Nature's Teachings

Partake in the journey of growing and deepening a connection with nature to reclaim a sense of self, sense of place, and sense of community.

[jmenvs3000]

The end... of the beginning

To me, this course and it’s timing has been pretty significant. It has been a sort of coming home to me to get back into the outdoor world and teaching after being on the backburner while I have thought of pursuing different careers. The two main moments in this course that struck a chord are the differentiation between a job and work, and what climate activism can look like.

image: a photo of a quote written inside the canoe hut at Camp Edgewood. “Look for the little miracles”. Photo taken by me.

I’m not sure that everyone has experienced what “work” feels like compared to a “job”, but I was lucky enough that one of my first jobs was working as a camp counsellor, among other things, at Camp Edgewood in Eden Mills. I worked there for two summers before, devastatingly, the camp had to shut down because of a lack of funding to replace our sewage system. Can you believe it? Working there meant giving up you whole summer, besides Saturdays to work 24 hours around the clock, anyone who works at camp knows this, but to me it never felt like a job and I remember saying this at the time. This place was so special, no matter someone’s background, it gave them a chance to connect with others and the nature around them. When you’re disconnected from the rest of the world, the news, and social media, social norms kind of go out the wind and you’re allowed to be as goofy and weird as you want because people are accepting. I remember a camper saying to me that the one week a year that they got to spend at camp weas the only time that they felt like they belonged and that they weren’t the outsider or the “weird one”. This setting and this community’s commitment to fostering these relationships is something that I seek for my work in the future. Lately, I’ve kind of thrown away the idea of “career” and I am committed to focusing on “work”. So, what makes it work for me? Making a difference.    

image: graphics of a melting earth with blue rings around it. Image taken from https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/strategy/impact-and-opportunities-of-climate-change-on-business.html. 

This year I have really struggled with learning about climate change. It is so essential, yet draining, and leaves me without hope. In chapter 5 of Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage, a huge wave of relief washed over me when they explain how fostering relationships with nature is a way to help with climate change. This idea made me realize what my approach to solving climate change must be, to educate and excite people about the world that we live in. I know that as someone who knows about climate change, I need to lead a life that makes a difference, but the idea of having to think about and face this complex challenge every day in a job has been weighing on me and I hadn’t even started this mystery job! During this semester I have decided to apply to the Queen’s Outdoor and Experiential Education Teaching Program after I graduate from my Undergrad. This is the outlet that I can use to encourage stewardship for other people and do my part to help tackle the climate change challenge. Here is a link to an interview with one of my high school teachers talking about the OEE program: Queen’s University Outdoor & Experiential Education Program.

Throughout my BA in Geography I have been learning about the complex relationships between people and places and the details about those people and those places. What I have learned in taking this course is that part of my work needs to be on the frontlines of those relationships between people and spaces, particularly in the outdoors. I would like to teach in some sort of an outdoor setting. I hope that in doing this I can include different aspects of interpretation from science, art, history, education, and sustainability. Personally, I have always been a generalist, meaning that there are a lot of things that I am okay at, but there’s no one thing that I am an expert at. In this field, I can use this to my advantage because it required a lot of skills to interpret/teach.  

image: a photo of me at my cottage in Temagami, crouching under the old growth forest, picking blueberries. Photo taken by my sister

A direct application to what I have learned in this course will be the job that I landed this summer. I put myself out there and sent an email to the rental cottages around the area of my cottage asking if I could teach swimming lessons at their sites. I was answered right away and will be teaching swimming lessons, fishing skills, canoeing skills, and leading hikes just a short canoe ride from my cottage. I am so excited to learn more about the area so that I can teach it. Mostly, I am excited that I can be outside all day and help other people enjoy the outdoors. This type of job is something that I have been dreaming of since working at camp, but had deemed it as not a “career” job and had assumed that I would not make enough money at a job like this. I was wrong, no both fronts. Like I said before, I’m not worried about a job that looks good on a resume because it matches my degree, a so called “adult job”. I sought out the job that I know will make me happy and that at the end of the day I will be able to say that I did a good day’s “work”.  

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading along with my realizations, hopes, and dreams. What do you want to be when you grow up (not your adult job, your real job)?  

Goodbye for now.

Jasmine

image: a photo of me holding one of my custom jeaote bags, another passion that I have been investing in. In the fall I started making bags out of old jeans and fabric to reduce textile waste. Here is a link to my Instagram in case you want to check it out! https://www.instagram.com/jeaote/ Yes, this is a shameless plug.

[erenvs3000]

Hi Jasmine,

Wow! I can connect to your blog post so much! I too had put the concept of environmental education on the backburner and instead started to gravitate towards a ‘job’ rather than the work I enjoy doing. For a while I was toying with the idea of being a lawyer, but it’s dawned on me that if I go that route, I’ll be giving up a lot of what I’ve loved about my experience in university for things I haven’t loved so much. In university I’ve found joy in the forest by my house, in the investigative research I’ve done into viewing environmental issues through different perspectives, and learning about indigenous issues in Canada and their connection to the environmental crisis. As a lawyer I’d be dealing with cases involving nature and indigenous rights, but I wouldn’t be contributing to the field in a way that best suits my personal skill set and passion. I am so happy that you linked the program you chose to apply to because I spent an hour looking at it and contemplating it, showing it to my parents, and now I’m thinking it could be a great program for me too. Nothing is set in stone about my future field of work, like I always thought it would be; however, this course has made things a lot clearer (or more complicated, I can’t quite decide). At least now I know that teaching about the environment is something I want in my future job description. And as a side note, I too love thrifting/repurposing items and think your business is absolutely fantastic!

[hpenvs3000]

Nature interpretation and its role in saving our planet

I believe that nature is an integral part of our lives, and that day by day it is being taken away from us. I wonder if the generations to come will see and experience the same things in nature that we have had the chance to.

Looking back to my very first blog in this course, I really had no clue where we were going with it, but I loved writing it. It was much different from anything I’ve had to write for any other class I’ve been in! I was able to freely think about what I wanted to write about, and what made me really happy as a kid. It was creative and imaginative writing. I had to let my thoughts sit and marinate to really put myself back in my shoes as a child. It is definitely interesting trying to remember how I used to think and feel when I was first beginning to immerse myself in and understand nature, especially forests. For me, there has always been something that has drawn me to forests. I find them to be magical.

This is a Ted Talk on the importance of nature, and why children need it when they are growing up.

After digesting the information from this course, I have come to the conclusion that my childhood experiences in nature greatly impacted the person I have become today. Even though I do not wish to pursue a career in the environmental field (I wish to pursue the medical field instead), I deeply care about nature. In my spare time the only documentaries I watch are about nature. I love watching Planet Earth because it puts me in different animals’ shoes and helps me to see life how they see it. We see their fear, their emotions, and how they survive. We also get to feel like we are in the middle of the rainforest, or floating over coral reefs, all while sitting on our living room couch. My favourite nature films of all time are all about human-nature interactions, where humans spend enough time outside that they actually develop loving relationships with wild animals. It is an eye opener that we are not all that different. Animals are very intelligent and they feel emotions just as we do. They evoke feelings of empathy and compassion, and remind us that it is our responsibility to protect these animals and their habitats.

here is a small clip about Jane Goodall. An inspiring story of a woman integrating herself into the families of chimpanzees.

Throughout this course I've learned about what makes a nature interpreter a good one, and I mean, it is a lot of things. But one thing that really stood out to me when reading about how to make a difference in the environment now, is the importance of actually telling people how they can actively make a difference (Wals, 2014). I have a personal and very recent experience that validates this idea!

I learned some information in another class about Gypsy Moths. It was great to learn about them because they are invasive all around Ontario. I learned that they lay egg masses on trees over the winter and they hatch when the trees begin to bloom, but if you scrape the egg masses off of the trees and soak them in a bucket of water and soap for a few days, you can prevent the eggs from ever hatching and thus prevent the severe damage to the trees which may have eventually killed them. I learned this a few weeks ago and ever since, every time I take my dog for a walk in my yard or forest, I am constantly looking for egg masses and scraping them off the trees. I love doing it because I know that I am actively making a difference. Every single egg mass that I scrape off, counts, and may contribute to saving a tree!

This is a photo of a few Gypsy Moth egg masses. Photo taken by me.

“Now, my tree-climbing days long behind me, I often think about the lasting value of those early, deliciously idle days. I have come to appreciate the long view afforded by those treetops. The woods were my Ritalin. Nature calmed me, focused me, and yet excited my senses.” (Last Child in the Woods). I think that this quote is very important because it highlights how much people inherently cherish nature. It brings us back to think of a magical place we once were. I remember going back into the forest, and truly thinking of it like it was how the kids in “a bridge to terabithia” imagined their forest. Now, my imagination does not run so wild this day in age, but it once did. My memories of my imagination contribute to my desire to want to preserve nature.

here is the bridge to Terabithia trailer.

I have lived in my house for many years now. We have a luscious forest in the back, and along the side leading up to the forest there are many trees which have branches that are vine-like. I remember playing back there and making forts. I was truly so happy and amazed by the natural beauty of the forest. In the next 5 years or so, that will all be gone. Sadly the field next to my house will be completely urbanized, and many trees will be chopped down I am sure. It breaks my heart, it feels as though a person in my life is going to be taken away from me. My feelings on this are so strong, that I believe if other people had these same magical experiences as kids, they too would not dare to cut down a perfectly healthy tree or urbanize beautiful land. So that is why we need to continue to immerse kids in nature. Nature interpretation is so important!

Here is a photo of what is left of one of my childhood forts. Photo taken by me.

Many studies have been done that show how important nature is for our mental health. According to our assigned video, 30% of boys in the US rely on stimulants to focus. Nature is greatly important for our attention, academic performance, and relaxation. Biodiversity has even been shown to positively influence our immune systems. Healthy ecosystems means healthy people.

Here is a video on how to save our planet.

In the future, we can create communities that are rich in nature which can provide kids with a deep love for the systems we are immersed in and eventually these children can go on to sustain and regenerate things (A. Hooykaas, lecture notes, ENVS3000 Nature Interpretation, March 26, 2021). According to our assigned video, we can introduce kids to a place where they feel in touch with nature and let them find that connection with nature themselves. We really just need to focus on helping kids find their magic places (Rodenburg, 2019). One great idea that was mentioned in our assigned video, was that a great way to make kids feel like they’re helping to make a positive change in nature is by getting a community to plant a diversity of native plants. This could help feed a lot of different organisms and increase the presence of biodiversity in the community. This is a great way to show kids that they indeed can make a positive impact on the environment and ecosystems around them, and hopefully that idea is one that they can actively apply throughout the rest of their lives.

Questions:

What is one way you think we can each help improve the environment?

What is one way to help kids feel connected to nature?

What do you think is the most important thing about nature and its preservation?

Are there any natural places that remind you of your childhood?

References

Hooykaas, A. (2021). ENVS*3000 Nature Interpretation Course notes. Retrieved March 26, 2021, from https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/666945/viewContent/2593375/View

Rodenburg, J. (2019). Why environmental educators shouldn’t give up hope. https://clearingmagazine.org/archives/14300

Wals, A. E. J., Broady, M., Dillon, J., Stevenson, R. B. (2014). Convergence between science and environmental education. Science, 344(6184), 583-584. DOI: 10.1126/science.1250515

[erenvs3000]

I find it interesting that you have such a passion for nature but wish to pursue a different field. In most of my interactions with others, those that deeply care about the environment tend to pursue a career in something directly related, like environmental science or geography. It gives me hope that it’s not just us eco-nuts that watch nature documentaries on the regular! I especially find it encouraging that you take the time and care to remove gypsy moth egg masses while on hikes; with your inspiration I’d like to start doing that too! While the medical field may not be directly related to nature interpretation, health and the environment are certainly connected. In fact, everything in some way or another is related to the environment.  On that note, one way I think we can each help improve the environment is to think of it regularly in our day to day lives. Too often people brush aside the concept of climate change as being too a big a problem for them to handle, I myself get overwhelmed. It may be too big a problem as an individual, or an individual field of work; however, if the doctors, scientists, chefs, farmers, and educators all worked together in some regard, solving the problem would be much easier. One way to help children feel connected to nature would be to bring them outside to experience nature and as they get older encourage them to think of their role in nature, no matter their desired career path. There are so many important things about nature and its preservation that I find impossible to pick just one, but to keep this response on theme, part of it is certainly the feeling you get from nature. As a child, some of my most positive experiences that have become the strongest of memories, took place outside. I too feel a deep connection to forests and if I were to pick any one place that reminds me of my childhood it would be the luscious old growth forests of British Columbia.

[erenvs3000]

My Future in Nature Interpretation

Alas, the end of the semester and conclusion of my blog, Nature’s Teachings. Reflecting upon my blogging experience, I have grown so much as an interpreter and as an individual. Deepening my understanding of nature and what it means has enhanced my appreciation for it and gifted me with a greater sense of personal fulfillment. The goal of my blog from the very beginning has been for readers to, “partake in the journey of growing and deepening a connection with nature to reclaim a sense of self, sense of place, and sense of community.” This foundation has become my core set of personal ethics, conscience, integrity, and responsibility; to reveal and encourage the development of connections between the natural world and aspects of peoples’ lives that are normally considered as separate. As humans, I believe it is our moral responsibility to integrate within our lives a beneficial relationship with nature. Prior to infusing this value into others lives, however, I must embody my own sense of self, place, and community in nature.

Photo of a bee pollinating a flower, taken by me.

My Own Sense of Self, Sense of Place, and Sense of Community

As I continue to develop as a nature interpreter, my sense of self continues to grow accordingly. I am able to interpret nature because of the feelings I get from the natural word, which energize my spirit.  My sense of place is also constantly evolving to include new aspects of nature that I learn about. For example, I’ve always felt out of place in big cities and have never wanted anything to do with them. I was convinced that in the future I would live as far away as possible from any major cities or bustling groups of people, in order to be fully emersed in the natural world. I was failing to realize nature is just a construct; nature is truly everywhere. Now, I recognize that coming up with solutions to environmental problems rests in the changes to be made in some of the world’s biggest cities. Growing smarter, with greenspaces to reduce summer heat, smog, flooding, and to increase mental and physical health are key to a healthy future (DavidSuzukiFDN, 2012). As the human population grows, densification is also the solution to encroaching on natural spaces. For example, wetlands serve a much greater purpose in their natural form than as the next big housing subdivision; they are carbon sinks, water purifiers, biodiversity hotspots, and flood mitigators. To ensure wetlands, woodlands, and grasslands maintain their integrity to reduce global climate change and contribute vital ecosystem services, cities need to be ‘greened’ and densified to accommodate the well-being of a growing population. People, like myself, need to be able to find joy in the natural spaces’ cities provide. This leads me to my next point; my sense of community has blossomed with the connection I have felt to every single one of you nature interpreters that has joined me on my journey. The comfort of finding likeminded individuals who share an appreciation for the earth is not only inspirational, but it unlocks the potential for change. Nature interpretation is a field filled with complexities that cannot be deciphered by a single limited perspective, it requires the work of a whole community that comes from a multitude of backgrounds. Now, I know I would be privileged to live in a bustling community.

Photo of me in Paris, on a street with mature trees. The photo was taken by my grandma

My Beliefs

As humans, I believe it is our moral responsibility to embody a beneficial relationship with nature. I also believe that to achieve a positive relationship with the world around us, it is important to support and respect others on their journeys. To do so, interpreting nature should be accessible to everyone and avoid patterns of systemic discrimination. Despite nature interpretation being a fantastic opportunity to bridge connections with the natural world, the history of nature interpretation is riddled with issues of racism and elitism. For example, as discussed in my discussion post “Nature Interpretation Through a Historical Lens”, the concept wilderness is based upon the exclusion of indigenous peoples from their lands and culture. Conservation areas where settlers were first exposed to interpretive experiences and taught to connect with nature were based on disconnecting indigenous peoples from their own sense of self, sense of place, and sense of community in the natural world. To create an inclusive and positive relationship with nature, the history of the field must be acknowledged and improved upon. Maintaining integrity in the way stories are told is essential for teaching responsibility and creating a sense of community in nature, for everyone (Beck, et al., 2018). As a nature interpreter, I believe it is my responsibility to tell the history and stories of the areas in which interpretation is occurring or connected to with integrity.

Photo of me fall leaves in Uxbridge Ontario, taken by me.

My Rolls and Responsibilities in Nature Interpretation

In order to do justice to the stories of nature interpretation and help others to connect authentically to nature, I have learned it is important to first unpack your own privilege. In my post, “The Role of Privilege In Nature Interpretation”, I examined some of the ways I am privileged; however, to fully unpack my privilege for the public it would span the length of a multitude of posts. Privilege is systemically engrained in society and cannot be avoided, but it can be taught about, critically examined, and dealt with as best as possible. In nature interpretation it is important to take a step back from your privilege and try your best to look at situations from a different perspective. Sometimes the messages you wish to share with others are not what they need to hear, so your message must adapt and change based on your audience. Additionally, other’s learning styles and challenges must be accommodated. As a nature interpreter I would like to try and accommodate all learning styles in the delivery of my message. As I explored in my post titled, “Incorporating Animal Companionship into Nature Interpretation” approaching nature interpretation through interpretive hikes with dogs would be an interesting undertaking that would keep myself and others healthy and happy; although, I would offer other opportunities for those that are not capable or inclined to participate in this option.

Photo of me in a field, taken by my friend Mariah Douwes

A Future Career

Throughout this course I have learned many ways in which nature can be conceptualized, as well as how an appreciation for it can be taught. Moving forwards, I can definitely see myself in a professional role related to nature interpretation. Prior to beginning this course, I never imagined myself ever teaching, but now it is a serious consideration. In my first post I wrote, “While there may be no silver bullet solution [to environmental issues], my roots in the natural world have grounded me and encouraged resilience in the face of challenges; perhaps, ensuring others have the opportunity to develop such a foundation is key to forming a relationship of respect between society and the earth that sustains it,” and now I understand that perhaps I’ve always had an inclination towards teaching that I never truly recognized.

Has this course changed at all what you can envision yourself doing in the future?

Photo of me in a sunflower field, taken by my friend Amanda Ayres

References

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

DavidSuzukiFDN (Director). (2012, July 20). David Suzuki and Richard Louv @ago [Video file]. Retrieved April 02, 2021, from https://youtu.be/F5DI1Ffdl6Y

[jrenvs3000]

The Intelligence of Crows

Nature is full of incredible, sometimes unbelievably exciting things.  

American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) are amongst some of the most intelligent animals in the world (Baraniuk, 2019).

Crows are very social, living in groups called “murders”. Sometimes these groups can be in the thousands, which must be quite something to experience. Crows are adaptable, playful and often very curious. Crows are also known to be trouble-makers, but I think it makes them resourceful and excellent problem solvers! These beautiful birds knock over garbage bins and scavenge snacks wherever they can, which can make them messy in urban areas, but also allows for their survival in their urban niche (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, n.d). 

Humans have known that crows are incredibly sly for a long time, but in recent years research has shown that perhaps they are even smarter than we initially thought (Baraniuk, 2019)!

New Caledonian crows use branches and sticks to dig out insects and grubs from trees. (Credit: Alamy, BBC Earth 2014)

New Caledonian crows have evolved such that creating and using tools is part of their typical foraging behaviour. This was first seen by researchers at the University of Oxford in 2002 when Betty, a New Caledonian crow, bent a piece of wire to create a hooked tool in order to scoop up some tasty pig heart. At the time, Betty was thought of as an incredibly intelligent crow, but now research has shown that this clever ability is widespread throughout the corvids (Baraniuk, 2019). Though, this is not to negate Betty’s clever abilities! 

Since this incredible feat of Betty’s was witnessed by researchers, the nature of these birds’ cognitive abilities has been studied closely. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbSu2PXOTOc - A crow completing an intricate puzzle in order to get a food reward. 

The video linked above demonstrates a crow nicknamed “007” solving a puzzle with eight distinct steps in order to get a reward of a snack. Though puzzled at first, the smart creature quickly sorts out the steps he needs to take in order to accomplish his task and acquire his treat (BBC Earth, 2014). Watching videos like these, or even watching crows out in nature in urban areas and green spaces, makes me feel a personal connection to them. For me, it leaves me in a state of awe watching birds use their memories, problem solving skills and pure cleverness, to solve a relatively challenging task. I think for me, it makes me feel as though we are so much closer to nature than we feel we are. Crows are brilliant animals, and their playful and mischievous ways make me feel like we have a connection to them that some many not acknowledge. Crows can remember human faces- they remember those that have wronged them and will never forget. Crows are known to swoop down on people that have caused them harm before, along with other members of their murders! They also trust humans that feed them, and will come back to those they trust. 

Is there any animal, or any element of nature, that makes you feel more connected to nature? Crows continue to amaze me more each day. What aspects of nature stir up these feelings in you? 

A quote from the book, “Gifts of the Crow- How Perception, Emotion, and Thought Allow Smart Birds to Behave Like Humans” by John Marzluff and Tony Angell, that struck a chord in me, when referring to infrared camera imaging of crows to determine what part of their bodies were working the hardest.

“And the crows’ heads were lit up like holiday lights. The energy of thought and coordination illuminated a darkening sky like strings of flying light bulbs.” (Marzluff, Angell, 2013).

References:

American Crow IDENTIFICATION, all about Birds, Cornell lab of ornithology. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2021, from https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Crow/id

Baraniuk, C. (2019, December 11). Crows could be the Smartest animal other than primates. Retrieved March 19, 2021, from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20191211-crows-could-be-the-smartest-animal-other-than-primates

BBCEarth. (2014, September 10). Are crows the ultimate problem solvers? | inside the animal mind | bbc earth. Retrieved March 19, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbSu2PXOTOc

Marzluff, J. M., & Angell, T. (2013). Birdbrains Nevermore. In Gifts of the crow: How perception, emotion, and thought allow smart birds to behave like humans. New York: Atria Paperback.

[erenvs3000]

Hi Jenny,

Crows are absolutely brilliant. This morning I went for a little nature walk and in the trees above me were a bunch of crows working together, cawing at and dive-bombing a nearby hawk. When I got home, I read your post and figured I have to respond; it’s just meant to be! I found the part of your post where you discussed how crows recognize human faces to be particularly intriguing. My grandma actually formed a relationship with a neighbourhood crow. She would leave food for the crow near her windowsill and the crow would come by and say hello about once every week, staying for a while as my grandma talked to it (like you would a dog) then it would fly away, only to return the following week. When my grandma had to move to a new house she was deeply saddened because she had come to like the crow. While crows are very intelligent and do make me feel connected to the natural world, the animal that makes me feel most connected to nature are elephants. While I have never met an elephant or seen one in the wild, I have done a research project on their social structures and felt a connection to them in that way. Elephants are not only majestic, but extremely intelligent and social creatures, with strong herd connections. In my research I came across a video of two elephants, Shirley and Jenny, being reunited with one another after over 20 years, which was beautiful to watch; just like crows, ‘elephants never forget’. So many species show incredible intellectual capacity: crows, elephants, cetaceans, monkeys, dogs, cats, octopuses, parrots, etc. I feel like as humans come to recognize and appreciate the emotional and intellectual complexity of animals through nature interpretation, they will be more intrigued to protect animals and the environment.

This is the full video of the two elephants being reunited, including Shirley’s back story. I think it is worthwhile watching the whole video; however, you can fast forward to 8:52 if you would only like to watch them being reunited! (Agrofilms, 2011).

References

Argofilms (Director). (2011, September 07). The urban elephant: Shirley's Story [Video file]. Retrieved March 20, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0Z_vRYQ_Sg

[erenvs3000]

Mysteries of the Natural World

Picture yourself in a secluded meadow, far from any traffic lights or city smog. Instead, your ears are filled with songs of the eastern meadowlark, eastern bluebird, and blackburnian warbler. 

Eastern Meadowlark song  (MyBackyardBirding, 2016).

As far as the eye can see are beautiful blooming buttercups, thistle, aster, snapdragons, black eyed susans, and queen anne's lace. These flowers look magnificent in the summer sun, their petals moving in tune with a slight breeze that wisps through the clearing. 

Ontario wildflowers *not all flowers mentioned in the above paragraph are pictured* (L., & R., 2017)

This flower-filled meadow serves as an important food source, hunting ground, and shelter for many creatures. As you look closer you begin to notice a bustle about the flowers. Amongst them are various pollinating species, such as the European honeybee, monarch butterfly, swallowtail butterfly, and sweat bee; however, only one busily buzzing bumble bee firmly catches your eye. Their work is a natural wonder! Bumble bees are specially equipped to deliver a, ‘buzz pollination,’ service that is required by certain plant species to procreate. Some species include important food crops, such as: eggplant, tomatoes, and potatoes (smithsonianchannel, 2016). Other pollinators cannot fill this niche, and so it would seem there must be this natural equilibrium where populations of bumblebees are suspended in a complex balance with all other species of the meadow. What if I were to tell you that this isn’t the case? What if I were to tell you there is no state where species are in perfect balance? This earth-shattering revelation is what I find to be most perplexing about the natural world: it’s mystery.

Bumble bee pollination (smithsonianchannel, 2016).

Much of what we have come to believe about nature and ecosystems is based on this idea that all of the worlds intricate cycles and components are connected in a self organized, balanced system. Ecological studies during the late 1900s disproved this theory because ecosystems are in a constant state of flux (Forshay, 2015). Despite the concept of an overarching ecological balance having been disproven, the ideology is still used to teach about the environment. For example, the WWF still uses terminology such as, “natural balance,” to discuss the environment; according to them, balance can be disturbed due things such as the introduction of new species, natural disasters, or direct human impacts (Ecological balance, n.d.). While ecosystems can certainly be disturbed, the concept of them returning to a climax state upon the elimination of a disturbance is a fallacy (Forshay, 2015).

Long, but informative documentary about the concept of a natural equilibrium in nature (Forshay, 2015).

Nature is also a blurry concept. What exactly is nature? Is nature some untouched landscape, like the meadow I asked you to imagine? Well, this ‘pristine’ meadow could have in fact arisen due to cultural burning practices of first nations, or in the aftermath of a clear-cut, or it could have once been a farm field which was left to be colonized by new species. Interpretation of nature is about being truthful, so our practices in interpretation should address the mystery of the field itself (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 471).

“Interpretation is rooted in reality: fact, truth, science. Interpreters are genuine and sincere. Authenticity is foundational, indeed requisite for effective interpretation to occur” (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 472)

Challenging the idea of a balance in nature and nature in and of itself does not make it any less worthwhile to interpret, protect, and enjoy; however, it should shape the way we go about conserving and living amongst nature. More emphasis in nature interpretation should be placed on urban spaces that are deeply impacted by human activities and settlement. Nature is not limited to wilderness spaces that are beyond the scope of our everyday lives, nature is everywhere. Solidifying this value can be achieved through community based and run interpretation programs, which emphasize nature in all aspects of our human societies. For example, a restaurant could partner with typical interpretation venue and offer experiences and information about local and sustainable options to chose from during the customers’ next grocery trip, or a typical interpretation venue could encourage the collection and utilization of citizen science (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 457). In conclusion, the traffic lights and city smog that ‘taint’ natural spaces for our enjoyment should be addressed in interpretation and conservation, rather than only the world’s spaces that are deemed ‘in balance’, secluded, and ‘pristine’. For more information on our conception of ‘pristine wilderness’, read my previous post “ Nature Interpretation Through a Historical Lens”.

Reflect on your conception of nature. What does nature mean to you?

Urban Park, Corktown Commons (Corktown common Park, n.d.)

References:

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

Corktown common Park. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2021, from http://streets.to/listings/corktown-common-park/

Ecological balance. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2021, from https://wwf.panda.org/discover/knowledge_hub/teacher_resources/webfieldtrips/ecological_balance/

Forshay, B. (Director). (2015, January 08). All watched over by machines of Loving Grace 2/3 - the use and abuse of Vegetational CONCEPTS (2011) - VIDEO DAILYMOTION [Video file]. Retrieved March 20, 2021, from https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2eagvn

L., & R. (2017, October 09). Ontario wildflowers. Retrieved March 20, 2021, from https://www.serendipi-bee.ca/help-bees/plants/dreamstime_xxl_28173842_wildflowers/

MyBackyardBirding (Director). (2016, November 17). Eastern meadowlark SONG [Video file]. Retrieved March 20, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89QKRcXBvUM

Smithsonianchannel (Director). (2016, February 11). Slo-mo footage of a bumble bee dislodging pollen [Video file]. Retrieved March 20, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7q9Kn1rhRc

[mrenvs3000]

Listen

Imagine you are driving down a barren highway, windows down and your hair whipping around in the sunlight. Maybe to one side you have colourful trees for as far as you can see, and on the other the ocean with the sun dancing on the surface. Moments like these have a way of working into your heart, giving you that wanderlust feeling, but something is missing from this image. In the backround of it all you hear music. Maybe it’s the song of the birds that are swooping down into the water, or the roar of the wind on your ears, or maybe its simply a song playing on the car radio. But now, when you think of the chorus of that moment, you will be able to remember the feeling you had, and the love for the world it made you feel.

             For me, I am constantly flipping between listening to the music on my phone and enjoying the music that nature offers. Like a song, there are elements in nature that follow a rhythm, maybe it’s the pounding of a flowing river, or the hollow knocks of a woodpecker. There is beauty in having the world sing to you, but there is also beauty in allowing a song to inspire you as you look out at the world. It is the mix of two beautiful things. Art in nature surpasses just looks, as animals communicate they are expressing themselves through different tones and octaves, giving us the pleasure to interpret what they are saying. Can you hear the distress with which a red squirrel belts to its mate? Or the longing in the song of a bird that tries so hard to be the one that’s heard. Humans are capable of hearing the music of so many species, it is up to us to listen.

Often listening to the sounds of nature has a calming effect on me and allows me to tune out all distractions. Some sounds from nature that I adore are:

·       Crickets chirping

·       Water running

·       Wind howling

·       Storms raging

·       Birds singing

·       Squirrels being crackheads

It is not entirely up to nature to sing about its wonders, people need to sing their experiences and spread the feeling nature can give. While some songs are specifically dedicated to learning about nature, for example “Canada’s Really Big” by the Arrogant Worms, a comical song about the Canadian landscapes and wildlife. While other songs are about the emotions that nature can provide and the longing people may feel. An example of a song that always makes me think of the freedom that nature makes me feel is the song “Don’t Fence Me In” by Roy Rogers. The lyrics of “Don’t Fence Me in” accurately explains my fear of ever being too far from nature.

“Don’t Fence Me In” has never brought me back to a specific memory, it merely makes me feel free. I picture myself in a sunny field smiling (because I am always smiling when I’m in a sunny field). To me it is a song that I do not need others to like, because to me it is a promise that I will be in nature again, maybe not immediately, but I can hold onto that image until I get to the wide open country that I love.

Lyrics to Don’t Fence me In by Roy Rogers (Retrieved from GENIUS)

Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above Don’t fence me in Let me ride through the wild open country that I love Don’t fence me in Let me be by myself in the evening breeze Listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees Send me off forever, but I ask you please Don’t fence me in Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle Underneath the western skies On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder Till I see the mountains rise I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences And gaze at the moon until I lose my senses I can’t look at hobbles and I can’t stand fences Don’t fence me in Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above Don’t fence me in Let me ride through the wild open country that I love Don’t fence me in Let me be by myself in the evening breeze Listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees Send me off forever, but I ask you please Don’t fence me in Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle Underneath the western skies On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder Till I see the mountains rise I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences And gaze at the moon until I lose my senses I can’t look at hobbles and I can’t stand fences Don’t fence me in

[erenvs3000]

I really enjoyed reading your post for this week. You had great imagery throughout your post, but something that I loved in particular is how you described driving down a barren highway at the beginning of your post! I felt like I was actually there in that beautiful landscape, driving with the windows down, and central to that experience is the sound of the wind roaring in my ears.

I too am constantly switching between the music on my phone and the music around me when I go for runs through the forest. Most of the time I chose to let nature’s music guide me, but the odd time I like to listen to conventional music, which I learned this week is only natural as well! I had no idea that creating complex instruments and sharing music has been a central to human culture for several hundred thousand years! It’s also fascinating how some of nature’s most loved and recognized songs bear such resemblance to our own creations. My dog, Scooby, has an appreciation for our music too; he has access to the radio in the living room and will go turn it on with his nose when he wants to listen to music, which he does quite frequently. Music truly is a universal form of communicating! I agree that nature’s wonders should increasingly be shared through music, which you summarized beautifully in saying, “It is not entirely up to nature to sing about its wonders, people need to sing their experiences and spread the feeling nature can give,” perhaps you should dabble in the world of song writing yourself!

[erenvs3000]

The Music All Around Us

Nature can be found in music through the inspiration us humans draw from the world around us. The landscapes in which we live are a constant source of musical inspiration. They evoke emotion that connects us more deeply with our lived experiences. Some of my strongest memories of wonderment and joy are connected to a specific sound found in nature. The general feeling of those moments is the basis for artistic thought. For example, many artists choose to write songs about love and loss and explain this feeling using sounds in nature:

“Now all the birds have fled The hurt just leaves me scared Losing everything I've ever known” -Atlantis, Seafret

Atlantis Music Video (SeafretVEVO, 2015)

The sound of birds singing is the sound of a lively community. The absence of the sound of birds in the song Atlantis by Seafret is used to represents the loneliness he feels.

Music is also a way to tell stories about the natural world itself and thus can serve as a useful tool in nature interpretation. Songs rouse emotion, connect tangible things to their meaning, inspire creativity and deep thinking about the world, and can act as a basis to form shared experiences between individuals (Sahi, 2011). Culturally-based music, such as old folk songs are a particularly fantastic addition to environmental education. Music that is tied to culture often uses nature to illustrate complex themes, or tells a story involving the natural environment in which the culture itself was developed. As such, music can be a great way to bridge the gap between historical and present understandings of the natural world (Sahi, 2011).

The Music in Nature

The crashing of waves against a rocky shore, the roar of leaves during a wind storm, the gentle trickle of water flowing down a creek. The chirp of crickets in the veggie garden, the hum of cicadas on a blistering hot summers day, the buzz of a busy bumble bee in a field of lavender. The melodic coo of the morning dove, the crowing of a rooster in the early morning hours, the shriek of a falcon defending its territory. The howl of coyotes during the middle of the night, the eerie call of a humpback whale in the depths of the ocean, the shrill trumpet of an elephant making its way across the savannah.

Each of these sounds can create a song for the listening ear. Music in nature can be as simple as a combination of sounds. Imagine the sound of a woodpecker knocking, the song of a chickadee, and the rustling of leaves all combining to create a beautiful ambiance. When viewed more complexly, the rhythm at which animals communicate with one another can resemble the music that is made and enjoyed by the human species (Gray, et al., 2001). For example, the song of the wood thrush utilizes notes that bear striking similarity to the Western musical scale (Gray, et al., 2001). Animals can also express emotions through the octaves and types of sounds chosen, which are interestingly similar to the tone of songs humans create. Perhaps the best example is whale songs, which bear striking resemblance to that of humans in their length, repetition patterns, and the scale of their octaves

A song that immediately takes me back to a natural landscape is Bruce Cockburn’s “If a Tree Falls.” The song reminds me of summer campfires with my family under the starry sky. My mom would always play the song and use it as an opportunity to discuss our ideas about nature and politics. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the song!

If a Tree Falls Music Video (BruceCockburnVEVO, 2011)

If a Tree Falls

“Rain forest Mist and mystery Teeming green Green brain facing labotomy Climate control centre for the world Ancient cord of coexistence Hacked by parasitic greedhead scam - From Sarawak to Amazonas Costa Rica to mangy B.C. hills - Cortege rhythm of falling timber

What kind of currency grows in these new deserts These brand new flood plains?

If a tree falls in the forest does anybody hear? If a tree falls in the forest does anybody hear? Anybody hear the forest fall?

Cut and move on Cut and move on Take out trees Take out wildlife at a rate of species every single day Take out people who've lived with this for 100,000 years - Inject a billion burgers worth of beef - Grain eaters - methane dispensers

Through thinning ozone Waves fall on wrinkled earth - Gravity, light, ancient refuse of stars Speak of a drowning - But this, this is something other Busy monster eats dark holes in the spirit world Where wild things have to go To disappear Forever

If a tree falls in the forest does anybody hear? If a tree falls in the forest does anybody hear?”

-Retrieved from: https://genius.com/Bruce-cockburn-if-a-tree-falls-lyrics 

References

Bruce Cockburn – If A Tree Falls. (n.d.). Retrieved March 7, 2021, from https://genius.com/Bruce-cockburn-if-a-tree-falls-lyrics

BruceCockburnVEVO. (2011, December 01). Retrieved March 08, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErS9HCh8GfE

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

Sahi, V. (2011). Using folk traditional music to communicate the sacredness of nature in Finland. Spiritual Values of Protected Areas of Europe, 2, 129

SeafretVEVO. (2015, April 22). Retrieved March 08, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVAy3IZiL0s

[ddenvs3000-deactivated20210504]

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 took me so long to fully understand what Edward had meant and from what I understood  was historical events that have happened in the past should not be forgotten. As long as there were people to experience such events then we should never forget them. But because some ancient things are passed down through time we can loss some detailed information but as long as we have a hold on to the important information.   

Edward Hyams had mentioned “ 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” 

The way I interpreted this was Hyams was emphasizing the importance of maintaining history throughout the years. Simply just having an artifact isn’t enough but we need to understand it to know its value. The past can not detach itself from the present. Ancient objects can not be given any meaning unless a person gives it integrity. 

Photo of statues at the Museum of Cairo in Egypt, Cairo, 2013. Photo taken by my dad. 

Nature interpretation and history are related in many ways. Interpretation is what allows us to pass down information from the past to the future. Modern day’s technology is what allows us to discover the Earth’s past, for example  findings buried, extinct species and events that occurred. Learning nature’s past and truly understanding it like Hyams implied allows us to learn and prepare for the future. For example, knowing the past climates, we are able to indicate if climate change is happening or if there are any usual changes. 

I believe that Hyams used the train as a metaphor, explaining that certain events should still be remembered even once they have passed or in his words left the “railway station”.  History does not only exist in the moment or when the train is only on the railway but persists in a memory or a physical form even if there are not any people around to remember the event. 

Overview of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, 2013. Photo taken by my dad.

It took my family and I about 4 hours to go through all the art and facts in this Museum and we still didn’t learn everything! It is our job as interpreters to pass on historical knowledge and continue to tell stories of the people who lived before us so that the future knows of it too. In our textbook, it mentions that integrity is a major role in nature interpretation because certain concepts and meanings can differ between different people and their personal opinions. 

Quoted by Beck and Cable (2011)  “the beauty of human integrity commemorated in events of the past and the beauty of the intricacies of nature give rise to hope”.  

I found this quote explaining that past events need to be told to hope for a better future. Learning from the past allows us to prevent any repetitive mistakes that were done and improve the future.  

How did you interpret Hyams’ quote? How important is it to know historical events in your opinion? I hope my post inspire some of you to know more about historical events! 

Dana 

Reference:

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

(via ddenvs3000)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Great interpretation of Hyams’ quote! I agree that Hyams is stressing the importance of recognizing history in the present, to inform the future. I also love that you came to the conclusion that, “ancient objects can not be given any meaning unless a person gives it integrity,” because I see that as being the key takeaway for nature interpreters. It is a nature interpreters’ job to educate and inspire people to care for the environment, and history is both a useful and necessary tool to do so. In my post this week I discussed the cultural significance of incorporating history into nature interpretation and did not have room to discuss much else. It is fantastic that you chose to go another direction and discuss the importance of past climate records in preparing for future climate change. I took a course about the history of the earth’s climate, (GEOG*2110 Climate & the Biophysical Environment), and found it so interesting how we can actually track changes in climate through means such as tree cores and ice cores. Science that is performed to understand past changes in the earth’s climate highlights Hyams’ point that, “there is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity,” because without understanding the meaning of ancient bubbles trapped in ice cores, what you are left with is just a long cylindrical block of ice. In summary, without people to carefully measure the data present in natural landscapes and synthesize it for others, ice is just ice, trees are simply trees. As such, I believe it is incredibly important to understand historical events, whether they be cultural, physical, or otherwise.

[erenvs3000]

Nature Interpretation Through a Historical Lens

“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 (Hooykaas, 2020).

Take a minute to let this quote sink deep into your mind, like toes in the mud after a fresh rainfall.

Animated Rain GIF (The 20 Most Beautiful Animated Rain Gifs, 2019).

Read it over again, this time beginning at the ellipses (….)

“[…. 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 (Hooykaas, 2020).

When you imagine yourself departing from a train station, it seems quite absurd for it to suddenly vanish from existence, as if it were never there. The train station still carries on and is the host of many stories other than your own. 

Video of a train leaving a train station (SeamlessMediaVideo, 2011).

While you may have been merely passing through, it is a place where loved ones hold each other close for the last time and where friends are reunited. Perhaps great tragedy strikes the train station just as it fades out of your sight and lives are lost in a blazing fire or enormous explosion. The train station is a place where strangers bump into one another and begin a blossoming relationship; perhaps these people are your great grandparents and had they not met in that train station, you would not have been born. Stories of friendship, tragedy, loss, and love are all born out of this very train station that you are merely passing through and the things that happen there shape the future in indefinite ways. As such, departing from a certain place and time does not negate its significance and importance. History is more than just a collection of old stories, but a window to the future.

“[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.]” -Edward Hyams, Chapter 7, The Gifts of Interpretation (Hooykaas, 2020).

Integrity. Why is it important? Think back to the train station and imagine that it was engulphed in flames after you had departed. To disregard that as if it never happened is to disregard all of the lives lost, all of the heroic individuals that made quick decisions in face of danger, and how the blaze began. Maybe an issue with the equipment caused the blaze and future tragedies were avoided because of this knowledge.

Nottingham Road Train Station on fire (Pillay, 2018).

When interpreting nature, maintaining integrity in how the story of the area is told ensures responsible citizenship (Beck, et al., 2018). This can be demonstrated in a number of ways, but perhaps one of the most poignant is the development of ‘wilderness’ in the North American context. The Eurocentric concept of wilderness evolved from being a place of unknown dangers, to a romanticized world of wonder come the 18th and early 19th centuries (Cronon, 1995). This sublime landscape had biblical connections, being seen by Christian settlers as a cathedral of sorts (Cronon, 1995). This landscape was then scared and to be protected from human influence, which would taint the pristine landscape. What is ignored in this conception of wilderness is the incredible relationship that indigenous peoples have with nature.

Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog, by Caspar David Friedrich, 1818 (McKay, B., & McKay, K., 2020).

Indigenous peoples coevolved with the landscape, meaning their cultural practices, such as the burning of forest understory, are important to the healthy functioning of these revered natural spaces. Canada’s early national parks were created by pushing indigenous peoples off of their territory, so as to protect the ‘wilderness’ for the recreation of settlers (Cronon, 1995). The removal of indigenous peoples from their traditional territories is a deeply harmful practice that has consequences today. Forest fires that were avoided in the past by indigenous cultural practices, now rage in British Columbia. The government is now asking for help from indigenous peoples, but due to the systemic exclusion of indigenous peoples from nature and their culture, the traditional ecological knowledge to control these burns has largely been lost (Brend, 2017). While nature and wilderness are beautiful and of great value to humans, the origin of wilderness areas in North America can be troubling and this must be acknowledged by nature interpreters to avoid a repetition of past mistakes, and understand the challenges indigenous peoples face (Beck, et al., 2018).

Wildfire in forest at Eutsuk Lake, 2014 (Fletcher, 2020).

Integrity in nature interpretation necessitates a recognition of the area’s history to form values that guide our preservation, conservation, and utilization of natural areas (Beck, et al., 2018). Much like a train station, natural areas have a history that involves stories of love and loss, which should be recognized in order to learn and derive value from them. Learning our history with nature can be a painful process, but it is important to keep memories alive to inform present decisions. Learning from the past can also strengthen one’s sense of self and community as it uncovers relationships to one another and the natural environment that were otherwise unacknowledged (Beck, et al., 2018).

What historical context do you feel needs better representation in nature interpretation?

References

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

Brend, Y. (2017, July 17). Fight fire with fire: How First Nations practice of burning the land helps prevent megafires | CBC News. Retrieved February 27, 2021, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/fire-fighting-first-nations-firekeepers-annie-kruger-penticton-bc-wildfire-mega-fire-1.4205506

Cronon, W. (1995). Uncommon Ground: Rethinking the Human Place in Nature, New York: W. W. Norton & Co., 69-90

Fletcher, T. (2020, July 30). B.C. tackles wildfire prediction, new strategies to respond. Retrieved February 27, 2021, from https://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/b-c-tackles-wildfire-prediction-new-strategies-to-respond/

Hooykaas, A. (2020). Nature Interpretation through History. ENVS*3000 Nature Interpretation course notes. Retrieved February 24, 2020, from https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/666945/viewContent/2592718/View

McKay, B., & McKay, K. (2020, October 07). The Basics of Art: The Romantic Period. Retrieved February 27, 2021, from https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/the-basics-of-art-the-romantic-period/

Pillay, K. (2018, February 22). Nottingham Road train station allegedly set alight by 'known suspect'. Retrieved February 27, 2021, from https://www.news24.com/witness/news/nottingham-road-train-station-allegedly-set-alight-by-known-suspect-20180221

SeamlessMediaVideo. (2011). locomotive pulls away from station [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP0bam5OEZw

The 20 Most Beautiful Animated Rain Gifs - Positive Energy. (2019, May 29). Retrieved February 27, 2021, from https://chi-nese.com/beautiful-rain-animated-gifs/

[khenvs3000]

The Looming Biodiversity Crisis

The photo was taken by me of an elephant, an endangered species in South Africa 

Many species are on the brink of extinction, and we are losing the world’s biodiversity at an unprecedented rate, do any of these statements sound familiar? The global biodiversity crisis is not a new topic, and it is one many of you are most likely aware of. For those who may not know much about this topic, it is helpful to understand what is causing it. There is no single action causing the rapid loss of species worldwide; instead, it’s a combination of anthropogenic activities inflicting the damage. The main drivers of biodiversity loss are climate change, habitat loss, and invasive species.

Illustration by danilotsouzart taken from https://www.momes.net/actualites/actualites-culturelles/les-emouvantes-illustrations-en-hommage-a-laustralie-ravagee-par-les-incendies-846577

While climate change in and of itself is a global crisis, it is also one of the main drivers contributing to the decline. Climate largely controls the types of ecosystems present and, in turn, the distribution of species. However, climate change places extreme pressures upon a landscape, and as a result, forces species to respond to these pressures. Species unable to cope, adapt or migrate from climatic stressors are at risk. Habitat loss directly stemming from deforestation is disintegrating millions of species’ homes, reducing the range in which they can survive. The introduction of non-natives species into an environment threatens endemic species by adding an element of competition into an environment. Endemic species are now reliant upon the same resources as the non-native species, and often non-native species can outcompete for resources.

Illustration by Matthew Flinders taken from https://conservationbytes.com/2016/10/20/cartoon-guide-to-biodiversity-loss-xxxix/

How a country can mitigate the loss of biodiversity is through the creation and implementation of effective policies. There are overarching national commitments that guide a countries policy regarding biodiversity. The primary commitment is with the Convention of Biological Diversity, a summit that sets international targets for protecting terrestrial and marine landscapes. The international policy sets the mandate, and countries can figure out how to meet global domestic policy targets. A combination of protected areas and government policy can be an effective method in reducing the acceleration of biodiversity loss. However, on countless occasions, we have seen countries fail to implement effective policies to deal with species decline. A primary example would be the lack of stand-alone species at risk legislation in British Columbia. While British Columbia has met the requirement of total protected areas, biodiversity is still threatened without a species at risk act.

Illustration by the UNEP taken from https://www.cbd.int/ibd/2008/youth/cbd/As an interpreter, it is your role to express the beauty of nature to others around you. A large part of what makes the natural world remarkable to interpret is its diversity amongst various landscapes. While interpreting the environment, it is essential to touch on difficult topics. A critical skill from my perspective to have as a nature interpreter is to remain optimistic, well addressing issues that others may perceive in a pessimistic way. While there is a crisis on biodiversity, an interpreter should emphasize a sense of reality that illustrates the situation’s truth while remaining hopeful for the future.

What are some ways interpreters can emphasize the importance of biodiversity?

[erenvs3000]

Great post about the importance of biodiversity! I find it so frustrating that with all of the knowledge we have available to us about environmental issues, policies to protect the environment are limited in their power and scope. We still don’t have any effective, legally binding policies that ensure the accountability of all nations to be environmentally responsible. Take, for example, climate change; one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss. All countries are responsible for climate change; however, some have contributed more to the issue than others. In 2016, Canada was responsible for about 1.6% of global green house gas emissions, being one of the highest per capita emitters (Environment and Climate Change Canada, 2021). Despite Canadian lifestyles being such a huge contributor to climate, Canada continually misses emissions targets without repercussions (Ballingall, 2020). Not only is this disappointing, but one could argue, deeply unfair. Small developing nations in the equatorial region are expected to be hit much harder by the effects of climate change than Canada, but most have not contributed as many emissions.

I think one way that nature interpreters could approach this issue of biodiversity loss is to briefly explain short-comings that exist in environmental policy. While politics is a topic that interpreters should generally stay away from, giving people a non-partisan explanation of some of the barriers to the protection of biodiversity may ignite some passion in participants. Many do not know that British Columbia does not have a stand-alone species at risk act and just assume that because we are in Canada, we must be doing something to protect threatened and endangered species. When I first found out British Columbia has no stand-alone species at risk policy, it surely made me feel like I was burning up inside!  

References

Ballingall, A. (2020, November 16). Canada hasn't hit a climate-change target since 1992. Can Justin Trudeau break the streak? Retrieved February 14, 2021, from https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2020/11/16/canada-hasnt-hit-a-climate-change-target-since-1992-can-justin-trudeau-break-the-streak.html

Environment and Climate Change Canada. (2021, January 19). Greenhouse gas sources and sinks: Executive summary 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2021, from https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/climate-change/greenhouse-gas-emissions/sources-sinks-executive-summary-2020.html

[erenvs3000]

Incorporating Animal Companionship into Nature Interpretation

My back aches as if its crying to be put to rest. My eyes grow tired, a burning sensation building and beckoning my eyes to shut. Instead, my eyes stay locked on the glowing blue light. A flurry of colourful images graces the screen and illuminates my room, but somehow life remains dull. There must be more to it, but I’m trapped in the device’s hypnotizing glow.

The COVID-19 life.

Photo of someone staring at a computer screen, taken from (Time Change: Screens Rising and Setting with the Sun, 2013).

While some have managed to strengthen their connection with nature throughout 2020, I feel as though my connection with nature has faltered. I now spend my days staring at a computer screen, and pardon me being dramatic, wasting away.

Throughout the summer months I took five Distance Education courses and spent most of my summer stuck inside doing countless readings. Normally, I would be outside enjoying campfires, going to beaches, travelling to conservation areas, running cross country, going camping, and doing nature inspired photoshoots with friends. While some of these activities were still possible, school occupied much of my time and the beaches as well as some of the most popular conservation areas nearby were closed for the summer. Someone in my family is also at high risk for COVID-19 because they have heart issues, so I was isolated from my friends for much of the summer and my mental health suffered.

Photo of me jumping in a farm field in Mount Pleasant, Ontario. Photo was taken by my friend Emily Sawkins.

Feeling completely worn out, I dropped two courses in the last month of the summer semester, in effect switching my program direction entirely. I planned on spending an extra year in school and double majoring in environmental governance and environmental resource management. While I wish I could have fulfilled a double major, I decided online learning during COVID-19 wouldn’t reward me with the quality of education to make a double major worth it. I am now majoring in environmental governance and minoring in biology.  

When I moved back to my student household in Guelph, I was ecstatic to be around new people and make use of the large conservation area across from my house, but I sprained my ankle pretty severely in September and am still healing, meaning cross country running through the forest was out of the picture. All of this may sound like a big sob story, but I think it is important to reflect on how COVID-19 has impacted our lives and nature’s place in them.

So how has this narrative changed? Well, my family got a rescue dog in November. Let me introduce you to Scooby:

Photo of Scooby the day we adopted him. Taken by my little sister, Rachel Robbins.

Scooby is a lovely boy who joined our family when he was around 8-10 months old. He was found on the streets of Texas trying to get into people’s homes to avoid an impending tropical storm and was saved from an animal shelter by the organization, Red Dog Rescue. My mom came across a photo of him online and he looked like the biggest goofball that just had to be a part of our family, and he lived up our expectations.

Photo of Scooby, taken by my mom.

I am away from home for school, but last semester I would visit my parents and Scooby on weekends and we’d go for hikes through the woods together. Scooby became my motivation to go for nature walks in the freezing cold and begin to strengthen my ankle. Scooby also loves to chase and be chased, so he was my motivation to begin running again. At first all I could run was a few steps, but now, every time I see Scooby, I try to get a little run in, and I can feel myself getting stronger and sturdier. I look forward to summer, so I can spend more time with Scooby and hopefully, wholeheartedly enjoy being active in nature once again.

Video of Scooby, taken by my mom. (VIDEO GETS VERY LOUD--THOSE WITH HEADPHONES/EARBUDS IN BEWARE)

The impact Scooby had on my life showed me the value of incorporating animal interaction into environmental interpretation, which is something I never considered before. When people think of nature interpretation and animals together, a natural inclination is to think of a zoo. I personally do not believe in zoos, but experiencing life with Scooby has shown me how animals can be incorporated into environmental interpretation in many different ways. Now, when I envision my role as a nature interpreter, I see myself working with animals to do guided nature walks and nature-inspired workshops with the optional inclusion of rescue animals. This offering could draw more people into the nature experience and either inspire or revitalize their love for nature, like Scooby did for me. Perhaps, including rescue animals in interpretive programs could also aid in finding homes for some fantastic furry friends in the process.

Would you be more likely to participate in a nature interpretation program if there was an option for animals to be present and a part of the experience?

Photo of Scooby, taken by my mom.

References

Time Change: Screens Rising and Setting with the Sun. (2013, December 16). Retrieved February 9, 2021, from https://fopnews.wordpress.com/2013/12/16/time-change-screens-rising-and-setting-with-the-sun/

[erenvs3000]

Exploring Nature Through Art

Art is great way to bridge a connection between life’s intricacies and human emotion. I grew up fairly immersed in the artistic community, although not by choice, per se. My dad is an abstract landscape artist, so I have been exposed to his artwork at home every day, have attended his art shows, have visited art festivals and art galleries as a family, and have spent time in his art studio since I was a young child. My dad uses nature as his inspiration and his paintings as a means to share his appreciation of nature with others. While he is not a nature interpreter by profession, those that see my dad’s artwork are encouraged to envision themselves in the natural world and the joy that it brings. Unfortunately, I did not inherit my dad’s artistic abilities or passion; however, I see the value in art as being a phenomenal medium to engage with others.

Photo of my dad’s artwork, taken by himself (Aaron Robbins). Find some of his artwork on: https://www.saatchiart.com/aaronrobbins

When I ask myself “who am I to interpret nature through art?” the answer I arrive at is that I am a human being. Art is a natural inclination, whether it’s theater, storytelling, poetry, visual art, music, dance, or some other medium of expression. Art is a part of what connects us together, since our distinct and sometimes seemingly disparate cultural backgrounds are told through similar artistic means (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 227). Likewise, art can be a useful tool in present day to guide us through complex ideas in nature interpretation and connect us to the earth. As a nature interpreter your key responsibility is to help people perceive the world around them differently, but, “beauty is the hard-to-perceive order of the universe,” because the structure of earth’s processes is often hidden (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 90). To be an effective nature interpreter that shares the underappreciated beauty of nature, ‘Mill’s Formula’ is a tool that focuses on appealing to human emotion. Mill’s formula includes, “giv[ing] flesh and bone to cold facts,” and “mak[ing] stories to breathe life into inanimate objects,” which denotes a need for abstract conception and imaginative thinking (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 83). Tangible elements like trees, rocks, and wildlife become connected to intangible meanings through artistic interpretive techniques, which stress universal truths (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 88).  

I think the artistic mediums I would apply most often in nature interpretation are storytelling and visual art. Storytelling is something that strays from typical ‘lecture-style’ presentation, meaning it has greater potential to inspire curiosity in visitors. Inspiring curiosity is key because the bulk of learning occurs on an individual basis after the interpretive experience has ended (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 92). If someone walks away motivated to learn more, they are likely to engage with nature in the future. Visual arts are also an inspiring activity that can be accomplished as a group and it is often within the comfort zone of visitors. While activities such as dance and theater are great for certain groups of people, visual art is something more universal. It is important to understand your demographic and recognize the subtle reactions of the group you are with to make them feel comfortable (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 129).

Photo of my dad’s artwork, taken by himself (Aaron Robbins).  Find some of his artwork on: https://www.saatchiart.com/aaronrobbins

If you find yourself asking “who am I to appreciate nature through art?” the answer is you are a person fully capable and qualified to enjoy nature through the world of art, even though it can be intimidating. Society has constructed the idea of art as being on a pedestal, to be appreciated by the elites, but in no way does that accurately represent art as being innately human (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 228). Art does not need to mean gallery openings and staring into a painting like an abyss, instead it can be very informal and fun. My childhood may have exposed me to the ‘art world’, but I believe anyone can be a part of it, regardless of their experiences.

Have you ever been intimidated by art? If so, why do you think you felt this way? Does rethinking the meaning of art as a way to interpret nature change your perspective?

Works Cited

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

[mzenvs3000]

Hey!

Thank you so much for sharing your Dad’s art with us and your personal views on how art can be a great tool for nature interpretation. I’m quite similiar to you as I really do value art as a tool for engagement with others, whatever the art form it is. I love the fact that anyone, regarding your artistic abilities and talent, has the ability to create. It’s a way of expression, and essentially telling a story. It’s so cool when a piece also has multiple meanings and different people interpret different things based on what speaks to them. I’ve never heart of Mills Formula before until this course, but it is so true. You have the ability to take something that may not have that much life to it, and really bring it to life. When I read this, I thought of a a play. Beforehand, a play is just a bunch of text on a paper but when you have people acting it out in full costume, backdrops, emotion and colour in the voices, it brings those words on the paper life.

I agree with your words how art sometimes is put on a high pedestal and it is very intimidating. I think it not only intimidates other artists (worrying that they can never create something as extravagant) but also for the viewers, almost thinking they are not worthy in a sense to be viewing such pieces. I think social media has a huge part in this because it is endless the amount of things that are out there, including amazing pieces of art, which is very intimidating. However, it can also act as a huge inspiration for those who are not easily intimidated or have gotten over that fact. To answer your question, in the past I have felt intimidated by art, I think because I do enjoy drawing sketches (as a hobby) and will compare myself to others who are professionals at it. I have learned though that this is not something healthy to do and have a changed mindset that the things I create are for myself and not something I need to compare with others.

From your Dad’s art, which types of paintings or scenes do you enjoy the most? What types of art do you connect with the most?

-McKenzie

[erenvs3000]

Hi McKenzie!

To respond to your questions, I feel like I connect most with artwork that is inspired by nature and the scenes that I enjoy most of my dad’s artwork are definitely forested landscapes. I have always felt most at home in a forest. Here’s one of my dad’s older pieces from when he used to paint more forested landscapes:

Photo of my dad’s artwork, taken by himself (Aaron Robbins). Find some of his artwork on: https://www.saatchiart.com/aaronrobbins

I love the vibrancy of my dad’s artwork, but I personally am a fan of earth tones and jewel tones. One form of art that I love is pottery because of the natural earth tones that are often represented in the works. I also love how each pottery piece is unique and functional! I have a couple of pottery bowls I’ve picked up thrifting and from local businesses that I reach for all of the time. I also really love dance and will often use that as a form of exercise and self expression, even though I don’t have any professional training (unfortunately). What form of art do you feel most connected to?

[asenvs3000]

Art & Nature. The Good & the Bad

Who am I to interpret _____? This is often a question asked in the art world, “who are you to judge what is good or bad art?” and the answer is infuriatingly simple. I am someone with an opinion. Art and nature are subjective, what is beautiful to one person may seem utterly worthless to another. But some opinions do matter more than other. If an art student walked through an exhibit and were to look at a piece, with all the education and understanding about the historical and cultural context, the intentions behind the piece, well their opinion matters more than the passive viewer who knows nothing and thinks it’s something a child could do. Both may pass judgement on the piece, both may like it or hate it but knowledge and understanding about it will change the way you see it.

Photo by Ibrahim Rifath on Unsplash

As a nature interpreter, we want to change the way people look at nature. For good or bad, we want to engage people, help them  form meaningful opinions, and recognize things they may not have seen or understood on their own. The modern trend of society seems to pull us farther away from nature. This is dangerous in a world that is deteriorating due to climate change, when the people in charge of policies, companies, and corporations have no opinion or connection to the environment they are effecting. If we as nature interpreters can bring a sense of understanding, connection, and knowledge, we can help people make more meaningful and better choices. this doesn’t always mean they will make good choices for the environment, merely that they truly understand the weight of their action. 

Photo by Sutirta Budiman on Unsplash

In the same way we cannot get everyone to love the same hobbies and things we love, we will not be able to convince everyone to love nature as we do. But through engaging people on a personal level, we can try to evoke emotional, spiritual, physical responses to the thing we love and at least leave people understanding why we feel the way we do even if they do not.  

Nature is beautiful. It is chaotic. Raw. Intense. Painful. It is also gentle. Empathetic. Nurturing. Orderly. By showing people all aspects, the good and the bad, we generate respect and awe for the wonderful world we live in. 

Describe your favourite part of nature; the good and the bad.    

[erenvs3000]

I enjoyed reading your post about nature and art. The point you brought up about personal opinions, I found particularly interesting. While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, it’s true that some opinions are better informed than others. It always boggled my mind that in elementary school I was taught that there is no such thing as a wrong opinion. After having had more life experience, I vehemently refute this point. For example, those whose opinions are that it’s okay to kill others on the basis of their skin colour and cultural differences; I think that our society has progressed to the point where it can be said definitively that that this belief is unjustified and wrong. Connecting this to your point about nature interpretation, society does seem to growing apart from the natural world in a general sense and this could change people’s opinions about the environment for the worse. In a time of rapid climate change, it is more important than ever to ensure people’s opinions are well informed on the matter. Those that have an opportunity to experience a connection to the natural world are more likely to form meaningful opinions, and art can be a fantastic means of creating this connection.  

Nature interpreters are supposed to inspire people on a very personal level and art is a very personal experience. While art can be enjoyed in a community setting, it is extremely subjective much like the beauty of the natural world. For those that live in areas where they are perhaps not as exposed to nature, chances are they have been exposed to art through social media. Art may be a great way to begin to get people to understand the beauty of nature in a medium they are comfortable with. As you stated, nature is both nurturing and chaotic; it can be very overwhelming for certain audiences. For example, something that may be regarded as ‘bad’ is the circle of life, because it is harsh and unforgiving; however, it is absolutely essential and there is a beauty in how it functions so intricately. I would argue there is no inherent ‘bad’ in nature. While there are aspects to life that are intense and painful, they are part of a greater picture. To answer your question though, my favourite part of nature is its intricate cycles, which can be characterized as either good or bad depending on how you look at them. As a nature interpreter I hope to inspire people to see more of the good than the bad.

[erenvs3000]

Exploring Nature Through Art

Art is great way to bridge a connection between life’s intricacies and human emotion. I grew up fairly immersed in the artistic community, although not by choice, per se. My dad is an abstract landscape artist, so I have been exposed to his artwork at home every day, have attended his art shows, have visited art festivals and art galleries as a family, and have spent time in his art studio since I was a young child. My dad uses nature as his inspiration and his paintings as a means to share his appreciation of nature with others. While he is not a nature interpreter by profession, those that see my dad’s artwork are encouraged to envision themselves in the natural world and the joy that it brings. Unfortunately, I did not inherit my dad’s artistic abilities or passion; however, I see the value in art as being a phenomenal medium to engage with others.

Photo of my dad’s artwork, taken by himself (Aaron Robbins). Find some of his artwork on: https://www.saatchiart.com/aaronrobbins

When I ask myself “who am I to interpret nature through art?” the answer I arrive at is that I am a human being. Art is a natural inclination, whether it’s theater, storytelling, poetry, visual art, music, dance, or some other medium of expression. Art is a part of what connects us together, since our distinct and sometimes seemingly disparate cultural backgrounds are told through similar artistic means (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 227). Likewise, art can be a useful tool in present day to guide us through complex ideas in nature interpretation and connect us to the earth. As a nature interpreter your key responsibility is to help people perceive the world around them differently, but, “beauty is the hard-to-perceive order of the universe,” because the structure of earth’s processes is often hidden (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 90). To be an effective nature interpreter that shares the underappreciated beauty of nature, ‘Mill’s Formula’ is a tool that focuses on appealing to human emotion. Mill’s formula includes, “giv[ing] flesh and bone to cold facts,” and “mak[ing] stories to breathe life into inanimate objects,” which denotes a need for abstract conception and imaginative thinking (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 83). Tangible elements like trees, rocks, and wildlife become connected to intangible meanings through artistic interpretive techniques, which stress universal truths (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 88).  

I think the artistic mediums I would apply most often in nature interpretation are storytelling and visual art. Storytelling is something that strays from typical ‘lecture-style’ presentation, meaning it has greater potential to inspire curiosity in visitors. Inspiring curiosity is key because the bulk of learning occurs on an individual basis after the interpretive experience has ended (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 92). If someone walks away motivated to learn more, they are likely to engage with nature in the future. Visual arts are also an inspiring activity that can be accomplished as a group and it is often within the comfort zone of visitors. While activities such as dance and theater are great for certain groups of people, visual art is something more universal. It is important to understand your demographic and recognize the subtle reactions of the group you are with to make them feel comfortable (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 129).

Photo of my dad’s artwork, taken by himself (Aaron Robbins).  Find some of his artwork on: https://www.saatchiart.com/aaronrobbins

If you find yourself asking “who am I to appreciate nature through art?” the answer is you are a person fully capable and qualified to enjoy nature through the world of art, even though it can be intimidating. Society has constructed the idea of art as being on a pedestal, to be appreciated by the elites, but in no way does that accurately represent art as being innately human (Beck, et al., 2018, p. 228). Art does not need to mean gallery openings and staring into a painting like an abyss, instead it can be very informal and fun. My childhood may have exposed me to the ‘art world’, but I believe anyone can be a part of it, regardless of their experiences.

Have you ever been intimidated by art? If so, why do you think you felt this way? Does rethinking the meaning of art as a way to interpret nature change your perspective?

Works Cited

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

[zkenvs3000]

Privilege, what is it good for?

In this unit, we defined “risk” in several different ways. The first and probably most commonly used definition of the word is as follows: “the possibility that something unpleasant or unwelcome will happen”. I think most people would agree with this definition and it is understood that people take risks of their own free will. But we never defined the word “privilege”. To me the word privilege means to be able to do or say something without being concerned with the potential outcome. In other words, being able to take risks without fear while knowing that there is a possibility of something unpleasant or unwelcome happening as a result. We, as people living in a first world western country, take risks every single day without thinking about them. We can walk around and explore our surroundings freely without the fear of being kidnapped or killed. We have the ability to freely practice whatever religion we agree with without the fear of being persecuted by society for our beliefs. We have the ability to say whatever we want (within reason) without the fear of being murdered by the people that disagree with us. But we call these things “rights”, not privilege.

Two men arguing about their beliefs at the United States Capitol in Washington D.C.. Photo by @mariagrklens on Unsplash.

Being able to live this way without realizing that it is a privilege, is a privilege. People say stupid things on social media all the time and they get lost in the stream of information that comes with being able to use those services on a daily basis. In other countries, people are not so lucky. Censorship is rampant. Journalists get murdered for speaking out against corruption in other parts of the world all the time. Just last year, people in Hong Kong were arrested for peacefully protesting the tyranny of the Chinese government. They were forcefully silenced by the very people they were trying to expose for forcefully silencing people.

People in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong protesting against the Communist Party of China. Photo by @arturkornakov on Unsplash. 

Here in North America, we were able to elect a president that openly supported white supremacists along with his vice president that openly hated gay people. Even with all these privileges, people in our own society live in fear of taking risks. Women (and men to a lesser degree) have to stay vigilant whenever they go outside by themselves for fear of being attacked. Minorities have to stay vigilant whenever they go outside for fear of being profiled or targeted because of their race, gender, or religion. Both groups have to stay vigilant because they may not be treated equally within their own society. Poor people can’t afford to take risks like buying the latest phone because they’re probably more concerned with paying off debts or where their next meal is coming from. Humans within our own privileged society have been robbed of their basic privileges.

People protesting systemic racism in the United States during the Black Lives Matter Protests last year. Photo by @eadesstudio on Unsplash.

In the context of nature interpretation, privilege means to be able to explore nature freely without being concerned with the risks. Natural areas here are preserved and maintained by the government; many communities have preserved forests and bodies of water within them for people to explore and learn about. I can go to my local forest and climb a tree knowing full well that if I fell out and broke my leg, I can use my phone to call for help and go to the hospital where they’ll fix it for free. I can wander around like an idiot knowing that I have Google Maps to show me the way home. I have the privilege of being able to get a university education that helps me understand the natural world around me and explore it in whatever ways I see fit. Heck, I even have the privilege of spending my time writing this blog right now. Even within nature, animals don’t have the privilege of complex thoughts or the ability to communicate their concerns. They can’t even tell the humans that live alongside them when we’re overstepping our boundaries and destroying the place that we live in or how it’s affecting the organisms around us. I believe that it’s our responsibility as the dominant species on this planet and as human beings with privilege to share it with those that don’t. We should speak for the plants and animals that can’t do so and preserve the environment that we all share. We should help to give a voice to those living without privilege so that we can work towards a society where everyone can take the same risks and suffer the same consequences. In the end, we should use our privilege to give everyone and everything the right to have privilege in the first place.

[erenvs3000]

I really enjoyed reading your blog post for this week because I feel like it brought up a lot of important topics from both our course content and your own observations about privilege. I especially love your point about censorship. Just to be able to take this course, nature interpretation, and share our thoughts openly is a privilege. For a while I wanted to be a journalist and although I do not think that’s where I’ll end up, it is freeing to know that in Canada you can hold such position with relatively little risk. One of my roommates is an international student from Hong Kong and it was heartbreaking seeing how distraught she was during the height of the conflict last year. I cannot imagine going through what she had to; watching the news from the opposite end of the planet and worrying for her family and friends, without even getting the full picture from the media due to censorship.

In Canada we have so much privilege, especially when considering our access to nature. Canada has many designated parks and recreation for public enjoyment, most offered at little to no cost for individuals. I found it interesting you mentioned that you can enjoy nature without a lot of fear, which ties into the textbook reading about the underserved population. While exploring nature, many can rest at ease that they have data on their phones and good connection to be able to look up emergency numbers and contact them if need be. Perhaps one fear that financially restricted underserved populations have is that they may not have such resources available to them. Their cellphones could be old and have poor connection, a battery that dies really fast, or service could be cut off due to missed bills, effecting their ability to feel safe when out exploring new terrain.

[erenvs3000]

The Role of Privilege In Nature Interpretation

Privilege. Privilege is something that isn’t earned, but it places individuals in an advantaged position comparative to others. The word, privilege, has been thrown around quite a lot in regards to the various social upheavals that 2020 was characterized by. The concept of privilege may not be at the forefront of peoples minds when discussing environmental interpretation; however, as 2020 has come to show us, privilege is present in all facets of society and it is systemically engrained in the way we approach learning (Gallavan, 2005). Take a moment to consider how you were taught history in elementary school. The curriculum I experienced in Ontario (2004-2013) only focused on the history of white European settlers in Canada from a primarily colonial viewpoint and it did not explore global history in the slightest. Children without European heritage may have felt excluded from the learning experience comparative to their classmates, while indigenous peoples utterly ignored despite their truly fundamental role in the development of Canada. Similarly, nature interpretation can purposefully and unwittingly exclude the experiences of minorities, not only in content, but by design. Those that are from demographics other than the majority make up the generally underserved population. This population experiences various barriers, be it: economic, cultural, communication, knowledge, or fear related (Beck, et al., 2018). Environmental interpreters must take extra steps to make nature accessible, which can be achieved through means such as inviting people to the interpretive experience, arranging transport, using multiple languages, and the including of diverse perspectives in the preparation and delivery of nature interpretation (Beck, et al., 2018).

Google image result for “Canadian History” (Battle of the Plains of Abraham, 2021)

Everyone has privilege in varying aspects and to varying degrees. Unpacking your privilege is a key step to being an inclusive interpreter. In the spirit of this post, I would like to unpack a bit of my privilege. I was born into a white low-middle class family, I never had to worry about being racialized, there being food on the table, acquiring access to internet connection, or having enough clothes to wear. I also had nature as a foundational aspect of my childhood experience, which has allowed me to foster a deep passion for nature throughout my entire life. While getting out into nature may have been a normal part of my childhood, it does not mean that everyone has such an opportunity due to varied constraints. Peoples’ varied lived experiences can have a dramatic effect on how they approach and value nature and as an environmental interpreter this is key to consider when planning to educate and inspire others. Some people may have a complete aversion to the natural world and as an interpreter you must not force your truth on others as they have complete control over their own beliefs; instead, you must craft an atmosphere in which they can forage their own connection (Beck, et al., 2018).

Photo taken by me of the beach that is connected to a cottage, which belongs to my grandparents and great uncles in Tiny, Ontario. I have the privilege of being able to experience this beautiful place for a week every summer.

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you begin to unpack your privilege in relation to your connection to the natural world?

Works Cited 

Battle of the Plains of Abraham. (2021, January 11). Retrieved January 29, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Plains_of_Abraham

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

Gallavan, N. P. (2005). Helping teachers unpack their "invisible knapsacks". Multicultural Education, 13(1), 36. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A137921591/AONE?u=guel77241&sid=AONE&xid=9fe2f151

[arenvs3000-deactivated20230904]

My Ideal Role As A Nature Interpreter

Describe your ideal role of environmental interpreter. What might it entail? Where might it be? What skills might you need? (Keep these all-in mind as you begin to work on your assignments – tailor these to that ideal job!

When I think about the ideal role of an environmental interpreter, I think about certain qualities that are essential. To be an interpreter, you have to be able to transform your interest and understanding of nature into an experience that can capture the interest of people and educate them on the topic you’re passionate about. It would require wisdom, intelligence, and skills such as perception and curiosity. An interpreter needs to be able to effectively communicate information to various learning styles such as auditory, visual and hands on learners, and teach in a way that is understandable and engaging for any audience.

A photo I took in Kenya of a hyrax, the closest living relative to the elephant!

Reflecting on personal experiences, I’ve met people throughout my life that have been able to turn experiences in nature into something educative and wonderful, leaving me with a new understanding of the place I’m visiting, and provide new insight into the ecology and biodiversity of the area. When I was younger my family and I went on a safari in Kenya where we spent a couple weeks in tents on a park reserve. We had guides who were able to take us to various landmarks and show us how animals and the environment interact. Overall it was a great experience that was turned into something special with the help of the guides. Their ability to communicate their understanding and experiences changed my perspective of Kenya and provided me of a rich understanding of the geography and culture.

A photo I took of a rock in hells gate national park in Kenya! The directors for the lion king visited the park before beginning production of the movie.

Years later, reflecting on what the role of a nature interpreter is, I’m glad I had those experiences and was able to see strong examples of what makes a good nature interpreter. For my personal ideal role, it would be as a nature interpreter for the Dundas escarpment and Bruce trail. Moving from America I grew up in the small town of Dundas in Ontario. As a kid my friends and I really enjoyed what the nature of the town had to offer. There’s the Dundas peak, which you can walk to by taking a path from the Bruce trail that provides a view of the entire town. This view is very sentimental to me because I always reflect and try to see what has changed, and can also see various landmarks such as the elementary and high schools I attended, my house and many others.

A photo I took at the Dundas peak, what a view!

As a kid we would play manhunt, which is pretty much a large game of tag, on the trails and surrounding forests. Because of these memories, the geography surrounding dundas is something I’m passionate about, and I believe I’d do a good job educating others on what the area has to offer, as well as share my personal experiences. Finishing writing this post had me reflecting on important places in my life and what I’m passionate about, is there a place or passion you could be an interpreter for?

[erenvs3000]

I love the photos you included in your post! I grew up about 20 minutes from Dundas and would go there with my family all of the time for walks at Dundas Valley, Christie Lake, Dundas Peak, and other local trail systems. Dundas is such a beautiful area! I really connect with what you mentioned about personal experiences influencing your ability to be a nature interpreter. I think having a connection with the area that you are sharing with others makes it so much easier to motivate them to care, simply because you care so much. I also think it’s so cool that you had the opportunity to go on a safari experience in Kenya, I’ve always wanted to travel to that part of the world. My dream has always been to go to Tanzania, which is just south of Kenya.

To answer your question, there are many places I feel I could be an interpreter for. I think providing an interpretive experience on the trail systems around where I grew up, including some areas in Dundas, would be a really rewarding. I also have a cottage near Wasaga that I’ve been going to for one week every year since I was about 11 years old and I feel a very deep connection to that place. Since I started going to my cottage, the beach has changed so much and I think that it would be really fun explaining to others how it has transformed due to the development of new cottages and the natural processes in the area. Lastly, I think it would be interesting to try and become an interpreter in the Coquitlam area of British Columbia, where I lived until I was 6. I haven’t been back to B.C. since moving to Ontario, so my perspective on the places I grew up will all be from a child’s perspective and it would be fascinating to see how the area has changed and provide interpretation based on that.