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Final Blog Post - Nature Interpretation, Ethics, Beliefs, and Responsibility

It’s hard to believe that the semester is almost over! I’ve learnt so much from this class, from both the actual content, but also from these blog posts! It has been such a unique experience getting to read and learn from so many different thoughts, opinions, and perspectives on these topics! From this class, I feel as though I have learnt the most about myself, how I personally interpret nature, and how I can best communicate it to other people.

Prior to this course, I largely considered myself someone who simply observes nature, but not interprets it. After this course, however, I learned that this is a skill that everyone has, although maybe not everyone has developed it yet. It was interesting for me to navigate through this course, as mostly everything we learned taught me something new about interpretation, but also about myself and how I interpret nature in my life and to my peers.

Personal ethics can be defined as “the ethics that a person identifies with in respect to people and situations that they deal with in everyday life” (Immigration Advisers Authority, 2022). I like this definition, as it involves how we think and act in respect to both people in our lives, as well as situations that may arise. My personal ethic as an interpreter, I feel, is still developing. I feel as though this is something that will continue to develop and grow as I become more involved with nature interpretation, and also as I grow older and gain more experience. As of right now, however, I can confidently say that my personal ethic as an interpreter would involve the two following principles:

1) Respect for nature

Before this course, I obviously held a large respect for nature, however, this respect has grown exponentially over the course of the semester. Nature is something that is so much bigger than us. Nature feeds us, shelters us, it heals us, provides us a sense of purpose and place, along with so many other things. With this in mind, it is my belief that we need to respect it at all times when embarking on our interpretation journeys. This should be at the forefront of every thought we have when interpreting. Related to this, it is important that we respect nature in the way that we leave it the same way we found it. Nature is something that we should seek to admire and observe in interpretation, not change or pollute. This means that we need to be respectful of all nature, and not litter, break, or transform the already existing environment that we are seeking to learn from and interpret for ourselves and others.

2) A commitment to inclusivity

As we have learned in chapter 7 of the textbook, serving diverse audiences is extremely important when it comes to interpretation (Beck et al., 2018, pg 128). As mentioned in this chapter, “interpreters are guided by the understanding that if the audience members have not learned, seen, or felt something, then interpreters have been talking to themselves” (Beck et al., 2018, pg 128). With this in mind, it is important to remember that we must know our audience, their needs, and we must be mindful of the different perspectives and opinions they bring. My personal ethic to always strive for inclusivity as an interpreter would involve making everyone feel comfortable, as well as ensuring that I am being mindful of these differing views. In this way, I would never want to generalize a certain audience, as I am very aware of the fact that people from all walks of life come to enjoy nature and nature interpretation. As the textbook states, there is no “average visitor” (Beck et al., pg 132). In addition to this, being aware of certain barriers that limit people from enjoying or participating in nature interpretation is something I would personally want to strive towards. For example, being aware and accommodating towards certain barriers, such as economic, cultural, and communication, is something I would seek to do as an interpreter (Beck et al., pg 134). This would maximize inclusivity to a degree. Overall, I would just want everyone to feel included and safe in nature, and I would want to make sure that I was able to facilitate that.

My beliefs that I bring to nature interpretation are quite similar to my personal ethics. For example, I believe that nature interpretation should strive to be inclusive. I also believe that our individual relationships to nature should be highlighted in all nature interpretation. Even if there is one person interpreting nature for a group, each individual will still leave with different thoughts, and this should be emphasized and encouraged. To go along with this, I believe that our individual relationship with nature is something special and is something to be embraced, regardless of any outside factors.

As for the responsibilities that I have, I would begin by saying that I believe that I have a responsibility to protect and conserve nature. Nature interpretation, for me, is about interpreting the beauty within nature, and it would be impossible to do that without aiding in certain conservation or environmental protection efforts. I also have a responsibility to ensure that I am checking my privilege to ensure that I am able to recognize certain barriers to nature interpretation that others may be experiencing. I have a responsibility to help people feel more connected to nature as well. As an interpreter, I want to inspire people to feel a certain sense of awe and admiration when they are in nature, and part of this would come from helping to build a solid connection between an audience and nature itself.

As we learned, different people have different learning styles and will respond best to only certain approaches (Beck et al., 2018, pg 106). As an individual, I find that doing hands-on activities is the best way to maintain my focus in something. This would be similar when it comes to nature as well. I have never been one to learn well from simply reading something, so being able to actually participate in activities such as planting trees or going on interactive hikes would be exciting for me and is an approach I would appreciate. In this way, this approach would benefit me because I would actually be engaging in certain environmental activities rather than just strictly learning about them. I could go touch the bark of a certain tree or look at a real animal while learning about that thing, making it more of a memorable experience. And conservation activities, such as tree planting, would allow me to feel like I was making somewhat of a difference, which would be appealing to me as someone who often feels overwhelmed by the scope of certain environmental problems.

Additionally, an approach that would work for me as an individual is nature interpretation through music. As someone who can’t not be listening to music, I do feel very connected to it, and in this way, if I were to be able to interpret nature through music, I think this would allow me to further develop and connect with nature.

Overall, I really enjoyed this class and writing these blogs! It’s been so fun getting to read everyones thoughts on the prompts, as this often prompted me to think more deeply about the topic of the week. I have learned so many things from this class, of which I can’t wait to take into the world with me! As a student who is graduating this semester, I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to take this class before I leave Guelph. It has been so useful and taught me so much about myself, how I learn, how I want to be taught, and how I can incorporate lessons of nature interpretation into my real life.

Thank you all for such a great semester!

Lauryn

References:

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

Immigration Advisers Authority. (2022). The difference between personal and professional ethics. Retrieved from: https://www.iaa.govt.nz/for-advisers/adviser-tools/ethics-toolkit/the-difference-between-personal-and-professional-ethics/

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Hi Lauryn, I really enjoyed your final blog post!

Like yourself I also said that respect for nature is one of my personal ethics and I too found that this course has helped me develop a deeper respect for nature as well. I believe that respecting nature is the most important part of being a good interpreter and should also be considered when entering natural spaces. Also having respect for nature and holding ourselves accountable for our action which affect it I believe should be everyday conscious decisions. Little everyday activities can be done to show respect for nature even if it is a simply as taking public transit or choosing more sustainable and or environmentally friendly products.

I also really enjoyed how talked about the importance of inclusivity, I think it’s important for everyone to feel comfortable and have access to natural spaces because including everyone can create strong connections and conversations. The beauty of nature is here for all to respectfully enjoyed, and with there being an increasing need to awareness of environmental issues it’s important to bring people from different backgrounds together and connect with nature in whatever way best suits the individual. 

Great post and goodluck with the rest of the semester!

-Jaclyn

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Goodbye Nature Nerds

Wow, what a semester this has been! I hope all of you have been exploring nature as spring begins to uncover the ground to make room for new growth.

As an aspiring nature interpreter, my personal ethic is to keep the focus of nature interpretation on inspiring a passion to take care of the environment in others (Beck et al., 2018). Teaching others that it is great to explore nature and get out into the wild is amazing, but to make them cognizant that, as they do so, they could ultimately damage the environment is critical because we want to encourage responsible and respectful nature enthusiasts (Beck et al., 2018). In contrast with the expression encouraging you to “take the road less travelled,” perhaps consider sticking to the trail as foot traffic can trample flora. Moreover, do not take biotic or abiotic items from the natural environment as it may disrupt the ecosystem, remember to pick up after yourself or your pet and dispose of the waste properly, do not wash dirty dishes in freshwater sources instead use your own water away from streams, if creating a campfire you have to contain it whilst burning and remember to completely extinguish it before you leave, and these are just a few tips. If you practice these habits, it makes all of the difference in preserving the natural environment ensuring that it remains for others to experience and appreciate.

Do you have any other good advice for habits to protect the environment?

A belief I hold when it comes to nature interpretation is that nature is for everyone, but it is to be appreciated in different ways based upon one’s abilities or background (Beck et al., 2018). For example those with various physical disabilities may use different senses to enjoy nature. Deaf individuals may rely more heavily on their sense of sight and, contrastingly, a blind individual may rely more heavily on their hearing. I believe some individuals may argue that they are not getting the “full experience,” however, I counter that with there is no one standard by which everyone enjoys nature. Other than just in terms of disabilities, individuals have different perspectives due to varying cultural and religious upbringings. I strongly hold that, though these various factors may impact the way in which they perceive the beauty of nature, everyone is capable of appreciating it (Beck et al., 2018). As the colloquial phrase implies, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Moreover, these varying perspectives teach the rest of us different ways to view nature and, as a nature interpreter, it is best to understand how others view nature and learn more which increases my breadth of knowledge as an interpreter making me better at my job. Learning from others also would allow me to make nature more accessible to others, such as through developing virtual nature walks or programs, as well as other activities that best suit individuals’ various learning styles, such as by developing podcasts for auditory learners, creating visual art portraying nature for visual learners, and designing hands-on activities for kinesthetic learners, etc.; there are many options available for different types of learners (Beck et al., 2018).

Beyond protecting the environment, which I consider the greatest ethic with which a nature interpreter must adhere to, the major responsibility that I believe the nature interpreter has to impart upon others is that we all should be held responsible to take care of the Earth: each of us has an impact, for better or for worse (Beck et al., 2018). Though it may feel like our actions are little as we are only individuals on this Earth containing billions of people, if everyone took some responsibility, we would make a difference as a whole. The issue is getting others to believe or to care at all. I believe the best route to getting others to understand would be to tell individuals the truth and not sugar coat as I believe little white lies told to comfort individuals do more harm than good. I think that individuals need to be aware of the severity of the dire situation facing our environment to want to take action. The large example that I’m sure is on all of our minds is climate change. We need people to understand that every action they perform has a consequence and that there is a need to reduce our carbon footprint to mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure that we have clean air and water for generations to come. But I only think that this strategy works if you provide advice on how to help out because we do not want to open pandora’s box of negativity. In the case of climate change, advice that would convince me to try to make a difference to protect our environment but not intimidate me from even trying would include recommending I eat less meat and dairy, take public transportation when possible, reduce energy use by turning off lights in rooms where you are not present, try to reduce the waste you produce, etc. Actionable day-to-day tasks are very motivating, especially as a starting point, and then you can work up to larger tasks such as attending protests and trying to change legislation.

Would you take this approach, or do you believe that there is a better way to go about getting others to comprehend the severity of the situation? If you have a new idea, share it so we can all be better informed!

Thank you all for sharing with me this semester, I have learned so much from all of you that a textbook could never cover so I am grateful. I am certainly going to miss these enlightening conversations that we were having weekly. In closing, I hope you continue to get out into nature and explore responsibly. I can’t wait to find out what you are all up to someday, maybe we can all catch up somewhere in nature on a hike.

Not goodbye, but see you later nature nerds!

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

[jgenvs3000w22]

Hey Taite, I really enjoyed reading your last blog post! I really enjoyed how in beginning of your post you discussed that while we teach other and encourage them to go out into nature, we must also make sure that we do so while encouraging people to be respectful and responsible. I mentioned in my blog this week that respectfulness and responsibility are important personal ethics to me and I appreciate seeing others value these as well. We are privileged to enjoy natural spaces but we must ensure that we enjoy them in a way that is respectful, unharmful and thoughtful of the environment, wildlife and other people as well. 

I also really enjoyed how you mention that people’s abilities and backgrounds will influence and affect how they engage and connect with nature. I found that section of your post very thoughtful! I really agree with how you said that if everyone took some responsibilities for their action it would make a big difference  because there are over 7 billion people on the planet (This is often a conversation that comes up at the grocery store with my roomates). I also agree that advising others to make little changes in their day to day lives to reduced their impact on the planet is a good approach. We cannot expect every person and family to make large life choices such as buying electric cars and going vegetarian, but if we ask people to make small changes then they will add up and make a difference. 

Goodluck with the rest of the semester!

Bye for now -Jaclyn 

[jgenvs3000w22]

The Final Post

As the semester comes to an end and this course along with it I reflect back on all I have learnt this semester. Over the duration of this course I have learnt the many different roles that nature interpretation has through a variety of lenses. Looking back on past blogs I can see how I began to think deeper and more creatively as the course progressed. I believe I have grown as a nature interpreter and can now provide meaningful connections to nature which I hope that I can bring with me into future career paths after graduation. This course has helped me to understand the important role that nature interpretation plays in our world and its ability to bring different groups of people with different backgrounds and education together to connect with nature. 

So, with the semester winding down this will be the final blog post. For this final post I will reflect on myself as a nature interpreter, my personal ethics, beliefs and my responsibilities as an interpreter. 

When thinking of what my personal are I think the most important one would be respect. I think that respect is a personal ethic that is imperative for our society and environment to flourish. It is important to me that even when I do not agree with someone on their opinions on the environment, wildlife, climate change and so on that I still treat them with respect. I also think it is important for us as a society to have respect and to learn from indigenous peoples as well as other cultures who have been stewards of the land for centuries. I believe that it is a great privilege to be able to learn from others who have strong connections to the environment and I think that there needs to be more inclusion, collaboration, learning and communication between those who work in environmental fields and Indigenous groups in Canada. I think we have a lot to learn about how to live more sustainably and alongside nature from Indigenous people. 

I also think it’s important to show respect for nature when we enter natural spaces. It’s a privilege to be able to access natural spaces so when we do enter them we must show respect and leave things as we found them. Also we treat wildlife with respect as well making sure to not harm, disturb or interfere with wildlife when we encounter it. 

Another personal ethic that I would say I have is responsibility. I think that responsibility for our actions that affect others, the environment, and wildlife is incredibly important to have. I feel a sense of responsibility to live more sustainably in order to lower my carbon footprint because I care and think we should all care about protecting our planet's health. I feel a sense of responsibility to use my education which I am privileged to have to help inform others about the environment and nature and also apply it in a way that will benefit the planet and all its inhabitants in some way, big or small. I feel like more people need to think more consciously about how their actions affect the environment because many may not even be aware of their own impacts. 

When I think of my beliefs and responsibilities I have as a nature interpreter I find myself thinking forward into the future. What can I bring to the world? What kind of impact can I make to help ensure that our world has a future where we have a healthy environment? I believe we all have a responsibility to our planet and other life forms on Earth to best protect, nurture and restore our environment back to health. As humans have been the ones responsible for considerable and horrific damage to our planet we have a responsibility to make right with our Earth as for the most part we have inhabited it with little care of how our actions affect others with whom we share this planet's resources and spaces with. I believe we all have the right to access and enjoy our world's natural spaces, but with that we are also responsible to respect nature so when we take ourselves into it we should treat it as though we are invited guests into a home that does owe us anything but affords us with many privileges. 

I personally feel that as an interpreter I have a responsibility to help others be educated in the importance of preserving, protecting and restoring our environment. As we have learnt through this course one does not need to have a degree or high level of environmental science knowledge to be able to connect with and understand how intertwined our lives may be with the natural environment. This course has taught me how to make deep connections between the environment and subjects that many people know and love such as music, art and history. As an interpreter it would be my job to make meaningful connections to nature and when given the opportunity to do so to help others make their own connections as well. It is not my job to force my own opinions and beliefs on others but instead pass on information and help others to make connections in a way that is suitable and specific to the individual. 

As an individual I feel that the approach that best suits me as an individual is through visuals and verbal communication through technology through the form of videos and or presentations. Throughout my university career I have found that visual aids help to keep me engaged. I also find media such as TED talks to be engaging and informative as well, as they are often a more creative form of lecture. I personally find that images and videos can help an audience connect to the topic especially when the intent of the presentation is to gain engagement, conversation and more care and or concern. When information can be distributed media using technology it is also capable of reaching more audiences so I believe this is an effective tool to distribute information as it can be shared and passed on to interested individuals. 

I really enjoyed reading all the great creative blogs this semester! 

Thanks for sharing and thanks for reading:)

-Jaclyn 

[jgenvs3000w22]

Nature and its Amazing Fungi

Okay, so this week's post is about what I find most amazing about nature. That's a difficult one because there are so many amazing choices to choose from! Nature is amazing in so many ways such as how species communicate through song, colors and movements. It is amazing through its ability to combat human alterations to the planet and its ability to create spaces where life flourishes at every level but also for its ability to cause catastrophic disasters in seconds. We are truly at the will of nature, no matter how hard we try to tame it we will never have control over this planet. This week I watched a documentary called “Fantastic Fungi” and I found it a bit mind-boggling, so I want to talk about the amazing world of fungi this week! 

Fungi is incredible, it is both born in death and the begining of new life! It turns old life into new materials for other life to use as a source of food and nutrients. Fungi has an extensive amount of uses such as creating food and drinks we love such as bread and wine, it is nature's recycler of organic material, it has antibiotic properties that we use to produce life saving drugs, it can provide mental health benefits and is also utilized by the forest for communication among plant species! 

One cool fact about fungi that I love is that plants use fungi to communicate with one another! Mycorrhizal fungi act like the telephone networks of the forest, hidden from the human eye but bursting with life and activity below the soil. When neighboring plants are linked through mycorrhizal fungi networks they can communicate with each other and ignite behavioral changes such as nutrient transfers from healthy plants to weaker ones, increase the rate of photosynthesis, increased carbon transfer, it can prompt defense responses in plants against pathogens and pests, and can improve plant survival under environmental stress such as droughts (Gorzelak et al. 2015). 

Mushrooms and fungi are beloved around the world for their culinary purposes but also have been used for their medicinal properties and are still being researched today for potential medicinal uses as well. Some medicinal benefits of fungi include antiviral, immunomodulatory, antitumor, antioxidant, radical scavenging, anti-inflammatory, antihypercholesterolemic, hepatoprotective, and antidiabetic effects (Qin & Han, 2014). Cordyceps sinensi is a fungi that has been used by the Chinese for thousands of years and studies have found that it can regulate insulin sensitivity and can lower cholesterol levels  (Qin & Han, 2014). Agaricus blazei Murill commonly known as the “Sun mushroom” is widely used for its medicinal properties in many cultures for the prevention of different types of diseases such as cancer, hepatitis, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and dermatitis (Qin & Han, 2014).

Some species of mushrooms have been found to contain properties that help stimulate the growth of brain cells, leading many researchers to believe they can be used for the prevention and or treatment of many neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and Dementia (Valverdeet al. 2015). A particular mushroom commonly known as “Lions Maine” for its lion mane-like appearance contains two compounds that help stimulate brain cell growth called hericenones and erinacines. When tested on mice it reduced symptoms of memory loss and prevented brain damage caused by amyloid-beta plaques, which build up in human brains that have Alzheimer’s disease. The ability for this mushroom to promote nerve growth and protect the brain from neurological diseases proves that there may be a promising future for increased uses of medicinal fungi. So that is what I find amazing about nature. Its ability to bring new life from death, how it connects all things in forests and for its capacity to heal humans all in the form of fungi! 

-Jaclyn

Gorzelak, Asay, A. K., Pickles, B. J., & Simard, S. W. (2015). Inter-plant communication through mycorrhizal networks mediates complex adaptive behaviour in plant communities. AoB Plants, 7, plv050–. https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/plv050

Qin, & Han, C. (2014). Medicinal and Edible Fungi as an Alternative Medicine for Treating Age-Related Disease. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2014, 638561–638562. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/638561

Valverde, Hernández-Pérez, T., & Paredes-López, O. (2015). Edible Mushrooms: Improving Human Health and Promoting Quality Life. International Journal of Microbiology, 2015, 376387–14. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/376387

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Resilience of Nature

Nature is crazy! There are an unbelievable amount of things to talk about. I could discuss the intangible items such as wild weather patterns or any flora and fauna.  Each time I go for a stroll in the woods nearby my house in Guelph I am bound to see something new each time. In these instances it is awesome to have a BugFinder or iNaturalist app on your phone to be prepared for anything you could come across. Technology can be our guide on our solo walks and help us remember to share photos and the stories that go along with them.

Just this past weekend I took a walk on the same path and discovered a few man made additions to the trail. There was a cute painted bird house that had a Rapunzel braid coming out of the hole, it made me laugh and was certainly not there the last time I walked that way. Something about this train of thought led me to think about the endurance and resiliency of the woods, and then the resilience of nature as a whole.

There are so many examples of nature’s resilience! Nature has the capacity to absorb disturbances and still retain its original purpose. 

It is that time of year where you start to see buckets in the woods and know the sap is running for syrup collection. I know that this time of year there are buckets on buckets in our backyard filling up with maple sap. It is incredible that we can drill a hole into the tree’s bark and the tree has enough sap to spare for human collection. The trees have no trouble bouncing back from the drilled hole and sap depletion. 

Another fabulous example of resilience for flora would be about 500 species of trees that are affected by spongy moth larva (Lymantria dispar dispar). Any one of these tree species can survive about 80% defoliation and still come back healthy the next year! Of course there are instances where this is not the case, possibly due to other ailments of the tree or negative human interference. 

When I start to think about the fauna in nature and a particular resilient reptile. I grew up with skinks living in our front garden/concrete front step. On a nice sunny day they would come out and soak up in the sun. Sinks that showed up sometimes were missing or had regrown ends of their tails. Stress and fear or a predator grabbing a skink’s tail will cause them to lose their tail. It is amazing that they can continue to survive after. (Take a look below to see some of these friendly little skinks. The second photo shows the regrowth of their tail)

We need to count on natures’ resiliency especially as climate change continues to progress. We can only do so much when the world is divided and doesn’t take large actions to reduce our impact.

-Jacqueline 

[jgenvs3000w22]

Hey Jacqueline, 

I really enjoyed your blog post this week! I agree and am always amazed by how resilient nature can be whether it be the resilience of a habitat, ecosystem and or species. I had never considered how resilient deciduous trees are, even though I was aware of how much they are effect by moth larvae, so I am glad you mentioned that! I also enjoyed how you talked about the resilience of reptiles and how they can survive losing their entire tails and they will grow back, just like how starfish can regrow body parts. Your post reminded me of aerial images I have seen of Chernobyl. I was amazed by how the site of such a large nuclear disaster now looks like an abandoned city taken over by wildlife. I think that the city of Chernobyl is a great example of the resilience of nature, and also shows how nature can come back to life when humans are not present. We are very fortunate that our planet, wildlife and ecosystems are so resilient because if they weren’t then I could not image a planet where humans would be able to exist. I really enjoyed your post and the thoughts it provoked!

-Jaclyn  

[kpmbenvs3000w22]

Nature and Music

Music is all around us, we are lucky enough to be able to experience the place in which true music has originated, which is the lovely music we can listen to in nature. From the birds calling, to the wind blowing through the trees, and so on! These parts of nature have always been my favourite, from listening to a certain bird call and learning what each call means, and just enjoying them call to and from, but I do have to say for me, when a big gust of wind hits a tree just the right way so all the leaves dance and make that’s lovely ‘woosh’ sound has got to be the best part of natures song. 

One of the many forest with the best leaves to hear the wind through

 My mom has been feeding the birds that live behind my house for years now, and her favourite (its up there for me as well, has got to be the Baltimore Oriole. They have some of the most beautiful colouring you will ever see but they also have such a lovely song. Learning that our music has a lot of parallels to the songs of a bird makes a lot of sense, because that would be the place a lot of us heard it first (especially in the past) and with how much rhythm there is to a birds song (Gray et al. 2001.)

Baltimore Oriole in my Backyard

 I think that there is a lot of nature within the music we write as well. I know there are many different people who actually go out into nature and record their own sounds of nature to incorporate into their own music (Courselink 2022). A lot of classical music was either inspired by bird songs, they would copy the notes they heard the birds sing and integrate them within their music, using them for melodies and certain harmonies as well (Gray et al) There are also many different musicians who use the power of nature to inspire their own songs as well, sitting in the middle of the forest, listening to waves etc to strike inspiration. Something else I think is awesome with the music in nature is how diverse it is. The bird species here in North America may have very different songs than those in Europe, the wind in the trees may even sounds different due to the difference in trees. All of these things are amazing and wonderful all on their own, but thankfully due to technology, many of us have been able to listen to our musical nature from around the world without ever needing to leave the country (Beck 2018). This is something that has brought us so much opportunity, as now I can listen to the sounds of the waves from anywhere in the world even when nowhere close to an ocean, but it will never be able to replace the real thing. We have many ways to dupe you into thinking what you are hearing or seeing is real, which is amazing, but it is still a virtual reality, and nowhere near what sounds and songs you can hear nature make in real reality (Beck 2018).

A song I would say brings me back to nature is Mr. Brightside by The Killers, it is a song that reminds me of camping with my friends or even driving/riding through the forest, it brings me to a time of peace and tranquility I love to be in.

References

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

Courselink (2022)  Nature Interpretation through History, ENVS*3000

Gray, Patricia M., et al. “The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music.” Science, vol. 291, no. 5501, 5 Jan. 2001, p. 52. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A69270354/AONE?u=guel77241&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=fb9366a8. Accessed 6 Mar. 2022.

[jgenvs3000w22]

Hey Katherine, I really enjoyed your blog post this week! I connected with how you said you enjoyed listening to birds songs then try to figure out what they mean, because whenever I hear a bird song that I don’t recognize I turn straight to google and my bird book. I enjoyed how you connected the songs that birds sing are similar to those that artist creates, I think if more people connected our similarities to nature that they would want to help protect and care for it more! I also mention in my post that the songs of nature are always different depending on where you are what species and environmental factors are present so I agree and think that its really cool how diverse the sound of nature are. I like how you talked about how technology has allowed us to listen to different parts of nature even if we are close to where the sounds come from, I also think that’s a interesting point because it really proves how much humans benefit and desire the many sounds of nature.  Great post :)

[jgenvs3000w22]

The Many Songs of Nature

Where is music in nature? It’s all around us! Personally my first thought when given the question where is music in nature my mind immediately brought me to the sounds of songbirds singing. But as I thought deeper I realized it is in so many more places, from the sounds of trees swaying and leaves shaking in the wind, waves crashing on the shore, frogs croaking and the sound of raindrops falling to the Earth.

Nature makes its own music everyday and each environment is its very own sympany. The songs are not always the same but ever changing with each day and new musician that joins in. It’s interesting how music can connect and unite people because everyday in nature the songs we hear are part of an interconnected and dynamic community. Birds are singing and communicating with one another, frogs croak to attract potential mates and water pours over waterfalls when upstream lakes and ponds are full. Every song in nature has a purpose or cause, just like how artists create their lyrics to achieve a desired effect or emotion. Just like how Gray et al. (2001) discussed how humans and whales create songs similarly. Like humans however, there are some species of birds that have been known to sing for pleasure. I wonder if more people thought deeper about the sounds and vibrations they hear and feel in nature if it would make people care more and want to protect our environment. Nature is in the music we listen to as well, whether it be through the lyrics it inspires or the sounds used in the background.

Music is one of our world's great gifts. It can ignite feelings of passion, joy, relaxation, sadness and excitement. It is an art that can bring people from all over the world together no matter our differences, which is something I find really beautiful. One thing I really appreciate about music is how it holds a lot of memories. Sometimes I find that songs that I love aren’t just my favorites because of the rhythm or lyrics but because they are connected to great memories. If I had to pick a song that brings me into nature it would have to be Beautiful Day by U2. I chose this song because it's connected to some of my favorite memories at camp out on the boat enjoying the sun and the view of nature. The song does contain lyrics about nature such as “see the canyons broken by clouds” and “see the bird with a leaf in her mouth”. I think the song has a good message as well about how hard times can get better and even if things are hard the beauty of nature can always help to make you feel better. I enjoy the song because personally if I wake up to a nice sunny day my mood always improves, and little things about nature and its beauty can always help to bring joy, kind of like the lyric “after the flood, all the colors came out”.

-Thanks for reading :)

[jmenvs3000w22]

Week 6

“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)

 From the Oxford English Dictionary online, there are two definitions to describe integrity. 

the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.

Synonymous words include “honesty, uprightness, honour”

the state of being whole and undivided.

Synonymous words include “unification, wholeness, cohesion”.

When I look at this quote presented from Unit 6, I believe the definition of integrity was focused on the second meaning, by having a wholeness and unified connection to our past. Cohesion, as in the sticking of all the fragments of the past together to create a story that people can connect to. Connection, to ourselves and to others, as we know is extremely fundamental to our wellbeing and shapes how we make our way in the world. The last section of the quote that deals with the train metaphor, says that to not acknowledge the past equates to the belief that we are not connected or unified to the other parts of the world. That as we pass through the station, it did not exist before and it does not exist after our passing, that there is no wholeness to the station without our presence.

So I agree that this meaning of integrity is important about being whole, but I think that the other definition could use some attention as well. When we tell stories of the past, I believe it is certainly rooted in honour, whether from a positive experience, or to honour a lesson that was learned from a potentially negative experience. There is a duty to pass on the stories and weave them into our current world, because we can learn from them and also feel more connected to one another. I definitely think both definitions apply here. 

In the readings, this quote can be very well explained by the fact that honouring the past “breathes life and meaning” into events that have occurred, ancient artifacts, and architecture. Otherwise of course, objects would just be objects and likewise buildings would be meaningless towering bricks if it weren’t for the stories or history that back them up. When we have a collective of stories, we have more knowledge on how to live our lives meaningfully, and we get a sense of this through how others have lived. I think we all grow up with inspirations, be it people or a certain lifestyle we want to lead– this too comes from stories.

From Chapter 14 in our readings, this quote does a great job encouraging the reader to make intellectual and emotional connections, and to apply this quote to their own lives. The metaphor gives room for creative space and lets the mind wander, as well as it challenges you to reflect deeply.

In connection to my life, though I am a science major, I have always enjoyed creative writing and I love to draw (things that are not too valued in the scientific community). But whether it’s writing or drawing, I have never liked to, nor followed a template. I remember art classes trying to instruct step by step instructions of drawing a face, but I never followed it and my instructors didn’t really care because my end products turned out good. Writing I feel can draw a little more criticism, and my style of writing can be loose but I like to write with voice in my words and I feel as though it helps people relate more to them. And if people are connecting to what I say then I believe my goal is achieved. When reading Chapter 14 of the textbook, to be completely honest I wasn’t a fan of all the “do’s and don’ts” of the writing process with the grouping of like words together and omission of big words people can’t understand. I think this takes away the writer’s voice! If you have to think about what you’re writing with so much scrutiny and rules, the flow isn’t there, and that’s not really how I operate. I am interested to know what others think about this? Do you like following a template?

References cited

Beck, L. Cable, T.  Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural  Heritage For a Better World. Sagamore- Venture Publishing LLC. ISBN 978-1-57167-865-2.

 Hooykaas, A. (2022). Nature Interpretation through History. [Unit 6 course reading]. Nature Interpretation Course University of Guelph.

Oxford languages and google - english. Oxford Languages. (2022).

[jgenvs3000w22]

Hey Jill,

I really enjoyed your post this week I thought that it was very insightful. I really liked how you said that connection to ourselves and other is fundamental and shapes our world because I agree with you, how are we supposed to heal and help other parts of the world or even help members of our society if we feel disconnected from them? It’s easier to solve issues in our world when we face them together, but if we are not all experiences the same hardships that it may be difficult to understand the extent of issues others face. I also like how you mentioned that it is necessary for us to have a unified connection to our past! I think that that point is very relevant especially with how Canada must reconcile with indigenous and first nations people! I’ve noticed a divide on many issues currently and I think it comes from a lot of people not understanding the history and significance of our history, so I really enjoyed how you mentioned that. I also agree with how you said we have a duty to pass on our stories because we can learn from them! We can never erase history and ignoring the past will do us no benefits. We must reflect and learn from our past in order to prevent past events from occurring today, and in my opinion, we are failing at a certain level to do this. Thanks for the good read!

Jaclyn

[jgenvs3000w22]

How will history remember us?

I come to you writing this blog post on a plane ride, and I find myself feeling a sense of sorrow as I look down on the world below me. We live in such a beautiful, majestic, and somewhat magical world, but we are destroying the beauty and wildness of the world and taming it as we see fit. Being so high in the air and looking down gives me a pretty good perspective for this post. I look down and this is what I see; I see winding rivers that nourish the life surrounding them, hilly areas with tiny black specs on them the size of a pea which are trees, forested areas, and some clouds that look so closely I could touch them. But here’s what I also see; I see roads and farmland which have taken over areas that were once alive and breathing with trees, I see our houses and industrial buildings in the places once home to wildlife, and I see many bright shiny glimpses of colour some looking like nickels on the ground, but I know these are cars which pollute our Earths air. Now I know not every view is like this, but I find it daunting up here, looking down and seeing just how extensive our presence is. How we have destroyed and replaced so much land for human use. I can confidently say that from here looking down our world is hardly wild at all anymore; we have tamed what we did not know and have become dictators of our planet treating it as we see fit despite the consequences that ourselves and the millions of other life forms on our planet will face. I impatiently wait for our plane to leave behind the views of a maze of bare topsoil, asphalt, buildings, and subdivisions and pass over what can feel like a never-ending view of the crystal blue ocean.

What story are we leaving for future generations? The Egyptians left us artifacts and structures that have become wonders to our world, Indigenous peoples have left us with knowledge and stories of the creation of our world and how we can meaningfully tend to and live with it, so what will we leave behind? Are we going to let our history be one that is remembered as a time of social and environmental injustices leaving behind a world in crisis for future generations? Or will our history tell a story of how people came together uplifted one another and repair the damage cause by years of neglect and abuse to our planet and wildlife? I prefer that later. Yes we will leave behind beautiful artwork in the form of architecture, paintings, music and more as generations before us have, but that will never be enough to rewrite our history if we continue to destroy this planet. When I think about what my world will look like when I am no longer here, I hope that the tall strong pine still stands over where my family dog is buried, I hope that the waters of Lake Huron I learnt to swim in stay fresh, and that the land across the lake from me never be developed.

I wonder will future generations share stories about being evacuated from cities on fire. Will people on reservations have water that is safe for drinking? Will kids around the world grow up with blue skies or will they be filled will clouds of grey that release toxic water when they are filled?

We were giving a quote by Edward Hyams which read “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.” And I think its message is that our impact on the planet does not end with us, we leave behind parts of our lives that will exist on Earth for years to come. Do we want to leave behind our mistakes when our time is up or, do we want to leave this world knowing we impacted it for the better? History provides us with tools we need to make thoughtful and informed decisions. We can learn from history whether it be pasted mistakes or triumphs to better ourselves, society, and the planet. There’s the saying that goes “insanity is to repeat the same actions over and over again and expect different outcomes.” So will we keep repeating the same harmful actions we do today, or will we change our actions to change the ending to our story. I hope when reading this people can think of some part of nature that they love, whether that be a certain species of animal, a favourite place or tree. Do you think that it will still be here when we are gone? Or do you wonder if humankind’s actions will destroy it leaving behind only memories of it. I hope that our history is not one where children grow up never being able to see the nature we experience today.

Wishing everyone clear skies and a happy reading week- Jaclyn

[jgenvs3000w22]

How the pandemic has made me appreciate nature:

It is safe to say that these past 2 years have been a roller coaster. The global pandemic has affected us all in one way or another, and not everyone has the same feelings surrounding the global pandemic. So here are some impacts that I feel the Covid-19 pandemic has caused. The pandemic has had many negative social impacts with there being very polarizing opinions surrounding the Covid-19 causing a divide in our society. Many people have been unable to see their loved ones and for some were unable to say goodbye to their loved ones as well. The Covid-19 pandemic has also impacted people significantly both financially and mentally as many people have been unable to work and or find work, and with multiple lockdowns and restrictions many people have been left feeling isolated. However, I don’t want this post to be entirely negative, so I want to focus on the positive that Covid-19 has brought me, being that it has brought me closer to nature.

With the multiple lockdowns and restrictions limiting us from social gatherings and privileges that get us out of our homes such as dining, movies, shopping, and traveling I was finding myself feeling very isolated as many of us did. However, I felt fortunate to be going through this pandemic living up North with easy access to natural spaces. During the first lockdown I, like many others, was unable to work, so I had a lot of free time on my hands, so I packed up and moved to camp for a while.

I was able to escape to a place that brought me closer to nature and it allowed me to develop a deeper appreciation for it. In a world with a lot of chaos going on in it I was very privileged to be able to escape away into nature and find some peace and relaxation. I started kayaking often, going on trips throughout the bays of Lake Huron and finding new fun and exciting spots. I got more comfortable going on walks in the forest alone because I found myself wanting a break sometimes from a crowded home. I have always appreciated nature but the pandemic made my relationship with nature one that became very therapeutic.

Being stuck in a house of five people, tensions were running high, but I was still able to go on daily walks and not just on a street but through the forest where I could decompress and just enjoy the beautiful subtle songs of nature. In a really boring but also stressful time nature provided me with something that I could not get sitting in front of a screen or book at home. Walking out of my home and about 20 steps away and into nature was like letting out a sign of relief. It became like part of a consistent routine, but the smells, sounds and sights changed daily. Little new excitements everyday brought me joy and kept me sane. In these troubling times I realize the extent of nature's importance to me and it makes me care so much more about the future of our planet because I cannot imagine a world where we are unable to leave our troubles at home and go and enjoy the peace, joy and beauty that nature provides us with.

So the moral of the blog is that I’ve always loved and appreciated nature but the Covid-19 pandemic has made me become so much more connected to nature as I now rely on it as a form of escape from the stresses of daily life.

Thank you nature for all that you provide <3

[smgmenvs3000w22]

Nature, Art, and the Gift of Beauty

Who am I to interpret nature through art?

I believe that anyone can interpret nature through art. Many of us are familiar with the common saying; “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, which fundamentally applies to art and its ambiguity. A painting or drawing doesn’t need to be perfectly symmetrical or realistic to resonate with its audience. If the desired outcome is to convey ideas and emotions, then anyone can create art. It is arguably not just a right to interpret nature through art, but a responsibility, to share our experiences through a variety of mediums and learn from art created by others. Sharing of art is the sharing of emotions and experiences, which benefits us and ultimately serves to help protect our landscapes by elevating understanding and reminding others of its beauty. It also is a universally spoken language, and allows us to connect and share no matter the native tongue of our audience.

The connection between nature and art, for me, is the ability to take a piece of the forest or ocean or meadow, and preserve it so while I am doing homework in my room, or sitting on a bus in the middle of the city, I can be taken back to moments where I felt at peace in nature. Putting paintings on the wall of beautiful Canadian scenery, or even just having a photo album on my phone full of nature photos from my most treasured places, affect my mood. 

How do I interpret the “gift of beauty”?

My interpretation of the “gift of beauty” is teaching others to appreciate nature to their full capacity. Stopping to take it all in (on a hike, for example) is difficult for some people, and finding this “gift of beauty” can take practice. Teaching someone to use every one of their senses, not only sight, can help them to ground themselves in their setting. Our textbook describes the principle of the “gift of beauty” as “Interpretation should instill in people the ability, and the desire, to sense the beauty in their surroundings- to provide spiritual uplift and to encourage resource preservation” (Beck et al., 2018). I place an emphasis on the word choice of “sense”, reminding us that beauty is not a purely visual idea. Practicing looking at the vastness of a forest atop a hill, listening to the songs of birds, smelling the freshness of the trees and flowers, feeling the wind blowing through your hair, tasting the crisp air, will provide the most immersive nature experience possible. One of my favourite places to just stop and sense the beauty of nature is at my cottage. Specifically in the mornings, before the lake has woken up, when the water is still and covered in a layer of slowly drifting fog. I take out the canoe and paddle along the shore, where I can hear the sounds of the forest and the drops of water from my paddle hitting the water’s surface, and I just breathe it all in. 

My dog, River, looking out over the misty morning lake.

References:

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

[jgenvs3000w22]

Hey Serena,

 I really enjoyed reading your post! I agree with you that anyone can interpret art, and just because it may mean something to one person it doesn’t necessarily mean it means the same to others! I like how you said that anyone can create art and how by sharing art we share our experiences which I think is a good way to think about art. I also believe that not everyone is going to understand art and the message it is trying to send but it should still be appreciated for the artist's ability to use their creativity to connect with people without verbal communication. I liked how you described the “gift of beauty” as well and I think sometimes we get caught up in our lives and forget to take in the beauty of nature in all its capacities. I agree with what you said on teaching someone to use all their senses, because nature's beauty is not just seen but it can be heard whether it be through the sounds of a forest and its animals or felt through our hands and bodies. I can relate to how you find and take in the beauty of nature at your cottage as my cottage is where I find I appreciate the beauty of nature the most and have found tranquility in the beautiful scenery, songs of the birds and the sounds of the waves rolling along the lake. I love how you described your mornings at the cottage, you created an image in my head of the scene without the image you provide, I really enjoyed that!

Awesome post, thanks for the good read!

-Jaclyn

[jgenvs3000w22]

Nature through art

Art is a tool that allows one to express creative skills and their imagination. Art comes in many forms whether it be through literature, performance art, or visual art. I also believe that art can come in whatever creative form one sees art. Art can inspire, educate and provide a safe place for one to share their artistic expression. But who am I to interpret nature through art? In my opinion everyone has the freedom to interpret art how they perceive it, because our own feelings and experiences may guide us to interpret something in a certain way. Interpretation is defined as the act of explaining, reframing and or displaying your personal understanding of something. Artwork may not always be interpreted how the artist intended it to be perceived and not everyone may agree on what the art is about or understand it, but it can make people feel something and that’s the beauty of it.

I was excited when I saw the prompt for this blog post because growing up, I was exposed to a lot of artworks that captured the beauty of nature and I have always appreciated artist ability to capture nature in a piece of art. My grandfather was an artist who expressed his art through carvings of native bird species, and he could paint their feathers with near perfect detail and my aunt was also an artist who worked at a local art museum which first introduced me to the work of the group of seven. For myself I’m not the best at taking photos but I do try to capture natures beauty through photos and even though I am not very good I love to paint, and this is how I try to capture the beauty of nature.

Art can generate conversation and emotion, it can tell stories, and or it can be spiritual as well. Art is beautiful and not for just visual purposes, but for its ability to bring people together and can make people feel a variety of feeling depending on how the art is interpreted. Even if one does not understand or even like the art they are viewing or hearing it should still be appreciated for the conversations it creates and the intent it had on capturing the beauty of the natural world.

When considering how I interpret the “gift of beauty” I think of the warmth and joys that the beauty of the natural world brings me, and I think if I were to choose a word for this gift it would be tranquility. The feeling of being mesmerized when the sky turns to gold and pink as if someone decided to paint the clouds for everyone to enjoy. The feeling of excitement when swimming in a lake as clear as glass allowing me to see parts of another world below the water's surface. And most of all the calm and happiness that the sound of nature brings, whether it’s the familiar song of the Whippoorwills and the loons, or waves rolling along the lake and hitting shore.

When it comes to art, I believe that it is all subjective and how it is interpreted is determined by who the interpreter is. Art can be a powerful tool; some may be affected differently based on how it is presentenced. Art in whatever form it may come in can inspire creativity, conversation, spirituality, and it allows others to see the artist viewpoint of nature and then interpret it how they view it.

Thanks for reading:)

[smgmenvs3000w22]

Nature, Art, and the Gift of Beauty

Who am I to interpret nature through art?

I believe that anyone can interpret nature through art. Many of us are familiar with the common saying; “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, which fundamentally applies to art and its ambiguity. A painting or drawing doesn’t need to be perfectly symmetrical or realistic to resonate with its audience. If the desired outcome is to convey ideas and emotions, then anyone can create art. It is arguably not just a right to interpret nature through art, but a responsibility, to share our experiences through a variety of mediums and learn from art created by others. Sharing of art is the sharing of emotions and experiences, which benefits us and ultimately serves to help protect our landscapes by elevating understanding and reminding others of its beauty. It also is a universally spoken language, and allows us to connect and share no matter the native tongue of our audience.

The connection between nature and art, for me, is the ability to take a piece of the forest or ocean or meadow, and preserve it so while I am doing homework in my room, or sitting on a bus in the middle of the city, I can be taken back to moments where I felt at peace in nature. Putting paintings on the wall of beautiful Canadian scenery, or even just having a photo album on my phone full of nature photos from my most treasured places, affect my mood. 

How do I interpret the “gift of beauty”?

My interpretation of the “gift of beauty” is teaching others to appreciate nature to their full capacity. Stopping to take it all in (on a hike, for example) is difficult for some people, and finding this “gift of beauty” can take practice. Teaching someone to use every one of their senses, not only sight, can help them to ground themselves in their setting. Our textbook describes the principle of the “gift of beauty” as “Interpretation should instill in people the ability, and the desire, to sense the beauty in their surroundings- to provide spiritual uplift and to encourage resource preservation” (Beck et al., 2018). I place an emphasis on the word choice of “sense”, reminding us that beauty is not a purely visual idea. Practicing looking at the vastness of a forest atop a hill, listening to the songs of birds, smelling the freshness of the trees and flowers, feeling the wind blowing through your hair, tasting the crisp air, will provide the most immersive nature experience possible. One of my favourite places to just stop and sense the beauty of nature is at my cottage. Specifically in the mornings, before the lake has woken up, when the water is still and covered in a layer of slowly drifting fog. I take out the canoe and paddle along the shore, where I can hear the sounds of the forest and the drops of water from my paddle hitting the water’s surface, and I just breathe it all in. 

My dog, River, looking out over the misty morning lake.

References:

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

[aeb-envs3000-w22]

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” is something I’ve always struggled with because I don’t feel that I have an eye for art. I’ve come to realize that that’s okay, and that the unique perceptions that everyone has of the world around them is what allows nature to be so beautiful.

I think one way to encourage an appreciation of nature’s beauty as an interpreter is to reinforce the idea that there are no wrong answers. Everyone will pick up on different things and feel different emotions in response, which is absolutely okay!

[askenvs3000w22]

Blog Post 3: Privilege

The subject of this weeks blog post is one that is very personal and somewhat sensitive. Privilege, to me, is the unearned advantages that are automatically given to members of certain groups based solely on their membership within the group, which is not optional. As explained in the Courselink text, understanding privilege can be made easier by thinking of it as an “invisible backpack”, a concept introduced by Peggy McIntosh. The contents of your backpack vary depending on your life circumstances, but those with more within their backpack do not often acknowledge that the contents were given without being earned and that the backpacks of the people around them might have less content. 

Now to unpack my own privilege, I am a white, cis, able-bodied woman who was raised in an English-speaking, middle class home by two parents who are still willing to support me financially and emotionally. Because of these privileges I have been able to have many experiences which I am truly grateful for, but these experiences are not those which I have earned. Learning about privilege can be difficult for those who have a large amount of it because it can make them feel guilty that they did not earn what they have or, sometimes, angry that other people believe that they did not “work hard” for it. However, being unaware of privilege is a luxury that only those with privilege have, because those without privilege notice how unfair the world is towards them.

Privilege plays a large role within nature interpretation. To be able to access and enjoy natural areas you need to be able to take time off work, travel to the location, pay for entrance/parking/food, and physically maneuver within the natural area. These aspects and many others are barriers. Some way to increase inclusivity are mentioned within the textbook, including 1) reducing economic barriers by providing transportation or bringing the park to the people through outreach, 2) reducing cultural barriers by personally inviting groups of people to the park, 3) reducing communication barriers by providing multilingual interpretation and varied media forms, 4) provide clear information on where to go, what to do, and how to prepare for visits, and 5) creating a diverse interpretation team trained in cultural sensitivity so that visitors feel represented and safe when interacting with staff (Beck et al. 2018). It is so crucial that this new generation of nature interpreters is sensitive to privilege and culture in order to provide a meaningful nature experience to anyone interested. 

It is also important to acknowledge that in Canada I am interpreting the nature of stolen land. I believe it is essential to listen to Indigenous knowledge holders and make ample space for them within the colonized world. I hope to use my privilege to amplify the thoughts of those who are not being listened to, although I wish we lived in a world where they were heard without someone of privilege repeating it.

Thanks for reading.

Reference: Beck, L., Cable, T.T. and Knudson, D.M. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Sagamore Venture Publishing. 2018.

[aeb-envs3000-w22]

I love how you acknowledge that the land we are interpreting is stolen. It’s important to not take credit for the knowledge we are sharing, but to take pride in being entrusted the responsibility of continuing to pass the knowledge on.

[jgenvs3000w22]

Hey, I really enjoyed reading your post. I found myself feeling very similar feelings about privilege and I really like how you explained the “invisible backpack” concept. I also really enjoyed your honesty about your own backpack. I also really enjoyed how you listed some privileges that are involved in accessing nature, some of these barriers seem as though they could be small but they still have a large impact! I believe it’s really important to understand our privilege and be aware of it so we do not become ignorant and disconnected. We have seen how ignorance can affect how people see their privilege and for some it blinds them from seeing it at all. I believe that for people who are privileged such as myself that we must educate ourselves on how being privileged can affect others as well as to understand how people’s lack of privilege can affect their lives. I really liked how you included the ways in which we can increase inclusivity because some people may be unaware of how to increase inclusivity of natural areas. It’s important that all members of every community have access to natural spaces because not only will it increase inclusivity but it will allow others to develop a relationship with nature. By helping people connect with nature it can in turn help to protect it. I feel like out of all the ways to increase inclusivity number five is really important because it will also make the workplace diverse which will bring more experiences and perspectives to the staff. I also really liked how you acknowledged the land which we are so privileged to live on is stolen land. 

Great post! 

[jgenvs3000w22]

Privilege in Nature Interpretation

Privilege, a word that has a lot of meaning in our society. Privilege plays a major role in our lives, it has the ability to bring one a world of benefits that can shape lives positively and other side privilege can bring one a lot of struggles and hardships. There are a lot of different factors that can give someone privileges that others do not, whether it be through race, gender, education, financial status, where you live, and the support you receive.  My working definition of the word privilege means that there is an advantage, liberty, and/or benefit that a person and or group has that others do not. I am very aware of the privileges that I have, they are privileges that have allowed me to experience and do a lot of things that others may not have had the privilege to do the same. 

I am a white English speaking female, who grew up in a middle class family and my parents have always been able to support me financially growing up. I am privileged to be born in Canada, to live in an area surrounded by natural spaces, freshwater, I have healthcare, have been able to participate in sport and I have received a good education. In today’s world I think it’s safe to say that people are easily confused by what is a privilege and what is a right, and I think it’s important that we reflect and are grateful for all the privileges we have. I believe it is important to reflect on our privileges so that we do not become ignorant. Although privilege can reduce one's struggles and bring benefits, I do think that privilege can also be a weakness. Now saying this might seem easy for me because I have a lot of privilege but hear me out, I believe that there comes a point where people have so much privilege that they lose perspective of the world around them and can develop a lack of discipline. 

Privilege can play a large role in nature interpretation, because our experiences growing up can shape our relationship with nature whether it be how we view nature, our knowledge about nature, and the connections that we have to nature. For myself I grew up surrounded by nature. In the summer my parents would send me to camps where we would learn to canoe, kayak, and would go hiking and swimming. I was privileged to be able to attend these camps because my parents were able to afford them, whereas other kids may not have been able to have these experiences due to circumstances out of their control. I was also privileged to get to spend time at my camp where my parents taught me to swim, and showed me how to navigate the bay of islands widening my horizons to places I would not have seen had they not showed me. My education has also played an important role in my relationship with nature, through learning about how the natural world works and how humans can affect it both negatively and positively. Through education I have also learnt how we can reduce our impact on the natural world and have learnt about all the ways that we are able to live alongside nature and be a part of it instead of its destructors.

Education has played a significant role in my life being able to receive a good education from the elementary level, to the university level. Not every person and especially not every female is able to attend school around the world which is why this has been a significant privilege in my life. I feel as though education is a privilege that is often taken for granted, where some people do not like school and put little effort into it, others around the world may find getting a good education an impossible task due to their life circumstances. We must as a society remain humble and aware of the privileges that we have, by being aware of our privilege we can help to support those that are underprivileged and or those that do not share the same privileges. 

Choose kindness,

Jaclyn:)

[jgenvs3000w22]

My Undecided Role as an Environmental Interpreter

At this point in my life, I can honestly say that I have a very limited idea of what my future dream job is, however I can confidently say that I would hope that whatever position I find myself in will allow me to work close to nature and in some way help to protect it. I have always loved nature and have developed a deep respect for it, and with the knowledge I have gained throughout my university career I understand the importance of protecting it which cannot be solely done through land protection. I hope that I could work in a field that allows me to be creative and come up with strategies, implement plans and work with companies and or communities to be more sustainable and lower their impacts on the environment.

I have concluded that I am a tactile learner, which is not a surprise as I have always preferred hands-on learning. So, knowing this I believe I would be best suited to a job that allows me to use my hands and possible work in the environment opposed to a job where a lot of time is spent in an office. But what exactly I want this role to be I still remain unsure of. Growing up my favourite activities were done outdoors whether it be kayaking, swimming, hiking, running, or snowboarding. And even when I was in elementary school my favourite classes were sciences and learning about nature and how the natural world works with my absolute favourite field trips being the ones to Science North. Actually Science North is still fun at 22 if I’m being honest.

I haven’t had any experience working with nature, but hopefully this summer I will find a job in my field that will allow me to do so, I also really need the experience! My uncle who works for conservation Sudbury has told me about his many jobs after university working his way to where he is now makes it sounds like a pretty exciting and rewarding career path.

As an environmental interpreter and someone that feels deeply passionate about nature and our role to protect, I want to share that passion with others to those that will listen. I want to help protect what natural spaces we have left and also to help others live more sustainably, whether it be large scale or smalI. I would also love protecting and working with animals, through education or conservation. I want to work in a field that makes a difference and I want to be excited about the work I am doing all while knowing it is important. Even if for some reason I don’t find myself in a career that works closely with protection of nature or helping others to lead more sustainable and environmentally conscious lives then I will follow my passion outside of a work environment. Even if it is just me sharing my passion and knowledge to my family and friends it will always be something I have.

So to conclude, this post told you all fairly little about my ideal role as an environmental interpreter, hopefully I can figure that out and the sooner the better. However life is luckily not a race, so I’d rather spend more time figuring out what I want that role to be rather than setter for one less ideal.

Thank for reading

-Jaclyn

[rmenvs3000w22]

Blog 2: My Ideal Role in Environmental Interpretation

Hi everyone!

As you know, this weeks task was to “describe your ideal role of environmental interpreter”.  What a task to do when you’re in (what I like to call) a not-quite yet quarter life crisis! I have absolutely no idea what job I would like to have next week let alone long term. But that’s okay. I tried to start writing this post almost every day this week, and each time I wrote something completely different, decided that wasn’t quite it, and deleted what I wrote.  But this post is due tomorrow, so instead of continually trying to identify this mysterious role, I am instead going to write a list of things I like and we’ll see where that takes me.

Things I like:

1) Being kind to the Earth

This was the first thing I thought of when I started trying to write about an ideal role, so maybe this one has more weight behind it. I really love advocating for the Earth and am constantly trying to make eco-friendly changes that reduce the impact I have on it. Being waste free is something that I have always aspired to do. I love that being eco-friendly is rising in popularity, and my biggest wish would be that it could become a trend that is cool to follow. I think in little niche communities it is, but I’m talking a trend bigger than obsessing over Justin Bieber in 2010. I also really love the idea of trying to mitigate the impact that I do have by cleaning up what other people have left behind. I think I would really like to do things like beach or ocean cleanups. If that could be a good paying job, I would never turn back.

2) Wildlife animals and conservation

I have always had a passion for caring for animals and would love for this to be a component of a nature interpretation role. Specifically, I really love studying unique species and understanding the adaptations and conditions that have allowed them to get to where they are now. This links in with my previous point of caring for the environments around us, but I would love a role that highlights and brings awareness to the negative impact of human existence on the animals that live around us.

3) Developing genuine human connection + meeting new people

I really like deep and profound conversation. This is something I’ve only recently noticed about myself, but I now value it like nothing else. I really hate small talk and awkward interactions. I would rather introduce myself and be able to have a conversation like we’ve known each other for a decade. We all have so much to learn from one another. We have all lived such different lives and we all have unique passions and opinions and experiences that make us who we are. Why wouldn’t you want to want to be able to view the world in as many ways as possible? I think a position where I have opportunity to meet all kinds of new people would be incredible.

4) Awareness + Growth

I live very intentionally and really love using nature as a tool to help me do that. I really love practicing awareness by focusing on how the environment around me makes me feel. I have always been a very emotionally grounded person, and I think practicing gratitude and awareness in nature is the best way to figure out what makes you happy. Once you practice awareness in a very physical sense, I think it starts to get easier to become aware in the other aspects of your life. I also think that ability to reflect on how things in your daily life make you feel can completely change your life. Everything from the people you surround yourself with to the food you eat or the items you own can have such an impact on your life – be it negative or positive. Once you notice how the negative things affect you, you can begin to cut them out and start to surround yourself with only the positive things. I personally think that’s the best way to work on being happy. My ideal role would physically be in nature so that I am able to keep growing and working on my awareness every day. I would love to help others do the same.

5) Science

Of course, this can be expected as I’m about to graduate with a biology degree, but I would really love an interpretation role where I can apply scientific reasoning and data to my interpretations. I love having a deeper understanding or explanation as to why things are the way they are. I love being able to look at landscapes and understand how they were created, even if it’s just a rough idea. A lot of things in the universe are still unexplained by science and theories are just theories, but I love having the knowledge to evaluate different explanations and I love trying to find which ones I agree with or don’t. I also love the possibility that everything we know is wrong. At one point, people were being taught that the Earth was flat (and also the center of the universe). Even though they were confident everything they knew was right, it simply wasn’t. There are incredible discoveries being made every day, theories that are proved wrong, and things that still have no explanation. I love it all.

So in summary, my ideal role would be one that uses scientific reasoning to interpret nature in a way that promotes or contributes to the mitigation of environmentalism, brings attention to anthropogenic effects on wildlife, allows for good conversation and genuine human connection, and promotes self-awareness and growth in both myself and everyone involved. I’m not quite sure what that role is, but if I find it, I’ll let you all know.

Cheers,

Riley