Learning From Nature

Welcome to Estelle Lysko's nature interpretation blog for ENVS*3000 W24 at UofG.

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Disclaimer (please pin an edited version to the top of your blog)

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.

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This blog was created for ENVS*3000 W24, 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.

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10: The Last Reflection

Hi folks!

Here we are, the final blog post of the term. For myself, it feels like just yesterday I was sitting down to write my first response, attempting to break down what nature interpretation meant. Prior to this term, I was not familiar with the concept of nature interpretation, and I was naïve to assume everyone has experienced nature in the same manner I have. The journey that this course has facilitated, I believe, came at the perfect time in my life, both personally and professionally. As I approach graduation this summer, I’m reminded that the skills and metaphorical toolbox that I have developed over the past four years will guide my future endeavours.

To get started I would like to provide you all with a quote. The frontispiece of our textbook stated that,

“Finding beauty in a broken world… is the work of daring contemplation that inspires action” (Beck et al., 2018).

Prior to this course, I was familiar with the negative aspects and areas of improvement that our natural world consisted of. Habitat destruction, the climate crisis, food shortages; the list goes on. It is through university courses that I was made aware of these issues and asked to research possible solutions (Hooykaas, 2024). When talking to my parents or even friends who are not in post-secondary education, there is a large disconnect in the knowledge and an emphasis on the problem rather than solution. This course was the work of daring contemplation and a self-reflection of how I see myself as a nature interpreter. I am now an active vessel to communicate the values and successes of nature and am knowledgeable of how to do so. I have found a passion for bridging the gap between those who are able to access our natural world and those who do not. 

To be an effective communicator there are several aspects of self that must be strengthened and actively worked upon. It was not until this blog prompt that I had considered what my personal ethic is regarding nature. A definition that I used to curate my personal ethic towards nature was “the ethics that a person identifies with in respect to people and the situations that they deal with in everyday life.” My personal ethic as a nature interpreter is to be honest and always maintain integrity when relaying information to audiences. As discussed in course content, it is not only the quality of interpretation that effects the audience’s engagement with the topic but the way it is presented (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 3). We all have a hierarchy of needs and if we are motivated to fulfill these needs, life will be more enjoyable (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 3). Ensuring I am transparent to audiences with how much I do know and recognize the gaps in my knowledge will instill trust in my audience and increase retention rates. 

Similarly, I recognize the gaps in knowledge that people of different socioeconomic status may have and the privilege I hold attending a university, receiving an education in environmental science (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 7). I vow to be a beacon of truth and encourage differing perspectives. There is an immense amount of misinformation circulating in mainstream media that can be difficult to trust. Those who are less informed may be incredibly susceptible to this misinformation and can make uneducated conclusions. I have a responsibility to utilize the skills I have learned in this course and my education to filter through this information and support my audience. 

In my childhood, I was fortunate enough to attend several nature related day and overnight camping experiences. I have immersed myself in the natural world and have experienced the value of an effective nature interpreter. Now that I am of the age of previous camp councillors and teachers, I am passionate about the natural world, specifically aquatics, and am eager to be the voice for the next generation. Little 5-year-old me would be ecstatic to go down to the lake and collect stones and listen to my nature guide. I think that without this exposure and exceptional guide, I would not have the same relationship with nature that I do today.

Experiencing nature in my past and this course in the present, I have a comprehensive understanding of how I would relay my knowledge about the natural world in a digestible manner. I would focus on my passion for our freshwater great lakes and the Muskoka area that I have spent countless hours exploring. As a visual learner that recognizes there are other learning styles, a YouTube show would be an ideal source to share my knowledge with the most amount of people (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 6). Most people have access to a digital device, if not personally then at their workplace or school. With children being exposed to technology more than any previous generation, I believe a short YouTube video weekly could be engaging and an amusing way to learn. The experience I gained through creating our podcast assignments leaves me feeling better equipped to tackle such a project.  

This course has inspired me in my future aspirations. Leaving Guelph, I have the responsibility to myself and to my peers to share the knowledge we have gained in traditional study and apply it to our everchanging world. It is important to remember that regardless of what the future holds, our natural world can provide us with answers. We must support each other in our call to action and have an open mind to new possibilities and perspectives. I believe we all have been working on finding our own voice this term and I am excited to see where our values, beliefs, and interests take us. 

I hope that you all can appreciate the evolution of me and my experiences outdoor through this digital scrapbook of my life through the images.

Cheers to a great term and staying curious!

References

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: for a better world: Chapter 3 Values to individuals and society. Sagamore Venture.

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: for a better world: Chapter 7 Serving diverse audiences. Sagamore Venture.

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: for a better world: Chapter 6 How people learn. Sagamore Venture.

Hooykaas, A. (2024). Unit 10: Nature interpretation’s role in environmental sustainability. University of Guelph. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/858004/viewContent/3640015/View

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Hello! Thank you for sharing your reflections on your journey through the course and your personal growth as a nature interpreter. I find it so crazy how time has flown by and I totally agree it feels like we all just started our interpretation journeys yesterday! Though reading your thoughtful post, it's evident that you've undergone a transformative experience in terms of your understanding of nature interpretation and your own ethical stance towards it. Your emphasis on honesty, integrity, and transparency in communication is super inspiring as a fellow interpreter. In a world filled with misinformation, being a reliable source of accurate information is crucial, especially when it comes to environmental issues.

Your commitment to bridging the gap between different groups and encouraging diverse perspectives is also admirable. Overcoming privilege and invisible barriers was something we discussed in our blogs previously, but also something I really struggled with at first. I think that learning about different barriers that others may face while trying to interpret nature, helped me understand and commit to bridging that gap you mentioned. It's so important that we use our education from post-secondary teachings in general and also interpretation to convey the importance of nature because it really can offer so many wonderful things! I really loved reading about your passion for the Muskoka area and how it can inspire you for your future journey in applying your knowledge. This reminded me of a lot of the inspirations I've found in nature up north. I also grew up camping in the Muskoka region and have had many summers spent in that area. More specifically, my family and I would visit the town of Huntsville, Ontario as one of our many fishing spots. I was wondering, what exactly draws you in about the lakes in the area? For me, it's the calm water and how fresh the water feels no matter what connecting river or large open lake you are on in the area. Anyway, thank you for posting this awesome post and I hope you have a great remainder of your semester!

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Ethics Manifesto

For this final blog post I am willing to risk sounding devout when referring to nature. We have been asked to describe our developing ethics as a nature interpreter. Ethics are something that are constantly guiding my days, as I hope is true with everyone. As described by the Government of Canada; ethics are derived from the Greek word “ethos”, which means “way of living”, ethics is a branch of philosophy that is concerned with human conduct, more specifically the behaviour of individuals in society. Ethics examines the rational justification for our moral judgments; it studies what is morally right or wrong, just or unjust. (Government of Canada, 2015). 

I have always known my love for water, trees, and the Earth with all its magic. In the past few years I have tried to use my inner child to dictate where my life path goes. Some of my most cherished moments were making mud pies and playing in the temporary ponds that the spring floods would bring to the ditches beside the dirt road I grew up on. If I think hard enough I can still smell the mud and see the long yellow grasses swirling in the water. I want to take this feeling and use it as a way to build my nature interpreter ethics, and on a greater scale my life ethics. What is important to me is that I am using my time wisely to be true to the earth and nature as best I can. I want to be respectful of the life I have and the incredible array of life all around me. I strive to be curious and dedicated to the betterment of all. These are my ethics.

Life is a beautiful and precious thing and as an interpreter we are given the gift of encouraging others to discover that. However our modern global society seems hellbent on using up every last resource and causing a wake of destruction in the process. My ethics are tied to the preservation, protection and rehabilitation of the Earth as well as the just and humane treatment of all people. I know that I would not be able to interpret at a site that actively props up industries such as big oil, mining or some forms of forestry. It is part of my responsibilities as a nature interpreter to speak up and protect the Earth.The ethics behind those responsibilities are imperative. Understanding that in order to be a good environmental steward, I am not always able to toe the line. As the textbook states; meaningful and convincing communication also requires belief in the importance of the subject matter. If the interpreter isn’t enthused and truly enthralled by the subject matter then the audience won’t be either (Knudson et al., 2018). This is true for ethics in interpretation as well, if the interpreter does not stand behind the messaging then the message will be lost.

It is important to remember that everyone comes to interpretation sites from different angles and this needs to be taken into consideration when projecting a message. The textbook reveals that a key to interpreting lies in the understanding that different learning processes, stages, and styles can operate, the message may come across to all (Knudson et al., 2018). I think that the interpretive approach which best suits me is the modern constructivist. Modern constructivists often suggest keeping classroom lecturing to a minimum and individual interaction with problems and real objects to a maximum (Knudson et al., 2018). I have found that whenever I have truly learned something, it is from discovering it on my own in nature, and then taking the time to learn about it after the fact. I think that by taking the time to explore the material physically is incredibly important. Yes, audio and other forms of media can get your message across and reach many more people. There is undoubtedly value in that. However, I believe that in order to be tied to an interpretive subject in a truly connected and lasting way we need to interact with it intimately. 

This semester as we developed our podcast scripts I realized my role as a nature interpreter distinctly. When it was needed, I spoke up for the environment. I made sure the wording was correct so that what we were describing was ethical and environmentally sound. I felt protective of those that were listening. This was partially because I knew that I could not show those listening in a tactile way what the key message components were. It simply would have been easier to get the message across in a physical environment instead of creating an audio environment. I recognized edits that needed to be made in order to interpret and educate in a truthful and impactful way. Notably for the children’s podcast, I wanted to instill a dynamic that was not fearful. I made sure that words such as gross, scary, yucky were scrubbed from the script. I do not want messaging that I helped put out into the world to cause fear, instill unjust ideals, or cause harm. For adults, I wanted to engage in a sense of wonder. To bring them back to that moment of awe that we remember from our childhoods. I want to be able to show them that they too have their own swirly waters to pull from. Adults need to be reminded that learning doesn’t have to be painful, that it can be fun and rewarding. Interpretation is a step towards this, and in my mind a bridge between citizens, and scientists. Perhaps good nature interpretation could even develop a future citizen scientist.

In closing, for me sticking to my environmental ethos is incredibly important as a nature interpreter. My responsibilities are to protect both the earth and its inhabitants - including people. My audience is from a variety of backgrounds and come to nature interpretation for all kinds of reasons, and this needs to be taken into account when developing programming for them. I would make the experience meaningful by being passionate, truthful, and allowing for folks to interact with the subjects intimately. I learned a lot from my role as interpreter within this course and look forward to applying it to my future endeavours.

References: 

Government of Canada. (2015, July, 23). What is ethics?  https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/values-ethics/code/what-is-ethics.html

Knudson, L.B.T.T.C.D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. Sagamore Publishing LLC. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781571678669

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Hello! Thank you so much for sharing this post, devout sounding or not, I found your description of nature and our role as interpreters perfect! I loved hearing about your heartwarming journey through your love for nature and the evolving ethics you embrace as a nature interpreter! Your vivid memories of childhood adventures in mud pies and springtime ponds paint a picture of pure joy and connection to the Earth's magic. It's the descriptions like this one that help an audience connect to your topic by feeling the joy and other emotions you are evoking. Your interpretation here reminded me of my childhood too! It's beautiful how you've tapped into your inner child to guide your life's path toward honouring and preserving nature. I think as interpreters, we should all remember to include this in our ethics as learning should be fun and embrace our younger carefree selves. I also really loved reading about your dedication to using your time wisely to stay true to the Earth and its wonders, it is truly admirable! I think that a commitment to protecting and preserving the planet amidst the challenges of modern society is an important lesson to share and teach to future generations as they are the leaders of a future of sustainability. Reading through your perspectives on teaching shows how you recognize the importance of tailoring your message to resonate with your diverse audience. Your thoughtful approach, aimed at sparking wonder and curiosity while steering clear of fear or negativity, ensures that everyone can find their own passion for nature within a learner's comfort zone. Your blog was awesome to read throughout this semester and I hope you continue to share your gift of interpretation!

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My Final Takes on Being an Ethical Interpreter

Hello everyone and welcome back to another week of nature interpretation! Today I want to reflect on my journey as a future nature interpreter and on all the progress I've made after discovering more about how people learn and develop skills to experience nature. As a university student delving into the world of nature interpretation, my journey has been a blend of discovery, reflection, and growth. One of the most intriguing aspects of this path has been unravelling the diverse learning styles and confronting the challenges that arise when interpreting the wonders of nature. With each step, I find myself not only learning about the environment but also exploring the depths of my own ethical values as an interpreter.

In the beginning, I can admit that my point of view on nature education was quite biased. I have always had a good relationship with the outdoors, making my experiences from a very early age positive and encouraging. The support system and prior interpreters I had access to also fostered this early connection. In past posts, I have discussed the influence and teachings I have received from family when it came to outdoor activities. Thanks to people like my dad and grandparents, their teachings have shaped a lot of my hobbies and interests to revolve around nature. Because of this, I had an advantage and disconnected from understanding that others may not be at the same comfort or experience level as I was. For individuals who may not have had a positive upbringing with nature, experiencing new activities and things that I find fun and interesting may be scary or stressful. Individuals may also have barriers from experiencing nature such as accessibility, not being close to natural parks or spaces, and even problems with traumatic scary experiences. All of these factors are something that I have learned to think about when trying to teach others about nature. One of my new personal beliefs in nature interpretation is that you should always treat your audience with care and try to be sensitive to the difficulties that they may experience when going out of their comfort zone. I also believe that it is my job as an interpreter to ask about these barriers and come up with ways to start working with the learner to overcome and create positivity in their life with nature.

Being an interpreter, I also believe that it is crucial for teachers to understand different learning styles and methods. Learning styles can be a very important tool not only to get your lessons and information across to specific students but also, to help students of all kinds have an easier time overcoming their barriers. I prefer to immerse myself in the outdoors and experience new sights, sounds, and little details. I am someone who really likes exploring and learning from hands-on styles such as bodily-kinesthetic or naturalistic intelligence learning (Beck et al., 2018, p.111). This learning style works for me because my natural intelligence centers around experience, while I'm not very strong when placed in a lecture or listening learning setting. This goes for many other learners as well. As an interpreter, you should try to incorporate different aspects and strategies so that you are not missing out on giving your audience the best opportunity to take in the information. Catering to someone's learning style as an interpreter is so important, especially for learners who are struggling with getting into nature. In my practice as an interpreter, by embracing a flexible and adaptive approach to interpretation, I aim to meet the unique needs and interests of each individual, fostering a more inclusive and engaging experience for all.

In my previous posts, I discussed my hobby of bird watching and continuously developing a passion for the wild birds of Ontario. This started when I was a little girl sitting by my grandmother's feeders and learning the various birds that came by. This was a great experience that my grandmother and I shared and one that stuck with me for a very long time. I’d like to think that it was a very important part of creating an interest in nature. It was through these formative experiences that I discovered the power of hands-on, experiential learning—the kind that ignites a spark of wonder and instills a lasting connection to the environment. And it's this same approach that I aspire to bring to my work as a nature interpreter, especially when engaging with younger audiences. Drawing from my own journey, I believe that introducing nature to children should be a blend of education and enjoyment, a delicate balance that sparks curiosity while nurturing a sense of wonder and respect for the natural world. Teaching the younger generations about nature at a young age reinforces positive experiences and interest in the natural world at a young age (CLEARING Magazine, 2019). This can be incorporated into early learning in an age-appropriate way to appropriately teach children so that knowledge does not exceed their learning abilities and is easy to understand (CLEARING Magazine, 2019). I think both from personal experience and learning about interpretation, educating and involving younger generations in nature is a great way to teach a future interest and care for the environment. For me, birdwatching served as a gateway to broader ecological concepts, providing an entry point that sparked my interest and laid the foundation for deeper learning. With fun learning in nature through discovery, we will be able to ensure a future generation of environmental advocates and an informed society that cares about the natural world, ensuring a bright future.

(Here is a photo I took at the pond by my house of a swan and a few geese. This pond is very special to my family and I because we would go on walks to look at the ducks and birds since I was a baby. I am so lucky to have grown up with such exposure to nature.)

Looking into my approach to nature interpretation, I hope to inspire the next generation of nature enthusiasts. Just as I was once guided by the wonders of the world, I aspire to guide others on their own journey of fun discovery, nurturing, and a lifelong love of nature that I am so lucky to have myself. Through this blend of personal inspiration, education styles, and hands-on exploration, I believe we can contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future.

Thank you so much for reading my blog! I wish every one of you inspiration and fun while experiencing the outdoors.

References

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World (pp. 111). Sagamore Publishing LLC. https://sagamore.vitalsource.com/books/9781571678669

CLEARING Magazine. (2019, June 17). Why Environmental Educators Shouldn’t Give Up Hope. CLEARING Magazine; CLEARING: PNW Journal of Environmental Education in the Pacific Northwest. https://clearingmagazine.org/archives/14300

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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, “What the Buzz?” 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.  Down near a little village named Walton there is a shale beach with a massive cliff and folds in the rocks. 

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. 

(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. 

(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 Mi’kmaq, called these the five islands. The five islands are part of the legends passed down by the Mi’kmaq 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 peoples’ folklore, especially when centered around how the landscape was formed. 

Anyways, till next week bloggers!

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Hello, I wanted to take a moment and reblog your awesome post because it was so interesting to read! I really enjoyed hearing about your experiences back home and at the sites closer in Hamilton, Ontario. Visiting sites like the Devil's Punchbowl not only provides an opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of the landscape, but also allows us to connect with the earth's history. It's like reading a book written in the language of rocks and sediment. Each layer holds clues to the environmental conditions and events that shaped the land over so many years to give us the structures and geographic ranges we have today. In your picture of the site, I tried taking a closer look and it's not hard to tell the various layers apart. The different colours, textures, and thickness of sections really show the complexity of the land and how it has transformed. Man, the forces of nature are cool! Exploring such sites on class field trips must offer a unique learning experience, allowing students to witness geological concepts come to life and gain a deeper understanding of the forces at work in nature! I wish I had gone on a few field trips like that! I was wondering if you had any other favourite sites closer by that you have found. Also, what was the coolest thing you have seen in the stone formations, any distinct sediments or clays? Even fossils?

~Estelle :)

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The Living Structures of the Sea

Hello Nature enthusiasts and welcome back to another week of blogging. Today I'm taking all of you on a journey through the currents and mysterious waters of the ocean. The oceans of earth cover make up the majority of the planet's composition and somehow, we barely have discovered all it has to offer. The oceans all around the world are home to an incredible array of species and habitats making for incredible biodiversity. Let's take a look at one of my favourite bits of ocean life, coral and coral reefs.

(This is a sea star I found on one of my beach trips on a sandbank during low tides. When the tides went out there were so many creatures that we found on the sand as there was plenty of reefs nearby that were home to vertebrate and invertebrate species~photo by me~)

Coral is hard, rocklike, and is found in both deep and shallow water. Reef coral is specifically found in warm tropical or subtropical shallow ocean waters because it needs sunlight to form its symbiotic relationship with algae. With its hard stone or rocklike structure it's hard to believe such a thing is living. However, coral, believe it or not, is an animal! It doesn't synthesize its own food source like a plant and instead is made up of a bunch of soft-bodied polyp creatures (Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, 2011). These polyps use the calcium carbonate from seawater to form a hard outer skeleton of limestone and root themselves into the sea floor, this protects the creatures from sea currents and threats. Thousands of pin-sized invertebrate polyps work to form these coral branches and have mouths and stinging tentacles (Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, 2011)! 

Coral is not just fun to look at but serves its ecosystem in some of the most important ways for marine biomes. Making up just 1% of the ocean floor, coral reefs support more than 25% of the ocean's species and marine life (Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, 2011). Coral makes habitats for fish, breeding grounds and egg-laying shelters, food sources for other species, and supports many biodiversity hotspots in the ocean. Humans benefit from coral as well, reefs create tourism opportunities, economic opportunities, have cultural and medicinal uses, and serve as a food resource hotspot. With all the ecosystem services that coral provides, this invertebrate is truly priceless to the world's biodiversity.

I have been lucky enough to experience the beauty of a few reefs across the world and snorkel or dive to enjoy them. My first experience diving was the one that stuck with me and created my fascination with reefs. Diving into the warm waters in Mexico I was transported into a world of colorful plants swaying with the tide, fish zooming around under my body and what looked like a giant underwater city. The Mesoamerican Reef, which is the second-largest barrier reef in the world, was bustling with life. When I looked closer and swam up to the coral structures I realized how so many living things were depending on the coral to survive. Tiny crabs moving along the vibrant coral structures, tiny fishes hiding in nooks and crannies of the reef, and colourful anemones that thrived to feed thanks to the structural support they received. I was entranced. Drifting along the top I looked into their world, big and small fish surrounded me and I felt as if I could swim along with them in a school. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a large silver figure. Scales shining with every sunbeam from the surface, the large fish moved through the reef looking for its own meal, this was a hungry barracuda. The reef not only provided food for predators, but also protection for prey, and in that moment I was also grateful that there was this giant skeleton of coral distancing me from the toothy fish, even though I had nothing to worry about. 

Coral reefs and incredible colonies are all around the world and are truly wonders to see. They are something that amazes me about nature because of their complexity and service to the species around them. We as humans are lucky enough to enjoy their beauty so it's also our job to protect this living creature of the sea. It's important to understand the world's wonders and biodiversity, and of course, the best way to do this is to get out and experience it. In order to do this we must get over the irrational fears of exploration we have, if well informed about the outdoors, we are safe. I slowly conquered this by learning how to dive with professionals. The most important way we can educate ourselves is through discovery and this goes for young and old (CLEARING Magazine, 2019)! Humans are more likely to learn and be involved with their education through the means of discovery and exploration (CLEARING Magazine, 2019). Even small adventures can create a joy in learning that we all need!

Resources:

CLEARING Magazine. (2019, June 17). Why Environmental Educators Shouldn’t Give Up Hope. CLEARING Magazine; CLEARING: PNW Journal of Environmental Education in the Pacific Northwest. https://clearingmagazine.org/archives/14300

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. (2011, April 4). Why are coral reefs called the rainforests of the sea? Noaa.gov. https://floridakeys.noaa.gov/corals/biodiversity.html

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Blog 7: Planting musical roots

I believe music in nature is very easy to find. Birds are found on every continent and sea birds such as the Albatross spend most of their life at sea or near water. One could even say that it is very difficult to find a location where birds have not colonized. One of the unique aspects of birds is their mating rituals, which involve multiple dance routines, plumage colors, structures such as nests, and, most importantly, songs.

Male Bowerbird decorating its nest with bright objects to attract a potential mate.

Bird songs and calls are perhaps the most recognizable characteristics of birds apart from their wings and beaks. Many bird species identification books and keys use bird songs and calls to identify the species since you cannot always see a bird, but you can definitely hear it. Characterizing bird songs as music, as defined by humans, tends to be controversial. Musicians, composers, scientists, researchers, and bird experts cannot agree that bird songs are music. One of this week’s assigned papers, ‘The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music’ by Gray et al. (2001) supports that bird songs are music but articles over the years from (2012) and (2023) still showcase that the discussion is ongoing and will likely not reach a concrete conclusion any time soon.

Nature in music is, in my opinion, vague. Can you call a song describing a couple’s divorce, written after the author went on a nature hike as being inspired by nature? Does the song have to mention or explicitly revolve around nature to be considered as a song inspired by nature? I do not know, to be honest, but that’s the beauty of music as an art form, it's subjective, so you can define nature in music however you want.

Plant Wave in progress, where electric singnals from the plant are being converted to music.

Regarding nature in music, I want to talk about a specific type of music or phone application; Plant Wave. Plant Wave is a phone application that converts electrical signals produced by plants into music that plays through the app by using a sensor that is hooked up to the plant. The creator of Plant Wave, Joe Patitucci, has released some songs he has made using plants. I personally find this fascinating since you do not think about plants when it comes to music but Joe Patitucci did, and he has opened a gateway for people to enjoy nature even more through Plant Wave.

My story revolving plant wave is funny as I found one of Joe’s songs on Spotify while listening to a playlist about space themed synthwave music (think about the interstellar movie theme). I found this rather amusing because while looking for music relating to the vastness of space, I ended up back on Earth listening to a plant’s electronic signals instead. This scenario showcases how the reach of nature can be further expanded using media as described by this week’s assigned textbook chapter reading. If Joe had not decided to share his nature experience with the public, I would have never gone down the rabbit hole that was plant wave.

C-A-M-P-F-I-R-E-S-O-N-G song being performed live in public for the first time

As for a song that takes me back to natural landscape, I think about the CAMPFIRE song song (yes it is song song, not a typo) from SpongeBob Squarepants. The whole episode revolves around how camping can be fun and dangerous. Nowadays, whenever I hear camping or campfire, that song immediately comes to my mind, especially the sear bear scene (if you have watched the episode, you know the sea bear scene).

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Hello! Thank you for sharing this awesome post of your take on music in nature. I found a lot of your opinions very interesting and that's what caught my eye about your post for this week. Bird songs are, as you discussed, a great way to identify bird species and do help when you can't see these lovely creatures in the trees above. I find bird songs interesting when it comes to the sounds of nature, bird calls are a bird's form of communication between each other to show different emotions, needs, mating signals, or danger. In a way, I would consider it music as humans use our music to convey similar messages or connect with each other as the same species. Another point you made in your post was that nature in music is subjective and vague. While I can see where you're coming from, my point of view is that a song doesn’t exactly need to be all about nature. It's more so about how we use it to evoke memories and emotion. This could simply be describing that example of divorce you gave as a painful trek up a rocky mountain in the pouring rain, and after it’s over, you get to experience the peak after all your suffering is done (I know it’s a very exaggerated example). Regardless, I think nature in music inspires better storytelling by using the wonders of nature to connect with others. But again, the interpretation and beauty is up to the viewer. (P.S. AMAZING SONG CHOICE I love "Campfire Song Song”. SpongeBob has some hits.)

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The Melodies of Nature (BLOG 7)

Hello everyone and once again, welcome to my nature blog! I am SO excited about this week's topic: music in nature and nature in music. As some of you may have read from my previous posts, I am someone who really enjoys spending time in nature and using its wonders to inspire my art. Growing up as a creative person, I took an interest in visual arts and dabbled in theatre, but my main passion is music. I learned to play guitar, ukulele, tenor saxophone, and my favourite instrument by far is my voice.

Whether it's classic choir pieces, musical theatre songs, or fun pop hits, I've always noticed most songs use nature as imagery and description for lyrics. Nature is in music is everywhere. So many music pieces use nature to connect the audience to an emotion that is trying to be delivered. For example, passion and intensity can be represented by relating to fire, a landslide, or thunder. An example of love or happiness could be described by the warm embrace of the summer sun. Nature also inspires writers to talk about places they've been, experiences in nature, or even tell fictional stories that would be deepened by describing the environment it's happening in. This in itself is a form of nature interpretation presentation, it allows for effective communication in an engaging way while also inspiring and encouraging others to be curious about what nature has to offer (Hooykaas, n.d). For me, there are certain songs that I correlate to nature and that help me remember experiences I've had in the outdoors. Music has such a strong connection to memory and emotion, it's not surprising that some of my favourite experiences at the cottage or the lake bring a few songs to my mind. One of these songs from way back in my childhood is “When the Night Feels My Song” by Bedouin Soundclash, and it's the first song that comes to mind when I think of nature and music. This song reminds me of getting up and going to summer camp, singing in your group, and going to play Manhunt in the forest. Every time I hear this song now it makes me think of hot summer days, hiding under trees from the sun after playing, and having the campfire smell linger on my clothes.

Take a listen to the music video of this awesome song:

Nature also has its own wonderful songs that weave its melodies through the world around us. From the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind to the powerful sounds of a thunderstorm, the sounds of nature inspire awe and wonder. There are so many examples of nature's sounds that bring us out into the outdoors to observe and listen to them. Nature's music inspires exploration and new opportunities for interpretation. An example of this in my life is the renowned songs of birds. Each species has its own unique melody, from the cheerful song of a robin to the haunting call of the loon. Humans tend to be drawn to the lovely songs of birds as they remind us of our own harmonies and melodies (Gray et al., 2001). Bird calls can be recognizable because they emulate our human musical scale and notes, and a species’ song can be sung in many ways using octaves to create harmonies (Gray et al., 2001). My early interest in birds came from positive memories of sitting outside watching them at my grandparent's house or hearing their calls while playing outside. Experiences like these spark interest in being out in nature. Some more of my favourite examples of awesome nature songs are calls of spring peeper frogs letting you know warmer weather is coming, they call all together in a chorus. I hope to hear from these little guys at my local pond soon, I'm ready for spring!

References:

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

Hooykaas, A. (n.d.). Unit 07: Nature Interpretation through Music [Online Unit Notes]. ENVS3000 Nature Interpretation. University of Guelph. Available from: https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/858004/viewContent/3640021/View

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Hi everyone!

This week for my blog post I will be unpacking the following quote from Edward Hyams: “There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity, and integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole, and if these parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things. …. To think, feel or act as though the past is done with, is equivalent to believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it.” (Edward Hyams, Chapter 7, The Gifts of Interpretation).

This quote really resonated with me as a member of the queer community which, as I’m sure many are aware, has a long history of strife and activism. To me this quote means that it is not just important to have a recounting of the history of something but to also consider how it connects to other events, people, or places. It is also important to think about how history affects us today, and the context of how and why things take place. If we isolate historical events or people to simply being in the past we risk losing the context surrounding them. When you consider important events in queer history like the Stonewall protests and simply consider them as a part of the past you can become ignorant to their importance and relevance today. Historical events are important as both reminders of where we came from and where we stand today.

Beyond just my interpretation of this quote as a queer woman, I believe that these messages can also be applied to global issues involving the natural environment. The issues with sustainability and conservation that we face today undoubtedly have their connections to past events and people that we would be remiss to forget about. By remembering the past as a previous stop on the metaphorical train station mentioned by Hyams we can look back and see how far we have come on these issues and gauge how far we may yet need to go. History can also be used as a lesson in this sense to see how issues have been handled previously, why they have been handled in such a way, and why they may have/ may have not worked out. As is often said, those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. Hopefully by keeping the integrity of past events alive we can continue to make progress towards environmental goals that protect the natural world. This inevitably requires that people care enough to maintain the memory and contexts of the past in order for us to be able to understand it fully for the future.

One thing I liked about this quote is that it can have a very different meaning to different people based on their personal background, so I look forward to seeing how everyone else interpreted it! Have a great reading week everyone!

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Hello Shaylah! Thank you for sharing your thoughtful interpretation of the quote and for highlighting its relevance not only to the queer community but also to other global issues such as environmental sustainability and conservation. It's crucial to recognize the interconnectedness of historical events and their impact on our present circumstances. By understanding the context and lessons of the past, we can make more informed decisions for the future. I really appreciated your example of the importance of Stonewall and its pivotal point for learning from such an event from the past for future progress. The impacts of this historical event live on through the fight for LGBTQ+ liberation and rights, providing valuable feedback for future generations on how to become better. It made me think of what historical events resonate with me and their relevance today. Unfortunately, the first event that came to my mind was the holocaust, being a Jewish woman from a family of survivors. Even though such terrible history takes place, it is so important to remember these events as they are often applicable to the present. For example, despite the events of the holocaust, antisemitism, discrimination, and racism are at an all-time high so it is still crucial to try to learn from historical mistakes. This goes to show that all events in history, triumphant or tragic, don't simply stay in the past. Their lessons and memories are passed on to new generations and our job is to keep these stories alive to learn from them. Ultimately, your interpretation highlights the multifaceted nature of this quote and underlines the importance of preserving the integrity of memory. By doing so, we honour the struggles and achievements of those who came before us.

Hope you have a great reading week! ~Estelle :)

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History and Interpretation (BLOG 6)

Hello and welcome back to my nature blog! This week I have done some thinking on history and how things of the past can be interpreted. When we think of history, we think of the great stories and background behind artifacts that are left over. However, without interpretation, these artifacts that unpack tales of the past would simply be items or really old landscapes. In nature, history allows the information about land, the species it holds, and the people that use it to be conveyed and be used in many ways. History in nature allows local communities to share their past, gives cultural richness, and helps scientific research study the land for important preservation or monitoring rising issues like climate change.

"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)

In this quote shared as this week's prompt, it seems Edward Hyams dives into the meaning of interpretation in the context of preserving history. He starts by introducing the merit of artifacts, in which he describes what I had mentioned: without a story and someone to debunk the history and an honest background, historical artifacts have little to no worth. The mention of ancient things acknowledges the importance of remembering the history of a place or artifact and how they contribute to the present. This is extremely applicable when talking about nature's history as historical landscapes and ecosystems are all formed by their long evolution over time. These evolutionary processes are important to be understood through interpretation to debunk how species, the climate, and the earth came to be. The last part of the quote uses a train station analogy to describe the importance of memory. This analogy describes that the past isn't simply something to be discarded or ignored. Just because an event is past, doesn't mean that it wasn't significant to the present or future. I think Hyams quote also can describe how disregarding historical events that “only existed for as long as our train was in it”, creates struggle in using natural history for conservation. The historical aspects of nature continue to influence the future and we can't forget about the past as there may be great clues to drivers of change currently in ecosystems. For example, cycles of lower temperatures like the ice ages and warmer interglacial periods are all elements of environmental history that have allowed scientists to study the earth's climate and predict the natural waves of temperature versus human impact. Interpretation also keeps historical culture alive and teaches younger generations about having a relationship with nature. An example of this is how Indigenous communities keep their ancestors' history alive for cultural reasons and use stories to convey the importance of certain natural features or landscapes for spirituality (Beck et al., 2018, p.341).

It is extremely important to remember history. This makes interpreters especially important as their role is to keep the integrity of history alive and not forgotten (Beck et al., 2018, p.326). With this, preserving history can be a driver of change for the future having a huge impact on scientific research and cultural practice. Without acknowledging and remembering the past, these "trains" of history will be lost.

Resources

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World (pp. 81–102). Sagamore Publishing LLC. https://sagamore.vitalsource.com/books/9781571678669

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NATURE & SHIPWRECKS (unit #5 - freestyle)

Hello friends, 

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 interest… 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. 

STOCKTREK IMAGES. (n.d.). A sunken ship lays on its side near Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas. How do we find shipwrecks—and who owns them? National Geographic. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/how-do-we-find-shipwrecks-and-who-owns-them. 

Shipwrecks are considered “islands of biodiversity” 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 shipwrecks—and 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) 

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)! 

References 

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-y 

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/

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Hey Lauren! I'm so glad I came across your blog post because this is so cool! I am not too knowledgeable about shipwrecks and their preservation but I really enjoyed reading a bit about them. The only encounter I have had with shipwrecks was snorkelling above one on a trip to Jamacia. I wish I remembered the details of the tour of which ship it was, however, what I do remember was there was not a lot of it left. We mostly saw the few remaining pieces and artifacts that stood the test of time under the water. After reading your post, maybe it was the type of tropical high-salinity water that had to do with the decomposition. Even though the ecosystems of tropical waters are very different from the Great Lakes, I definitely still saw what you meant by biodiversity hubs. Underwater vegetation and many species of fish surrounded the wreck and it provided important structural diversity for many species. Your post has also enlightened me on the shipwrecks that we have in Ontario; I didn't know we had them in our lakes! Now knowing this, it's definitely something to look into, especially with some road trip planning this summer. In the future, are you planning to go visit any shipwrecks around the Great Lakes or do you have any sites in mind that interest you the most?

~Estelle :)

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Learning by the Lakes

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog! In previous weeks I have discussed how nature has changed my life through art, privilege, and hobbies but I want to dive into how I learned to love nature like I do today. Learning in nature from a young age and so often despite living in the suburbs, had a strong impact on my relationship with exploring the outdoors.

Reflecting on all said experiences, one place has always been my outdoor classroom and my comfort space in nature: lakes. In Ontario Canada, we are blessed to have such an array of freshwater lakes, from the massive great lakes to lots of smaller lakes. The suburb I grew up in had two small lakes super close by, these were called Philips Lake and Bond Lake. When I got older playing outside was a huge part of my childhood and being around this area led me to grow up being drawn to the water. 

An even more special lake to my family is Lake Nipissing. Every summer, the four of us head out on a long road trip to North Bay for a little vacation. We go up to a small cabin on the lake that has the necessities: running water, beds, electricity, and a really comfy couch to crash on after a long day in the sun. There's no television, no wifi, and barely any cell service in the woods, so it's a really good chance for all of us to disconnect from our busy lives and reconnect with nature. These trips are also where I got my start with fishing. From experience every year, I got better at setting my own hooks, properly casting, and handling fish on the line. I took risks and fought through the initial squeamish feeling of touching live bait. Of course, my dad helped me through it all by showing me the ropes but made sure to challenge me by coaching from afar. I can confidently say that from all my hands-on experience and learning, I'm a pretty good fisher! By going on these trips and learning how to handle the outdoors without relying on a “how-to” guide or technology to help my every move, I've learned to not be afraid of exploring the outdoors. Having a hands-on learning experience that taught me to push my limits, has allowed the lakes I grew up with and visited to become a comfort zone for me. 

Learning in this way shaped my capacity for a type of intelligence called bodily-kinesthetic, involving using your hands or the rest of your body to experience new things and solve problems (Beck et al., 2018, p.110). Our trips to Lake Nipissing allowed me to develop my own interpretation of what I was learning by being hands-on with my fishing tasks. Fishing and learning to love nature on the lake has eventually led me to develop another type of intelligence called Naturalistic intelligence (Beck et al., 2018, p.112). Through experience, I have gained the ability to interpret the natural world and apply it through activities such as observing species, going on walks, and identifying things I see in nature to share with others. These two intelligences help me understand the way I learn and interpret better, and I have all of my previous experience to thank. The lakes have been a fun and encouraging place of learning for me. Without a comfortable learning experience there, I can't imagine where else I would have shaped my skills with the outdoors and for life in general.

References:

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World (pp. 81–102). Sagamore Publishing LLC. https://sagamore.vitalsource.com/books/9781571678669

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Nature Interpretation Through Art

I see “The Gift of Beauty” (Beck et al., 2018) as the passing of nature’s magnetic and recharging quality from interpreter to audience. Nature is known for its magnetic quality that draws people in, to the point of craving fresh air and sunlight almost like a drug. Many people consider nature spiritual and emotionally recharging, which adds to nature's mass appeal and draw. Additionally, an important feature of “The Gift of Beauty” is the. aspect of preservation. Nature’s immense beauty creates an intrinsic drive for one to want to preserve it to be able to continue to appreciate it and allow others the opportunity to do so as well. A huge driving force for me is that I want my future children to experience the beauty of nature, which ultimately drives a need for conservation and sustainability for me.

I think that “The Gift of Beauty” and “The Gift of a Spark” are connected because of how powerful beauty is, often being the spark of interest for many. Notably, beauty is the easiest of the 15 principles and gifts to quickly communicate, especially through art. It is said that one has a maximum of 10 seconds to grab an audience’s attention (Griffith, 2023) so visual art is the most effective and impactful. An example of beauty being utilized to spark interest and desire for nature is through information pamphlets (below). An interpreter chose each of these images to grab attention and convince someone to visit.

(The Adventure Map)

But you don't have to be designing nature pamphlets to act as an interpreter bestowing “The Gift of Beauty” on audiences… the average nature-lover does this all the time without even trying, that's how powerful the draw of nature’s beauty is! Every time we upload a vacation photo of a pretty destination, open our laptops revealing a landscape wallpaper, tell our friends about our camping weekend and so many more tiny things, we are be spreading “The Gift of Beauty” to other’s without even trying! 

So this brings us to the question of “Who are you to interpret nature through art?” Well, I am a human being just like all of you so it is in my nature to enjoy and protect the beauty, as well as want to spread the beauty for others to revel in. Art is one of the most accessible forms of communication on the planet, as art is a universal language that has no economic or social barriers when it comes to personal expression. 

One of the pieces of artwork below is by Claude Monet and one is by an elementary school student… can you tell which is which? 

(Gorden, 2024; Monet, 1897)

I joke of course! However, the point is that both pieces of artwork communicate “The Gift of Nature” and inspire audiences to appreciate nature: one probably inspired a family to go on a nature walk after dinner and the other inspired generations of artists, but the point still stands that art is a power tool to drive audiences. Additionally, art can be expressed in many forms which opens up even more opportunities for the average person to interpret nature.

References 

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

Gorden, B. (2024). Tissue paper Monet art projects [Photograph]. 123HomeSchool4Me. https://www.123homeschool4me.com/famous-artist-monet_71/

Griffith, R. (2023). Use value proposition to catch attention: Pragmatic Institute. Retrieved from https://www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/articles/product/the-10-second-customer-attention-test/#:~:text=User%20experience%20data%20and%20market,they%20engage%20with%20your%20message. 

Monet, C. (1897). Nympheas: Sun Effects [Photograph]. GettyImages. https://www.gettyimages.ca/photos/claude-monet-water-lilies

The Adventure Map. About The Adventure Map [Photograph]. CHRISMAR. https://chrismar.com/pages/about-the-adventure-map%C2%AE

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Hello Lauren! What an awesome post! Nature interpretation is all about teaching and sharing knowledge on everything the outdoors has to offer and I think there is no better way to catch a learner's attention than art. I loved how you showed an example of this in the pamphlets you posted. A visual representation of nature like that definitely could help someone who is curious about nature to be drawn into learning more because of the beauty they see. I totally agree with you that art can be an easy-to-understand and alluring creative outlet, this is why it's so important that interpreters use art in their teachings! Describing nature through art can connect people to the outdoors without actually being there and this can help share a story with no barriers whatsoever. The art pieces that you shared were also awesome! In addition, to me, it shows that you were able to take inspiration from nature's beauty from a young age and put your own twist on it. Connecting this way with nature also makes learning its beauties so much more fun! You're sharing your interpretation while providing an eye catching piece to share inspiration to your audience. In the future do you think you would continue to use art to display and process the “gifts of beauty” you are inspired by as an interpreter?

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Art within nature

"Art is in the eye of the beholder." 

― E.A. Bucchianeri

This quote represents the role of art, which provides a medium for people to enjoy, learn, and interpret on their own. Interpreting nature works similarly, we observe its beauty and interpret it uniquely. 

When reflecting on the readings, I realized that nature interpreters help people view nature as art. This specific sentence stood out to me, "An interpreter assists people as they move through these stages so that eventually the individual will not only perceive beauty in spectacular mountain scenery but also will find beauty and inspiration in tall-grass prairies and tidal flats as well" (Beck et al., 2018). This sentence describes the role nature interpreters have, to provide a new outlook on nature in all its beauty, regardless of whether it is a beautiful waterfall or flowers in a neighbour's garden. It gives people a new perspective and allows them to appreciate the gift of beauty provided by nature.

"The gift of beauty" is not a physical gift, but rather, it is a concept that goes beyond mere visual appeal, encompassing the sensory, emotional, and intellectual aspects of human experience within nature (Beck et al., 2018). My interpretation of the gift of beauty is seeing animals and plants interact with one another in an ecosystem. I enjoy seeing the invisible threads holding them together and admiring the art they produce. My most recent appreciation is from my trip to Florida during the winter break. I visited New Smyrna Beach and walked along the trail surrounding the natural dunes. It was the first time I had ever seen sand dunes, so it was a really amazing experience.

I got to see turtles bathing in the sun, sitting right above their nests. Their nests were made by digging tunnels in the natural sand dunes. I believe that the plants growing within the sand provide enough support so the sand doesn't come crashing down on the turtle below. The combination of the natural forces of the wind creating sand dunes and the turtles using it as a home really brought attention to the symbiosis. Additionally, sandpipers were strolling along the beach, foraging little insects they found when the tide rolled out. A relationship between animals and nature that can give insight into the world's beauty. The sand dunes were an amazing sight to see because I could spot the wind patterns within the sand. You could see waves in the sand from where the wind blew, creating a beautiful piece of art onto the natural canvas.

I think I noticed many of these details because I have had the privilege of learning about animals, plants, and nature in school. I can appreciate the little things nature has to offer and notice the art it provides. It is now my responsibility to point it out to others. To show others examples of beauty and to allow them to interpret it in the way they desire. "Interpretation is art, being able to relay information to inspire others" (Beck et al., 2018).

I have attached pictures of the sand dunes, I hope you guys enjoy seeing it just as much as I did :) 

References

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2019). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. Sagamore Publishing.

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Hello Lea, I enjoyed reading your post this week! I'd like to start by saying how much I loved your take on the “gift of beauty” as more of a concept to observe that helps the viewer experience the beauty of nature. The way you described your Florida trip definitely sounded like you were using nature's beauty and taking everything in. The interconnection of the turtles and the sand dunes held together by plants sounds like an art piece of all these components coming together to craft something beautiful. I liked how you discussed nature as art as my perspective initially saw art as more of a tool to convey and interpret nature. Reading your post has opened my mind to how many resources there are for nature interpreters based on how you look at things. You mentioned that you believe your education in nature has helped you learn to identify the little details in the outdoors. I can really relate to this as I'm always the one telling my friends about everything I've learned in my ecology classes when we go on walks together. It has simply allowed my recognition and application of knowledge to grow. As students and interpreters with stronger backgrounds in this subject, I do agree with you that it is our responsibility to help others understand. My question to you is: how would you incorporate nature and the art it gives us into your interpretation mission? How could you help others who don't have such an easy time interpreting nature to begin with?

~Estelle :)

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Seeing Nature Through Art (BLOG 4)

Hello and welcome back to my blog! This week's topic to ponder is nature and its interpretation through art. This topic particularly resonates with me, it combines two things: I enjoy nature and art. Arts and crafts, photography, and music are all hobbies that I've been practicing since I was a child. When it came to painting, a lot of the inspiration that I used to improve my techniques was landscape portraits or scenes of animals in nature. I was often inspired by pretty flowers, birds, and animals that interested me. It was my way of deciphering the nature scenes around me. Readers, what is your favourite art form to capture nature creatively?

The infatuating wonders of the natural world make for beautiful pieces that inspire great minds to interpret them in different ways. This is an amazing example of art being a form of nature interpretation, it serves as a window into nature who aren't out experiencing it.

Freeman Tilden was an author and interpreter to set out the terms of heritage interpretation. His philosophy for understanding and interpreting life's beauty and pain is loving what you interpret and those who also come to enjoy it (Beck et al., 2018, p.83). He describes “the gift of beauty” as how interpretation should instil the ability to sense beauty in their surroundings (Beck et al., 2018, p. 85). It's important to remember the role of an interpreter is to display a message and a sort of guide for those who aren't as well versed in the topic or may struggle with the topic. Instilling beauty into other people who may not have the same skill set of interpretation makes Tilden's ‘gift’ a little harder to obtain, however, this doesn't necessarily mean that people can't work towards seeing the beauty. Art mediums, in my opinion, can become a tool for allowing interpreters with this deep love for what they interpret to share their love. A visual observation opportunity for learners may be a better resource because they can use their creativity to observe an art piece and create their own deep connection to what they see. Art evokes emotions and memories that are unique to an individual, so using art to communicate the beauty of nature will create a very personal love and interpretation.

Art is an incredible way to instil “the gift in beauty” as an interpreter. When it comes to my methods of interpreting my love for nature, I tend to focus on inspiration that I have seen before. One of the first anniversary gifts I gave my partner was a portrait of us on the nature trail where we had our first date hiking together. I included the beautiful path we walked down, some birds that we stopped to watch on the walk, and the canopy of trees that covered us from the rain that day. This art piece connects a loving memory and emotion along with the serene beauty of the woods that day. It may just seem like a kind gift, but to us, it's a piece of a story that we love in nature and it lets us share the amazing experience nature offers to those learning to see nature's beauty.

References

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World (pp. 81–102). Sagamore Publishing LLC. https://sagamore.vitalsource.com/books/9781571678669

All images by Estelle Lysko (me)

[mgenvs3000w24]

Unit 03 Post

The prompt this week asks us to reflect on how "privilege" plays a role in nature interpretation and what our definition of privilege is; to begin, I would define privilege as being any quality about a person which gives them an advantage in life, whether it be race, class, family connections etc. as all of these things greatly influence how a person is perceived, and how they interact with the world.

The question of how privilege can effect nature interpretation is a complex one, though chapter 7 of the text describes several ways in which people may face barriers in the context of nature interpretation such as language barriers, economic limitations or lack of knowledge (Beck et al., 2018). Forms of privilege which could interact with nature interpretation could therefore be the opposite, speaking English in a primarily English-speaking country, being wealthy, and having knowledge about opportunities to connect with nature.

Furthermore, things like race and culture may also greatly impact how comfortable certain ethnic groups feel getting involved in nature interpretation activities. For example, the text states that "many urban minorities see camping as something only rich white people do for fun. For them, sleeping in a tent is associated with being homeless" (p. 133). In addition to this, as another example, if all the guides at a national park were wealthy white people, many minority groups could feel that they are unable to connect with or relate to the ways in which the guides interpret things, or may feel generally unwelcome.

I believe that when you have it, it is quite easy to forget about how big of an effect privilege can have in making every part of your life easier, how comfortable you are in certain situations, or the opportunities you have. I believe that it is an important goal to attempt to reduce barriers for minority groups wherever possible, and this also applies to nature interpretation. Everyone deserves to have an equal opportunity to connect to the great outdoors, and I hope we can make it more and more accessible in the future.

Reference

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

[ehlenvs3000w24]

Hello Max, what a great post! I enjoyed reading your blog post this week and I think your point specifically about living situations and society was very interesting. When thinking about how where we live can influence privilege in nature interpretation, my mind goes to issues regarding proximity and accessibility. I think that your point on urban perspectives, regarding how camping in tents is perceived as something homeless people have to do, is so interesting. I agree that societal standards and stereotypes like this one will influence a positive or negative correlation when it comes to activities. In my opinion, these situations of comfort depend on your influences and the people around you too. Thus, not every urban resident may feel the same and everyone has other contributing factors. Something that I unpacked when thinking of my own nature privileges for this week's post was that despite living in a suburban area close to the city, a positive upbringing when it came to the outdoors prevented me from having those typical reservations about going into nature. This also can be something important when it comes to nature interpretation and helping others who are not as comfortable with being in nature. At the end of the day going into nature can be so relaxing and a great mental health tool, if comfortable with nature of course. If interpreters learn how to understand their privileges and others' disadvantages, do you think this could be an area of education for people who do not have a positive relationship with nature?

-Estelle :)

[ehlenvs3000w24]

The Privilege of Nature Interpretation (BLOG 3)

Privilege, in my eyes, is defined as something that lifts one above others and provides a sort of advantage to whatever scenario is applicable. The first example of privilege that comes to my mind are scenarios based on sex, race, class, income, etcetera. In reality, these are only a few examples. When thinking of what gives someone privilege it is very contextual and complex to them as a person and society.

In the article “Helping teachers unpack their ‘invisible knapsacks’” by Nancy P. Gallavan, privilege is described as a key part of everyone's identity shown in different ways. This is shown by the various exercises done with a class of students showing family artifacts, learning about various students' cultures, and diving into how there can be invisible privileges or hardships each student may carry with them (Gallavan, 2005). An exercise done by students highlights how sharing their own cultural wealth, by doing an artifact show and tell, allows students and the educator to communicate and appreciate each individual's story. Such conversation showed how important it is to uncover historical privileges and also reflect on their impacts on societal and educational settings (Gallavan, 2005). This phenomenal article highlights how important it is to educate yourself, reflect on everything that makes your identity, and how others may differ in their strong experiences or struggles. Ultimately, one of the most important points in multicultural education and inclusivity is to listen to others to understand different experiences and improve our empathy, societal barriers, and inclusivity.

The themes of privilege from Gallavan’s teachings can also be applied when looking at the field of nature interpretation. As a nature interpreter, you may already have a love for the outdoors and a natural interest in ecology. That may not be the case for everyone. In the context of nature interpretation, the definition of privilege can be an advantage that allows an improved connection and understanding with nature that can improve understanding of the natural world. This could be through certain advantages such as access to parks and trails, having a car to travel to nature destinations, being comfortable in the outdoors, having the equipment for outdoor activity, or even a positive affinity with nature. Many others may not get to experience such advantages with nature, creating a gap between nature experiences and interpretation opportunities.

As a nature interpreter, it is even more important that these inconsistencies are kept in mind when trying to educate and share observations made in nature. By recognizing and unpacking your ‘invisible backpack’ as a nature interpreter, there can be a better understanding of how certain barriers can be minimized and society can work to make nature a more welcoming place for all. I also believe that nature interpreters themselves who keep an open mind to the challenges others may face, are a key role in helping individuals unpack and overcome these barriers. Nature interpreters can help others become more comfortable with experiencing the outdoors and feel more safe exploring. Good communication and the willingness to share knowledge is also a powerful tool that interpreters can use to help others begin to use nature in their lives in their own way, forming the connection that they are comfortable with.

With this in mind, I am looking forward to making my contributions to making nature education and experience more equitable.

-Estelle :)

References:

Gallavan, N. P. (2005). Helping teachers unpack their “invisible knapsacks.” In Multicultural education (San Francisco, Calif.) (Vol. 13, Issue 1, pp. 36–36). Caddo Gap Press.