Jill Murray @jmenvs3000w22 - Tumblr Blog

Ethical Interpretation of Nature

One’s personal ethics are built from a foundation of virtues, morals, values, and principles (Waggoner, 2010). Ethics are what guide us around what is right and what is wrong, resulting in the decisions we make both in our personal and professional lives. Personally, as I develop as a nature interpreter there are various core values and ethics that I would like to carry into the profession. For example, I believe that nature interpretation around the world should consist of socially, culturally, and intellectually responsible heritage interpretation which recognizes minorities of all kinds (Beck et al., 2018). It is the responsibility of nature interpreters to ensure that all participants feel included and comfortable, in order to provide an optimal experience of learning and inspiration that they can carry with them beyond their visit. Furthermore, an approach that would be most suitable for me as an individual would be to sustain and interpret the unique heritage of local communities, to foster a sense of worth, and to disseminate it broadly in order to nurture a greater mutual understanding (Beck et al., 2018). In doing so, nature interpretation can contribute to harmonious interactions between visitors and local community members. Secondly, I believe in the power of knowledge and the importance of sharing that knowledge with future generations. The ability to acquire knowledge, preserve and pass it on to future generations is what gives us the tools to be better and continue to evolve in a positive direction. Therefore, I believe that promoting educational training programmes and providing opportunities of growth for interpreters and volunteers is crucial to their success (Beck et al., 2018). Accordingly, an approach that would be most suitable for me would be to help develop courses, programs, and training opportunities to share knowledge around the principles of nature interpretation (Beck et al., 2018). In addition I would like to promote academic research focused on the impact of nature interpretation on a local and global scale (Beck et al., 2018). In this way, I can fulfill my responsibility in promoting the positive outcomes associated with nature interpretation and spread awareness on the importance of it, not only on local communities but also on tourists and visitors. As nature interpreters we have a responsibility to advocate for all individuals involved. This includes, heritage site owners and operators, tourists, local minority communities, and education professionals (Beck et al., 2018). In conclusion, the beliefs I bring to nature interpretation focus on inclusion, recognition of all, advancing education, continued learning, with a foresight on posterity. I hope to carry these efforts into both my personal and professional life in order to better understand the world around me.

References:

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage. Van Haren Publishing.

Waggoner, Jessica, “Ethics and Leadership: How Personal Ethics Produce Effective Leaders” (2010). CMC Senior Theses. Paper 26. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/26

jmenvs3000w22

I very much enjoyed reading your post and how you will take the tools from this course and apply them towards your future as an interpreter!

I talked similarly about the importance of making everybody feel included and how this is a vital role as an interpreter. As we discussed in Unit 3, a large barrier to people is feeling like they don’t fit the “mold” of an outdoor person. But what does that mean? It doesn’t have much standing, other than what it is represented through who we find outside. May it be affluent people with very expensive gear? Access to knowledge that was provided through having a privileged upbringing? Even the exposure to the outdoors is a privilege that not all get, and that is what I would like to change in my personal role of ethics and interpretation. I believe it is a right for everyone to be able to make connections to nature and feel like they belong there, because they do! This of course has cascading effects as having this exposure leads to shifts in values and what we want to conserve and protect when we are older. Increasing the number of people with values of nature conservation gives prosperity to interpretive learning and expands the field even further. This could develop future programs and training opportunities as you mention. More accessibility and knowledge to everyone!

I wish you the best of luck in the future as you continue to be an interpreter and steward of nature. :)

Jill

mmenvs3000w22-deactivated202205

BLOG 9: UN 10: MY ETHICS

When I consider my personal ethics as a nature interpreter, I can't help but recall David Suzuki's discussion at the AGO. He mentioned an area in nature that he used to go to when he was a kid to escape and how it no longer exists (DavidSuzukiFDN, 2012). As I listened to his storey, I wondered who was responsible for protecting that land from development. Was it possible that it was his responsibility? He cherished the area, and it held emotional significance for him. As a nature interpreter, he could have communicated that worth to anyone who was considering building on that land. But, at the time, I don't believe he was old enough or in a position to do so. As a result, the question remains "who is to bear responsibility?". Maybe it’s no one or possibly everyone. I attempted to recall a time in my childhood when a particular aspect of nature was significant to me. An old willow tree on my family's land was one notable spot I could remember. I would spend hours climbing the tree and playing amongst its shade. Unfortunately, the willow leaves would pollute the area in the fall and caused damage to our pool by clogging the filter. As a result, the tree had to be cut down. My first experience as a nature interpreter was probably fighting to save that tree. I expressed how important it was not only to me but also to the land. I didn't have the authority to prevent the tree from being cut down, but I tried anyway. I couldn't help but feel responsible. I've dedicated my entire life to defending people who are unable to defend themselves. I felt the same sense of duty for that tree for some reason. I’m not saying that I’m a super eco-friendly person. However, there have been instances when I felt a line had been crossed without cause. I acknowledge that some environmentally harmful behaviours cannot be completely prevented. However, in this case, I discerned that it could. I believe that my memories associated with the willow tree were a part of my determination to prevent them from cutting it down. Furthermore, there was always a sense of urgency to maintain its history and importance. Thinking back to the unit on nature interpretation via history. Every time I looked at that willow I saw the barks' ability to treat pain and fever. I'm astounded by how this one plant species has saved so many lives. The presence of its age was palpable. How it had been planted in the earth for generations. Who were we to remove this tree and its history? I cited its age and historical relevance when campaigning to save it. I noted how a tree of that size would take years, if not a lifetime, to reach its current status. I considered everything that willow had to endure to survive. Droughts, blizzards, and strong winds are some examples. Yet, the tree's demise would be brought about by a human who was younger than it was. What a depressing outcome, I thought. My efforts to save the tree did not succeed in the end. However, I did end up planting a tree to replace it. Was that, however, enough? Is there anything else I could have done? Was it entirely my responsibility? When I think about these questions and my professional ethics as a nature interpreter, I can't help but wonder about something else. Why did it matter to me? What continues to make me care? I wasn't in a moral dilemma at the time. I knew this because the people around me assured me that nothing was wrong with what was happening. Therefore, I couldn't say it was a conflict between right and wrong. However, for me, it was wrong. Morals are determined by societal consensus. Ethics, on the other hand, is personal. The definition of ethics is the "moral principles that govern a person's behaviour" (ETHICS | Meaning & Definition for UK English, n.d.). So, I must consider what governs my behaviour. Perhaps it was the encouragement I had as a child to explore the outdoors. My father would often take me fishing and hunting. The tranquillity of the water and the forest have always intrigued me. Long periods spent outside taught me to appreciate nature. I quickly learned that I am

only a small component of a vast and diverse ecosystem. These early childhood experiences may have influenced how I perceive nature. It definitely inspired me to learn more about how things work and interact in the environment. The majority of my current studies are focused on environmental sciences. Furthermore, I was constantly encouraged to join nature-focused clubs when I was a kid. Such as girl guides. We'd practise navigating our way through the woods. The majority of my time in girl guides was spent doing adventurous activities outside. While in the group, I helped with fundraising efforts. Which produced funds for many nature/wildlife protection foundations. Being in girl guides showed me that I could make a difference despite my age and lack of authority. Perhaps my actions are guided by this early foundation of kindness and a love for the outdoors. Overall, I believe I was fortunate. I don't think I'd be as passionate about nature if I hadn't been exposed to it as much as I was. As we discussed in unit 8, today's children spend more time in front of a screen than they do outside. I find this disappointing. My ethics were formed as a result of firsthand experiences with nature. Without any connection to the environment, there isn't any drive to protect it. Of course, technology has been beneficial to me in terms of allowing me to communicate and be informed about topics involving nature. However, I believe that getting kids interested in the outdoors is becoming increasingly difficult. As a nature interpreter, I would utilize tactile and visuals when sharing my interpretation. However, thanks to this course, I now have the ability to convey my nature interpretations through writing and technology. Hopefully, the skill sets I acquired will be used in my future endeavours as a nature interpreter.

References:

DavidSuzukiFDN. (2012, July 20). David Suzuki and Richard Louv @AGO [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5DI1Ffdl6Y&feature=youtu.be

ETHICS | Meaning & Definition for UK English. (n.d.). Lexico.com. from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/ethics

rmenvs3000w22

I really enjoyed reading your post this week!

Like you, I found I always had a very strong moral compass when I was young. I always found it frustrating because I find kids opinions are automatically dismissed without consideration or thought. It’s really a shame because I think kids actually provide some of the most valuable opinions. They often say as they feel without understanding societal norms that shape and mould peoples opinions as adults. Like your story with the tree. It didn’t matter to you that the tree caused problems for your pool because the most simple and obvious thing to say would be don’t put the pool there in the first place or deal with the leaves as they fall. The tree was there first and just as you said - who were you to cut down the tree? You didn’t yet know that the societal norm or expectation would be to just get rid of the tree - you just knew it felt wrong. I think we need to value the opinions of our youth more and be considerate of what mindsets we are changing. Kids question everything while I find most adults just follow along with societal norms regardless of how questionable the matter is.

Similarly, I think adults teach our kids that the responsibility of being environmentally friendly belongs to someone else. As climate change is so difficult to see short term I think there is a massive diffusion of responsibility among everyone in the world. We teach that helping the planet is important but then show that if something inconveniences you you do whatever it is to get rid of the problem regardless of the consequences. We teach that we don’t need to consider the Earth in our decisions, and that someone else will take care of that. But they won't.

I think that everyone has an equal responsibility to preserve and protect the land that we occupy. Even at such a young age you knew that as you took on that responsibility and tried to make change. Perhaps if everyone accepted that responsibility and stopped leaving it up to someone else we would have a very different relationship between humans and the Earth.

Thank you for sharing your story!

Riley

jmenvs3000w22

Hi Megan,

Your blog post was a great read. I completely agree that being out in nature is one of the most important things and it is how we form relationships with the natural world. Our values are personal, and they indeed are shaped by our experiences. If more of the human experience was outdoors, how would our values be shifted? How might our world be different than it is today? I do believe many have lost touch with immersing themselves in nature, which is a sad reality.

As you say, the relationship you had with the willow tree and the feeling of protection and conservation you had for it was based on your memories and experience. I too relate to this, when my parents were cutting some trees down at our cottage, a place that is very dear to me. I was downright upset, I almost felt like I was overreacting for how defensive I became of the trees. And I completely agree, it is hard to determine right and wrong when everyone around you seems fine with it like there is no problem. So it does beg the question, whose responsibility is it to be the tree stewards? Why do we care and why do others not care, where is this difference in values coming in?

The ares text from this week is a magazine article by Jacob Rodenburg, and he explains the dangers of keeping the kids of today’s world inside. This is a quote that resonates with me: “Leaving kids indoors cuts them off from the knowledge and understanding of what it means to be a living being that shares a world with other living beings. Children have a right to experience the joy of discovering the richness, complexity, and diversity of life.” (Rodenburg 2019).

If we don’t feel connection to other things around us, then how an earth is there going to be a want to protect it. This is the change, a shift in values, that needs to happen.

All the best with the end of your semester,

Jill

Rodenburg, J. (2019). Why environmental educators shouldn’t give up hope. Pacific Northwest Journal of Community-based Environmental Literacy Education. University of Guelph Ares.

Discussion Week 10

Blog prompt: Describe your personal ethic as you develop as a nature interpreter. What beliefs do you bring? What responsibilities do you have? What approaches are most suitable for you as an individual?

This prompt ties into the 3 questions we have explored this course:

Who am I as an interpreter?

Who is my audience?

How can I make this experience meaningful?

As I make my way through this discussion, I will tie into all of these points above. :)

Nature interpretation, as we’ve explored throughout this semester, can be presented in a variety of ways from history and art to science and technology. When I think about my personal development as a nature interpreter and the beliefs I bring, I go back to one simple condition: being out in nature. Fundamentally, I believe that despite all the wonderful technologies that can be used as tools to interpret nature such as the bear cams in Katmai National Park and Reserve, Alaska (Beck et al. 2018), the most powerful experiences are truly to be had out in the field. In “Why Environmental Educators Shouldn’t Give Up Hope” by Jacob Rodenburg, it is explained that children are often kept indoors to decrease risk of liability; the real danger however lies in not taking kids outside. Building relationships and intimacy through nature can transfer to all aspects of our life and it is critical for young kids to form this connection, and to tap into their wonder and curiosity (Rodenburg 2019). Though there are many complex topics to be taught out there, tailoring to a young audience can limit these insights. Yet the biggest insight of all that children are experts at, is to love. Rodenburg (2019) explains that children are ready to love nature, it is simply the action of exposing them to it. Going forward as an educator, I feel as though this is a responsibility of mine to uphold: to bring the people out into nature. Specifically, to bring kids who are little sponges to information and stimuli into beautiful places that will shape who they become. There is so much meaning in this kind of interpretation to a young audience as there are rarely any pre-formed barriers or prejudices to the natural world, only objective curiosity and love which, in my opinion, makes the best audience. Everyone belongs in nature. As kids, the knapsacks we carry are yet to be filled; the responsibility as an interpreter is to make everyone know that they belong despite their backgrounds be it financial, cultural, etc (Gallavan 2005).

I have personally always loved to work with kids, be it through babysitting or through aftercare school programs. I believe there is so much to learn from them, as they offer a new perspective on pretty much everything, and they take all the complexity out of something seemingly complicated and they come up with a solution. I have been pleasantly surprised by this on more than one occasion, and I believe one of the most rewarding things is to have a child make you feel better about something making it seem like the caregiver role is reversed. To give you an example, when I was working at the Lake Agnes Teahouse above Lake Louise (my job for the past two summers), the staff sometimes worked alongside our boss’s children who came up on occasion to help out. One of the young girls, Zaylah who is 5 years old, always liked to take orders and work beside me, or run napkins to a table if it got busy. One morning I was pouring teas, and I burned my hand pretty badly on the kettle. Uncontrollably, tears started welling in my eyes from the pain, but also just because it was a little bit of a stressful day and everything added up to me feeling overwhelmed. My boss, Joanna, who is very good at taking care of her staff, said to me to go take a break and put my hand in the water outside; Zaylah came with me. Here I am, crying by the lake tending to my burned hand, and Zaylah, the 5-year-old, is rubbing my back telling me that it’s ok and sometimes when she’s sad she cries too. I couldn’t help but smile in that moment and thank her, as she now was the caregiver taking care of me. To say that everything is okay and sometimes I cry too when I’m sad may seem simple, but I would bet that it’s something that many adults couldn’t string together if they tried. Even with the best interest in mind, people may try to start by saying “at least it’s not as bad as x y z” or “don’t be sad”, which, when you’re sad is just not something you always want to hear!

In this week’s unit, a quote, in particular, struck me: “...environmentalists need the goodwill of children would seem self-evident- but more often than not, children are viewed as props or extraneous to the serious adult work of saving the world. One often overlooked value of children is that they constitute the future political constituency, and their attention or vote – which is ultimately based more on a foundation of personal experience than rational decision making- is not guaranteed” (Hooykaas, 2022).

This precisely ties into the power and meaning of connecting in nature by experiencing it. By immersion and real experiences versus the sometimes complicated and theoretical world of adults. All children with unique backgrounds hold a powerful mosaic of potential to shape our world into a better one. Despite this, children are in fact overlooked for this potential. This connects to an excerpt from Tilden (1957) in the textbook which states that “Interpretation addressed to children should not be a dilution of the presentation to adults, but should follow a fundamentally different approach. To be at its best it will require a separate program” (Beck et al. 2018).

I love the term “dilution” and that, in fact, interpreting to children is not a dilution at all, instead, it can be seen as an alternative way of thinking, a different perspective to be seen through the lens of a child. Adult vs child, no one is better or more “knowledgeable”, I do believe both worlds have a lot to teach the other, or rather for adults to remember and learn again. This is why knowing your audience is so important, and I believe the delivery of interpretation has to be fine-tuned to make a memorable experience.

I believe I have the responsibility to incorporate child-like curiosities to a broader range of audiences, even adults, to shift the narrative and perspectives to re-learn nature without pre-disposed judgements and fears. Bringing people back to how they grew up without all the complications of growing up, is how I believe I can make meaningful experiences for people.

References Cited

Beck, L., Cable, T.T. & Knudson, D.M. (2018). Guiding Principles of Interpretation. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World. (pp. 81-101). Sagamore-Venture Publishing.

Beck, L., Cable, T.T. & Knudson, D.M. (2018). Interpreting to the Masses. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World. (pp. 165-182). Sagamore-Venture Publishing.

Gallavan, N.P. (2005). "Helping teachers unpack their 'invisible knapsacks'." Multicultural Education, vol. 13, no. 1, p. 36. Gale Academic OneFile.

Hooykaas, A. (2022). Nature Interpretation’s Role in Environmental Sustainability. Nature Interpretation, University of Guelph.

Rodenburg, J. (2019). Why environmental educators shouldn’t give up hope. Pacific Northwest Journal of Community-based Environmental Literacy Education. University of Guelph Ares.

acenvs3000w22

Week 09: Oh What a Wonder Nature Is

Hi everyone,

Seeing as this week’s blog prompt is about how amazing nature is, what could be more amazing than the 7 natural wonders of the world?! Nature has some of its own amazing features and in 1997, the Cable News Network (CNN) constructed a list of the most amazing creations of nature (Andrews, 2020). I myself have yet to experience any of these natural wonders but someday I am hoping to cross them off my bucket list! Have you experienced any of these places? If so, where? Alright, now let’s get to it!

1) The Aurora Borealis – Northern Hemisphere Did you know that the aurora borealis (also known as northern lights) is named after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek word for the north wind, boreas (Andrews, 2020). This captivating display of dancing colours paints the sky in ripples of blues, greens, pinks, violets, and yellows (Andrews, 2020). These mystifying lights have various meanings to different groups. In medieval times, these lights were perceived as an indication of famine or war, however, the Inuit believed them to be spirits of the beluga whales, deer, salmon and seals they hunted for survival (Andrews, 2020).

The Northern Lights. Image retrieved from: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/12/09/northern-lights-aurora-borealis-visible-across-northern-us/3866912001/

2) The Grand Canyon – Arizona, United States This stunning natural wonder was formed by the natural erosion of rock and soil from the Colorado River over billions of years (Dodd,2021). The Colorado Plateau was once the floor of a shallow sea and fossilized corals, shellfish, and snails from 20 million years ago can still be found today (Andrews, 2020). Known for its deep red rust, visible rock stratification, and most notably its size and depth (roughly 446 kilometers long, 29 kilometers wide, and 1.8 kilometers deep), this is truly a breath-taking wonder (Dodd,2021).

The Grand Canyon. Image retrieved from: https://www.smartertravel.com/planning-a-trip-to-the-grand-canyon/

3) Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe and Zambia Despite not being the tallest or the widest fall on earth, with a combined height and width of 1,708 meters wide by 108 meters high, it does make it the largest (Dodd,2021). This fall spills about 625 million liters of water every minute - how incredible is that (Andrews, 2020)?!

Victoria Falls. Image Retrieved from: https://www.traveller.com.au/victoria-falls-zimbabwe-travel-guide-the-mustdo-highlights-h1kc5m

4) The Harbour of Rio De Janeiro - Brazil This bay Is considered the world’s largest natural bay based on volume (Dodd,2021). This gorgeous harbour is encased by granite mountains and monoliths, which creates a striking visual appearance to all visitors (Law, 2020; Dodd,2021).

Harbour of RIo de Janeiro. Image retrieved from: https://www.worldatlas.com/bays/guanabara-bay.html

5) Great Barrier Reef – Queensland Australia This spectacular feature includes over 900 islands, spanning over 344,400 square kilometers of the ocean (Law, 2020; Dodd,2021). This makes it the largest coral reef system in the world and as a result, supports a plethora of life including 215 species of birds, 133 species of rays and sharks, and 30 species of dolphins (Dodd,2021; Andrews, 2020). However, this natural wonder contains many endangered and endemic species and is currently being threatened by factors such as climate change and mass coral bleaching (Andrews, 2020)

Great Barrier Reef. Image retrieved from: https://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-04-21/the-great-barrier-reef-is-dying-says-new-report

6) Paricutin Volcano – Michoacan, Mexico Paricutin is a cinder cone shaped volcano which last erupted in 1952 (over a 9-year period) (Law, 2020). It was deemed as a natural wonder given that mankind was able to witness its birth and rapidly growing formation (Law, 2022). This volcano has only existed as it has since 1943 when it first appeared from a relatively flat corn field, making it the youngest volcano in the Northern Hemisphere (Dodd,2021).

Paricutin Volcano. Image retrieved from: https://www.worldatlas.com/volcanoes/paricutin-volcano.html

7) Mount Everest – China and Nepal Debatably the most famous mountain on planet earth – Mount Everest. This massive formation has an approximate elevation of 29,029 feet (Law, 2020). Did you know that this actually isn’t the tallest mountain in the world? That title belongs to Mauna Kea in Hawaii, however, most of it is underwater and so it does not have the tallest peak ‘above sea level’ (Dodd,2021).

Mount Everest. Image retrieved from: https://explorerspassage.com/chronicles/facts-mount-everest/

In the textbook reading from Beck et al. (2018), it mentions the emotional state of being in ‘awe’, where “fleeting and rare experiences of awe can change the course of a life in profound and permanent ways”. I believe that being able to experience the totality of these natural wonders would definitely elicit this ‘awe’ feeling. Being in this state has the ability to elicit curiosity, purpose, creativity, improve mood, and reduce stress (Beck et al. 2018). Although I provided some facts and information on these places, being physically present in nature and soaking in the surrounding can be more than enough to understand the beauty of nature and no interpretation is required (Beck et al. 2018). This can also increase the use of citizen science as by experiencing these places first hand, this will provide the visitor with an authentic experience and hopefully encourage them to participate in the evolving community science that serves to benefit these natural places (Beck et al. 2018).

I realize this post was a bit of a long one but I hope you got to learn something and feel inspired along the way!

Thanks for reading,

Ashley

References

Andrews, C. (2020). See the Natural Wonders of the World in 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2022, from https://www.nathab.com/blog/see-the-natural-wonders-of-the-world-in-2021/

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

Dodd, C. (2021). The 7 Natural Wonders Of The World. Retrieved 19 March 2022, from https://www.worldatlas.com/places/the-7-natural-wonders-of-the-world.html#h_51335814238881631701075573

Law, L. (2020). A Guide to the 7 Natural Wonders of the World | PlanetWare. Retrieved 19 March 2022, from https://www.planetware.com/magic-travel-a-guide-to-the-seven-natural-wonders-of-the-world.htm

gmenvs3000w22

Hi Ashley,

Great blog this week. I really enjoyed reading about the seven wonders of the world and hearing your perspective on the importance of these places for people. I think that every person, whether they are into the outdoors or not would love to have the opportunity to visit one of these places. They are places that are universally agreed upon of being some of the most beautiful places and things on earth. I think that these places are on a lot of peoples’ bucket lists because of the way people who have visited them describe them. I also think that these places are ways of getting people to care about nature. When someone experiences this beauty first hand, like you say, it doesn’t require interpretation.

I visited the Grand Canyon in 2018 and hiked to the bottom and back up. It is one of my favourite things I’ve ever experienced, and it’s really hard to describe without being there in person.

However, I think that the issue with the seven wonders is the number of visitors they get and the damage that it can do to the surrounding environment. It is a difficult scenario because I think that people should experience some of these places, but it can be really damaging. And limiting the number of people who can visit, can lead to only people who have the privilege to afford to go. I still do think that these places are incredible and I hope to visit more in the future.

Great post!

-Georgia

jmenvs3000w22

Wow Georgia!

Loved your post. This in essence is nature interpretation and taking us to these places on your blog and being able to experience them even if we are not there or have not been there before. I have ALWAYS wanted to see the northern lights and have yet to see them, and once again with the images and the easy to read descriptions my interest is sparked all over again.

I am a little sad to say I haven’t really experienced any of the seven wonders of the world; however, I have experienced many wonders that are very dear to me from the mountains all the way to small Ontario Lakes.

I think it is the wonder that is instilled, whether grandiose or not, that makes nature amazing. It comes in so many forms and many ways to love/experience/enjoy it. With wondrous places like you said, they really speak for themselves. Do you think in gorgeous places like these, interpretation is required? Or should people be left to their own devices to see what they see in the obvious beauty the place holds?

Great post!

Week 9

As described in this week’s reading, interpreters often carry the responsibility of communicating science, and relaying it to the public. This can come in forms of visitor centres, taking school children out in the field and engaging in citizen science (Beck et al. 2018). This is often seen in smaller organizations; whereas larger agencies (US Forest Service and the National Park Service) hire scientists in their museums and aquariums (Beck et al. 2018). And science is very tightly connected with nature, something that interpreters are naturally faced with communicating. The most amazing thing I can think about in nature came to me from a second year ecology class I took, which is hyperparasitoids. Parasitoids are given their name because they eventually kill their hosts as opposed to normal parasites that only feed on their hosts without killing them (Parasitoids 2018). Hyper-parasitoids are parasites of parasites, such as wasps that lay their eggs into the eggs of the original wasp parasitoid (Parasitoids 2018). I think that is one of the craziest coolest things existing in nature!

Above is an image of a hyperparasitoid wasp laying its eggs in the eggs of the parasitoid wasp cocoons on a caterpillar (photo by Jillian H. Cowles, 2007 retrieved from BugGuide Net). I also can’t figure out how to put images directly in the text so the image is above this post!!

Not only did nature evolve to have this evolutionary arm’s race between hosts and parasites, but even being a hyperparasite has been selected to be hyper-beneficial! It just baffles me to think that nature can come up with the most absurd of things. I would like to know what others think of this!

This goes to show (especially learning this from a university lecture) that science and nature are tightly linked to one another. Being an interpreter brings these concepts into citizen science.

Comparative to something that happens inside our bodies is the gut bacteria that line the walls of our intestine. However not parasitic, we have good bacteria to help digest food (probiotics) that actually eats their own bacteria (prebiotics) that are indigestible to us, all to get our nutrients absorbed (Medical News Today 2018). This organism-on-an-organism reminded me of this scenario, and of nature’s complexity.

I am interested to know, can anyone think of any other circumstances that are similar in nature?

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

Medical News Today. (2018). Prebiotic vs. probiotic: Differences, benefits, and foods.

Parasitoids (2018). University of Maryland Extension.

Photo retrieved from: Hyperparasitoid Wasp. (2022) Welcome to BugGuide.Net! Iowa State University.

scvenvs3000semester

Unit#7: Music In Nature

The questions posed for this weeks blog post are a very interesting topic and not one that I personally have previously related one thing to the other. I have never thought of the role music has in nature, or that nature has in music at all up until this unit. After reading through this unit it made me really start to make connections between music and nature, and by the end of it, I realized that I had always been connecting to nature through music and that I have always appreciated and listened to the different ways that music is in nature as well. I was just doing it subconsciously, and never took the time to recognize what was happening.

Where is music in nature?

When asked the question, “where is music in nature?” the one thing that comes to mind is the beautiful songs that the songbirds sing to one another in the early Muskoka calm mornings on the lake. This is the place that I have personally found music in nature. I have spent countless hours going outdoors to sit down, relax, and listen to the songbirds sing. They sing beautiful, calming, songs to one another that “lul” one to sleep if you get too comfortable! Music in nature has been a big help to me and even further expresses the true beauty of nature. It is the best stress reliever there is, and one of the most secure and calming feelings.

Where is nature in music?

Nature in music for me is the inspiration that it can bring to you when your around it. Nature inspires us to explore, share, and protect all the beautiful features it has to offer. There have been countless songs inspired by nature, singing about the beauty of the landscapes, the shining sun, the warm water, and the beaches. Nature inspires humans to make music, and music connects people and makes them feel good. I believe that nature is in music through all the inspiration it has provided songwriters to use in their songs to make the listener feel good.

A song that takes me immediately back to nature is “Californication”, By the Red-Hot Chili Peppers. Every time I hear this song come on it remind of walking through my grandparents’ fields in Muskoka watching a beautiful sunset on a warm summer evening. The amount of happiness this brings me is a feeling like nothing else.

jmenvs3000w22

Hi Sam!

I enjoyed reading your post. I feel the same way about how the connection between music and nature can go unnoticed, it is something that we naturally and subconsciously do. The power of what our brain associates emotions and experiences to is insane when you think about it.

I actually took a course in first year geared around healthy living, and a recurring topic was how being out in nature is effectively seen to improve our mental health. And it is true, as you say the bird calls in the Muskoka mornings are calm and can put you back to sleep. I have always found peace in nature as well, and a lot of this had to do with the sounds that immerse your ears when you’re in nature. I associate a walk in the woods with insect and bird sounds and water and leaves rustling in the wind. This unit made me realize it is more than just the visual component of nature, but that it is an experience that involves all the senses. I think this is the reason why we can feel so present in nature, because it uses all of our senses and calms them.

I like how you touched on how nature inspires people to make music! This is true, people write about natural settings and how it makes them feel all the time. Music gives people something to relate to, and this is especially true for music that is about nature.

Week 7-- Music!

As the unit discusses, music is not simply just random tunes that sound good or that are just for fun, but music can teach us many things and is rooted in every culture in one form or another. Therefore music comes with a lot of significance, connection, and emotion. To answer the question “where is music in nature”, I interpret this in two separate ways. Firstly, I think of the natural sounds that come from a forest: a stream trickling down over rocks, bird calls, the background noise of crickets, the all-consuming sound of a waterfall in the background that drowns out everything else when near it. The second thing I think of is the human association with these sounds, or the association of a certain song while experiencing nature. And similarly to the discussion about how Indigenous cultures do not separate from the environment– the two are intertwined, I believe the same about nature in music, music in nature. One is not without the other. In order to answer “where is nature in music”, it is everywhere. Because if music is based off of our culture, and culture and nature is tightly interconnected, then these are one in the same. The song that immediately takes me back to not only a natural setting, but a specific happy time in my life is the song “Books” by Caamp. Caamp is one of my favourite musical groups, and this song in particular is my favourite. I discovered it when I left Victoria in May last year, roadtripped back to Nelson, BC, where I spent my winter, and I landed in Lake Louise, AB, where I spent my summer working at the Teahouse. This was a freeing time in my life where I was excited to just go and explore each day and be the most present I could be. Before the Teahouse opened up, the small amount of staff staying in the little accommodation in Lake Louise were working for the Station restaurant down the dirt road by the Bow River, an aqua coloured glacially cold river that runs through the mountains surrounded by conifers. It’s insanely aesthetically pleasing, and by the railroad tracks my friend Katelynn and I were gardening for this restaurant that had beautiful grounds to be maintained with flower beds, and rhubarb at the back of the garden that Jerry (the cook/boss/one of the founders of the tiny place of Lake Louise) told us he used in the Station’s homemade strawberry rhubarb pie. And so tending to Jerry’s rhubarb by the train tracks, Katelynn and I played the song “Books” on repeat with our hands in the dirt, looking up at the snow-capped mountains around us. To paint this picture alone goes without saying how powerful a song can be by association at recreating a vivid memory that I have etched in my mind. In connection to this week’s reading, successful interpretation comes with the “why we do what we do” (Beck et al. 2018). I believe it is music that can translate nature and vice versa, that creates the “why”, or the purpose. This association we have with lyrics and melodies and how it can bring us back to places we were and the emotions we had at that time is so powerful, and within that instills purpose.

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 7 course reading]. Nature Interpretation Course University of Guelph.

cljenvs3000w22

History and Nature

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

This quote was very interesting. I read through it multiple times, and each time I found something new to unpack. The beauty of a quote such as this is that every person will have their own variation of what it means to them, and it may resonate with them in different ways. This is very present in nature interpretation. We are all finding our own meaning in the things around us in nature (how we perceive the world), just as though we are finding our own meaning within the things we read.

The picture below is a photo I took of my favourite walking trail near my house. It has special meaning to me and reminds me of past adventures I have had with friends and family, but to you it may just be a picture of a trail on a nice day (or it may remind you of one of your own memories from your past).

In order to unpack this quote, I must first indicate that this is my interpretation of the quote. My understanding of Hyams quote is that there is only merit or significance to historical objects and things because of the story told behind these things. The integrity upheld by telling the story of (or remembering) historical artifacts is what gives them merit; hence, “there is merit in integrity”. When he continues to say that integrity means keeping the part of the whole together, he may be talking about the fact that us remembering is what maintains this integrity. Our very knowledge on the subject is what gives these ancient things, or memories merit and significance. This is depicted through “maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things”.

The second part of the quote is a bit trickier, in my opinion, to unpack, but I think the idea is that if we forget about the past and discard it as though it is over and done with (that it no longer has significance), then that is the same as believing that “a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it”.

An equivalent to explain this quote would be perhaps that to ignore events that occurred in the past, to ignore our own history, would be to repeat our mistakes. In a more simplified sense, if I did not remember every stupid thing I did throughout my life, I would not grow and learn from these experiences. In a large-scale example, the world right now is at a crossroads with which direction it can choose to go considering the world’s current climate change situation. We can learn from the mistakes we know we have made and try to redeem ourselves from the mess we have created, or we can choose not to have integrity and no longer learn from our past.

Understanding and remembering the past is important in moving forward and creating a better situation than those before us. This doesn’t just pertain to nature, but everything, including world wars, attempted genocides, or mass-casualty events. We must remember what has happened in order to make sure that mistakes do not get repeated. I am sure we have all heard our high school history teacher say those very words, but they are quite true, as is shown in Edward Hyams quote.

Thank you all for reading. Hope everyone is having a good week so far.

Cora

jmenvs3000w22

Hi Cora,

You have really interesting insight on the quote presented this week!

I enjoyed reading your interpretation of the train metaphor, that if we don’t consider what happened before us or we ignore that it happened at all, then we will just repeat our past mistakes. And I very much agree that the past serves as one of the most important reservoirs of learning from mistakes and moving forward with more knowledge than we had before.

When I unpacked the quote, I viewed it from a slightly different perspective and focused on the aspect of integrity. How integrity can mean to be unified and to have wholeness and connectivity with our past, as well as to honour our past (both the good and the bad). If we didn’t believe that the train station existed before our presence, it meant that we were disconnected from the outer world if we only considered our point of time, and this is what was meant by integrity. “The keeping together of the parts of any whole”.

You did a really sound job of raising the point that learning from our past goes way beyond just nature, but about universal subjects as described in our readings this week. Love, war, the road to peace; this quote let us reflect on all these things as well written writing should!

Again, great post and I wish you the best as the semester goes on. :) Your pictures are great as well!

jmenvs3000w22

Hellllooo ENVS folks,

Due to the freedom of this weeks blog, I wanted to add a “photo blog” so you guys can get to know me more and to see the things I enjoy doing!

Top picture: Backcountry camping trip of the Rockwall in Kootenay National Park (2020).

Second to the top: Hiking up Cascade Mountain (Banff, 2020).

Third to the top: Bugaboo Glacier from Applebee Dome Campground, BC (2021).

Third to bottom: Myself trail running somewhere in the mountains ! (2021)

Last two pictures: Myself and my good friend Katelynn on some amazing backcountry trips to the Bugaboos & Assiniboine Provincial Parks (2021)

haenvs3000w22

Hi Jill!

I really enjoyed your post this week! I too really connect and like to explore myself through photography! Do you play around with the editing aspects of your pictures at all? because they are beautiful, you either have an amazing neck for photography and a great camera or have an excellent eye for photo editing!

One reason why I really connected with your post is I have also climbed cascade mountain, my first attempt being in 2020 so your post Brough back a lot of fond memories! Your photos are super interesting and I look forward to seeing more of your post in the future. Good luck with the remainder of the course!

Hannah

jmenvs3000w22

Hi Hannah!

Thanks for the reply! I don’t do too much editing (not very technologically inclined haha) any more than some good old VSCO filters on some of my photos. I really do enjoy interpreting my experiences through photography however, even just on my iPhone!

Week 6

(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).

Hellllooo ENVS folks,

Due to the freedom of this weeks blog, I wanted to add a “photo blog” so you guys can get to know me more and to see the things I enjoy doing!

Top picture: Backcountry camping trip of the Rockwall in Kootenay National Park (2020).

Second to the top: Hiking up Cascade Mountain (Banff, 2020).

Third to the top: Bugaboo Glacier from Applebee Dome Campground, BC (2021).

Third to bottom: Myself trail running somewhere in the mountains ! (2021)

Last two pictures: Myself and my good friend Katelynn on some amazing backcountry trips to the Bugaboos & Assiniboine Provincial Parks (2021)

jmenvs3000w22

Week 5!

This week, I wanted to start a discussion on the communication of information and how it is interpreted.

In Washington’s “For the love of birds podcast”, he explained the uniqueness and power of birds through their evolutionary paths as well as their ecosystem services and anthropogenic benefit. Yet he tailored this to his audience and explained the topic without a load of scientific jargon; this can help the public understand scientific information in a way that makes sense. And that is the ultimate reward right there: to convey important information from the scientific world, translate it and communicate it so everyone can understand, and so ultimately everyone can make a difference!

A risk of this however is misinformation.

At one point in the TedTalk, Washington said that certain countries in Africa hosted the highest numbers of species diversity. While this can be true, diversity is such a vague term that is tossed around in our society, and people really don’t know what that means. In conservation biology (and a class I am taking right now), we are learning that there are so many meticulous definitions of diversity: alpha, beta, gamma, structural, functional and so on. Numbers of species refer to alpha diversity, but people don’t know this and therefore they can interpret the information they receive very differently! So what is the balance? Should we bother with the picky terminology with our audience or not? As important as it is to know the differences between all these forms of diversity, I think what is more important is the message and getting your audience to care.

Scientists conducting research and publishing articles of their important findings are great; but the accessibility, both of the paper and the writing itself, are scarce. It is sad that the scientific language is closed off to the rest of society; but a lot of papers are only accessible through whatever institution your associated with, and even so once you try to read these papers, they’re near impossible to understand unless you have years of education trying to understand them (what I have been doing the past 3 years). And that closes a lot of doors to people, and these important things will ultimately be lost, and what’s the point of that then?

We know that change lies in the hands of policy, but politicians are far from being scientists. So if not policy makers, it’s up to civilian action and the good old case of supply and demand. If people want something and believe in it and make choices to buy something for a cause, that will increase demand, and therein lies the change. But if we don’t communicate, and the scientists of the world keep to themselves in their science bubble, nothing really is going to change.

What are solutions to this issue?

fdenvs3000w22

Hi Jill,

I am so glad that you brought this discussion topic up this week. Great post! As a biological science student, I can understand the frustration behind reading scientific articles that address the most crucial environmental issues worldwide but using scientific jargon that the general public cannot understand. And most importantly, they wouldn’t even be permitted to view most of these articles without an academic institution account, as you mentioned. Sometimes I feel so privileged to have free access to these articles, but honestly, it’s always just for the sake of completing assignments, and I would never want to go and read more unless I was a scientist myself. I remember the first time I had to read a scientific article. I was so overwhelmed that I almost felt like it wasn’t written in English because I had such a hard time breaking down the information and making sense of it. Although, I would not have been aware of what needs to be worked on in our environment if it wasn’t for the courses that I took in my program.

I absolutely agree with your point that the change lies in the hands of policymakers, but politicians are far from being scientists, so then we’re left with civilian actions. At the same time, individuals in today’s society have been convinced that they can solve major societal problems such as global warming by making small changes in their lives. However, while individual responsibility may be necessary, individual actions on their own are futile. Achieving zero emissions or reducing fuel consumption requires a structural shift by an established industrial revolution, making global warming a problem that only governments can fix, not individuals. The climate crisis requires actions taken by the political institutions in implementing sufficient fair share, net-zero, climate finance, land use, and forestry policies.

The only solution that I can think of to prevent this science bubble is the One Health approach which consists of 3 components: Healthy people, healthy animals and a healthy environment. This approach supports beneficial global security by improving communication, coordination and collaboration between individuals of different fields and departments in our shared environments. Similarly, in nature interpretation, I firmly believe that it is based on science, and thereby, science is the key to nature. I have always been passionate about 3D art installations in public that raise awareness regarding a particular environmental issue. Environmental artists and nature interpreters can collaborate to create artworks for an ecological cause that bring people together and enhance their respect and relationship with the natural world around them. These installations don’t require excessive scientific knowledge but would only be designed to familiarize the public with what needs to be worked on so everyone can play their role.

I wanted to share this example of an art installation that I saw a few semesters back at the University Centre regarding the plastic pollution issue! The UC is the one place where students and faculty from all programs are together and visit at least once a week, allowing everyone to become a part of this awareness.

Thank you for sharing! i look forward to reading your next post:)

Farheen D.

jmenvs3000w22

Hi Farheen (and everyone who answered my own prompt this week),

Thank you guys! You all highlighted incredibly important points and I enjoyed reading everyone’s, and I’d like to keep this discussion rolling.

First of all to the above post Farheen, I love that you incorporated the aspect of art into science and educating the public on environmental issues all in one. And in relation to our blog prompt last week about art in nature, this ties in perfectly. Art can in fact be a vessel to convey knowledge in a universal way– the same way that signs with pictures and drawings can be understood across all languages and therefore is a very effective tool of communication. Art pieces such as this one made of plastic disposable waste speaks volumes in the way that people from diverse backgrounds can all get the message. The message they receive from this art is ironically more accessible, and more understandable/interpretable than any scientific paper.

To all of your prompts, I think we all agree that scientific papers are super overwhelming. Even though I have free access to these papers through the university, I sure don’t go reading them for fun or to acquire more knowledge unless it’s for an assignment. And maybe that’s because I am so busy with six classes and a job that it’s simply a function of time, but honestly if I had all the time in the world I don’t think I would voluntarily subject myself to reading them.

I think we as young biologists definitely carry a responsibility to be the “translators”, and to bother with these definitions in order to “think like a wise [scholar] but communicate in the language of the people” as you mentioned Kala.

Just wanted to add some pictures as well apart from my discussion post.:) The top picture is sunrise at my work, the Lake Agnes Tea House above Lake Louise. The picture below is an alpine lake on a backcountry camping trip in Squamish, BC.

Week 5!

This week, I wanted to start a discussion on the communication of information and how it is interpreted.

A risk of this however is misinformation.

What are solutions to this issue?

slcenvs3000w22-deactivated20220

Blog #4: Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

(Picture of a sculpture I took in Korea)

When I was younger, I took art and drama classes and had always wished, even to this day, that I had continued with it. I believe that art and nature interpretation are interconnected so that you will always find art in nature and interpret it in your unique way. Art is meant to evoke emotions and often provides a medium for emotional release. Especially in the context of nature interpretation, it can enhance the experience. Personally, I usually feel a sense of nostalgia or a connection. For example, when I went to the Art Gallery of Ontario, I only took one photo:

This art piece is called Meadow by Jack Chambers. Although it was a metaphor for mortality, I found myself reminiscing about a time when my family would take a road trip to go camping or when I would pass by the country fields back in Korea with my parents driving and my dogs sitting next to me (Whyte, 2011). Another example is when I went to visit my dad in Jeju Island, Korea and saw these statues:

(Taylor, 2018)

Since I had grown up in Canada, I had always felt a bit of a disconnect from my home country. My parents, who had acted as interpreters to teach me about Korea, explained that these statues are called dol hareubang (돌하르방). It translates to “Old Grandfather” and represents a symbol of fertility, health, and protection from evil spirits. Through art, I had the opportunity to learn more about my culture and feel closer to my family.

The big question is, who am I to interpret nature through art? I am constantly seeking out this nostalgia and connection through nature and visual art. Since I was 17, I’ve been away from my family, and with the pandemic, I have not seen my parents in three years. Finding beauty in nature has been a constant regardless of where I am and who I am with. Seeing a sunset, for instance, takes me back to the times I appreciated a pretty sunset with my siblings, my dogs, or my parents.

(Picture of a sunset I took in Korea after school)

Feeling this positive emotion and adding value to such experiences that occur every day, which some might find mundane, is a quality that I treasure. The “Gift of Beauty” is one where interpreters instill “the ability and the desire to sense the beauty in their surroundings” as well providing “spiritual uplift and encourage resource preservation” Beck et al. (2018).

The emotions and beauty I find in nature and visual art is one that I would define as the “Gift of Beauty”. A good interpreter aims to evoke an uplifting emotional response by enhancing one’s ability to sense quality (Beck et al., 2018); having felt this uplifting emotional response, I would love to share this with everyone, which I would consider a key quality in nature interpretation. By being able understand the perspective of the audience, I can interpret nature through art.

Thank you for reading!

Lisa

References

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

Taylor, P. (2018, July 23). What are Jeju Island’s Dol Hareubang? Culture Trip. Retrieved February 5, 2022, from https://theculturetrip.com/asia/south-korea/articles/what-are-jeju-islands-dol-hareubang/

Whyte, M. (2011, December 8). From the darkness, a ray of light rekindled. The Star. Retrieved February 5, 2022, from https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2011/12/08/from_the_darkness_a_ray_of_light_rekindled.html.

jmenvs3000w22

Hi Lisa!

You have an emotional and compelling blog post I sincerely enjoyed reading. I love the “evolution” of what nature, and art present in nature has meant for you over the years. You really highlight the individuality of the experience, how nature can give you a connection to your home that you are/and feel far away from home, and there is such beauty in that. And I guess to answer the question of interpreting “the gift of beauty”, it lies in the quality of taking everyday experiences, scenes and moments that as you say others may see mundane, but you are able to see something beautiful.

I don’t know if you have ever had the tea bags with the sayings on them (the Yogi tea brand), but one quote by Vincent Van Gogh (an artist of all things) I really like says “if you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” And this can account for those fleeting experiences we encounter in our everyday life that I can’t help but feel grateful for, be it the piercing rays of a sunrise or the soft current on water, or the substantiality and presence that the mountains bring that, for me, instill calm and inspiration. But this notion of beauty and creating an “uplifting spirit” can also occur when sunlight hits buildings and makes them golden, it can be in urban parks where there are kids and dogs playing, it can be in a museum up on the wall. With art, and with nature and all its interpretations, the possibilities for uplifting spirit are endless.

Blog 4

For myself, interpreting nature and interpreting the “gift of beauty” are synonymous. Nature in itself is a work of art, and the conveyor of that artwork is through an interpreter. From the readings, the “gift of beauty” can be described by instilling people with “the ability and the desire to sense the beauty in their surroundings”, and to “provide spiritual uplift and to encourage resource preservation”. I like to think of a nature interpreter as a skilled set of eyes that must hold an array of different perspectives to convey the beauty of nature to their audience. Every person as they do a painting will see and perceive the world around them in a personal way that is meaningful– or not, pertaining to their individual experiences; it is the interpreter’s job to open this scope of perspectives to allow people to see the information or picture you are communicating in a way that works for them. This ties into accommodating the different learning styles and knowing your audience to cater accordingly in order to achieve this “spiritual uplift”. I think a successful interpretive session would leave people with a quest to want to know more, to feel inspired and to want to grow their knowledge of what they’ve learned. With inspiration and knowledge harbours a sense of connection to a place, and subsequently the preservation of that area. Hopefully it will instill a sense of protection and individual responsibility, and if you reach a large enough audience this can lead to a collective responsibility to protect an area. This demonstrates the power of art; by initiating a sense of inspiration comes knowledge, which becomes protection and furthermore civil action which can translate into conservation purposes. Conservation purposes in turn can lead to philanthropic events and perhaps even policy change. The chain is endless, and it starts with the high responsibility of interpreter’s fulfilling their job to show the artwork (i.e. nature) through these lenses. People see and hear and learn all in different fashion, and recruiting as many ways to convey what you are trying to say is the best way to get your point across.

Beyond science and conservation, the power of art can speak volumes. Art produces an emotional reaction. It is something people can relate to, it conjures empathy. Instead of speaking to the brain, it speaks to the heart. It taps into our childlike selves– sounds, textures, feelings, all things we see in nature bring out innate qualities in ourselves. It here lays the foundation of creativity and passion, something kids have a lot of and adults seem to lose over time. Art has this ability to recultivate this creative stroke we all have, regardless if we are the art creators or the art perceivers. Art leaves no one out because there are no rigid guidelines to fit into this world; just as there are no rigid guidelines for the way people learn and perceive the world around them. And that is the gift of art and beauty.

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Jill Murray