanding throughout the course of this semester.

REFERENCES

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World. Sagamore Venture.

[dralh]

Disclaimer

This blog was created for __________, 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.