This blog post was one of the most difficult blogs for me to write, not because I didn’t have any ideas, but because it was difficult to narrow down. In this blog, I will review the importance of interpretation for various age groups along with my personal ethic as a nature interpreter. I will go over what beliefs I bring, what responsibilities I have, and what approaches are most suitable for me as an individual. Additionally, I will bring in ideas from the textbook and readings throughout the course to shed light on why I have certain beliefs.
In the very first chapter of our textbook, we learned that interpretation translates or brings meaning to people about cultural and natural heritage (Beck et al., 2018). Additionally, interpretation translates or brings meaning to people about cultural and natural heritage (Beck et al., 2018). This chapter was significant to me because before this course, I knew very little about nature interpretation. The above evidence demonstrated to me what nature interpretation was, and even more so why it was so important. Interpretation doesn’t just tell people about nature; it connects them to it. This connection can benefit both people and nature. It aids nature in the sense that people care about it and want to protect it. It helps people in a variety of ways, bringing them joy and allowing them to develop a “sense of place” (Beck et al., 2018). A sense of place helps individuals recognize a location as more than a mountain, river, arboretum, or pioneer settlement. It identifies the special characteristics and the big story the place represents (Beck et al., 2018).
My best friend and I’s trip to Banff in 2022.
Chapter 5 in our textbook evaluated the concept of “thematic interpretation.” An approach that I thought was particularly interesting was the cornerstones of the interpretive approach to communication. It describes TORE: Thematic with a focus on the main message conveyed, Organized to provide structure and meaning, Relavent to the audience, and Enjoyable to the audience (Beck et al., 2018). I am the type of person who loves systems and organizing, so I would definitely use this as a framework within my interpretation. I think that this framework could be applied to anything but would be exceedingly beneficial to keep in mind during nature tours and podcasts.
I think for me, podcasts and nature tours would be my main approaches in regard to nature interpretation. I think this would help me reach a variety of people and deeply connect with them but also provide accurate information. I think that these approaches would also work well with my lifestyle. I really enjoy podcasts and think they are a great way to get information, because you can listen to them almost anywhere (i.e., in the car), and they do not have to be excessively long. Nature tours would also fit into my lifestyle nicely, especially since I love activities like hiking, walking and exploring nature.
Another Banff post, because it was too gorgeous not to share twice.
I think an important point I would want to review before taking on the role of an interpreter is learning styles. The textbook outlines that the more we can employ the use of all senses, the more likely we will enhance learning (Beck et al., 2018). Different people have different learning styles. Some people learn better by listening, some learn better by watching, and some by using hands on learning. In my interpretation, it would be important to me to apply these various samples. For example, on nature walks, I could allow people to experience the nature for themselves. I could especially do this by adding the element of discovery into my nature tours. I could also make some of my podcasts into vlogs, so people could be visually stimulated while listening as well.
A pretty picture I took while sitting in the passenger seat in my hometown.
Another important idea of interpretation is knowing your audience. The textbook explains that interpretation and presentation programs should identify and assess their audiences demographically and culturally. Every effort should be made to communicate the site’s values and significance to its varied audiences (Beck et al., 2018). It also outlines that to know your audience you must know if they are local, young, or old, their demographics, their motives for attending, their attitudes and values (Beck et al., 2018). This is very important because not only does your presentation shift due to who you are presenting to, but it is also important to know demographics to understand economic, cultural, communication barriers and more. For instance, it might be difficult for elderly populations to do nature hikes. Flatter ground and shorter walks may be more beneficial for this age group.
Music is something that really touches my heart and I think it is beneficial to bring into interpretation. If my format of desire is a podcast, I could include music. The textbook states that music touches the emotions (Beck et al., 2018). When you touch people’s emotions, they develop a deeper sense of care for a place. Not only that, but people can also communicate important messages about nature through song. Music can spark emotion that results in people wanting change for issues such as global warming in nature. A belief I would bring into my interpretation would be the importance of music.
Skiing over winter break!
To summarize, as an interpreter, I believe that it is important to share information in a way that various age groups can digest, connect with, and remember. I want to create a “sense of place” for my audience. I think it is my responsibility to understand different learning styles and demographics of my audience. This will help me communicate with them clearly and effectively. Utilizing tactics like TORE, and methods such as podcasts and nature tours I would be able to be an interpreter with methods that are suitable for me as an individual. I believe that music is important to include in nature interpretation and will spark action in my audience’s hearts and minds.