Small actions, big outcomes! Environment as a frequent classroom topic!
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 is my final blog post and you likely do not know who I am, but if you are interested, I invite you to delve into Madeline Fantinâs interpretive ethics, values, and ideas for the future.
To start, what beliefs do I bring? I am a wildlife biology and conservation student; therefore, the vast majority of my courses have looked through a scientific lens (western science that is). Perhaps the reason I chose my program is due to possibly my most core belief, that individuals have the power and influence necessary to make a real difference. This is why I became a vegetarian even though my entirely Italian family thinks Iâm bonkers, I think one person cutting their carbon emissions is a worthwhile effort. Are billionaires flying their private jets around for unsatisfactory reasons and investing in all kinds of large corporations who dump pollution directly into our environment? Yes of course, and donât get me wrong, I think part of the fight towards a healthy planet is holding the extremely wealthy accountable. Perhaps they are hoping we will put all the blame on ourselves so that we ignore their insurmountable consumption. However, we are consumers too and where possible, we can choose where to put our money and how to live our lives to a certain extent. I believe that however small, the average citizenâs fight against climate change is valuable and necessary. In conversations I have had with the people in my life, I have learned that many people become unmotivated by the âall or nothingâ mindset. For example, I frequently hear people say that they âcould never go without meat all the time.â So donât! Have meatless Mondays! Have meatless weekends! Go pescatarian! Go meatless biweekly! There are unlimited combinations of schedules that could provide a more reasonable expectation. The effort doesnât need to be âperfectâ to be worth something. This can be applied to many environmental actions. In most places in Ontario, it wouldnât be reasonable to ask people to use public transport or bike as a main form of transportation. Most cities donât have great public transport, and most people live a long, long bike ride away from their place of work. However just because you cannot bike to work doesnât mean you canât ever trade the car for your bike. Maybe thereâs a friend you often visit just on the other side of the neighborhood, and maybe you usually drive to them, but when the weather is ideal and if you are able, the bike could work! Many âimperfectâ actions are better than no action at all I promise!!!! There is no shame in not being the perfect environmentalist all the time, it is near impossible in the society we have created.
I also believe that there is something to be gained from spending time in nature, for anyone. Whether that is a chance to gather thoughts, get some exercise, some vitamin D, you name it. I donât think it needs to be picturesque either. Sometimes connecting with nature looks like sitting on the curb outside your east campus townhouse because the sun has reappeared after some days of gloom. Sometimes you will have the energy to head to the arboretum, but when you donât, taking a sunny break on the curb is better than skipping the outdoors all together. Again, it doesnât have to be all or nothing.
I believe it is never too late to get started! Everyone, no matter the age or circumstance, should feel like they have a place in the world of nature interpretation and the outdoors. Having not grown up in an outdoor adventure family doesnât mean you canât have any outdoor adventures! On that point, outdoor adventures are whatever you make them. They need not be a costly trip to the other side of the continent. Someone with the right mindset could gain more from an hour by the local creek, than someone with the wrong mindset on their trip to Mount Kilimanjaro.
What responsibilities do I have? Well, there are the obvious ones such as to deliver the program I have advertised, inform guests about risk, manage and prevent dangers, present accurate information, check my bias and privilege, to be fun and engaging, and for guests to leave feeling like they have benefitted in some way. Other more specific responsibilities I believe depend on the approachâŠ
So what approaches are the most suitable for me? Well, it is my goal to get into teaching in high school classrooms. This is not the type of environment we have spent the last few months discussing, but nonetheless I think there is a ton of relevant overlap. Nature interpretation could take place in the classroom, or the school yard. There may also be opportunity for class trips where students could be exposed to new ways of learning or new environments.
When relevant to the content, I would aim to stimulate interest and conversation about the environment and environmental issues happening around the world, as they relate to us in Canada and otherwise. I probably plan on living in Canada, and therefore will need to create programs suitable for all 4 seasons. This could mean the same topic modified with each passing season, different topics in each season, or a combination. I am excited to take advantage of the variance each season brings. I think many topics in the high school curriculum could benefit from an environmental lense, and I would look to make connections throughout where possible.
 I would look to encourage active learning and participation through mediums the students may be interested in, just like we talked about all the different mediums of nature interpretation. If Iâm teaching grade 9 or 10 science, then this class is still required of them, and many may only be there by necessity. They might not want to be there or have particular interest in the content, which is ok, and I would need to navigate how to still make sure they get what they are meant to, even if they never develop excitement about it.
To revisit responsibilities, as a teacher I must provide a classroom environment conducive to learning, where everyone feels comfortable, valued, and that students look forward to attending each day.
For my final blog post outro (âč), I will say that climate doomism is very contagious and easy to get wrapped up in. I think one of the most important things we can do as nature interpreters is spark hope for change. You never know who is looking to you when they are feeling discouraged about the state of the world, and how you can provide them motivation to keep fighting the good fight!
Hi there,
I would like to thank you for sharing your insightful ideas in this last blog post and congratulate you on reaching this important turning point in your trip. Your statements demonstrate your constant commitment to wildlife biology and conservation, which has not only influenced your academic career but has grown to be a driving force in your life.
I could relate to your thoughts about acting even when something isn't ideal. It's a novel and realistic strategy that allows people to make a significant contribution while acknowledging the complexity of environmental issues. You offer a useful manual for anyone looking to make a good impact on the environment by presenting environmental initiatives as doable stages and highlighting the idea that even little steps are better than none at all.
This kind of thinking, which promotes inclusion and divides the sometimes difficult task of addressing climate change into manageable tasks, strikes a deep chord.
I like how you emphasize the importance of making personal decisions, like becoming a vegetarian and, where possible, using sustainable transportation. It's important to remember that individual choices lead to communal change, as demonstrated by your recognition that everyone can make a contribution, no matter how big or little. It's a call to action that goes beyond accepted social standards, urging individuals to make decisions that are consistent with their valuesâeven if it means defying expectations from family members.
Your welcoming viewpoint on appreciating nature is uplifting and freeing. Eliminating the idea that it needs to be an all-or-nothing experience makes room for a variety of ways to express your relationship with the surroundings.
Age, background, and situation are all irrelevant when it comes to the compelling message that it's never too late to explore the outdoors. Your claim that there is a place for everyone in the natural world is evidence of the equal and universal nature of the universe. It illustrates the concept that everyone may enjoy nature, regardless of background or level of expertise in outdoor activities.
It's admirable and bold of you to envision nature interpretation in high school courses. As you correctly point out, education is a major factor in determining attitudes and actions. The curriculum's inclusion of environmental themes, which are seasonal adaptations, shows a progressive attitude that acknowledges the dynamic and ever-changing character of our planet.
By pointing out that climate doomsday is contagious, you bring attention to a crucial component of the present environmental conversation. It is an important reminder that, as nature interpreters, we not only provide knowledge but also inspire and raise others, as seen by your appeal to ignite hope for change. Your focus on building hope is a light of optimism at a time when worries about the state of the world may be overwhelming.Â
Finally, your final blog article summarizes not only your own experience but also acts as a roadmap and source of motivation for others tracing their own routes in the fields of animal biology, conservation, and nature interpretation. We appreciate you sharing with us your thoughts, goals, and a portion of your environmental philosophy.
Thanks so much for sharing,
Morgan
I am similar to you when it comes to just sitting outside when the Sun comes out, except I am not very good at sitting there, especially when it is cold. Instead I just go for a run and as I am newish here, I look up local lakes or parks and run around them, often ending at around sunset, my favourite time of day.
I like how you have properly thought about your plans as a teacher, and by reading this, it seems like you will do a great job. I especially like the idea of having different topics based on the four seasons, and I wish this was something my teachers did. One of my favourite things about Canada is that it has quite definitive seasons, and this is a smart way to take advantage of that.
This was a great final blog. It seems like you really have a good idea of what you want to do when you finish uni, and I wish you the best of luck.

















