One Nice Bug Per Day
Discoholic 🪩
2025 on Tumblr: Trends That Defined the Year
Not today Justin
No title available
wallacepolsom
izzy's playlists!
Janaina Medeiros
Stranger Things
Claire Keane
No title available
Keni
Misplaced Lens Cap
tannertan36
TVSTRANGERTHINGS
NASA
No title available
titsay
todays bird
let's talk about Bridgerton tea, my ask is open
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from Luxembourg
seen from China
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Malaysia
seen from Luxembourg
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from Türkiye
seen from United Arab Emirates
seen from United Arab Emirates
seen from United States
seen from Nigeria
seen from Australia
seen from United States
seen from Brazil
seen from United States
@jmenvs3000semester
Disclaimer
This blog was created for __________, University of Guelph.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of the University of Guelph.
The University of Guelph is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by this blog.
The Final Blog
While writing blogs and general learning throughout this course, I have developed a newfound appreciation for nature. Before this course, when I explored nature I simply saw nature as a pretty view. All the components in nature did not seem as important, because I saw the bigger picture. When diving into nature interpretation, I realized there is a lot to value about nature and its many aspects, and that it is not just a pretty view. As an interpreter there are many values you should uphold, and I have learned a lot through this course on how I should proceed in the future as a nature interpreter. Acknowledging who I am as an interpreter throughout the semester, and how to convey my experiences and my ideas while keeping my audience in mind are skills that are crucial as a nature interpreter.
I believe my personal ethic is to not only prioritize the protection of our natural world, but strive to find ways to sustain it, and conserve it for future generations. Throughout the course, I have found ways to change my thoughts over nature, and view nature from ethical aspects. The working definition of environmental ethics is a branch of philosophy that studies environmental values, and tackles issues surrounding the societal values of nature (Minteer, n.d). The ethics of nature are complicated, because not everyone cares about nature in the same ways. My personal ethic regarding nature involves caring for nature in the same way I would want it to care for me. Having access to clean water, land, air, is something that nature has given us. Having access to greenspace for my mental wellbeing and physical well being is also something nature has given us. Therefore I feel that it is always my ethical duty to find ways in which I can give back to nature, while trying to conserve it for future generations.
My personal responsibilities when it comes to nature are a direct reflection of how I value nature. Some personal values I feel that I should uphold as an interpreter are honesty, transparency, and being humble. Providing honesty to myself and my audience guarantees interpretations that are not biased. Additionally honesty will provide transparency that allows audiences to trust my interpretations, and feel free to develop on them even further. Being humble is one of the most important qualities I think everyone should acquire as a nature interpreter. Having an ego is not helpful in interpretation, because your opinions are always formulated based on previous experiences. For example, I can never claim that an interpretation I made in nature was from my mind wholeheartedly, because ym past experience influences the way I view things. Accepting that others' opinions are just as valuable as yours, and being humble in interpretation allows you to grow as an interpreter, which is why I think it is so important. Being open to different interpretations of nature not only betters me as an interpreter, but it can help to enhance my own opinions. When interpreting nature it is important to accompany the learning goals of your audience and address their opinions with humility (Beck et al., 2018).
My belief is that nature is a gift to us all, and the fact that we were given a platform like Earth to thrive on is a privilege. Speaking of privilege, diving into what's in my personal backpack, and the different privileges people have in their backpacks is a concept that is important to me when it comes to interpretation. Being able to realize how I can use what I have in my backpack to further my connection with nature, and help others develop theirs too. As an interpreter using the knowledge and privileges I have grown up with can help to strengthen my relationship with nature. For example, sharing the experiences that I have in my backpack may help my audience to connect and share their own experiences.
Throughout the course we have looked at 3 main questions: Who Am I as an Interpreter, Who is my Audience, and How Can I Make This Experience Meaningful?
These three questions definitely encompass what I believe I should think about as a nature interpreter, which is why I would like to examine them further in this post.
Who Am I as an Interpreter?
I am a student at the University of Guelph, who started this course with a basic interest in nature. Presently, I feel that I am an environmental enthusiast, trying to take the experience I had in this course to further live it with nature. Through making podcasts about nature and interpreting different species in nature, I am able to connect to nature at deeper levels to serve different audiences.
Who is my Audience?
I have developed skills over the semester that allows me to connect with different audiences. Having the element of diversity in nature interpretation lets me cater information to the specific audience I am serving. As mentioned, the nature interpretation field has become more “compartmentalized”, due to uncertainty present in the world, which leaves everyone with little guidance (Hooykaas, 2020)
Therefore, it is important that we consistently find different ways to serve our audiences. In this case, my audience would be people of all backgrounds and ages that want to learn more about the environment and wildlife.
How can I make this experience meaningful?
I feel that I can make my interpretations meaningful by sharing my own experiences as I have through blogging this semester. Having the privilege of experiencing nature in different ways, by going to the beach, or visiting my local creek, or taking a hike, is something I can share with my audience, and hopefully they feel comfort in sharing their own as well.
Overall, I had a wonderful time reading your stories and interpretations over the semester. Seeing everyone connect with nature, and show different ways they have connected with nature was beautiful and has inspired me to explore nature more this summer.
Hope you all have a great semester ahead!
References
Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For a better world. Sagamore Venture.
Hooykaas, A. (2020). ENVS 3000 Unit 10: Nature Interpretation's Role in Environmental Sustainability [Courselink Content] https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/791355/viewContent/3306935/View
Minteer, B. A. (n.d.). Nature news. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/environmental-ethics-96467512/
Hi Simran!
Thank you so much for sharing this insightful take on what you took from the course and what you feel your role as a nature interpreter looks like! I thought it was a great way to end your blog answering the three questions that were posed to us throughout the semester, as for you and our peers, those questions must be quite different from the beginning of the course to now.
A part of your blog that I found quite interesting was when you wrote about the value of being humble as an interpreter. The questions posed to us for our final blog prompt touching on our personal ethics, beliefs and responsibilities as nature interpreters really drew me back to Chapter 3 “Value to Individuals and Society” in the textbook. Also, it has been so interesting to read your take on these questions and my other peers, as since we are all unique individuals, we all bring different values to nature interpretation that collectively positively impact our listeners and the interpretation field. Back to your value of humility, I agree that it is important as remaining humble and understanding that you are an INTERPRETER, not a creator of nature. Yes, you are presenting your unique take on an aspect of nature, for example providing a first-hand experience you had in the natural setting you’re in and how that impacted you. However, you are also incorporating the knowledge, memories, and experiences of those before you to breathe life and meaning into the history of a site, artifact, building etc. (Beck et al., 2018). This quote from Chapter 1 “What is Interpretation?”, got me thinking about how being humble is important for others, but also for oneself. This quote is that the job of interpretation is to “"open the minds of people so they can receive—on the world’s best receiver, the human brain—the interesting signals that the world is constantly sending. And the messages sent, when added up, tell what the world is all about” (Beck et al., 2018). As each person involved makes up a part of what nature interpretation is, this can be applied to both interpreters and listeners.
When writing about your relationship with nature and how you care for it in the way it cares for you by supplying you with clean drinking water, land, air, and greenery to improve your mental and physical health, is such a wonderful way of looking at our connection to with nature. Not only does nature interpretation fulfill individual needs such as self-actualization, love and belonging, understanding and more (Beck et al., 2018), but it can benefit society as a whole. If you can spread your outlook to all you interpret, you can create a greater benefit to society as a whole, by promoting people to crave inspiration, relaxation, exercise, and places to gather with friends and family in our natural world (Beck et al., 2018).
Your perspective on nature got me thinking and googling, and I came across a term called ecopsychology, which is a social and intellectual movement that is trying to understand and connect the relationship people have with the Earth, specifically looking at the psychological processes that connect to nature (Best Counseling Degrees, 2016). So here is a link to an article that touches on it (Richard Louv is referenced in it as well)!
A growing body of research points to the beneficial effects that exposure to the natural world has on health, reducing stress and promoting
Beck, Larry, Cable, Ted, and Knudson Douglas. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For A Better Worl. Sagamore Venture, 2018.
What Is Ecopsychology? - Best Counseling Degrees. (2016, July 7). https://www.bestcounselingdegrees.net/resources/ecopsychology/
Unit 10 Blog Post: Nature Interpretation's Role in Environmental Sustainability
As we conclude ENVS*3000, we are asked to reflect on our time learning about the nature interpretation discipline - and we have learned SO much! Sometimes this has been a little dizzying, particularly learning about the challenges modern interpreters face. Between the increasing presence of technology in our lives, dominating our days with “screen time”, and the decreased prevalence of outdoor education in schools due to liability risks, we are seeing less and less time spent by individuals in the natural world (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 21, p. 466; Rodenburg, 2019).
We are reminded by Rodenburg (2019) however, that even as the state of the world appears to change so profoundly, hope remains for environmental educators to continue building strong connections between the public and nature. Looking towards my future, I like to ask myself: “What role do I play?”.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
As I develop into the role of nature interpreter, it is important to reflect first on what this entails. The definition of interpretation is multifaceted and different to varying groups but, it ultimately revolves around the task of educating and inspiring an audience through programming that exposes them to cultural, historical, and natural elements of a site (Beck et al., 2019, Chapter 1, p. 5-6). No matter how we define interpretation, there are a number of responsibilities which accompany interpretation, including: connecting individuals to the significance of their surroundings, providing value to the recreational time of an audience, meeting mandates or bringing in funds for site initiatives and ultimately ensuring we leave our audience in a better state than when they came to us (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 1, p. 9-12).
When I think about the role of an interpreter, I most strongly connect with the notion that interpreters serve as agents of change, who inspire and educate in such a way that promotes critical thought, and can lead to strong action to address a particular issues (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 5, p. 99-100).
What often gets left out of the discussion however, is the responsibility of nature interpretation to connect with diverse audiences, particularly underserved communities which have historically been excluded from such efforts. As we work towards creating a social environment in which the truths of privilege and power dynamics are evident to all, educators must take on the responsibility of understanding their own relationships with privilege, in order to create educational spaces that do not discriminate against individuals on the basis of their race, religion, age, ability, or any other form of differences that have subjected people to unjust bias and prejudice over the course of human history (Gallavan, 2005).
Nature interpretation is a beautiful discipline, which has the ability to teach people so much, give value to leisure and recreation, enhance our ability to find meaning in our surroundings, while also serving societal benefits in health and security (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 3, p. 42-50) but, it only works if it works for everyone. As I move forward in this field, I am reminded that it is my responsibility to ensure it does just that.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BELIEFS AND APPROACHES
But, where DO I see myself in this field?
Over the course of the semester, we have discussed numerous approaches one can take to interpret nature. Interpreters may use outdoor dramas, written works of poetry and storytelling, online services such as blogs or websites, music, visual art works such as painting or cinematic animation, and so much more (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 10, p. 221-229) - in Unit 4 I even argued that modern fashion can be used as an interpretive effort.
When I think about my future as an environmental educator, I am reminded of my beliefs for what give interpretation its value: progressive interpretation, which focuses on interpreting to audiences in such a way that they are able to experience personal growth in their skills and their perception of a topic, free-choice learning, wherein individuals voluntarily choose to participate in interpretive efforts, and a focus on re-establishing “Vitamin N”, or increasing the amount of time people spend outside in nature (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 5, p. 91; Falk, 2002). These beliefs have shaped much of my past choices for working in interpretation. For instance, as a zookeeper at Jungle Cat World, I had the opportunity to teach people valuable lessons on plant and animal identification which they could hone in their personal lives, while also working on voluntary outreach initiatives where people could choose to accompany me on park tours, all the while getting my audience out and moving in the natural environment of the park throughout the day. Below is an example from one of our programs on invasive species, where we introduced wild-caught red-eared sliders, an invasive turtle species to Ontario, into our outdoor enclosure.
While my heart is still certainly centred on a wildlife-based career, I know zookeeping isn’t the way forward for me. If you recall back to my Unit 2 discussion, I’ve even considered a future in museum education but, I’m still not convinced that would be just right either. No, more and more I’ve been interested in a career in environmental/wildlife policy. Now I know what you might be thinking: “Woah, Trennon! That doesn’t sound like nature interpretation to me!”. But, if that is the case for you, I’d ask you to consider why not.
Nature interpretation is a discipline which seeks to educate and inspire for a purpose. Working to influence policies can do just that, by using my background in wildlife and environmental science to help persuade decision-makers and voters to design policies that are in the best interest of the environmental, social, and economic spheres. This sort of profession utilizes all the skills of an interpreter: communication, research, creative presentation of information, and more.
One of the most exciting opportunities of working in a policy field to me would be the incorporation of interpretation through citizen science, which is a strong exemplifier of progressive interpretation, as it allows for the non-professional members public to develop and utilize skills in environmental studies that actually contribute to the decisions being made (Merenlender et al., 2016).
ENVS*3000 has been an eye-opening course, which has revolutionized what I thought nature interpretation could ever be. More so, it has allowed me to find my own footing that will launch me forward into my environmental career, and I could not be more thankful.
It has been a lot of fun keeping up this blog over the semester, and I am grateful for every minute of it!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sources Used:
Beck, L., Cable, T.T., Knudson, D.M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better
World. Sagamore Venture.
Falk, J.H. (2002). The contribution of free-choice learning to public understanding of science.
Retrieved March 19th, 2023 from URL: http://ve.scielo.org/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext
&pid=S0378-18442002000200003
Gallavan, N. P. (2005). Helping teachers unpack their “invisible knapsacks.” Multicultural Education
(San Francisco, Calif.), 13(1), 36–36.
Merenlender, A.M., Crall, A.W., Drill, S., Prysby, M., & Ballard, H. (2016). Evaluating environmental
education, citizen science, and stewardship through naturalist programs. Conservation Biology, 30(6), 1255–1265. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12737
Rodenburg, J. (2019). Why environmental educators shouldn’t give up hope. Clearing, Journal of
Environmental Education in the Cascadian Bioregion. Retrieved March 19th, 2023 from URL: https://clearingmagazine.org/archives/14300
Hi Trennon,
Thank you so much for sharing the outlook you take on nature interpreters and what you feel is our responsibility to those around us! I have to agree, nature interpretation doesn’t have one definition, as it is ever changing depending on the location, the audience, and requires different approaches according to these factors. It is a diverse and complex thing (Beck et al., 2018). For example, if you were speaking to a group of elementary students at a scientific museum exhibit, you would use an entirely different program to educate them versus speaking at the same exhibit, but to adults (Beck et al., 2018). Also, your idea of being agents of change as interpreters is such a positive way to define interpreters! We do hold responsibility to enrich experiences, and help develop a sense of place and encourage listeners to dive deeper to connect with their surroundings, whether it be in their local park, or a mountain (Beck et al., 2018). By creating these meaningful experiences for people, we may create a spark in them that could lead to a greater appreciation and care for the natural world. Also, being in a position to educate others, we have the chance to promote change in our society by creating inclusive learning spaces that consider all perspectives, speaking on current global environmental or societal issues, or providing a way of interpreting that caters to a variety of types of learner. If each person you speak to leaves learning something new and or something that has personally impacted or inspired them, you as an interpreter are focusing on individual growth. In turn by benefiting them as an individual, you can create collective benefits to society, as the more people that you include, the greater the reach of positive influence and impact you can make (Beck et al., 2018).
Your experience working as a zookeeper sounds very interesting! From reading our other peer’s blogs this semester, there have been many that have worked in conservation areas or provincial parks as nature interpreters. You are all so lucky to have has the opportunity to have first-hand experience as a nature interpreter and actually apply some of the concepts we have learned in this course! As interpretation doesn’t look one way, I think that pursuing a career in environmental or wildlife policy can still be considered interpretation in a way. One of the ways interpretation has evolved over the years is that it can be considered as a management tool (Beck et al., 2018). This connection formed as today I was a volunteer at Campus Day at the university and was listening to what all the different majors are within the school of environmental science, and the major environmental management is a major you can take to eventually become an environmental policy analyst (University of Guelph, 2023). It may not look like a typical nature interpretation role, but if your goal is the communicate and translate natural phenomena, and bring meaning to the natural world around us, then I would have to agree you're embodying the core of what nature interpretation is (Beck et al., 2018). You can do this by using the skills and tools you have developed over this course as a nature interpreter and putting them into influencing the outlook policy maker have and their personal connection to the natural world, rather than solely focusing on money or hard facts. This reminds me of a concept I learned in another course, ENVS*3270 Forest Biodiversity, where we spoke about how governance, policies, education and knowledge are such crucial leverage points to take when trying to enact environmental, social and economic change.
Beck, Larry, Cable, Ted, and Knudson Douglas. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For A Better Worl. Sagamore Venture, 2018.
Environmental Management (EM). (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2023, from https://www.uoguelph.ca/programs/environmental-management/
Unit 10: The Final Blog Post!
I can’t believe this is our last blog post! Throughout this course, we have explored many concepts and aspects of nature interpretation, such as what it is, which encompasses much more than I initially thought. I now understand that there are many intertwined components of nature interpretation that I must consider in order to interpret to all audiences and have them get the most out of a nature interpretation program, walk, session etc.
I have developed over the length of this course as a nature interpreter. I am still unsure if I want to pursue a career in nature interpretation, however, I can see myself taking up a summer job in this field, either at a museum or possibly with Parks Canada at a park, historic site, or conservation area. If I were to take up a job as a nature interpreter, all of the questions in our final blog prompt are helpful and reflective questions to ask myself before I step into this career path.
The first statement in the prompt is, “Describe your personal ethic as you develop as a nature interpreter”. After reading this sentence, I was lost on where to start because I first thought my personal ethics and values in my own life won’t apply to nature interpretation, however, after reflecting on what I’ve learned and read this semester that is not true. In chapter 3 “Values to Individuals and Society”, the textbook created a bridge between the values an individual has and can gain from nature interpretation and how this can benefit society. I would have to agree. My individual outlook and values I hold close, such as respect and love for others, hope, and the power of knowledge, can translate to nature interpretation as you can develop values such as these from exploring, understanding, and appreciating the places around you, and your role in the world (Beck et al., 2018). By allowing people the opportunity to do so, with myself being their interpreter, I can provide them with the tools, facts, frameworks, lessons and knowledge to develop their values and relationship with the natural world around them (Beck et al., 2018). Also, by applying this personal ethic of mine to all that I provide interpretation to, hopefully, those I speak to can go on to spread what they’ve learned to those around them. Together we can create a society that feels inspired to educate themselves, get outside and be active while respecting all parts of nature.
I briefly touched on my beliefs in this previous paragraph, but I didn’t mention the inclusion and importance of said inclusion of history in nature interpretation. Chapter 15 “Interpreting History”, I’m glad that we had the opportunity to read this chapter, as many places where people go to seek to connect with nature as a past and a history. In Canada and many countries worldwide, Indigenous Peoples have been displaced from their homes, or have had their land stolen through the signing of treaties. Many provincial parks in Canada reside on traditional land, therefore, the story of a park/site’s history would not be complete without talking about the culture of the Indigenous Communities that lived on that land as communities and their culture don’t solely exist in the past but still exist to this day (Beck et al., 2018). An alternative currently happening that is just as or even more critical is returning the land to the Indigenous Communities they were stolen from. There is one instance where two parks in British Colombia, Discovery Island Marine Park are being returned to The Songhees and Sookie Mountain Park is being returned to T’Sou-ke Nations, where the parks will be managed by these communities and still open to the public (CBC, 2023). My responsibility as a nature interpreter is connected to incorporating and honouring history in interpretation as we have the privilege to be in a position to share knowledge and educate others, we have a duty to share parts of history and people that were and continue to be impacted in an accurate and authentic way (Beck et al., 2018). This means presenting listeners with the whole truth using through research, accurate information from all that is included, therefore considering objective and constructed authenticity, but also factoring in personal authenticity. (Beck et al., 2018).
The province says Discovery Island Marine Park and Sooke Mountain Park are being considered as part of land packages to the Songhees Nation
The approaches that are most suitable for me as an individual revolves around using modern technology and media to gain the attention of younger audiences. Based on our readings for Unit 10 and Richard Louv’s discussion on Nature-deficit Disorder, I agree that getting kids to connect to nature from a young age is essential, as it can spark positive impacts later in life, physically, emotionally and mentally. Looking back at my first post about my childhood growing up on a farm, I realized how fundamental the times I spent outside in the fields and forests shaped my relationship with nature today. Many kids miss that opportunity, therefore, if they have limited access to the natural world, but they have technology readily available to them, then I think taking the technology approach can be beneficial. By taking this approach, I don’t mean telling kids to spend more time on their iPad, iPod or phone. I mean using the tools technology can offer, such as apps, to get kids to go outside and explore. As mentioned in Unit 08, the app “Sky Guide” can be used to identify constellations, and that reminded me of a memory I had of something similar. When my friends and I were at a cottage, we sat on the dock and admired the night sky and want to know exactly what we were looking at. So, we downloaded an app similar to "Sky Guide", and just sat there for a while discovering constellations we never heard of. I want to inspire kids to make memories like these. I want them to know that there are tools with technology that can allow them to be curious and want to go and discover cool parts of nature, and not just see it all from their screens at home.
Beck, Larry, Cable, Ted, and Knudson Douglas. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For A Better Worl. Sagamore Venture, 2018.
Killbear National Park!
I have many fond memories and continue to make them year by year in the surrounding areas. You see, Killbear park does not end at its boundaries, but the wildlife is protected in the boundaries. I enjoy interpreting nature because interpretation is management (459)! Surrounding cottages also work to protect any animals that might wander through their properties! Surrounding area is largely forested which allows for boundaries to be blurred for a more cohesive natural area! This is why I have become fond of the area!
Killbear National Park is somewhere close to my heart and is very close to my cottage on Rose Island as it's a 5-minute boat ride across! My family and I enjoy the surrounding nature on walks and swimming and cliff jumping which is a tradition for people to do when they visit the park! I am currently obsessed with the area for its beauty and for the protection of what I love! Seems to be the most untouched place by humans other than the campsites which are so well maintained! There is a tree on the peninsula of Killbear which happens to be the most photographed tree in Ontario which is a windswept pine often captured in front of the magnificent sunsets you will surely see if you visit!
Killbear Windswept Pine, the most photographed tree in Ontario (Friends of Killbear)... Looks Picturesque don't you think?!
My cousins and I cliff jumping at Killbear Peninsula!
Killbear Park contains wetlands which are created by surrounding beavers and provide habitat for other organisms and a self-sustaining ecosystem! I find it so special that the area is not only created because of the wildlife instead of humans, but also maintained by itself too with no help from mankind. Wetlands are vital pieces of an ecosystem as they harbor many species of birds, amphibians, and insects by providing nursery areas (Friends of Killbear).
Where did Killbear’s name come from?! Bears are very common in the park as well as at my cottage! My family and I often find our wild blueberries depleted and our neighbor loves sleeping in a hammock outside during the summer and has spotted a few over the years, thankfully dodging any danger. In the spring we often find footprints in the mud double the size of our hands, which is crazy to imagine. Killbear had a history of logging before becoming a national park and protected area. There are stories of a logger killing a bear or vice versa, but the timeline does not line up (Friends of Killbear). Across the lake behind my cottage on rose island is Perry Island which is attached to the mainland by bridge. On Parry Island is a First Nations reserve Anishinabek (Ojibway) called the park which comes to a point ‘Mukwa Nayoshing’ which translates to bear point. To this day bears still swim back and forth, often making a pit stop on Rose Island, and the name is thought to be a mistranslation from Bear Point in Ojibway to Killbear Point in English!
Bear sighting at Killbear National Park (Friends of Killbear)
Killbear National Park is an incredible natural place that has many functions which allow it to sustain wildlife and...what is most important to most humans; to be profitable and provide ecosystem functions to us! I find the space incredibly peaceful, especially around the water which I am often most comfortable around!
References:
Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson, D.M (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World (1st ed). Sagamore Venture
http://www.friendsofkillbear.com/its-history Friends of Killbear
Hi Dana! Thank you for sharing your personal stories and connection to the park! Also, I had no idea the origins of the name of the park, but now that I do my worries about it coming from historic large-scale bear hunting can now be put to rest.
When I saw that you decided to write this week's blog post about Killbear Provincial Park, it reminded me of the experience I had in Killbear when I was younger! My neighbours had an RV camper they could take up to the park every summer, and one summer they invited us up for a few days. I remember taking turns sleeping in the tent and in the trailer as there wasn't enough room for all of us to fit in. Of course, the night I pick to sleep in the tent, it rains all night and I wake up in a puddle!
Anyways, I can't recall if I visited the Discovery Centre at the park, however, I wish I would remember, as it looks so cool on the Killbear website. According to the park's website, the discovery centre has "interactive exhibits about the park and the surrounding area" and they even have a children's education program called "Snake Talks" where people can learn about local snake species, and steps they're is taking to protect them and other at-risk species found within the park (Freinds of Killbear).
I feel that Killbear Provincial Park could build off of the programs they currently offer to create lifelong learning (Beck et al., 2018). Since there are many people like my old neighbours and your family that visit the park every year, Killbear Discovery Centre should create programs for all ages, ones with different skill levels besides beginner, and some that build off of knowledge learned from other programs that people can take part in to develop skills (ex. species identification) and enhance their previous knowledge (Beck et al., 2018). Therefore, the park can become a "place identified as valuable in personal life, a place of growth and achievement" (Beck et al., 2018).
Beck, Larry, Cable, Ted, and Knudson Douglas. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For A Better Worl. Sagamore Venture, 2018.
Explore Killbear. (n.d.). Friends of Killbear. Retrieved March 18, 2023, from http://www.friendsofkillbear.com/explore-killbear
Unit 09: Nature is so cool!
At first glance, nature can look amazing and help you feel amazing, but once you zoom in on all the processes and interactions that go on within it, it is truly an amazing part of our world. After reading this week’s prompt, the first thing that came to mind was Netflix’s “Our Planet” narrated by David Attenborough. This is a T.V. series that highlights the different ecosystems found on the planet, such as jungles, deserts, grasslands, forests etc. and all the extraordinary animals, plants, and how they live are highlighted. Recently in my Forest Biodiversity course, before every lecture, we have been slowly watching each episode and most recently, we have been watching the jungle episode. From that episode, there was one clip that really made me grossed out and a bit disturbed, but also so fascinated. The narrator, David, is describing a symbiotic relationship between an ant colony and a certain type of bacteria, where the bacteria help keep diseases and pathogens from entering and destroying the colony. However, as we learn in our Forest Biodiversity course, there are many mechanisms in place that prevent a single species from dominating an ecosystem, and the ant colony parasitic fungus is one of them. The parasitic fungus cordyceps infect ants and eventually kills the ant and bursts through its body to go on and spread more spores to other insects. This clip also stuck out to me because of the show “The Last of Us” that was recently released, where cordyceps infect humans and trigger an apocalypse. Discussing nature interpretation through technology and the mention of Snoop Dog’s Plizzanet Earth, the T.V. series “Our Planet” and “The Last of Us” are great tools to pique people’s interest to dive deeper into a topic and learn more about nature around them!
It’s so interesting how something as small as fungus can significantly impact a population of organisms. Two small things, the fungus and the ants, and their relationship may seem insignificant as it may only infect a few ants in the colony. Still, this interaction prevents a chain of events from occurring if ants were to become a dominant species in an ecosystem. The importance of such a tiny organism, that has such large population sizes can be seen in a study observing the effect of two ant species on ecosystem communities. According to Sanders and Van Veen 2011, one species of ant colony has a positive impact on population densities of decomposers, herbivores, and parasitoids (small insects that develop within or attached to a host organism). However, when two ant colonies are present, it creates a negative effect on herbivores and parasitoids (Sanders and Van Veen 2011). This study goes to show the complexity found within nature, especially when looking through a magnifying glass.
Sanders, D., & van Veen, F. F. (2011). Ecosystem engineering and predation: the multi‐trophic impact of two ant species. Journal of Animal Ecology, 80(3), 569-576.
Music within Nature
Music and nature, while not always directly connected, are more intertwined than I have realized.
Music can be seen in nature through the sounds of wind blowing through trees, bird calls in the morning, waves crashing on the shoreline, and so much more. While I have never considered this to be ‘music’ per se, it’s clear to me after this unit that it essentially does the same thing – invokes emotion through audio. I’ve always thought the most beautiful sound was the call of the loon, as this sound that sends me back to every camping trip I took from childhood until now. And I find myself listening to music for the same reasons – to relive emotions and memories from my past.
Looking for nature in music is incredibly easier than I initially thought. I suppose it slips my mind that nature impacts anybody and everybody every single day, in any number of ways. This is translated to the work of many musicians and can paint a lovely picture that many people can relate to.
A song that reminds me of nature is Helium by Glass Animals. There isn’t any one landscape or anything I picture form this song necessarily, but this song reminds me of last summer and spending time with my girlfriend and friends. I took no classes in the summer and just worked as much as I could. Because of this, I could spend my free time visiting people and doing things like biking through Toronto by the lakeshore, going to Sauble Beach, and going camping. This song was very often in the rotation, so hearing it now gives me an immediate feeling of warmth and joy, and given past experiences, it will continue to do so for a long time. Here’s a line I really like from the song;
“Soft blue skies
Helium balloons float up away
Broad daylight
But we’re sunflowers in the rain”
Also here’s a nice photo from that summer;
I think even nature and music both tell a story, and it only makes sense to associate the two. I think it’s not also inevitable, but important to create these associations, as later on in life the music will be a way to re-experience these wonderful memories - as music lives forever.
Hi Thomas,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on music in nature and nature in music. The part of your post that I didn't necessarily make the connection to was that not only do music and nature invoke varying emotions, but can they can intertwine to bring back a memory.
Similar to your experience where the song Helium by Glass Animals brings you back to a specific summer when you were spending time in nature, the song Vienna by Billy Joel takes me back to the summers I was lucky enough to spend at my friend's cottage near Sauble Beach. There we spent our days lounging on the beach, swimming in the lakes, paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking, or jumping off the rocky edges of the grotto in Tobermory and having at the stars in the dock at night. I am so grateful for the time I spent out there with my friends, deepening my connection and appreciation for them and everything nature has to offer us, recreationally, mentally and emotionally.
Here is a photo from the grotto in Tobermory, where my friends and I went every summer we were up there!
It's simply amazing how a single song can bring us right back into the past and allow us to relive such special memories. I'm glad that the connection between music and nature can be found by many people. This relationship can be a useful tool in nature interpretation, as interpreters could use this week's blog prompt "what song takes you immediately back to a natural landscape?" to encourage people to take a moment to think and make the emotional connection between music and nature that this question allowed many of us to do.
Unit 07: Nature and Music, are they one and the same?
As cheesy as it is to say, music is all around us. Personally, I feel like I can hear a sound and make a beat out of it, start humming it or have it remind me of a song I know and so on. In nature, such a wide variety of sounds can have the same effect. Say you’re hiking, and it begins to rain. Yes, rain is in the song title, but the song “Rain” by SWV. It starts with soft rain and has the sound of a water droplet falling throughout the entire piece. Another song that stands out to me where nature is in music is “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls where they use thunder during the chorus of the song. I can think of endless examples of times nature was sampled in music. Depending on the sounds used, it can convey a different feeling. For the first song, “Rain” is softer, soothing, and calm, reminding me of times I fell asleep at night to the sound of light rain hitting the roof.
Finding examples of nature in music isn’t difficult, and I don’t think it’s difficult to find music in nature either. It can be as simple as finding a tune in a bird call, such as the “wildlife DJ”, Ben Mirin who sampled bird sounds in his beatboxing performances. I think finding music in nature doesn’t just have to do with the sounds of nature itself, but the feeling nature brings you. That feeling you get when you take a second to listen to the sounds around you while on a hike. The rustle of wind in the leaves, the flowing water of a stream if you’re near one, the birds chirping around you. It can be similar to the feeling you get when you hear a note, chord, or vocals that just send shivers down your arm and fill your chest with energy. You find yourself feeling connected to the sounds around you. For everyone, different sounds give them that feeling and ground them in the moment or the song, as it may remind them of a specific memory.
I can think of multiple songs that immediately take me back to a natural landscape, so, I decided to make playlists based on aspects of nature. I first heard the song “Amsterdam” by Gregory Alan Isakov and it reminded me of a warm summer day. So I decided to create a playlist where I could add all songs that gave me the same kind of feeling. My connection to nature is deepened as I imagine walking through a field with tall plants swaying in the warm summer breeze, and clouds in the bright blue sky when listening to the song’s soft vocals and peaceful melody.
Bonus Activity: Pileated Woodpeckers!
From the title of this blog, you can guess that I am going to be discussing three writing pieces on the topic of Pileated Woodpeckers. I recognized the bird from the images when I searched the name but wasn’t aware of the exact name of this species.
These three writing pieces I collected are from a website for the National Audubon Society, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology (Cornell University) website and a website called Bird Feeder Hub created by two bird enthusiasts. Each of these pieces includes information and facts about the Pileated Woodpecker but presents this information in different formats.
The Pileated Woodpecker is one of the biggest, most striking forest birds on the continent. It’s nearly the size of a crow, black with bold
A big, dashing bird with a flaming crest, the largest woodpecker in North America (except the Ivory-bill, which is almost certainly extinct)
Here we learn some fun and interesting facts about pileated woodpeckers. This species is the largest woodpecker in North America.
All interpretative writing pieces take into account the aspects proposed by Leftridge (2006). The writing encourages readers to care about the subject (Beck et al., 2018). The websites offer ways to ID and find the species, how they are beneficial for other wildlife and their ecosystem and their overall importance, how climate change will impact the species, interactive and informative widgets, and ways the reader can help protect the species. There is even a cool component of one of the websites where you can listen to the call, watch videos and see images of both the female and male Pileated Woodpeckers living in their natural habitats! The writings relate to a tangible thing, the Pileated Woodpecker. The reader is encouraged to make an intellectual and emotional connection to the bird species (Beck et al., 2018), by showing how the bird species will be impacted by climate change and talking about how they can help people detect if their homes are infested with termites or have rotting wood as the birds will try to next there. Lastly, all writings challenge the reader to think, do or feel that they didn’t before reading the piece (Beck et al., 2018), as the information provided is valuable to a wide range of readers, such as a beginner or experienced bird watcher, or students learning about species and climate change, to someone you noticed this bird pecking at their house and wanted to know more!
The website from the National Audubon Society and Cornell Lab of Ornithology is more science-based writings, while the Bird Feeder Hub website is more newsletter or blog based. I would then say that the Bird Feeder Hub website used more accessible language, as the two other websites include the species' scientific name Dryocopus pileatus, and the Order and the Family the species belongs to. However, the Cornell website does include backyard tips for those that have bird feeders. Also, as mentioned previously all writing pieces include visual and auditory aids, such as bird calls, videos of the birds, and maps.
Figure caption: Screenshot of The Cornell Lab website to show accessible features
Overall, I would say all of these pieces work because of the format they are written in and the information included that is accessible to a wide variety of audiences. Each piece is not very long in length, so it doesn't deter the common reader from skipping it, the information is interestingly presented and interesting in itself, it touches on a wide variety of aspects of the species such as their habitat range, mating, feeding habits and more. Also, the websites provide many links to other writings if the reader is fascinated and wants to learn more!
Beck, Larry, Cable, Ted, and Knudson Douglas. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For A Better Worl. Sagamore Venture, 2018.
Unit 6: The Passing Train Of Life
A community that ignores its origins is no better than a person who lost their memory. Its important to remember the past because its significant for what we do now.
This quote is saying that you should not ignore the past because it’s significant for the present. Although the train is no longer at the railway station, the station still exists. You must look at situations holistically because although life’s moments are scattered, they all interrelate and play a part with each other. Just because something is a memory doesn’t mean we should act like it’s done with.
I think this is a good quote to remember in moments we need to stay grounded. For example, if an individual applies for a prestigious grant every year for a decade and receives it every time, by the end of the decade it may not be a big deal. This person can go on to gloat, stop being humble, and stop working as hard because they are already exceeding beyond others who are in a similar academic/professional position. The quote, to me, is saying that we need to remember how we got to where we are now. There were likely hundreds of moments where the scholar had to pull all-nighters studying, nearly failed a test, and felt upset because they weren’t confident in their journey. Just because those moments are in the past doesn’t mean we should forget about them. We must, as the quote says, keep together the parts of any whole (in this case, being life!) so we can remain true to ourselves and learn from our mistakes (Beck et al. 2018). Our past is what makes who we are in the present, and if we maintain integrity then our future will be positive.
This relates to nature interpretation because it shows that history relates to our current lives, which can be applied to the environment and beyond (Beck et al. 2018). The lessons learned in our past help us navigate new obstacles and challenges (Beck et al. 2018). An example from my own life is when I went camping. The first time I went camping, we went backcountry and hiked three hours out in the bruce peninsula.
Unfortunately, we forgot dinner for one of the nights and were stuck eating disgusting chia seeds. But the texture weirded us out too much so we ended up just playing around with it lol.
The next time I went camping, I didn't “forget the railway station” just because “the train has passed”, I made sure to learn from my past mistakes and packed all the meals and some extra snacks-- just in case. I acknowledged my past humbly and packed the food with integrity. Our interactions with and within nature are deeply rooted in the choices we actively make to be better equipped to handle all that nature has to offer. To best interpret the world around us, we need to make sure we are constantly evolving and learning so we can be best prepared to take it head-on. That means making sure we set our minds and bodies up for success by preparing properly and nourishing ourselves.
I’d be interested in knowing your personal stories of times when you had to remember your past and your roots so you can achieve higher states of consciousness/awareness when involved with nature! Looking forward to reading more. :^)
Mishell
Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson, D.M (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World (1st ed). Sagamore Venture
Hi Mishell!
Thank you for sharing your personal experience relating to this quote! I understand why you learned from your mistakes as chia seeds can be good in a smoothie or as chia pudding but by themselves can definitely be bland!
A personal experience where I had to remember that the train station existed for longer than a train was stopped there. This is a personal story but I feel that it is an important life lesson I learned. When it came to my friendships throughout the past few years, these relationships taught me the significance of communication. Without communication, such as setting boundaries with your friends, telling them when something they said or did bothered or upset you, or being open and honest when discussing personal or social issues, friendships have no foundation to stand on. In the past, I have had friendships where little things each one of us did that upset the other were just pushed aside and we continued on. However, over time those little things built up and eventually one of us exploded on the other when another little thing happened. It was "the last straw" where we couldn't take it anymore. From those fights, or sadly ended friendships, I understand just how crucial to a healthy long-lasting friendship communication is.
Writing things down has also helped me reflect on my past and learn from it. Journalling in the textbook talks about how it can be a great tool in nature interpretation to have visitors be more aware of their surroundings and diver deeper and make more detailed observations (Beck et al., 2018). Journalling over time allows the writer to notice things, whether they notice things about their environment, culture, natural heritage or themselves (Beck et al., 2018).
From a more personal standpoint, journalling has definitely helped me make detailed observations about myself, and the relationships around me. With journalling, I'm able to dump whatever I'm thinking or feeling before I go to bed or in the morning, helping me reflect on the day I had or a situation I am dealing with.
Have you journaled for personal use or when in nature, and if so in what ways has it helped you? I would love to hear if you have and prompts or techniques you have used if you're willing to share!
Unit 6: The Importance of Every Part of History
The quote by Edward Hyams describes the importance of incorporating history into nature interpretation perfectly.
I disagree with the first part of his quote "There is no peculiar merit in ancient things", or at least how I interpret his quote. I feel that ancient things, such as artifacts, architecture, stories etc. have merit in themselves as they hold significance to those who have lived through that history or ancestors have lived through that history.
However, following that first phrase, I agree with the remainder of the quote. Integrity in a variety of aspects is important, especially with history. Hyams goes on to talk about how to keep history or "ancient things" integrity, we must keep all parts of it together. Say you have a bicycle that you ride everywhere, what if a gear went missing, then a chain, then the handle, a wheel and so on? That is no longer a bike without all of its parts, the integrity of that bike is now gone. This metaphor reflects Hyams's quote where he talks about keeping together parts of a whole.
In his next sentence, “If parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of integrity entails some knowledge, a memory, of ancient things” I interpret this as him saying that if certain parts of history are left in the past and not integrated into the teachings of history today, or certain parts of history are purposely left out because it doesn’t fit the history teller’s narrative. Whatever the case is for leaving out parts of history, it is detrimental to those in the future, if key parts of history are missing, we can’t learn from them. For example, in the video from Unit 06, “National Park Service Chief Historian Robert Sutton on Historical Interpretation in Parks”, he talks about how part of the history including Indigenous Peoples wasn’t spoken about during the telling of the history of the park. Now, they talk about the Trail of Tears where many tribes of Indigenous Peoples were forced from their homes in Rattlesnake Springs, to walk to present-day Oklahoma. The Trail of Tear lead right through the park, therefore, is a key piece of history about the park that must be told today to the visitors. Now, parts of history aren’t left in the past, and each part is kept together to provide people with all sides of history. In this case when presenting past experiences involving Indigenous Peoples, it is important to consult the community involved with that part of history, and if the information being shared is ok to share (Beck et al., 2018). Involving members of the community throughout the entire process is another step that can be taken to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of the interpretation (Beck et al., 2018).
Also, just as the last part of Hyams quote states, “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”, just because we don’t talk about it, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. It must be acknowledged with respect, understanding and a willingness to learn and question your inner beliefs.
History can be very difficult to learn about or hear about, especially for those directly affected, or those whose ancestors were affected. As a white settler in this country, I have no say in how what or when parts of history, especially violence towards Black, Indigenous, Asian and South Asian Peoples in the country, are told, but all we can do is listen, reflect and learn from it, or like many say, it will repeat itself.
Also spoken about in Unit 06 the role writing plays in interpretation, and I think this piece of writing draws further attention and detail to the Trail of Tears that is talked about during spoken interpretation within the park. It also provides links to a lesson plan and other pages for more learning.
Beck, Larry, Cable, Ted, and Knudson Douglas. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For A Better Worl. Sagamore Venture, 2018.
Nature Interpretation & Science
This week we focused on nature interpretation through science. Now, this is something I am more familiar with as I am a student studying both biology and psychology. To be more specific, I have studied nature in ecological contexts throughout my time as a Gryphon. There are many ways that we interpret nature through science, whether that be the process that take place in nature or the patterns and relationships that take place. For example, gardening can be seen as a specific science known as botany which focuses on plants and their genetics and environment. Gardening is something I myself do not take part in, but my grandpa as I have stated before is consumed by gardening and crops. Since I was a little girl our home in Bosnia is surrounded by grape vines, cherry trees, figs, tomatoes, watermelon, etc. When I get there, all the hard work is already over and it is just harvest season. I did not witness the extensive work that was put into the proper growth of a crop. For example, in order for a fig to grow properly, the company of female bee’s is significant as they lay eggs inside the fruit in order for the fig to ripen. Sometimes, we have a habit of just looking at our surroundings in nature, but not understanding how these things come to be. Whether it be from a continental drift, a seed that grew into a tree, or a burrow that is a home to a groundhog. Another example that I would like to touch on is a waterfall that is right outside of my home in Bosnia. The waterfall/water is called Duman and according to my family it has always been there. It is one of the main water sources in Livno and is the best drinking water.
Even though Duman was not manmade, it is up to the people who visit and native people to the town who choose to keep it clean and take care of it. In other words, science is the explanation for the waterfall or magic as some may believe. Almost everything that exists has a reason for existing and can be explained through science, whether that be people or the reason for the weeds growing on your grass. Sometimes this can be evident when looking at a tree in a forest, it may have a spotted or moldy texture to it as it was affected by a fungus or disease. That can happen to things in nature just as it happens to us. Lastly, I want to make mention the relationship that humans and nature have with one another. When you look at a numerical scale of the human and of a plant, there are many similarities that we share. Whether it be the need for oxygen or the similar epidermal layer under a microscope, we would be unable to exist without nature. Thankfully, us humans are able to understand some of these similarities, differences, benefits, and precautions
Hi Ilda! Thank you for sharing the beautiful video of the waterfall just outside your family home in Bosnia!
In regard to your experience with gardening, I think that for a garden to flourish, you don't have to be an expert botanist. You can learn from first-hand experiences and pass down knowledge, like in your case with your grandpa. You can read books, and magazines and listen to podcasts. Or you can even learn on your own through a trial and error method. Knowing the scientific names of certain plants, flowers, vegetables or fruit species is not always needed to decide how, when or where to plant something. However, having in-depth background knowledge of the interaction between the plants and the atmosphere, the soil, groundwater etc. (i.e., nitrogen, carbon or phosphorus cycle) and the inner functions of a plant can be beneficial.
For example, understanding how nutrients are cycled through the environment, soils, animals and of course plants, can be helpful when applying fertilizers, such as ammonia-based fertilizers. Gardeners can then apply compost to improve soil health and structure as the material in the compost will be broken down by decomposers (i.e., aerobic and anaerobic bacteria/fungi) into ammonium, which is then converted to nitrites and nitrates by nitrifying bacteria, and then taken up by plants.
Overall, a scientific lens for nature interpretation can sometimes be a great tool to better understand the natural world around us, but it all depends on the audience's needs and wants from the information. A gardener might just want you to tell them to benefits of nitrogen fertilizer without diving into the detailed steps of the nitrogen cycle and the reason it helps your garden.
I wanted to take this opportunity of having no prompt this week to write about ongoing global issues that need to be brought to attention. As we have come to know, nature interpretation is about instilling passion and knowledge to your audience on the natural world. Many of the issue I will touch on in today’s blog post has to do with the natural world and its connection to humanity. I feel that this is an important topic that must be talked about in nature interpretation as we all have an impact on the natural world and can create positive change within it.
First, I wanted to touch on the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on February 6th, 2023. We all know that earthquakes can range from small to significant based on their magnitude. The higher the magnitude, the more energy is released during that earthquake, and the more damage is inflicted on the people and the land of that area. Earthquakes can cause serious damage and destruction to infrastructure such as roads and buildings. Earthquakes can send entire buildings to collapse, which is what happened when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, with a 7.5 magnitude aftershock hit Turkey and Syria. As of today (February 12th), the death toll has reached over 33,000 with 10.9 million people impacted, and up to 5.3 million people left vulnerable without shelter, water, food, medical supplies and help. In Syria, millions have already been displaced from their homes due to an ongoing war, causing a humanitarian crisis that has been going on for almost a decade. With the freezing winter temperatures, the citizens of Turkey and Syria need worldwide aid, and there is something that we can do to help. In the New York Times article where I sourced this information, there is a link on how we can help, listing a variety of organizations that are supplying aid to these countries.
Here’s how to contribute to organizations that are aiding the rescue and recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria.
Second, this is more of a local issue in southern Ontario, that I felt needed to be touched on. With climate change, there is a drastic difference in typical weather patterns we see during the seasons around the world. Record high temperatures in the summer leading to droughts, wildfires and even deaths due to dehydration, heat stroke etc. Extreme cold warnings are being issued across southern Ontario due to the freezing temperatures with the wind chill reaching almost -40 C. Areas such as southern Ontario are not equipped or used to these extreme temperatures, resulting in devastating outcomes for those in vulnerable populations, such as people experiencing homelessness. Recently in Toronto, a vote was held in City Council to open 24/7 warming centres for unhoused residents but was rejected in a 15-11 vote. Many of Toronto’s homeless population are turned away from shelters and left outside to battle the cold weather. I am providing a link to a petition created by Progress Toronto, which sends a letter to local City Council members and Toronto’s mayor when signed. The letter pleads with them to fund drop-in access and 24/7 warming centres throughout these cold winter months during their February 15th City Budget meeting.
There’s nowhere for people to go. Sign the petition to urge councillors to keep warming spaces open 24/7 so there is always somewhere to go
Interpreting Nature Through Art
Being able to take a picture of your surroundings in a beautiful, natural envrionment is an amazing ability to have. It can allow people to capture the utter beauty of their setting and allow them to relive a certain moment in their life where they felt free. Memories are great, but they are generally lost with time, so the fact that we can "save" a memory is very important to me.
For example, I went on a trip to the Devil's Punchbowl in Hamilton last year for a geology class I was taking, and the views were simply breathtaking. In the picture posted above, you can see a timeline of different rock types settling over the past thousands of years, and the fact that I can go back and look at this picture to really understand how long the process must have taken is extraordinary.
I believe that the pictures people take are a great way of expressing themselves. In the textbook, the concept of self-actualization was discussed. I believe that there are many instances where individuals feel fulfilled when they take pictures of the beautiful landscape they are in, and the fact that they can share these moments on social media with others encourages more people to save these memories.
I believe that the "gift of beauty" is interpreted differently from person to person. When I think about the "gift of beauty", I think about vast mountainous landscapes with tall trees and lakes at the bottom. These landscapes show such a variety of Earth's beauty that it just makes me feel like I'm on top of the world. I have never been good at drawing, or really anything art related, so taking pictures of beautiful landscapes is my way of appreciating the "gift of beauty".
Hi Logan!
Our blog posts for Unit 4 are along the same lines with connecting nature and art in the form of photography!
I love your view of capturing a memory through a photo. Many of us in this course have probably experienced a time being outside in nature that took our breath away. Personally, I feel that it can be difficult to balance the want to be present and experience the beauty in real-time, but also want to remember it and capture it. The best way to pause that moment is through photography. Just as you mention, you are able to go back and look at it and have that rush of emotion again. Also, experiences are associated with those photos, such as your time going to the Devil's Punchbowl for your geology course. You can reflect on that experience and what you learned during it. You can also go back and look closely at the details in the photo that you may not have noticed while being there in person. In your case, maybe a layer of rock that you didn't observe as intently as the others. You can now use this photo as a reference when searching for more information on that rock formation, therefore learning even more than you did initially. I was also in that geography course and visited the Devil's Punchbowl, and am lucky enough to live close to it! It is truly a remarkable sight to see thousands of years of formations so clearly!
I can relate to you as not feeling like the most artistic person in terms of drawing, painting, sculpting etc. Photography is such an accessible form of art to everyone, artistic or not. In today's day and age, almost everyone has a smartphone with a built-in camera. Over time, these phone cameras became higher in quality, capturing images that were almost life-like. With the camera quality advancing, people don't have to go out and purchase an expensive professional camera. They can capture beautiful sights of nature using something they already use on a daily basis. Providing many more people to be inspired to go out, explore and experience nature, then bring a piece of it back home with them through photographs.
When I think of using art to interpret nature, I only think of visual art. I imagine paintings, drawings, and sketches of landscapes, wildlife, sunsets and sunrises. I would classify art as an umbrella term, with multiple categories fitting under the umbrella of art. Such as music, storytelling, poetry, theatre, musical theatre, dance, visual arts etc. Art and its many forms mean something different to everyone. Each individual has a unique experience and feeling when they interact with a piece of art. Some people feel moved by theatre more than a painting. Therefore, when using art for nature interpretation, you have to understand and know your audience and the best way to get them to connect to what you’re interpreting.
I wouldn’t say that I am a very artistic person, however, I can appreciate all art forms. Art is something that should be accessible to everyone, just like nature's interpretation. If you may not feel super creative or artistic, that doesn’t mean that you can’t be affected or touched by art in some way. Since I don’t feel like I could contribute any art to interpretation, however, I would love to host an interactive art workshop. I could be the nature interpreter, and bring in an artist that has experience or a passion for combining nature and art. I feel like a photography workshop/tour would be a great opportunity to connect with nature physically and emotionally. The learners have the chance to showcase how they see nature through their own lens and share it with others.
By bridging the gap between art and nature, you can attract a wider audience (Beck, Cable and Knudson, 2018). People that are passionate about art, nature conservation, or both, all have a chance to come together, share knowledge, and learn new skills. Everyone can learn from one another, the nature interpreter, and the artist. Fostering a learning environment where people can share ideas or hopefully inspire widespread care for cultural and environmental issues (Beck, Cable and Knudson, 2018).
The textbook describes the principle associated with “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, Cable and Knudson, 2018). I do believe that beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to art or nature. Viewing a sunset, or mountainous range at face value are beautiful sights to see, however, an emotional response can be brought out when viewing these and other parts of the natural world. For example, my childhood home was on a farm, and I remember seeing the most breathtaking sunsets there, so whenever I see a truly beautiful sunset, it takes me back to my childhood. Seeing it in person is impactful, however seeing a photo or painting of one still initiates that emotional reaction. Partnering emotions with environmental knowledge can deepen or spark empathy for protecting the environment since you can frame it as protecting something beautiful and meaningful.
The connection between art and nature is very close, as they are one and the same. Just as we would want to protect a precious art piece, we should want to protect our precious environment.
Beck, Larry, Cable, Ted, and Knudson Douglas. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For A Better Worl. Sagamore Venture, 2018.
Paving the path from city to nature
When I picture an environmental interpreter, I imagine someone hiking the mountains in a National Park in British Colombia or Alberta, with a small group. As they hike, the interpreter is talking about the landscape, the kinds of vegetation and wildlife that live within it, and those that have inhabited it or continue to. However, I feel that I would want to be an environmental interpreter within a natural environment that is closer to an urban environment.
I would like to be in an environmental interpreter role where I can provide an opportunity to learn about and connect with nature and environmental topics to those that don’t have 24/7 access to it. For example, I live in Hamilton, Ontario where most of it can be considered urban, however, there are conservation areas, walking and hiking trails and lakeside beach areas about a 20–30-minute drive from the downtown area. It may not be within walking distance, but people can take a quick drive to a part of their city where they can take a break from the hustle and bustle of their everyday lives.
Mostly, I would like to be an interpreter for elementary and high school students who visit a conservation area near their city for a school trip. These students who live in urban settings may not always have the chance to get out and go for a walk or hike as they don’t have access to a vehicle (i.e., not having their driver’s license yet), or just may not have any desire to. Therefore, when they come for a school trip, my job as an environmental interpreter is to make it as enjoyable experience as I can. I would want to educate them, while inspiring them and hopefully igniting a passion for the natural world.
While being the interpreter for these students, I would want to provide an overall experience that caters to all types of learners. For example, to appeal to active and visual learners, I would show an animal that typically lives in that environment. I would then explain what species the animal is, the role they play in the ecosystem, (i.e., niche) the different features they have that allow them to accomplish that role (i.e., a sharp beak to pick at tree bark to get small insects), and the overall importance of protecting the area and species. To keep the students engaged, throughout my presentation on the animal I would ask them questions about it to see if anyone knows anything already, or just wants to try and guess. As many teachers say, there are no stupid answers or questions, and I would want the students to feel comfortable and excited to engage with what I’m teaching them.
Having included tangible elements, such as wildlife, in my interpretation, I can connect them with an intangible meaning, just as David Larsen encouraged (Beck, Cable and Knudson, 2018). The intangible idea or feeling I can link to wildlife is love and empathy for animals. As many kids have family pets or have friends or family with pets, they understand the love they have for them. I can translate that to love for other animals and the importance of those animals to the ecosystem and overall, the environment.
Beck, Larry, Cable, Ted, and Knudson Douglas. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For A Better World. Sagamore Venture, 2018.
The joy of having nature right in your backyard
My relationship with nature I feel would be similar to almost all environmental science students. Of course, everyone’s relationship with nature is unique, as no one has the same experience that made them first feel connected or intrigued by nature.
Looking back on my relationship with nature over the years, I now have a greater appreciation and can acknowledge my appreciation more than when I was a kid. I always had a sense of curiosity and enjoyment when I was surrounded by nature. Growing up on a farm sparked my love for going outside and exploring. Whether it be in the forest that was in my backyard, the farmer’s fields next to our house or the fields filled with many different wildflower species, I always felt excited to see what I could discover. I would spend so many hours of the day, winter, spring, summer or fall outside with my friends, family, or myself. It wasn’t until I got older and moved off of the farm did, I realize how lucky I was to have such easy access to nature. I had what felt like at the time the entire natural world at my disposal.
Growing a bit older, the less time I spent in nature and the more time I spent inside. I’m not sure why, but at that time in my life now living in a larger city, I thought staying inside and watching T.V. or going on my iPod was more important or entertaining. Now, I know that the enjoyment I got from lounging and spending time on a device is a different kind of enjoyment than being outside. The feeling you get from watching an exciting T.V. show that you just have to watch the next episode to see what happens next is very fun. But the feeling you get from walking on a trail on a warm summer day and seeing the sun peak through the trees and hit the leaves is something entirely different. I get an excited feeling in my chest that just fills me up with such contentment. It truly is the feeling the textbook describes of feeling that sense of place and responding to the beauty of the environment around you (Beck, Cable and Knudson, 2018). You just can’t compare the two feelings.
Going off on the sense of place that interpreters can provide to people, the person who offered that to me was my dad. Growing up, he was always the one to encourage my sisters and me to go outside and explore, as he says, “not waste the day away inside”. He enjoyed all the activities that came with being outside, riding ATVs, hiking through the patch of forest we had on our property, and snowmobiling in the winter. The National Association for Interpretation definition for interpretation as “Interpretation is a mission-based approach to communication aimed at provoking in audiences the discovery of personal meaning and the forging of personal connections with things, places, people and concepts” (Beck, Cable and Knudson, 2018). My dad fits this definition of interpretation as he was the one that went outside with us and helped us discover what nature and being in it meant to us and was the bridge that formed the connection between us and nature.
Beck, Larry, Cable, Ted, and Knudson Douglas. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For A Better Worl. Sagamore Venture, 2018.
