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*Disclaimer*
This blog was created for ENVS*3000 W24, University of Guelph.Ā
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of the University of Guelph.Ā
The University of Guelph is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by this blog.
last blog
Welcome everyone to my last post of this series!
It means so much that you all read these posts and give your thoughts and feedback. Throughout this series of posts, I have explored nature interpretation and my own personal take. This course has helped me develop my ethics as a nature interpreter. Personal ethics by itself is something that I find to be ever-changing. As one goes through life, you are bound to experience new situations or be provided with new knowledge that will change how you think and feel, further contributing to your values and ethics. This course has been quite a new experience, allowing me to analyze and reiterate my ethics surrounding nature interpretation.
Throughout this course, stewardship is one of the most prominent themes I have seen. Stewardship is seen as taking care of another thing that may not be able to care for itself. In our situation, we look at nature, and if we sit by and watch idly, we will see beautiful nature crumble and burn. These are severe problems with complicated and sometimes unattainable answers. But throughout our exploration in this course, we have seen that even the smallest of actions can amplify the positive effects of stewardship, helping to untangle the complex web of issues we have found ourselves in. One of the best ways to encourage stewardship in the everyday person is through accessibility to nature (Beck et al., 2018).
In early discussions, many class members (including myself) stated that they had lost their connection with nature as they got older. Many reasoned that as they grew older, there were fewer opportunities to connect with nature in any meaningful form as access wasnāt there for them. Including natural aspects into everyday life through increased green spaces and education is a great way to encourage stewardship through a direct connection with nature. One of the best solutions discussed that would help bring nature and nature interpretation effortlessly into peopleās everyday lives would be integrating nature interpretation education into elementary and high school curricula. By incorporating it into school learning, students could foster and maintain their relationship with nature. This learning would also help young students understand the impacts and what nature is exactly being lost through climate and pollution problems (Beck et al., 2018).
Some of the beliefs that I have regarding personal ethics in nature interpretation are rooted in how one conduct themselves. I believe that everyone should not only respect what they believe but should also seek to improve their ethics, constantly sharpening oneās beliefs with knowledge and intellectual conversations. This belief has been shaped and moulded not only from my childhood and how I was rasied, but through my many experiences here at the university.
Whist one can talk about all the beliefs that they have, it will always come down to your actions and how they were able to impact others in a positive way, no matter big or small. But these days it feels as if about these issues we see isnāt even enough.
I think that at the end of the day, talking about how we interpret nature is important to some people, but we have to remember that there are some issues for individuals that are more important. For example, some people face food and / or housing insecurity or loss, and others are taken advantage of or struggle with medical care. Nature interpretation is and should remain deeply personal. If you are in the capacity to do so, then one should. But by remaining aware of other nuanced issues going on in the world, one can only further their ability to interpret what is going on around them.
References
Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. SAGAMORE Publishing.
evolution & everything happens for a reason.
Okay, so pretty much everyone since Darwin has heard about evolution by natural selection. BUT this does nothing to change the fact that itās still such an interesting and exciting topic!! Iām not going to drone on about the theory of evolution - no, Charles did that for us. Instead, I really want to talk about how having some knowledge of that theory makes my time in nature that much more magical. In this way, I hope to bring the three guiding facets of interpretation together - education, recreation, and inspiration (Beck et al., 2018).
(Side note; I bought a copy of āOn the origin of speciesā when I got accepted to UofG, and still have not managed to make my way through it. No hate to Darwin, but I think we couldāve taken some notes from this class to make that read a bit more engaging - jokes, of course. If any of you have read it in its entirety, Iād love to hear your thoughtsā¦is it worth the read? did he include anything that would be deemed a āhot takeā in our modern day?).
In biological studies, we come back to evolution all the time, and we blame it for nearly everything. At this point, Iāve learned the more mechanistic view of evolution, the misconceptions about it, and where we see it in ourselves and the rest of the biological world.
And yeah, makes sense, right?
But for me, it all really clicked last semester in my Animal Behaviour class, which pulled a lot of ideas from economics, cost and benefit, and the prisonerās dilemma (cue loud groan). I know, I know, booooring.
But honestly, it really put it all into perspective for me ā Ā the grandiose concepts of evolution finally had a really solid foundation, such that the story of any natural sight I see is clearer in my mind.
Like, okay, why do parents take care of their young?
Silly question, right? But really think about it for a sec. Well, we know that offspring are genetically related to their parents ā if a parent doesnāt take care of their young, the young (and the parentās genes, and even potentially the act of providing for young) does not persist.
We also know that in some species, one parent (mother or father) puts way more energy into raising the young than the other parent does. Again, why? If theyāre both equally related, why isnāt this behaviour equal between the two?
There are a lot of āit dependsā here, but one example is that the mother can be 100% sure that those babies are hers, while the father canāt be quite as sure ā what if the mama snuck off with another fellow and those kids donāt have any of the āfatherāsā genes?
Basically, to hedge his bets, the father doesnāt spend his energy on raising young, and instead spends it looking for other potential partners.
who woulda thought that evolution would explain why there's so much drama and gambling in the natural world??
A Friend in NeedĀ (1903) by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge
My other favourite example has to do with food caching behaviour in red squirrels vs. grey squirrels. Grey squirrels hide food all over the place, spreading out their cache. Red squirrels make one big stockpile. So, if a grey squirrel defends its caches, it wastes a ton of energy, almost for nothing. It physically couldnāt manage to guard all its nuts at once, so defending one cache leaves an opportunity for other caches to be robbed.
A red squirrel, though, benefits a lot from defending its cache. If it does, it stands a much higher chance of keeping itself fed through the winter, and if it doesnāt, it has lost all of the eggs from its single basket. This explains why red squirrels are the angry little guys they are ā they arenāt just evil little devils whoāve escaped from hell. Instead, they just got out of their econ lecture!
Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/12144772@N06/1700328393
So, while it might seem that going through the mild pains of learning the theory and its economic/math-y/mechanistic intricacies would make nature as a whole feel less magical, I think it does the exact opposite. I feel like knowing these connections paints a really bright hue on my view of nature. āWhy is that thing the way it is?ā is such a cool, whimsical question to get caught up in, and I love it.
We've been educated, we've had some fun looking at some silly animal examples, and hopefully there was a hint of inspiration in here too!
Mother Nature really said āeverything happens for a reasonā and I think thatās super neat.
Anyone else have an "evolution epiphany" moment to share?
References
Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Chapter 3: Values to Individuals and Society. In Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World (pp. 41-56). Sagamore Publishing.
Hi there,
First off, I absolutely loved this post! And great work with the animal examples (cute while relevant). But I couldn't agree more that evolution is one of the most fascinating and misinterpreted natural phenomena.
It took me a while to understand evolution before coming to university. I was raised in a very religious household where "evolution" didn't even exist. However, after taking various classes and presenting posters in my fourth year, I can finally say I have a semblance of an understanding.
I love that you make the connection between the dogs playing poker painting and evolution because it is so true. There are so many random pairings and events that can happen in both, but on the flip side, there are also so many ways where it can be rigged for nefarious reasons.
We can see this occur through exaptation, the most common example being bird feathers. After likely evolving to keep animals warm, they were slowly used for flight more and more, eventually creating a new function that became adapted for that sole function.
Anyway, keep up the great posts!
ROCKS
Hello again fellow bloggers,
The most amazing thing about nature for me is the geology of an area. My main fixation in general is pollinators, as exemplified by my group's podcast, āWhat the Buzz?ā and I love bees and ants and stuff like that. However, anytime I'm out hiking or just exploring, I can't help but get excited about rocks. The geology and topography of an area tell a story that goes back millions of years. For instance, down where I'm from in Nova Scotia there is a place called the Bay of Fundy, I'm sure you've all heard f it considering it is home to the world's highest tides.Ā Down near a little village named Walton there is a shale beach with a massive cliff and folds in the rocks.Ā
This cliff face tells the story of two landmasses colliding together to form what is now Nova Scotia. Initially happening long before the Atlantic formed. And then the Bay of Fundy itself formed from the rifting of North America from Africa and Europe. This caused the split in the mountain chain that now has pieces in Morocco, Scotland, the USA, Canada, and Norway!
(pictures taken by me, Walton Cliffs)
A little closer to campus there is a location in Hamilton called the Devil's Punchbowl. I've gone there twice now for class field trips. The Devil's Punchbowl tells a story of the ancient seas and streams that used to run through this area of southwest Ontario. The grains of sand that make up the sandstone tell stories of millions of years ago. The dolomitic capstone of the Niagara Escarpment tells another story, so long as you speak the language of rocks and sediment.Ā
(another photo by me, Devils Punchbowl)
Another area of Nova Scotia I've hiked through is on the Cape Split Peninsula. This region of the province is located on basaltic bedrock which formed during the same event that formed the Bay of Fundy. Magma pours out of the earth to form the north mountain range which makes up the sea sideward side of the Annapolis valley. The cape is covered in rocks filled with copper ore speckled through basaltic rock. Based on the patterns and the lack of crystallization you can tell that this magma cools very quickly, likely due to a rushing in of seawater after the rifting event.Ā
(another photo by me, Cape Split Point)
Further up the bay, there are a few islands, near Parrsboro, the indigenous peoples of the area, the Miākmaq, called these the five islands. The five islands are part of the legends passed down by the Miākmaq people. The story goes that Kluskap, or Glooscap as the settlers called him, who was a giant man, was fighting a giant beaver in the bay. During the fight, Kluskap hurled 5 large boulders at the beaver that formed the islands today, the beaver was said to have been trapped by the boulders and sticks causing him to turn into gold underground. Geologically these islands are exposed parts of the north mountain chain that I talked about earlier but it's neat learning about the indigenous peoplesā folklore, especially when centered around how the landscape was formed.Ā
Anyways, till next week bloggers!
Hi,
I absolutely LOVE your appreciation of rocks!
As soon as I saw the Devil's Punchbowl, I knew I had to comment. I recently took a geology course last semester, and on our field trip, we were taken on a tour of the Punchbowl, and I have never been more impressed. It's so cool that you are able to see nine rock formations all in the same place with such varying shades of oxidation.
What I found fascinating about the Devil's Punchbowl, in particular, is that in all of the mass wasting, you can find trace fossils of Brachiopods and sediment ripples forever frozen in time. The discovery of these remnants was helped by the fact that there was no waterfall at the time we went, and we were able to find so many!
You can even find evidence of the Whirlpool sandstone and Queenston Shale formations in the area, which I think are beautiful demonstrations of how the red shale (oxygenated oceans) and green sandstone (decreased ocean temperatures) were formed.
resilience & evolution in nature
One of the most amazing things about nature is that it is able to evolve and adpat time and time again. To me, one of the more enticing aspects of nature that has caught my eye is the evolution of bed bugs. So much so that I am writing my final paper on the subject!
(I know the subject might make you unconsciously itch, and I apologize in advance).
The bed bugās respective ancestors have been around since before the dawn of the dinosaurs; weāve been actively trying to get rid of them since the 17th century and still are today. So, whatās their secret? Since we started studying beg bugs relatively recently and their impacts, we know that there are a couple of reasons, but it may not be all. The first reason is that bed bugs are able to reproduce at extreme rates when given the chance. An undisturbed colony of only a couple of adult bed bugs would be able to create thousands of offspring in a handful of months ā given an adequate food supply (Potter, 2011).
Yes, letās not forget that bed bugs feed soley on human blood. Think of them as mini vampires hiding about in nooks and crannies around a house or in bedding. The problem is that we are learning that they have become capable of resisting insecticides in the past couple of decades. The most prominent theory as to why they have evolved certain heritable traits that have allowed them to strengthen a cuticle layer, helping protect them from insecticides (Romero et al., 2007).
The main problem that cities like Toronto are facing today in a resurgence of bed bugs is that typical insecticides are not working, and they are becoming more widespread and more expensive than ever (McDonald & Zavys, 2009). Some research has suggested a couple of methods that would help shift away from insecticides and towards other methods instead. One of these methods is diatomaceous earth, a relatively newer treatment idea that is consistent in the fight against the bugs in our beds. Diatomaceous earth strips away the protective cuticle that bed bugs have, essentially drying out the bug and killing it (Akhoundi et al., 2019).
(McKeon, 2024)
Nonetheless, I think we can interpret a couple of things from these small yet very annoying creatures. Even when life seems hard and you feel like the smallest thing imaginable makes no difference at all, it might not even be the case. If youāre patient enough and change your perspective to see a little more around you and your impact further down the line, you might see that you are actually making the biggest difference of all. Itās all about how you interpret it.
References:
Akhoundi, M., Bruel, C., & Izri, A. (2019). Harmful Effects of Bed Bug-Killing Method of Diatomaceous Earth on Human Health.Ā Journal of insect science (Online),Ā 19(5), 13. https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/iez095
McDonald, L., & Zavys, R. (2009). Bed Bugs Are Back: Are We Ready. https://habitatservices.org/wp-content/uploads/PDF3-Bed-Bugs-Are-Back-Report.pdf
McKeon, L. (2024, January 29). There Will Be Blood. Toronto Life, February 2024. https://torontolife.com/deep-dives/inside-toronto-bedbug-crisis/
Potter, M. (2011). The History of Bed Bug ManagementāWith Lessons from the Past. Oxford University Press (OUP), 57(1), 14ā25. https://doi.org/10.1093/ae/57.1.14
Romero, A., Potter, M. F., Potter, D. A., & Haynes, K. F. (2007). Insecticide Resistance in the Bed Bug: A Factor in the Pestās Sudden Resurgence? Journal of Medical Entomology, 44(2), 175ā178. https://doi.org/10.1603/0022-2585(2007)44[175:IRITBB]2.0.CO;2
Music <3
Hi again everyone,
This weekās prompt is so simple yet has left me stumped as I try to effectively gather my thoughts and form my opinion. Itās hard to articulate. I think this is because music can have such a strong effect on our thoughts and emotions, it's not exactly logical - more of a feeling I guess. This brings me to my point. I think that nature and music have this incredible connection where they blend perfectly. For example, imagine being in a sunny wooded path. Now picture listening to the natural sounds of a bird song and the wind in the trees. This just feels right to me. It makes the whole imaginary situation seem more real.
Certain songs can also just āfitā with memories of nature. For example, a specific song might remind you of a beautiful sunset you once watched, or a peaceful moment by a lake. It's like the music and the memory of nature become intertwined, enhancing each other while also making the experience more vivid.
I think this connection between music and nature is so powerful because they both speak to something deep inside us. It's difficult to describe, yet they both have the ability to evoke feelings and memories. It's as if they reach a part of our minds that is inconceivable and allow us to simply feel. I think this is why Iāve struggled so much to explain the relationship of nature and music.
But it's not just about memories. Music can also change how we see nature. Imagine a gentle, calming tune. Don't you think this would be effective at amplifying the tranquillity of a bright sunny scenery? Or what about a high-spirited song? This could make a crowded city park feel more vibrant and alive. Now obviously if you were walking down a dark and scary path in a creaking forest, soft upbeat music wouldn't help - it actually might make it scarier, but in general, I think music can amplify our emotions in nature. This goes hand-in-hand with what we learned this week, reflecting how music can influence nature interpretation (Beck et al. 2018). And vice-versa!
When trying to think of a song that immediately brings me back to a natural landscape, the only song I can think of is āUnwrittenā by Natasha Bedingfield. I know what you're thinking - this is not the typical song that reminds most of nature, but I think youāll get it once I explain. When I hear this song I first think of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movie, specifically the scene where Blake Lively is running on the beach listening to this. Then I think of a beautiful beach I once visited when I was younger in Latvija. It brings me such happy and peaceful emotions. The feeling of being free - from worries, from burdens, from everything.
Here's the OG music video:
I tried to add a clip of the scene from the movie but it wouldn't work. So here's the link if anyone's interested: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xqrrcm
Does anyone else have a more unconventional song that brings them back to nature?
Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: for a better world. Sagamore Venture.
Hi Michela,
I think you totally hit the nail on the head when you say that there is something so powerful between music and nature and the inherent ability to awaken something within ourselves. I know that there are so many songs that I connect with amazing happy memories, and others with sad ones. For example, Iāve always found the song āI Aināt Worriedā by One Republic to evoke powerfully happy and free memories. On the other hand, I donāt think I can get through the song āRonanā by Taylor Swift without bawling my eyes out. Music holds so many memories and emotions, but so does nature.
I love that you chose to highlight the song āUnwrittenā by Natasha Bedingfield. One teacher from my elementary school would play the song during class time to try and inspire our writing. But more recently, the song was incorporated into the movie āAnyone but You.ā The movie is a modern take on Shakespeareās play āMuch Ado About Nothingā and despite being a little cheesy, is used perfectly in the movie to show the power of feeling and being free in life and love. I think that nature encompasses what it means to be free and I couldnāt agree more that āUnwrittenā shows that perfectly š.
music & nature
Music has been a part of my life ever since I was born. My father was raised playing instruments throughout his life and wanted his children to experience it throughout my life, it has not been hard to see that there is music all around us. There is tempo and rhythm everywhere, as long as you look close enough. For example, the wind moving branches and grass can create a consistent sound that could be interpreted as the beat of a drum.
I always think about how when you leave your windows open in the summer to try and get some cool air, you can hear the crickets and cicadas with their rhythmic singing. From the discovered remains of ancient Greek life, we have found evidence of cicadas stamped in their coins. In Greek mythology, it was believed that cicadas used to be men. These men had become so obsessed with singing, forgoing any food or water. They caught the attention of the three muses. The three muses were identified as goddesses of music, poetry, and myth. In their stories, these men obsessed with singing would be turned into cicadas by the Muses, so they were able to solely sing and not have to worry about anything else in life but their singing (Haworth, 2021).
This coming summer marks another seventeen-year cycle of a cicada generation, meaning that this summer a new generation will emerge from the ground to sing their songs. This year is significant because it is the largest forecasted number of cicadas ever emerging due to an overlap in emerging generations (Chow, 2024). In other words, this summer we are going to be experiencing music in nature like never before.
On the other hand, nature in music is almost just as common. One of my favourite uses of nature in music, to prove meaning and imagery is the song Ivy by the legendary Taylor Swift. The song paints the story of a married woman falling in love with another man. I just love the way that just uses the imagery of ivy, growing over a house, almost consuming it.
āStop you putting roots in my dreamland / My house of stone, your ivy grows / And now Iām covered.ā -Taylor Swift
Ivy is usually used as a symbol of love, and in the song, her existing relationship is deemed the solid stone house. This affair is covering and consuming her existing relationship the way that ivy easily grows and covers an entire house.
Anyways, thereās my fan girl moment for Taylor Swift, and the many uses of nature we see in music to create beautiful stories.
One song that vividly reminds me of a natural landscape is the song Hallucinogenics by Matt Maeson. This song will always bring me back to when I would drive around throughout COVID lockdowns with not much to do I was going on constant walks. This is one of the many songs that talk me back to my walks throughout the Guelph Lake Conservation Area.
References:
Chow, D. (January 20, 2024). Billions of cicadas will emerge in the U.S. this year in a rare double-brood event. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/cicadas-2024-emergence-periodical-brood-2024-map-cicada-rcna134152
Haworth, H. (June 17, 2021). The Song of the Cicada: Out of the pandemic, into a valley of insects. The Magazine of the Sierra Club. https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/song-cicada-brood-x-appalachia#:~:text=The%20ancient%20Greeks%20told%20a,music%2C%20poetry%2C%20and%20myth.
Swift, Taylor. āIvy.ā Evermore. Spotify. 2020.
History and Nature
There was a story that I stumbled upon a while ago by Molly Seaman, when researching the Holocaust. She visited Krakow, Poland which can be designated as a place of memory. As explained in the textbook, a place of memory is a property or site vested with historical significance due to the nature of the historic events that occurred there (Beck et al., 2018). Her story is called The Trees Have Eyes and itās about her experience visiting the largest German Nazi concentration camp in Poland. She says, āThe trees. The trees of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The trees that saw everything. That is when it hit me. The trees have eyes (Seaman, 2021).ā She was appealing to the fact that the trees that stood long before her, had witnessed the atrocities of genocide and are part of the landmarks that stand today as a reminder of what 1.1 million people went through (Seaman, 2021). The story about the trees doesnāt only apply to her experience but she applies it to the experience of others, like the trees having seen farmers struggling to make ends meet because they canāt cultivate their land due to climate change (Seaman, 2021).Ā
Within her story, Seaman does exactly what entails the role of a history interpreter. Remembering stories of the past, whether they are tragedies, atrocities or happy memories, is very important as one can look back at the past and change the future so the mistakes and atrocities the trees have seen while quietly planted, will not be repeated.Ā
I shared Seamanās story, because it encapsulates the quote we were to unpack this week. To me, this quote highlights how ancient things have no value on their own. To expand, ancient relics hold value due to the memories they hold as well as the history behind it. This is what adds to the entertainment value of specific areas. As the textbook mentioned, quality living history will provide entertainment on its own (Beck et al., 2018). Whether the entertainment is in the form of stories or sightseeing of ancient things. This is what allows ancient relics to live on and we cannot forget about it as the tracks cannot forget about the train that has passed through. Just like Seamanās story, the Holocaust impacted millions of people and we donāt forget about the history or keep it in the past. It is still discussed today due to the remnants of the past - families impacted, lives lost, stories for generations.Ā
In essence, the quote emphasizes the importance of respecting and maintaining antiquity, not due to their age but their role in maintaining integrity throughout time. It cautions against overlooking the past as insignificant highlighting how history is woven through the past but also affects the present and future.Ā
Ā Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. SAGAMORE Publishing.
Seaman, M. (2021, April 16). The Trees Have Eyes. Loquitur. https://theloquitur.com/the-trees-have-eyes/Ā
Hi Bableen,
You did an absolutely great job with this post! You hit the nail on the head while addressing that we must respect natureās integrity. To think about what those trees could say if they could talk would be heartbreaking. I think you did a great job highlighting that Molly Seamanās story applies to so many ancient things, especially those we see every day.
With some of the video material from this weekās unit, the interviewee talks a lot about the Civil War and how the national parks should educate people more about what was happening. It just makes me think, in the same way, what those old trees also would have seen during that time. The idea that some trees throughout history have likely seen more blood than Genghis Khan is beyond haunting. The trees exemplify why they should be protected and why we should learn and retain the memory of these living ancient things.
ancient things & integrity
Hi everyone,
Letās unpack the provided quote we were given this week. The quote is:
āThere 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. ā¦. 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
āThere is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrityā
To begin, letās get our definitions out of the way.Ā
Ancient things.Ā The meaning of ancient things can be observed in a couple of ways. The first would be the obvious, an old or historically significant relic discovered that belongs in a museum, like jewelry from the Roman Empire or a statue of Cleopatra. However, Edward Hyams likely means ancient things are not necessarily tied to a typical ancient relic that you may think of but also could include historical events or nature, such as centuries-old trees or the Grand Canyon.Ā
Integrity.Ā What is integrity? Integrity is the āfirm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic valuesā (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). In this quote, integrity is seen as the thing that should be, the good thing that should be held across the centuries.Ā
āand integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole, and if these parts are scattered throughout timeā
This part of the quote is debatably the most important, as it emphasizes that integrity, or rather the lack thereof, scatters ancient things. In this section of the quote, we are given more proof that it is not just Roman jewelry the original author is talking about.
This part of the quote is a good example from this weekās material. There is a video of the US National Park Service Chief Historian Robert Sutton being interviewed. In this interview, he describes the importance of educating those visiting the parks about their history. Many of these parks were part of the Civil War, where many people died. He emphasizes that people shouldnāt just know who shot who on these historically significant grounds, but who else was there that history often forgets and why. Robert Sutton emphasized the importance of making sure that the historical interpretation of these Civil War national parks is expanded beyond just the history of the Union versus the Confederacy.
āthen the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient thingsā
To continue with the Robert Sutton example, by ensuring integrity - or in other words, as much of the truthful history is told, the brighter the memory and importance of that thing. A good example of maintaining the integrity of ancient things in nature is the old-growth forests in British Colombia. With trees and the surrounding biodiverse areas that are often more than 250 years old, they are slowly disappearing and have been for years. Now, in this day and age, we can plant entirely new forests after clear-cutting an area. However, I argue that the act is selfish and disrespectful. Preserving those old-growth forests allows us to learn more about these living relics and helps us respect natureās ancient things.
āTo 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.ā
This part of the quote reminds me very much of the nostalgic Narnia series from the mind of C.S. Lewis. For those unfamiliar with the series or who need a refresher (the quick version of seven books), four siblings are sent away to the countryside during the World War II bombings and find a magical world through a wardrobe called Narina. They eventually come to rule Narina, but they must return to Earth at the end of the series. Anyway, my point is that just because the four Pevensie siblings were able to have their own journeys through Narina didnāt mean that when they came back to Earth, Narina didnāt exist for them (yes, I understand that itās an allegory for Heaven and whatnot but bear with me and assume their experiences and Narina were real). Therefore, in the same way, just because we didnāt experience historic events that go along with the only thing that we have left ā ancient things, doesnāt mean they didnāt happen.
References:
Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. SAGAMORE Publishing.
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Integrity. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved February 16, 2024, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/integrity.
NATURE & SHIPWRECKS (unit #5 - freestyle)
Hello friends,Ā
We are back again this week with the most exciting prompt yet: no prompt! I am taking this opportunity to talk about my biggest childhood interestā¦ SHIPWRECKS!
You might be wondering how this relates to nature at all but deep-sea shipwrecks are biodiversity hubs. I have always been interested in shipwrecks because I am both terrified and in awe of them. My main fascination is with how such an inorganic and visually man-made object is completely emersed by aquatic life and fits so well in an ecosystem it was never intended to be in.Ā
STOCKTREK IMAGES. (n.d.). A sunken ship lays on its side near Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas. How do we find shipwrecksāand who owns them? National Geographic. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/how-do-we-find-shipwrecks-and-who-owns-them.Ā
Shipwrecks are considered āislands of biodiversityā because they offer a structure for an incredibly wide variety of species to inhabit, which creates pockets of very high biodiversity, acting as artificial reefs (Hamdan et al., 2021). Imagine a sandy sea floor with not much going on besides some small rocks and vegetation, now put a huge stationary shipwreck there, and eventually, many species will call this new isolated habitat their new home. Many shipwrecks are dripping with so many species that you cannot even see bare metal anymore.
It is clear from photos that there are lots of different fish, vegetation, and corals that inhabit old shipwrecks, but we are missing a very important aspect of shipwreck ecosystems: the micro-organism colonies! In our defense, we can't see them but they make up a huge portion of biodiversity. Microorganisms establish and preserve shipwrecks as artificial reefs, allowing other species to thrive in/on shipwrecks. It is amazing how much power the tiny species hold and how influential they are to full ecosystems. (Hamdan et al., 2021)
Murat. (n.d.). Bream Fish around the shipwreck. How do we find shipwrecksāand who owns them? Adobe Stock Images. Retrieved from https://www.bristolaquarium.co.uk/animal-stories/animals-that-find-a-home-in-sunken-ships/
I have never had the opportunity to visit a shipwreck other than kayaking over top of a boiler. I love watching videos of people diving to explore shipwrecks, although I can't imagine ever doing it myself. I am incredibly curious to hear if anyone has done this? I would absolutely love to hear your experiences! We (Ontario locals) live in the perfect place to go shipwreck diving because the Great Lakes have cold water and low salinity which are fanatics conditions for the preservation of shipwrecks. The Great Lakes are regarded as one of the best shipwreck diving spots in the world. (Harrington, 2019)Ā
I have always found shipwrecks interesting because of the duality that the vessel wasn't strong enough to complete its voyage but it is strong enough to be preserved underwater for (possibly) hundreds of years, sometimes in near-perfect condition. However, the shipwrecks of the Great Lakes are in trouble!! Invasive species of the Great Lakes like zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) are threatening our beautifully preserved nuggets of history. These filter feeders can cause damage through heavy weight and even corrosion of some metals, if enough pile up. Additionally, they release carbon dioxide which can severely alter water quality and the conditions that help preserve shipwrecks. It is insane that these huge structures that can last up to thousands of years can be threatened by something as small and seemingly passive as mussels. (Harrington, 2019)
Thanks for reading, hopefully you see shipwrecks from a slightly different perspective! Who knew shipwrecks were so intertwined with nature (I did because I am a nerd who loves shipwrecks)!Ā
ReferencesĀ
Hamdan, L. J., Hampel, J. J., Moseley, R. D., Mugge, R. L., Ray, A., Salerno, J. L., & Damour, M. (2021, April 22). Deep-sea shipwrecks represent island-like ecosystems for marine microbiomes. OUP Academic. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-021-00978-yĀ
Harrington, M. (2019, November 20). Aquatic invasive species threaten shipwreck preservation in the Great Lakes: Wisconsin sea grant. Wisconsin Sea Grant | University of Wisconsin. https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/blog/aquatic-invasive-species-threaten-shipwreck-preservation-in-the-great-lakes/
Hi Lauren,
This is an amazing post, thank you so much for sharing!
Your post reminds me of a āshipwreckā that I used to see all the time. When I was younger, my parents often took us through Buffalo, NY in order to see family friends. On the way there, we would see a wreck adjacent to the QEW on the way to the border at Niagara Falls. Every time we would pass this ship, we would make up a new story about what we thought had happened to this ship and the story behind it. Was it an old pirate ship? Did someone drive it onto land to stop a wedding? Was it a ghost ship that decided for whatever reason to stop there?
Years later, we found out it was a replica of the boat Jacques Cartier travelled on called the La Grande HermineĀ or The Big Weasel (Little, 2022). This replica was built in the ā60s for the World Expo and later set on fire in 2003, likely due to arson and abandoned ā not as interesting as 10-year-old I thought (Little, 2022). But my fascination with the ship always piques whenever I drive by, always looking for it. There is something about wrecked ships that I find so fascinating. They are like visual ghosts, holding all sorts of memories and secrets.
It is so cool how nature around shipwrecks can still reclaim its space. It is a wild reminder that things we think will stick around forever (like a steel boat) can still be reclaimed and repurposed by Mother Nature.
References:
Little. O. (2022, March 26). This abandoned ship sits on the side of a major highway in Ontario. blogTO.
sun & snow
Hello again!
This week, we were not given a prompt to go off of and allowed to write about anything we wanted. This week, I wanted to discuss a beautiful but sad moment I had earlier.
For those not living in Guelph, this past week has been beautifully sunny and unusually warm. So, as soon as my boyfriend was done work on Friday, we piled in the car to our favourite walking path, just outside Cambridge. On this beautiful day, it was a very popular walking spot for those with dogs, children, or people trying to get outside to connect with nature.
One of my new favourite things to do before walking is to get a drink or smoothie. Right by this pathās entrance is a little cafĆ© with amazing smoothies. I will always remember it as the cafe where we went in one day, and the guy behind the counter decided to tell us all about his view of psychology (spoiler alert, it included meeting Jesus on a bunch of drugs and how it somehow related to a German man with a little mustache). We promptly left right afterwards and still talk about how bat**** crazy that conversation was to this day. Nonetheless, we grabbed our smoothies and headed out for a walk, thankfully, this time without the previously mentioned encounter.
Thereās something so refreshing about going for a walk, letting nature surround you, and just being in nature. In my last semester at the university, Iām finding it harder and harder to define time to reconnect with nature like I did in my childhood. Reading otherās previous blogs, I am encouraged to know Iām not the only one who feels this way. Throughout our walk, we could listen to some birds chirp, see a couple of budding trees even though itās the wrong season, and look closely at the thawing ponds for a glimpse of a fish.
Below are a couple of photos of our walk. I am still baffled by how sunny and warm it was. There is something so healing and being in nature for just a couple of moments, yet it makes me sad.
It is the beginning of February. We should be bundled up in our warmest coats, mittens, and hats, trudging through a foot of snow right now. Instead, I was wearing a hoodie, thin leggings, and Converse. Even in these beautiful moments, I am still reminded of the fragile balance within the earth. Winter and the snow that it brings with it are things we see less frequently and dependently compared to our childhoods due to the ever-looming climate change. In a recent article, some think that the nostalgia of the winter snow will be enough to make a dent in the climate change fight (North, 2023). Still, Iām not sure if I am as optimistic.
Nonetheless, I will strive to enjoy the little moments I can tuck away in my memories, and hopefully, by sharing these moments, I can encourage those who read it to do the same.
References:
North, A. (2023, December 23). Feeling a strange sadness over losing snow? that might be solastalgia. Vox. Retrieved February 10, 2024, from https://www.vox.com/culture/24001256/snow-winter-climate-change-solastalgia-warming.
the gift of beauty
As a young kid, I was chronically exposed to nature and art. Still, it took a long time for me even to consider putting the two together and appreciate natureās beauty. No matter where we would visit growing up, my mother always made sure to take us to the nearest art museum. Throughout her university degree, she studied every influential and famous piece of art known to humans. She also wanted her children to see the beauty she could find in art. The most memorable art I remember her taking us to see a couple years ago was Claude Monetās āBridge over a Pond of Water Lilies.ā When I saw this painting, it felt like an itch in my brain had been scratched. The artist had forever captured this simple pondās beauty in such an elegant form.
I am no art historian or expert; therefore, my opinion of what I think is beautiful holds little weight. However, as a (sort of) functioning member of society, all nature, regardless of form, is meant to be enjoyed and admired. Nature was meant to be admired as Claude Monet painting is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is to be looked at by millions of people a year, the most talented and delicate hands constantly restoring whenever they can, and most importantly ā never touched by the public to preserve the beauty for all time.
The gift of beauty, in the form of nature, can be admired and interpreted in many ways. Humans are creative, so painting is not the only form of media to express beauty. We learn in chapter five that many forms of media, such as photography, music, or literature, also hold the capacity to interpret nature in all its beauty. Therefore, something as simple as taking a picture of a sunset on my phone would be a way of interpreting the beauty of nature through an art form.
However, I will always return to paintings to truly appreciate and interpret nature through art. About a year ago, my mother painted me this beautiful landscape of a Swedish lake frozen in winter. This series of three paintings hangs in my room to this day. Every day, I am given the chance to interpret the beauty of nature in a new way through these paintings. It is a gift that is truly like no other.
My Role as an Environmental Interpreter
Hi everyone! A little late, but welcome back to my nature interpretation blog! This next blog post will be focusing on my ideal role of an environmental interpreter.
Without further ado, my ideal role of an environmental interpreter would ideally be learning and educating others on environmental sustainability. I have always been interested in finding sustainable alternatives and have been gravitating towards things like sustainable pieces of clothing, refillable shampoo and conditioners, refillable and reusable coffee pods, and reusable water bottles. Additionally, I am interested in learning more about what changes we can make to conserve our resources and not cause further harm. In a role as an environmental interpreter who focuses on environmental sustainability can be done from a variety of areas, like online forums that would be able to reach a large number of people around the world. In order to be an impactful environmental interpreter, I first completed the āWhat's Your Learning Styleā quiz by EducationPlanner.org and learned that I am a visual learner, which means that I like to learn by reading or seeing, and a tactile learner, which means I also like to learn by doing. As a result, to be an ideal environmental interpreter for me would mean learning and teaching with experiences since I would be able to learn through my participation. Applying my visual and tactile learning styles in my role as an environmental interpreter is especially important to me since my learning styles will allow me to be able to effectively learn about the environment, while being able to properly understand and apply what I have learned. Additionally, being an impactful environmental interpreter means offering a multitude of learning styles that would be able to help others effectively learn about environmental sustainability. Having relevant knowledge regarding the environment is very important to keep in mind as an environmental interpreter since any resources or information are always helpful for individuals who want to learn more, while remembering that there are individuals who may not be very knowledgeable on sustainability and the environment, but still want to learn.
Thank you for reading!
- Sharan
Hi Sharan! Thank you for that insight! I am also a visual learner like yourself and I think that as visual learners, learning and teaching are a natural inclination! I think that as visual learners, it is easier to draw conclusions and deepen one's own understanding when there is something tangible like a graph, table, or image to connect the information to. Although visual learners would thrive from learning visually in nature interpretation, how about other learners who are drawn to reading or writing? I enjoyed reading your post and can't wait to see what else you write as the semester goes on!
Hey Sharan,
I really enjoyed reading your post! I did the quick test and found out that I am also a visual learner! I'm throughout surprised due to the fact that I can always remember a face, but never a name. However, I do think it was interesting that I found that there were some aspects of the test that I clicked with more than the visual learning answers. According to the test I am also a very close tactile learner as well. Honestly, I think these results make a lot of sense. For example, this past weekend I was out for a hike and spotted a new leaf that I'd never seen before. Now, of course, I stopped to look at it, but I also had to pick it up, wanting to know the texture that my eyes couldn't quite pick up (I should have taken a picture of it). With all that being said, I couldn't agree more with you that it is so important to understand how one learns, and therefore as environmental interpreters, we would be able to not only learn more ourselves but help others along the way. :)
03: Privilege in nature interpretation.
As a white female university student, the concept of privilege significantly shapes my approach to nature interpretation. Privilege, in this context, refers to unearned advantages or benefits that someone may have based on their social identity, such as race, gender, or socio-economic status. Understanding and acknowledging privilege is crucial in the field of nature interpretation, as it influences how people perceive and interact with the environment.
With environmental education, privilege can manifest in various ways that impact both the interpreter and the audience. Being a white individual, I recognize that I navigate natural spaces with a level of ease and comfort that others may not have. My skin color often shields me from racial profiling or discrimination when exploring outdoor areas. This realization has prompted me to reflect on how my experiences and perspectives may differ from those of individuals who face barriers to accessing and enjoying nature.
In the context of nature interpretation, privilege can affect the narratives we share and the perspectives we prioritize. For example, a lack of diversity in the field may lead to a narrow focus on experiences and viewpoints that align with the dominant culture. As a white female interpreter, I strive to be aware of this potential bias and help work towards inclusive storytelling that incorporates diverse voices and experiences. This could involve actively seeking out and promoting narratives that reflect more diverse human connections to the environment.
Privilege also plays a role in access to education and resources. As a university student, I have had the privilege of receiving a higher education that has deepened my understanding of environmental issues. However, I recognize that not everyone has the same opportunities. This awareness influences my approach to nature interpretation. I think it is important that we try to make environmental education more accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic background.Ā
Lastly, privilege can also impact the way messages about environmental conservation are received. Recognizing that some individuals may face more immediate concerns, such as economic instability or social injustice, can help frame environmental issues in a way that resonates with wider and more diverse audiences. That would require acknowledging that not everyone has the luxury of prioritizing environmental sustainability when basic needs arenāt met.
Overall, privilege shapes how I interpret and communicate about nature. It highlights the need for self-reflection, and the need for work to dismantle barriers for many people who donāt have those privileges.
Hi Grace,
This was a great post; I absolutely loved reading it! I couldnāt agree more that acknowledging privilege is critical in natureās interpretation.
Nature interpretation is all about perspective, and privilege is one of the most significant impacts on perspective. I completely relate to you when you said that as a white female university student, you should really understand the big and small impacts of your privilege both in the field of nature interpretation and how it impacts oneās interaction with the environment.
It is important to identify where there is a privilege and the opportunity to aid others with it. In my initial post, one of the ways that I defined privilege was like an abstract currency; like currency, it can be spent on yourself, but it can also be spent to help others.
You hit the nail on the head when you said that not everyone can focus on environmental conservation if other basic needs are not there. Humans have an innate instinct to survive; in that survival mode, you are the only thing that matters. It is a topic that goes wildly untouched. Compared to many other topics, those fighting for environmental conservation donāt always want to address the debate about what is more valuable ā humans or the environment?
no amount of privilege will save your life.
This weekās topic is by no means light, and Iām not going to make it any lighter, so my apologies in advance.
Nature is all around us ā itās not only four hours north with no cell reception, but itās also the tree growing in your backyard, the flowers outside your favourite coffee shop, and even the spiders youāre trying to kill on your ceiling. Nature is everywhere if you tune in to look, but so is privilege.
What is privilege? My current definition of privilege is an abstract currency knowingly or unknowingly used throughout oneās life to gain an increased advantage over others. I will admit that I am no stranger to privilege. I was born into a white middle-class family and sent to a private elementary school for eight years. I grew up in Oakville, which (if you know, you know) trust me, you can tell by the houses ā look it up. In high school, we used to joke that you could tell the difference between the studentsā and teachersā cars in the parking lot because all the teachers had your typical Hondas or Nissans, while the students would show up in daddyās Ferrari or Porsche. From a young age, my parents always taught my sister and me that even though we werenāt in the bracket of buying a Ferrari, life-wise, we would be relatively okay because of this privilege. To be honest, that never sat well with me, and it still doesnāt to this day (but a story for another time).
The example used in this weekās content was about the story of the Lake Timiskaming canoeing tragedy. These boys went to a prestigious school; they had the best equipment ā they were privileged, and yet their canoes still sank, killing thirteen people. Nature gave us a haunting reminder in 1978 that it is a privilege to experience it.
In 2023, nature horribly reminded me of this lesson when I learned that my good friend and roommate had been killed on her way to work. She was 22. She had everything going for her: a fantastic job while finishing university, an amazing group of friends, and even an amazing family. She had the privilege of this incredible and daring life she lived (that I canāt and wonāt fit in this post), yet it still couldnāt save her life.
Me (left) and Abbey (right).
Many people take nature (and life) for granted. As a nature interpreter, the most important lesson to help teach others is when we interpret and enjoy nature, we must be careful to respect nature and who we are in nature, because no amount of privilege will save your life.
Blog 2- My ideal role as an Environmental Interpreter
As an environmental interpreter, my ideal role would be guiding you through Guelph's beautiful trails, sharing cool facts about plants, and immersing you in the wonders of nature. My dream as an environmental interpreter is all about hands-on experiences, tailored learning, and keeping it real. This position involves immersing individuals in the beauty of natural settings and it allows for a deep appreciation for the environment. This role, to me, goes simply beyond conveying information, it involves a genuine love for nature, as well as getting in tune with it. The goal is to transform a simple walk into an immersive experience, appealing to various learning types.
For those who learn by listening, I'll share intriguing facts about the plants. Visual learners will witness the vibrant foliage, and hands-on learners will have the opportunity to engage with touching and feeling the beauty of nature. To make my podcast different from others, in the midst of the podcast, we pause. No words, just the sounds of nature ā the rustling leaves, the chirping birds. We take a collective breath, slowing down our pace, and allowing the tranquility of the natural world to seep into our busy lives.
Guelph is the ideal location, from the sprawling campus to the many amazing parks, Guelph offers a variety of landscapes to explore. It's not just about the destinations; it's about the journey through the seasons. Guelph's gift of experiencing all four seasons adds an extra layer to our adventures. Imagine the vibrant colours of autumn leaves, the crisp winter air, the blooming flowers in spring, and the lush greenery of summer, each season transforming our surroundings.
The goal is to not just talk about nature but to actively involve people in caring for it. The skills needed are simple but crucial ā being good at talking to people, organizing, knowing a bit about the environment, and using technology. It's about making environmental education interesting, easy to understand, and something everyone can be a part of. In Guelph, surrounded by nature, we have the perfect setting to turn learning about the environment into a shared adventure, creating a community that cares about our planet.
Being an environmental interpreter is not just about talking the talk; it's about walking the walk, adapting, and keeping it engaging. Effective communication is key making sure that the information resonates with you. Adaptability and creativity are crucial- if it rains, we'll make it a rain-soaked adventure. Teaching and understanding come naturally, but my goal is to tailor these skills to match the diverse ways you absorb information.
So, who's ready to explore Guelph's nature with me? Our journey won't just be about learning, it's about connecting, appreciating, and rediscovering the wonders that nature unfolds. Pack your curiosity, and let's dive into Guelph's nature scene together. The adventure awaits!!
Cheers,
Virginia
Hi Virginia,
This was an amazing post. I really resonated with how much you love the diverse nature within Guelph. There are so many natural areas that if we look just right, can teach us not only about nature but also about ourselves. Nature can help reflect lessons and experiences we can not only apply to our lives but take and ingrain into our future. For example, the falling of leaves and the change in colours in the fall always signify a time of change for me as well. This is the time of year when you have to hit the ground running back at school. The changes in the seasons often reflect the changes in our lives and I like how we are reminded visually and through the touch of cold in the air. I think the connection to the changing seasons is something that so many people can relate to and by extension, even when we don't feel like it, we all have that small consistent experience with nature.
I would argue that by staying connected to nature, you are in a way, staying connected to yourself. These days it is so easy to lose yourself to work, school, or even just the chaos of life. It is inherently human for the need for continuous learning - something nature is able to do so eloquently.
my role as an environmental interpreter
Hi everyone, thanks for taking a minute to read my post. This weekās topic is on where we see ourselves as environmental interpreters. For myself over the past couple of years living in Guelph, I found that we are surrounded by so much nature that I wanted to learn more about. Every time I would need space to myself or a moment to breath I would go for a walk in the forest by my house, often having to scramble back before the sun set.
There are so many beautiful spots in Guelph that often go unlooked and unappreciated. Therefore, I see my role as an environmental interpreter as someone who is able to show others how to appreciate the nature they see in front of them that is so easily missed. This role might entail leading a foraging hike through the Speed River Trail - one of my absolute favourites.
Being a nature interpreter allows for the ability to connect others to nature in a way they might not have been able to see before. A walk through a forest might just be a walk for some people, but with a nature interpreter, one could help discover and forage the different mushrooms that are growing all around. Some of my favourites that Iāve found recently around Guelph are pheasants back (Polyporus squamosus) mushrooms and giant puffballs. Both mushrooms are edible if forged when they are young and identified correctly, and can have health benefits (PDQ Integrative, 2023).
Another example of a delicious forgeable that can be found around Guelph on a brief walk is fiddleheads. Fiddleheads are baby fiddlehead ferns that are poking their way through the soil during the spring. I will admit they are delicious with butter and garlic, however when foraging, it is a skill to be able to restrain yourself from taking too much. If you take too many fiddleheads for yourself, then there are not always enough ferns that grow throughout the summer to reproduce to provide the fiddleheads for the next year and so on. The same goes for any mushrooms as well.
A skill that I would like to develop in the context of my role as an environmental interpreter would be to go with the flow in terms of what I have planned to talk about or where to go. I like my plans and I like being prepared. However, I am slowly learning that being in and with nature requires an open mind and the ability to go with the flow; I skill I know I still need to work on.
Thatās for now, thank you for reading š
References:
PDQ Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board. PDQ Medicinal Mushrooms. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. Updated <01/13/2023>. Available at:Ā https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/mushrooms-pdq.
