Katelyn's Nature Blog @kanenvs3000f21 - Tumblr Blog

Final Thoughts on Nature Interpretation

Hey guys, GrassLover here, coming at ya for the final blog post. Let me just say that it has been a wild ride, in the best of ways. Coming into this class, I didn’t really know what to expect. With the recent transitions to a distance education format due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was unsure how the content of this course would translate from physical interactions in the University of Guelph Arboretum to an online learning environment. I never took ENVS 3000 prior to the pandemic, so I have no point of reference to compare how the course materials were handled then compared to how they were handled now, but speaking from the experience of taking this course in the current year, I can confidently say that they did the best job they could with the materials provided to them. Blogging is something that is completely new to me, I have never really encountered anything like it throughout my academic career, except maybe in brief discussion posts that have occasionally popped up in previous classes, and even then they were never a focus of the course. Blogging in this class being brought to the forefront of the curriculum, forced me to engage with not only the course material, but also myself in a way that I have not experienced before in an academic setting. Each week was a new and exciting experience for me, as I had the opportunity to do some serious introspective thinking on different aspects of nature interpretation, and then had the ability to share my thoughts with the class in a concise and effective manner. I also very much enjoyed the opportunity to comment and receive feedback between my peers, seeing other people’s insights on certain topics only served to further my overall understanding. On the more technical side, the whole process of using Tumblr and actually writing a blog was a learning experience for me. I never really considered blogging as a method of expressing yourself, but I am seriously considering continuing my blogging after this class. In addition to the blogs, I found the podcast to also be a new and challenging experience. Similarly to blogging, I had zero experience discussing and presenting ideas in the podcast medium, but I’m glad I got the chance to in this course. I feel that in this time where face to face interactions are limited, podcasting is a great and personal way to share information and discuss with a larger audience than would be possible in a more traditional environment. In addition, the technical aspects of podcast creation forced me way out of my usual comfort zone, and I definitely feel like I gained a lot of valuable technical skills in regards to podcast creation and general audio management/mastering. Would I recommend this course to someone else, absolutely not!

Ok, enough reminiscing, let’s get down to the final 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?”

What a great prompt to wrap up a semester’s worth of self reflection. As nature interpreters, I believe that it is a very good idea to be confident and have a complete understanding of yourself as an interpreter before you go out into the world and begin to share your knowledge of the natural world with others through nature interpretation. So after going through the entirety of this class, and doing some serious self-reflection, here’s what I’ve come up with for myself in the role of nature interpretation.

To start off, “what beliefs do you bring”. I believe that everyone should have equal opportunity to experience the natural world. Regardless of background, ability, education level, socioeconomic status ect. As a nature interpreter, it is my job to treat everyone equally and give them an equal experience through my interpretation. This goes outside of catering my interpretation based on my audience, factors such as their previous experience in nature, and level of education. In order to make nature interpretation truly accessible to everyone, there are external factors that need to be accounted for. Things such as arranging transportation to and from natural sites for those who are unable to travel easily, covering entrance fees for parks and conservation areas for those who struggle financially, including communication options for those with hearing/visual impairments or simply those who speak other languages, ensuring that interpretation sites are accessible to all ability levels, the list goes on. I also believe that in our current time, education on the preservation of nature is essential to our continued survival on this planet. I believe through nature interpretation, people should not only be educated on topics of natural history, but also informed on the broader geo-political ramifications that constantly impact the natural world, and vice versa.

To expand upon this, “what responsibilities do you have”. As previously mentioned, I believe that ensuring that steps are taken, both by the individual interpreter and the community that they are a part of, to ensure that the natural world is accessible to all, should be the cornerstone of the nature interpretation mindset. In addition, it is the responsibility of nature interpreters to educate on not only topics of the natural world, but also how we as a species interact with it, the impacts that we have on it, and the importance as well as how to conserve/protect it.

For me personally, I believe that interpretation through art would be an effective strategy for nature interpretation. As someone who partakes in both visual and musical arts, I am confident that I can use these art forms to further my nature interpretation, and get people invested in the natural world.

So those are my final thoughts on me as a nature interpreter. I am very excited to see what everyone else has to say about nature interpretation.

Now, for the final time, this is GrassLover, signing off.

kanenvs3000f21

Hey Grasslover,

I enjoyed reading your last blog post and your self-reflection on this course. I agree that we have learned some amazing new ways to share nature with the world. I have always enjoyed listening to podcasts and believe they are a great way to communicate ideas. Podcasts allow listeners to listen while they are already preoccupied. For example, I love listening to podcasts while cleaning or doing chores around the house. Both blog posts and podcasts are great ways for people to learn about nature when they can't travel to a park or pay for admission. I do think people need some prior interest in nature before they decide to start listening to a podcast about it. I think blogs can be a great way to spark that interest. Everyone is on social media and their phones these days it can be easy to introduce people to the environment and nature. I know whenever I see people posting beautiful pictures of nature it reminds me how beautiful our earth is.

Another point you brought up that I found resonated with is the importance of communicating the interactions between humans and the world. When learning about nature we need to also learn how our actions are impacting that area. I think it is important that children are taught this as well since they will be the ones to protect the earth in the future (Beck et al., 2018). One activity I've enjoyed playing with children that teaches them about our impact on the world is scavengers and predators. When playing we add in a human component to show how they impact the ecosystem too.

-Katelyn

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Last Blog Post

In today’s society, it is becoming increasingly difficult to connect or learn from nature as we become more and more urban as a population. It seems as though the foundations of nature are being neglected when thinking about the future of our planet. Learning about the ins and outs of nature interpretation and what it means to be an interpreter has been a journey in this course. I find it hard to believe that we are almost at the end of the semester, as it feels like I just began learning! In some ways this is true, as I can now recognize that interpretation is a forever evolving process that will never be ‘complete’. Interpretation in the sense of this course, is a process involving communicating and inspiring others in the context of the nature that surrounds us (Beck et al. 2019). I am now learning that this communication is an integral factor going into saving our environments and our world in the wake of climate change.

As interpreters, there are many core beliefs and values that are shared as well as personal unique ones. A core belief about interpretation is that it is integral for the promotion of healthy and connected communities (Beck et al. 2019). Something personal I bring to this as an interpreter is my passion in gaining new knowledge that I know I can then interpret for others, hopefully making some sort of impact. I believe in making important and educational experiences for individuals in a fun way, as enjoyment is what becomes meaningful in someone’s life, not solely instruction (Tilden, 1967). More specifically, I find myself satisfied when I utilize the resources around me to spread messages of interpretation. For example, posting information about climate change and why we should care to my social media platforms is a useful way of bringing individuals together as a nontraditional audience, of whom would not all necessarily voluntarily visit a physical interpretation session (Beck et al. 2019). I believe strongly in the power of technology and its ability to capture people with compelling colours, shapes, and images. Interpretive messages can be spread to audiences far and wide, even going viral without effort (Beck et al. 2019). This should be taken into consideration when approaching the subject of climate change. The best way to reach the intended audience about why they need to take action and what they need to do is through technology!

People learn to love something through good interpretation skills and through love, the natural reaction for an individual is to want to nurture and maintain whatever they have learned about (Beck et al. 2019). This is a responsibility that I, along with all of the newer generations, have, when it comes to climate change. The earth’s temperature is rising quicker than ever, and without this nurturing, we will start to lose countless of our precious ecosystems all around the planet. Therefore, we carry a huge responsibility as the new generation. The most important audiences for interpretation are the youngest, as these individuals are the stewards of our future nature and culture (Beck et al. 2019). These children are so extremely impressionable and absorbent, hence my responsibility as a young adult to inform them in a meaningful way, about climate change. We must first teach them about the importance of an empathetic relationship with nature before any tragedy is introduced, as this is where the natural urge to care and maintain stems from (Beck et al. 2019). Not until later years, when these children have found their place in society, is it appropriate to educate about saving the planet and its living species. There is a fine balance between intimidating children with daunting tasks like saving the world and encouraging them to want to do so. I believe one of my main responsibilities is exploring this balance as an interpreter and making meaningful connections with the younger generation.

The approaches I will use to take action against climate change and educating others depend on where my life leads me in terms of a career path. I hope to make a living out of something substantial in which I am fortunate enough to have access to countless educational resources. Things like visual art and music are types of media that I believe are increasingly impressionable when it comes to an audience of children. A big part of interpreting in this sense, is demonstrating the consequences we will see in the future, if we do not act in the present (Beck et al. 2019). Therefore, by connecting educational information to actions that can be easily taken by children, like saving energy in their houses or riding their bikes to school, I am able to connect to my audience. Through the recognition of all three learning domains, I feel as though I am more prepared to take on my role as an interpreter now and in the future.

The use of these blogs has been a really great way of learning from others, as well as discussing our respective passions. It was fascinating to see the variety in everybody’s post, when we are all writing from the same prompt. This variety demonstrates how unique our individual experiences with interpretation have been and the memories we have grasped from these experiences. As a part of the next generation of interpreters, I cannot wait to see our advocacy in action. I have hope that we are all strong stewards in nature interpretation and are sufficiently passionate about fighting against climate change in a way that we can bring society together on small scales and big ones to benefit ourselves and all other species on Earth. It has been so fun reading everyone’s posts and I hope to have evoked something in all of you through my posts, as yours did for me. Thanks everybody! :)

-Sophia

References

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

Tilden, F. (1967). Interpreting our heritage. Univ of North Carolina Press.

kanenvs3000f21

Hey Sophia!

Great blog post! You shared some insightful ideas in your post that sparked my interest. I liked how the overall theme of your writing was centred around the importance of saving the environment in the wake of climate change. I completely agree that spreading knowledge about nature during these times is crucial.

I like the point you made about how easy it is to spread important information over social media. However, I also feel that unfortunately if people aren't critically assessing the information they view, you can easily be misinformed by fake news. News and headlines shared on social media often do not always source back to credible articles. I think as the younger generation we need to research and look into everything we reshare and post to make sure we aren't spreading false news. I also believe as interpreters we need to find ways to communicate scientific articles so the general population can understand complex topics and make more informed decisions.

The point you made about helping children develop empathy before introducing any tragedy is really important. One tactic people use to try and combat climate change denial is by spreading the worst possible solutions and trying to get people to listen through fear. An article by Becker et al., 2017 questions whether the apocalyptic narrative of climate change is the best way to communicate these dangers. Many people become threatened and put up psychological defences and end up in denial about the problems. I think teaching children to love and nurture nature will help them make positive decisions about climate change in the future.

-Katelyn

Becker, R. (2017, July 11). Why Scare Tactics won't stop climate change. The Verge. Retrieved November 26, 2021, from https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/11/15954106/doomsday-climate-science-apocalypse-new-york-magazine-response.

My Personal Ethics

I can not believe we are already at the end of the semester; time has flown by. When deciding to take this course, I thought we would learn about different ways to teach about nature. I did not expect to discover the depth and understanding that I have. My main experience with nature interpretation is teaching children in a classroom or outdoor setting. This class has shown me the variety of ways nature interpretation can occur and all the background components required. I took a while to think about the values and beliefs I've developed over the last months through reading the textbook and my classmate's ideas. I took a step back and looked at all the course units to outline my personal ethics for nature interpretation.

I believe authenticity is a crucial part of any interpretation but especially nature. Knowing and understanding the history of nature and the land you are interpreting is essential for giving your audience the full picture. The textbook mentions (Beck et al., 2018) that the story of the land would not be complete without interpreting the earlier cultures of the land. Some of the best interpreters can bring the past alive and make connections to the present and future. By not simply displaying artefacts or telling historical facts, they take into consideration how the past has shaped our future. When teaching on land with rich indigenous history, I believe it is necessary to provide authentic knowledge of their history and values. Sharing direct knowledge from cultural stories or practices can help immerse the audience in history.

I also believe that equality is important for nature interpretation. I believe everyone should have an equal opportunity to learn and experience the beauty of nature. Unfortunately, not everyone has the privilege to participate in those experiences. As an interpreter, I plan to make connections with my audience to understand everyone's privileges and tailor my teaching to accommodate everyone. I believe by providing different platforms when interpreting allows for people with disabilities or families of lower-income to experience nature as well. I believe minorities should be encouraged to participate in interpretative programs because they are faced with many disadvantages such as economic troubles, lack of communication and fear of possibilities (Beck et al., 2018). Hopefully, as more minorities get involved it will break down barriers and show others that once you get past the fear exploring nature is a valuable experience (Beck et al., 2018).

One of the main beliefs I have is that nature interpretation must teach respect for the natural world. Pollution and climate change are major issues on the earth today. I believe that nature interpretation should teach others about the importance of conservation and sustainability. Connecting people with nature should develop beauty and appreciation for the world around us. Once people have a connection they are more likely to make small daily adaptations to benefit the environment. I also believe it is important to leave every place we visit the same as it was. As more people engage in nature areas, paths off of trails can become trampled, and litter can be left behind. I think it is important to teach others how to respect the environment while learning and enjoying it.

To teach others, I think it is crucial to also be open-minded to learning as an interpreter. Being open to new learning styles is a great way to diversify your teachings. Everyone learns in a different style, and being open to incorporating new methods can be helpful for the audience. Continuously researching and knowing what is occurring in the world ensures that the information you are sharing is correct and accurate. I believe that as an interpreter working on your skill by getting new certifications or attending conferences can benefit the knowledge you bring to your audience. I know that I gain a lot of my inspiration from hearing other peoples experiences and stories. By benefiting yourself, you can feel more confident in your teaching, which will be recognized by the people you are interacting with.

One of the most impactful articles I read was in a high school course, the article was a philosophy paper about the impact nature has on children. After reading this, I thought outdoor education was the career path I wanted to take. I'm not sure that is a forever job for me, but I have enjoyed teaching children at multiple camps. This course reminded me that I still believe we must educate all children about the environment. I think as interpreters it is our responsibility to find ways to show kids of all ages the beauty of the outdoors. Looking back to when I was a child I used to play outside every day, seeing how little some children outside makes me want to make a change. We need to find ways that engage children through stories, discovery and impactful experiences (Rodenburg, 2019). The children of today will shape the society of the future by interpreting nature with children we can teach them about our natural world (Beck et al., 2018).

I believe it is also our responsibility as nature interpreters to keep our audience safe when taking risks. After learning about the Timiskaming Tragedy in class, you must be qualified and comfortable inheriting the responsibility of others lives. Risk assessment is important before any trips or actions that could potentially cause harm to individuals. Experiences will not be meaningful if they end up in a tragedy. Nature interpreters need to be equipped with accurate training and skills to ensure everyone's safety. Working at a summer camp we had two weeks of pre-camp training to ensure we could manage any risky situations and felt completely comfortable dealing with any problems.

From this course, these are some of the beliefs and responsibilities I believe nature interpretation requires. I am glad I could learn and expand my knowledge through this class, and I look forward to sharing it with others. I would love to hear everyone's opinions and any new ideas you would like to share!

-Katelyn

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson. D.M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage for a better world. Sagamore-Venture.

Rodenburg, J. (2019). Why environmental educators shouldn't give up hope. CLEARING. Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://clearingmagazine.org/archives/14300.

rlenvs3000f21

Animal Advocacy

To be completely honest, I was very uncertain about what to write about this week. Although this week’s post is supposed to make the readers feel excited, I am going to focus on that characteristic but also make you feel worried. Worried about the future of some species, as well as think critically about what we can do to help. After devoting some time to researching events going on in our world as we speak, I decided to discuss one in particular that I found shocking.

As demonstrated in the archive created by the World Wildlife Fund, there is almost 100 different species of animals that are on the species directory. This list consists of the top 100 species that are at risk of going extinct. This shocking number in particular includes every species of rhino known to still exist today. I would like to discuss this species in particular as I feel it is an important topic. As mentioned in the article written by Mqondisi Dube, “Botswana wildlife authorities have refuted reports the country’s rhinoceros population is on the verge of extinction due to poaching. The southern African country has battled a rise in poaching, with more than 60 animals killed in the last two years” (Dube, 2021). Although this news is shocking and heartbreaking to hear, I am excited to share that this poaching is finally under control, “Department of Wildlife and National Parks Director Kabelo Senyatso said both rhinoceros and elephant poaching remain under control … the government’s anti-poaching efforts are making progress.” (Dube, 2021). With this information in mind, I believe that it is important to showcase these events as it provides hope that with everyone’s help and advocacy, every other species on the endangered list has hope of recovering from near extinction, as demonstrated in this article. Through the efforts of governments and local advocacy groups, it can be demonstrated that advocacy is not always easy, “Being relevant means ‘taking action-publicly on the issues that matter’ the most to the organization. Of course, public advocacy can be risky, and not always possible everywhere, but for the right organizations there can be enormous opportunities to more deeply connect with their clientele and make a difference in the world” (Beck et. al., 2018, p. 469). Nevertheless, through these brave efforts of advocacy, and by doing what we can to provide support, we can work together to continue to aid in the recovery of populations of endangered species on our planet.

If you are interested, here is the list of endangered species I mentioned.

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. SAGAMORE Publishing.

Dube, M. (2021, October 20). Botswana allays concerns over Rhino Poaching Crisis. VOA. Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://www.voanews.com/a/botswana-allays-concerns-over-rhino-poaching-crisis-/6278648.html.

kanenvs3000f21

Hi Robby,

I enjoyed reading your post and bringing up the important issue of global animal extinction. It is difficult to find topics that aren't worrying recently when there are many environmental issues, but it is nice to see the positive outcome you found for the rhino species. This subject made me think of a topic I learnt about in class last year called conservation bias. Conservation bias is when species are selected to be conserved because of their beauty or appearance. For threatened species, it pays to be cute and attractive when it comes to threatened species. Many reptiles and amphibians are dwindling because they aren't prioritized for conservation or sustainable utilization (Rai, 2021). Many do not even think about the endangered plant species that are also at risk of extinction from human impacts. However, the Bengal Tigers conservation action plan planned has around 405 million dollars contributed to it by a variety of organizations. It is nice to see that clientele connect and want to save many large mammals, but I feel that conservation efforts could be equalized among species. One way to help advocate for other less desired species is through nature interpretation. Showing the public how important these species are and sharing interesting facts can advocate for the species. For example, putting someone's artwork of the species at risk on clothing where some of the proceeds go toward protecting the species. This idea uses art to interpret and connect the audience with that species. I would enjoy hearing other ways of interpretation for endangered species.

-Katelyn

Rai, A. (2021, January 7). Favouritism in conservation: Bias towards the beautiful. Biodiversity Nepal. Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://biodiversitynepal.com/2021/01/03/favouritism-in-conservation-bias-towards-the-beautiful/.

The Most Amazing Thing I Know About Nature

The title for my blog post is a bit miss leading because what I am sharing today is what I think is one of natures greatest mysteries. One of my favourite parts of nature is how there is always something new to discover, and not everything is known, even by scientists. One species that I find interesting because of its mysterious reproductive path is the freshwater eel.

Freshwater eels beyond the mystery of reproduction are overall some strange looking animals. Something about the long and slithering bodies in dark water gives me the creeps. I have this image engraved in my head of an albino eel being pulled out of water in one of those shows on the history channel that features some of the deadliest sea animals caught around the world. Aside from that image that has probably scarred me for life, I've seen many stories on how freshwater eels reproduce since no one has ever observed it.

Let's start far back in history where numerous scholars in Ancient Greece hypothesized some crazy theories about eel breeding. For example, Aristotle believed that eels just spontaneously emerged from the mud, while others suggested they emerged from gills of other fish species. None of these theories were proven true, but knowing how miraculous nature is, you never know.

One of the main confusions associated with the freshwater eel is the life stages. Eels go through five very different life stages, and in each step, they look like completely different species. I can understand how difficult it would be to discover the origin of eels when it was unclear what the juvenile state looks like.

Now for the craziest part, freshwater eels spend the majority of their life in freshwater rivers and streams, but they originate from the ocean. Almost all other marine species would die if they entered freshwater from the salty ocean, but eels have kidney adaptations that allow them to maintain a saline blood level. Freshwater eels do not just come from any random place in the ocean; they specifically spawn from the Bermuda Triangle. I don't know about you, but that seems pretty suspicious to me. Reproducing in the Bermuda Triangle would have been a short migration when the continents were originally closer, but now for an eel to migrate to European rivers, they have to travel 6,500 km. Eels make one of the longest marine migrations that we know of. I could not imagine as a young juvenile eel travelling that far.

Eels then travel through the river systems until they find a suitable area to grow and mature. During the movement through the river, eels can sometimes pile on top of each other to clear obstacles or predators. Eels are also omnivores and will eat anything in their path depending on their weight and length.

Scientists know now that mature eels develop sexual organs and reproduce in the Bermuda Triangle, but no one has ever witnessed reproduction or found any eggs. One hypothesis is that eels fertilize in a flurry of external reproduction with free-flowing eggs and sperm. The long seaweed makes it difficult to know for sure, as of now we can only guess.

Does anyone else have other nature mysteries to share?

Cooke, L. (2020). No one can figure out how eels have sex. TED. Retrieved November 12, 2021, from https://www.ted.com/talks/lucy_cooke_no_one_can_figure_out_how_eels_have_sexutm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare.

Tsukamoto, K., Chow, S., Otake, T., Kurogi, H., Mochioka, N., Miller, M. J., Aoyama, J., Kimura, S., Watanabe, S., Yoshinaga, T., Shinoda, A., Kuroki, M., Oya, M., Watanabe, T., Hata, K., Ijiri, S., Kazeto, Y., Nomura, K., & Tanaka, H. (2011). Oceanic spawning ecology of freshwater eels in the western North Pacific. Nature Communications, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms1174

emlenvs3000f21

music in nature, nature in music

music in nature

Some days when I am walking outside, I am struck by the beauty of life and the privilege of living on the same planet as so many incredible creatures that are all living their own, separate lives. Every sound, call, crunch, rustle of nature is music. Sometimes it just takes a few seconds of silence to stop and notice all the living things around you humming with life and creating beautiful symphonies.

One day a few years ago, I was drawn out of my house by the most interesting noise. It sounded like someone was playing a recording of a whole bunch of different bird songs one right after the other on a speaker outside. Eventually I spotted a small, brown bird high up in a tree singing away. I was amazed to discover this one bird could make all these different sounds! This bird was a mockingbird and this type of bird can not only mimic the calls of other birds, but also has 100, 200, even 300 unique songs in its repertoire. It was an absolute privilege to have that mockingbird set up a home near my house in Ontario that summer and I will never forget the beauty of its unique, continuous song.

Here is an image showing how a mockingbird can accurately mimic the call of a tufted titmouse. It also explains that some bird calls are too complex for mockingbirds to accurately mimic.

Image: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/mockingbirds-can-learn-hundreds-of-songs-but-theres-a-limit/

An article written by Gray et al. (2001) talks about whale songs and their sophistication, and this brought up a yearning I have had for many years. I have never seen marine mammals in person before and I would love to experience a whale call or a dolphin chatter in their natural habitat (not an enclosure) at least once in my lifetime. Whale calls are some of the most haunting sounds I have heard (besides the howl of a wolf and the hoo of an owl). It is not surprising, then, that whale songs have very similar themes to human music, some even following an ABA format (a theme, followed by an elaboration on that theme, finished by returning to the original theme).

I was reminded of the story of a beluga whale named Noc, who was part of the “Cold Ops” team of belugas who were trained to help carry out deep sea missile retrieval missions for the US Navy in the 1970s. Over the years of training and captivity, Noc figured out how to alter his normal calls to imitate the lower tambour of human speech and on many occasions was heard by divers and caretakers. Some witnesses heard a voice telling them to get “out” of the water in Noc’s enclosure and others thought they could hear a muffled conversation coming from the water. This article is a great read about this incredible whale and it highlights the sad realities that this whale was desperately trying to reach out to form the social bonds it was missing.

“…the science behind Noc’s mimicry and its apparent motives reveals something far more urgent and haunting: the spectral outpourings of a young white whale calling to us across both time and the vast linguistic divide between humans and the other animals.” (Siebert, 2014)

nature in music

Since music is part of every sound, every call, every rustle of nature, it is not surprising that humans have created many songs that mention or include nature it their creation. One type of song that always comes to mind when I think about human connection to the earth through music is Inuit throat singing. This singing is usually performed by two women facing each other and they use their throat, belly, and diaphragm to create chants. One individual leads, the other mimics the sounds made by the leader, and many of the songs and sounds are inspired by those created by nature. This can become a game to see who can sing the longest or how complex the singing techniques can get. Because I have so much love and respect for these cultures and their music, I am always saddened by the fact that from the early 1900s to the 1980s, throat singing, among other cultural ceremonies, was banned by Christian missionaries who thought it was “satanic”. We should all be so appreciative of the fact that these traditions managed to survive all those years of repression and we should continue to support and encourage Indigenous voices to share with us the music that I think so beautifully connects humans with the natural world.

Here is a link to an article about a mother and daughter who are sharing Inuit throat singing with the world of social media, I highly recommend you check them out on social media! https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2021/04/15/inuk-throat-singing-shina-novalinga Instagram: shinanova

Take a look at my next post for some other music that takes me back to nature! (Part 2 of this post!)

Gray, P.M., Krause, B., Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C., and Baptista, L. (2001). The music of nature and the nature of music. Science, 291(5501).

Siebert, C. (2014, June). The story of one whale who tried to bridge the linguistic divide between animals and humans. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/story-one-whale-who-tried-bridge-linguistic-divide-between-animals-humans-180951437/

kanenvs3000f21

Hi Emma,

That was such a great post! Your mocking jay story reminded me of the different song calls a single bird can make. I was working on developing my bird identification skills this summer and found the Merlin bird ID app very helpful. When the app detected a bird, you have the option to look at the list of calls that species can make. It was interesting to see the variety of calls birds make to communicate with other birds and other species too. Some birds have multiple calls and songs specific to the gender and age of the bird. In many of the bird songs, we hear a sound similar to human music maybe one reason could be mimicry like you mentioned.

It is saddening to hear that throat singing was banned by Christian Missionaries, I am thankful the tradition was not lost over time. I enjoyed listening to the passion the singing brought. When I think of nature in music my first thought is subtle incorporations of nature in the background of music. Nature in music can be much more than just sounds directly from nature. Singing to show your connection with the earth provides much deeper meaning.

I also really relate Bon Iver to nature, when I listen to his music it makes me feel like I am in a cabin during the fall. The emotion he puts into his music allows the listener to travel to a new place. I haven't listened to much of the Arkells, but I will have to check them out!

-Katelyn

Nature Within Music

Music can be found in many different ways throughout nature. The first area I think of is vertebrate and invertebrate calls and songs like birds, mammals and insects communicating, then I think of sounds such as rainfall, ocean currents and wind rustling leaves of trees. Spending time in nature allows us to hear these calls and sounds that cannot be heard when masked by urban noises. Indigenous tribes have lived and connected with nature for many years and heard numerous songs from animals that were only first recorded in science in the 1940s (Gray et al., 2001). The music created by animals is found to resemble many similar qualities to human music. For example, repetition, intervals and pitches from bird songs can sound similar to western music. Maybe this is why we are drawn to nature sounds as we are to music. Something I strive to do while enjoying nature is listening to the calls I hear it can be relaxing and tell of animals that would otherwise be difficult to spot.

When trying to think of ways nature is found in music I could not think of many ideas. My first thought was the example was brought up in our readings of wildlife DJ, who used bird sounds mixed with beatboxing to create music. I then began to think about some music I listen to and realized many nature sounds can be found in the background of songs. I remember once I was not sure whether the bird songs I was hearing was from the song I had on or the music I was playing (the song was "landscape with a fairy" by aspidistrafly). Nature is not always in music literally but can inspire many song narratives and stories. Nature has impacted many lives in ways such as coming of age or tragedies from natural disasters. Peoples experiences in nature bring emotion that they channel into music. The song that comes to mind that is inspired by nature is "Rocky Mountain High" by John Denver. The song describes the beauty of mountains in Colorado and how the increase in tourism has partially destroyed the serenity of the landscape.

I find music is a great way to convey and teach others entertainingly and educationally. I remember back in elementary school learning songs to help memorize information, such as the days of the week in french. I found these methods very useful because it was a fun way to learn new ideas. I think music is a great way to provide/enhance nature interpretation. In the unit about risk management, I found the song shared "The Last Place" about the tragedy of Temiskaming in 1978 was a very impactful way to learn about misfortune compared to storytelling. Since humans are very connected to music this form of interpretation can be very impactful. Do you find music is a good way to learn and transfer knowledge?

A song that brings me back to a campfire in Algonquin Park is "Wagon Wheel", I can picture myself with arms wrapped around my friends singing around a campfire in late June. This memory reminds me of the stars that night and the view of the lake and trees surrounding it.

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

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Unit 6: Nature Interpretation through History

“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)

I had to read this quote a couple times before I was able to understand the message that Edward was trying to convey. I interpret this quote to say that integrity comes with understanding the past, present and the future. If we don’t take into consideration all parts of the scattered puzzle, we wouldn’t be getting the entire story that comes with ancient things. It is our responsibility to appreciate the memory and story that history brings.

The second part of the quote really intrigues me. “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.” First thing that came to mind is the connection I made to indigenous wisdom. From my knowledge, one of key beliefs of indigenous wisdom is that we are simply visitors to nature as indigenous people have been present in nature for a long time. No one takes ownership of the natural world, we are visiting for a part of the time. Chapter 15 of the textbook mentions that the story of the land would not be complete without interpreting the histories of the earlier cultures. It also mentions that the best historical interpreters bring the past alive and are able to make connections to the present and propose possible futures. They don’t simply focus on historical facts, they take into consideration how it relates now to the present and the foreseeable future.

There are valuable benefits that come with understanding indigenous history. By acknowledging indigenous history, we can encourage people to reconcile with the past, vocalize the stories of the victimized people and show respect for the oppressed.

This quote also made me wonder whether I’ve valued the merit in integrity when it comes to nature. Doing this week’s readings helped me understand that when I’m at a historical site, I must not disregard the past events and the stories of people who previously lived on that land. It would help me understand my self-identity, who I am, and how we got here. As it states in this week’s reading, interpreting history nurtures the development of a personal identity as individuals hear inspiring or thought-provoking stories of the past, and it forms values to guide living in the present.

After this week’s readings, I decided that next time I find myself at a historical site, I will take time to educate myself on the relevant stories from the past and the indigenous histories that correlate to it. I’m curious as to how doing this will impact me and my present life.

References:

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson. D.M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage for a better world. Sagamore-Venture.

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Hi Julia!

I liked reading your interpretation of the quote by Edward Hymes. I enjoyed the point you discussed finding ways to learn about the indigenous past and history of the land you are performing activities on. This reminded me of a guest speaker I had in a field course this semester. My professor asked an indigenous speaker to join us for a class to present his culture and relationship with nature. Part of the class was collecting data and information in the University of Guelph Arboretum, and observing nature. I felt it was beneficial to learn about the land from the people who previously lived in the area. There is a lot to learn from the indigenous culture in nature, for example, many of the indigenous plant names provide insightful information about the plant. Indigenous history also invokes values held in the natural world that we should respect while using the land. One of the tasks the guest speaker challenged us to do was offer a gift to a tree and have a conservation with it, he provided us with Tabacco leaves as they are seen as a connection to the spiritual world. This task helped me take the time to appreciate every component of an ecosystem and how everything is living and working together. I opportunities like the one I had should be universal for many natural historical sites all around the world.

-Katelyn

Historical Interpretation

-Edward Hyams, Chapter 7, The Gifts of Interpretation

After reading and interpreting the quote by Hyams, it made me think how history has allowed us to learn and grow from mistakes and successes. However, artifacts alone do not provide all the information associated with history. Without interpretation, historic buildings and items would have no meaning to the way we live today.

Maintaining the integrity of knowledge and memories associated with the past is a difficult task. There are always two sides to a story, and I believe it is the same for historical facts as well. As the textbook mentions, authenticity is an important part of interpreting history. Having proof and knowledge that the facts presented are true adds value to interpretation. This idea makes me think about indigenous artifacts and knowledge that is shown in museums; it makes me wonder if the information associated with those pieces is accurate. Many of these artifacts have been taken from the people who originally settled in this land and had colonizers try and remove their culture and languages. It does not feel right to learn about indigenous culture in a small section of a museum with colonial history. My friend shared a perspective of land acknowledgements that I have not thought of before: acknowledging that we stole indigenous land every day is like stealing someone's car and driving past them every day, just to remind them. Restoring the history and culture of Canada should preserve the indigenous culture by gaining authentic knowledge from the current communities. I think this idea is important when it comes to nature interpretation because many of the parks and spaces we spend in nature are significant indigenous areas.

The second part of the quote explains that trying to maintain integrity for the pieces of history we know is key. Creating a whole picture of history is difficult because to this day we are still finding more information and learning details from the past. The first example that came to my mind of a way to show history as a whole was a visit I took to the Canadian Canoe Museum. The Canoe Museum was structured in a way that told a story and displayed information as a whole. We had an instructor who lead us through the museum and told us all the information as we went through. At the end of our visit to the museum, we were able to stay over in a room that replicated many different common shelters indigenous communities would be inhabited. That final element of the trip was a good way to immerse the visitors and make the history provide a whole idea.

Do you have any good or bad experiences with historical interpretation?

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lessons learned while planting trees

For the past 2 summers I’ve packed my life into a hockey bag, boarded a bus and drove to some remote part of Northern Ontario where I spent 3 months planting trees. Treeplanting is one of the most interesting jobs I’ve ever had in my life. I’ve never done something so painful, draining and defeating but somehow so fun, empowering and beautiful at the same time.

For 3 months I lived in a tent, at various camps a couple kilometers down random logging roads. We travelled all around Northern Ontario, setting up and taking down camp every couple of weeks. There was never cell service, the shower was essentially a hose and a piece of plywood, and my diet consisted of mainly peanut butter sandwiches, oranges and far too many cookies. I got to live and work with some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met who are now some of my closest friends. The planting environment builds close relationships FAST, whether it’s by somebody helping you through a breakdown or just trying to entertain yourselves when there’s literally nothing to do. And after three months of living in the woods together, everybody goes a little crazy.

As a tree planter you get paid based on how many trees you plant (anywhere from 10-14 cents/tree in Ontario), which means you are in control of how much money you make. Each day no matter the weather- be it blisteringly hot, freezing cold, raining or even snowing, you’re planting trees. From 8 am – 6 pm your entire life is “plant a tree, take 2 steps, plant another tree, take 2 steps, step over a fallen branch, plant another tree” all while carrying 40 pounds on your back.

One of the most interesting parts of treeplanting is how it changed my relationship with nature. To me, nature has always been a thing of beauty and abundance, it’s always been a place where I feel calm and at peace. But while planting I realized that nature can also be cruel, harsh and unrelenting. In the same ways nature built me up and filled me with joy in my past, some days it knocked me on my knees and took away all my strength. On days when the heat was so bad I’d throw up, or days when my rain coat soaked through and the wind chilled my bones, and especially when I stepped on a wasp nest and had to run for my life. Some days felt like going to war with the Earth. For the first time in my life I hated nature, and I felt like it hated me too.

Planting pushed me to both my physical and mental limits. I felt a level of tired I didn’t know was possible, I got blisters in places I didn’t know I could, and I learned to live with permanent pain and soreness. If I wasn’t planting as many trees as I hoped, I’d get so down on myself. And spending 10 hours straight with only my thoughts to keep me company was a lot harder than I imagined (thankfully I had my headphones in 99% of the time, as long as Taylor Swift is playing nothing is THAT bad right?).

But for every rain day, there was a day filled with sunshine and blue skies. For every mosquito swarm there was a heron, or a moose, or a baby fox. As much as this job wrecked me, it built me up to become a better human than I was before I was a tree planter. I learned I am so much stronger than I thought, I persevered through even the hardest times, and I was also able to provide support and guidance for my friends.

Although this is the hardest job I've ever had I wouldn't change it for the world! I get to live in the beautiful boreal forest surrounded by cool people for the whole summer! Even at the end of the hardest days you get on the bus, go back to camp and wash the day away by jumping in the lake, eating as much home cooked food as you can and hanging out with your friends. I am so grateful for all of the lessons I learned planting trees, and I cant wait to make even more memories next summer!

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Hey Rachel!

I enjoyed reading your post! Tree planting is a job I've always thought looked so fun, but I never felt I had the strength to deal with the conditions. I enjoyed hearing about the highs and lows of the job and how you were able to grow through the struggles of the job. I like the point you brought up about how nature can be a cruel and dangerous place. It reminded me of a book I read called "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer. The book was a non-fiction story about a man who went hitchhiking through Alaska to try and find himself and grow, but he ended up dying due to a poisonous plant he consumed during a period of starvation. This book made me realize that nature has many risks that you need to be prepared for when exploring the natural world. You never know when a crazy storm will hit.

I am so glad you were able to have such an impactful time tree planting and was able to enjoy your time in nature even when pushed to your limits. Would you consider tree planting in a different place other than Northern Ontario? One of my friends tree planted in BC for the last two summers, and he had such an amazing experience like you did.

Katelyn

Week Five Blog post

Recently I have been enrolled in a variety of courses that have fieldwork in nature. I've been looking forward to participating in studies that we more hands-on since I started university. I have always enjoyed spending my spare time hiking, exploring and teaching about the environment. As I have been spending more time outside for school work, I have found myself less inclined to spend my spare time outside. Experiencing nature with no agenda allows me to focus all my attention on the beautiful world around me and truly enjoy nature. Completing work in the field feels more like a task sometimes than a fun activity. This feeling is similar to when I use to love reading as a child and would read all the time but, when I was assigned readings in elementary school, I began to dread reading. This idea made me think if nature interpreters ever resent spending time in nature when they do it every day for work. I've started to realize that it is important to find a balance between the time I spend studying in nature and the free time I spend there. My goal is to take time once a week to explore and spend time in the natural world. Has anyone ever felt this way about activities or the outdoors?

It is necessary to have fun and enjoyable experiences frequently to help with mental health and personal growth. Dedicating time to do activities that bring you joy can help maintain a high quality of life (Beck et al, 2018). During stressful situations allowing yourself to have free time for leisure or hobbies is a good way to relax. I enjoy going for walks or drives to take a break from school because it is an activity where I can not get distracted by my phone.

In the summer, I took a field course that instructed students to spend time outside every week and makes journal entries about the observations they saw. I found the freedom of choosing where and when you make your observations was a useful way to encourage students to get outside and observe the world. This course helped me focus more on the ecosystem around me while I was outside and pay closer attention to the interactions. I think this experience has opened me up to the idea of nature interpretation through external sources. When imagining nature interpretation I immediately think of camp or an outdoor classroom situation. As I've thought more, I think it would be beneficial to learn through your own time and place with the resources needed. Some examples of this are podcasts, books and art. Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson. D.M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage for a better world. Sagamore-Venture.

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Nature through Art

Art is the stimulation of beauty or emotional power through imagination and creativity. Anything that is able to carry a deeper meaning or relay a message can be considered art. As a student who grew up being book smart and focusing my studies in the sciences, I was never able to draw anything past a stick figure, or sculp something into something beautiful. I do however love to take pictures of the different things I see when I venture into the outdoors, and those pictures I take is art to me. When I look back at photos of me on hikes I used to go on at my old cottage, or the different vegetation we saw, it reminds me of the good times I had, and it begins to bring back memories of the people and places I saw. It’s those memories and experiences that really draw me closer to nature and why I have such a strong connection when I’m outdoors. Reading this week’s material really struck me due to the fact that art can be a very powerful tool to let other people also develop their bond with nature. By sharing my photos and experiences with others can lead others to be curious to leave and explore the outdoors. By combining art and being a nature interpreter, can lead to a better way of delivering the message of the outdoors and how it can really make someone feel. By further using art and really tailoring it to different people and age groups, can really make a powerful impact on people lives, even though they were not necessarily at the place when the photo was taken. Beauty has been scientifically proven to attract people. Symmetry, vibrant colours, and things that show proper health can naturally attract more people. That’s why photos that have lots of colours, symmetry, or show health intrigue lots of people. If I focus on taking photos of me next to large vibrant trees or taking pictures with different animals that really emphasise these factors, can really make someone curious and interested in what the photo is about. I interpret beauty as a tool that can be used to further strengthen and attract people to certain things. As a nature interpreter who cannot draw or be creative, I can really focus on taking pictures and experiences I had with nature and really practise and focus on symmetry and colours in the wilderness can help me become a better “artist”. Before reading this week’s chapter, I really took photos only for myself as it really stuck out to me but knowing how much of a tool art can be, can really help strengthen the quality of my photos and I would be able to more confidently post them online to help strengthen the bond of others with nature.

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Hi Michael,

I enjoyed reading your post about nature interpretation through art. It's so nice to see that you have a passion for taking pictures of nature and want to share them with the world. I like the point you made that art can be tailored to anyone, making it a powerful way to inspire others to explore nature. As people become more inspired to enjoy the natural world, they can connect and become more likely to protect it. Sharing art can also help people who are unable to explore nature, experience how beautiful it is.

You brought up an interesting point about the science of attraction and beauty. I had never thought about tailoring art to attract people to it in that. I think developing photography skills and learning more about the art can help enhance the quality and beauty of the picture you take. I think editing is another great way to enhance photos to show natural beauty. It can be challenging to take photos that truly show how beautiful nature is, but changing camera settings and editing pictures can be impactful.

I would like to see some of the photos you've taken and the story behind them!

-Katelyn

Nature Interpretation Through Art

The majority of art comes from what we see in the world around us and how we interpret it. Nature inspires art in many different forms of media. When I think of art, the first idea that comes to mind is a landscape painting of nature scenery. Capturing the feeling and experience of being in nature is a powerful way to share the environment. The beauty of nature is why people are attracted to the outdoors and express it in their artwork.

The question "who are you to interpret nature through art?" brought me to the realization that everyone can interpret the environment through art. We all experience different emotions and experiences when in nature that can be portrayed in many different art forms. Two people could be looking at the same sunset and create two completely different forms of art based on their interpretation. I personally am an artistic person, and I find a lot of joy in creating, whether it's through painting, sewing, drawing or photography. Taking time to stop and appreciate nature around us is the first step to interpreting nature into art forms. I put a few paintings I've done below :)

Before reading the textbooks definition of the "gift of beauty", I wanted to interpret my meaning. I believe the "gift of beauty" is referring to the gift nature is giving to everyone as a place to experience true beauty. Our natural world is a place where humans can escape and enjoy becoming secluded from themselves. The book Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World explained that having "the gift of beauty" means you can present nature in a way that allows others to see the beauty you experienced. Inspiring others with the artwork you made to capture the environment around you. I have always found it easy to find the beauty in nature. Always try to travel places with new landscapes that I've never seen before to experience the beauty. I also try and appreciate the nature around me and how even something that happens every day, like a sunset, can be so beautiful. I find reading poetry or listening to music are some of my favourite ways to experience other expressions of nature. Music and poetry, I feel bring emotion and room for visualization. Listening to a song and picturing a place and feeling in time helps me feel connected to nature. Poetry is something I have recently started reading, writing can be a powerful way to express emotions and experiences.

One of my favourite activities I ran as a nature interpreter at camp was bringing a group of children to a lookout spot in Algonquin Park to spend the hour painting what they saw and interpreted from the area. At the end of the session, it was amazing to see how everyone's paintings looked unique when they were all painting the same image. This activity allowed the children to take a minute and absorb the beauty surrounding them and capture it in a painting.

I would love to hear how everyone else interprets nature through art!

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Privilege in Nature Interpretation

Hello everyone!

My current and ever changing definition of privilege is an advantage or benefit given to someone based on specific traits. An example of what I mean is white privilege, people are born white and it is something out of their control, but they have an automatic advantage in the society that we live in. In this week’s lesson we learned about how we each have an invisible backpack that we carry. I am fortunate enough that my invisible backpack has provided me with the privilege of being able to experience and fall in love with nature. I am a middle-class white woman that grew up in a stable home, has received a great education, and lives in Ontario. I recognize that these traits have given me an advantage in the world we live in without me having to earn them.

Because of these traits I have had opportunities to connect with nature and develop a passion for the environment. My parents could afford to put me in competitive hockey and soccer growing up which kickstarted my interest in physical activity and personal wellbeing. This resulted in my love for hiking and being outdoors for both the physical and emotional benefits to personal wellbeing. Many people do not get these sort of opportunities because of things that they cannot control, such as home income or access to such programs. This is where we need to change things in the nature interpretation community, and in society as a whole. Providing equal opportunity for everyone to connect to and find a love for nature is what we should all be striving for. Nature should be something that if you want to connect with and experience fully you can, no matter what race, class, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. However, we simply are not even close to having that today.

The nature interpretation community has a lot of work to do to make it more inclusive. We need to make environmental education programs accessible in low income areas. We need to make nature interpretation programs more accessible for people with disabilities. We need to make spaces where women can feel comfortable being in nature alone. We need to listen to and collaborate with Indigenous communities. These are just a few of many things that need to change in order to make nature interpretation more inclusive.

A diverse and inclusive community is beneficial to all. More people bring new and exciting ideas on how to make things better. Nature interpretation should not be limited to one way of thinking and by making a more inclusive environment we invite new and improved ways of thinking. Also as more people have an opportunity to love nature, the more people are likely to want to protect it. Our environment is at risk and if people are given the opportunity to care, change will happen.

We all live on this beautiful planet, and we should all have the same opportunity to appreciate it.

Lauren

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Hey Lauren,

I really enjoyed reading your post! I resonated with your working definition of privilege since I experience similar privileges to you. I agree with the point you made " Providing equal opportunity for everyone to connect to and find a love for nature is what we should all be striving for. ". Providing various types of nature interpretation that can be accessible for everyone is the key to allowing everyone to connect with nature. Providing nature education in urban environments that are accessible for people that can't rely on personal vehicles for transportation is one way to expand nature education to others. There are still many improvements that need to be made to create an inclusive community for everyone.

I like the point you brought up about how if more people can build a connection with the environment, they may be more likely to protect it. Without any connection to nature, there will be no motivation to make lifestyle adjustments to help conserve the environment. Welcoming and providing everyone with the same chance to experience nature will create a larger community where people may feel more supported.

Great post!

-Katelyn

The role "privilege" plays in nature interpretation.

I would define privilege as established characteristics and opportunities that provide individuals with advantages over others. The life you are born into will determine what benefits you have over someone else. A privilege often entails a set of beliefs that are assumed and taken advantage of because people do not recognize how their lives are different from others. Privilege is displayed in a variety of areas in everyone's lives from race, class, sexuality and many others. Realizing these advantages can be difficult considering they have not resulted from decisions we have had to make. Experiencing and learning about nature is a privilege that I and probably many others take for granted because we have had various opportunities to explore the world around us.

The first privilege I think of when it comes to nature interpretation is class/income. Most experiences I've had with nature education has cost money to attend, whether you had to pay for a field trip in school or stay at an overnight camp or day camp. I am fortunate to grow up in a middle-class family and be able to experience nature in a variety of ways. Working at an overnight camp that costs thousands of dollars to attend made me realize how selective that experience is for people that can not afford the same opportunities. Recently I've been interested in trying backcountry camping and canoe tripping but seeing how expensive equipment is can make it very difficult.

Professor Hooykaas lifeguarding example from class notes made me think of the privilege when it comes to getting a job in nature interpretation. Obtaining training, certifications, experience and education to apply for a nature interpretation job requires a suitable income, geographic accessibility and generational knowledge. Having someone in your family who values the environment and will spark your interest is an exposure that is not universal for everyone. Many of the experience needed starts at a young age with opportunities such as extracurriculars and field trips. I think it is important for those who become interpreters to try and find ways to make learning more accessible for everyone. An example would be providing free online content that is accessible for people with language barriers, learning disabilities or are restricted geographically. Knowing your audience when teaching is crucial to help adapt to everyone's needs and not generalizing.

Speaking out about privileges in the environmental world is important, but I feel that with the privilege I have as a middle class, white, straight, women many other voices need to be heard. I linked a blog post below that has many links to a variety of authors and organizations from people of colour, LGBTQ+ and other marginalized groups. This topic has made me reflect on my experiences and role in nature interpretation. I have a lot to learn and look forward to reading everyone's posts.

https://www.trailspace.com/blog/2020/06/03/diversity-inclusion-being-an-outdoor-ally.html

-Katelyn

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Blog 2: Being a Nature Interpreter

I have always enjoyed sharing stories of nature. Whether it was telling a tale of something I had experienced myself, a great adventure that a friend had, or a mind-blowing fact about mushrooms; expressing my excitement for the outdoors will come out in most interactions I have with others. During my undergrad, I worked at the conservation area in my hometown and having spent so much time exploring it myself, I felt a lot of pride for the park. Although I only worked at the gate, collecting day-use fees, or checking people into their campsites, I would take every opportunity to give recommendations of specific things to see and do while in the park. I felt a rush of excitement for each visitor that arrived because I knew that they were about to experience this place that I found so special.

I would like to be a nature interpreter in a place that I am familiar with and have explored and made memories in. I believe that this would provide more opportunities to incorporate relatable and emotional elements to a presentation. I think being a powerful storyteller and truly connecting with an audience is what can really make an experience engaging and memorable.

I have lived in British Columbia for the past few years and love being near the ocean. I previously worked for a ocean conservation non-profit and learned lots about the wildlife that inhabits the Salish Sea. From orcas to otters, salmon to octopus, this rich marine area is brimming with life. My ideal role would be to work as a nature interpreter at the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. The park currently has numerous monitoring and restoration projects and I think that incorporating current efforts can make an impact on the learners.

I would love to explore a variety of media and methods to share about the wildlife and conservation projects at the park. By experimenting with different strategies, you can find new creative ways to bridge the gap between the science you want to share and the audience you want to share it with.

I, personally, am a visual learner, so interacting with content that is aesthetically pleasing and organized allows the information to better resonate with me. I really enjoy videography and photography and sharing science through visual storytelling. I have also spent a lot of time learning in science centres and museums and love the elements of tactile and hands-on learning. As an interpreter, I would need to be adaptable to my potentially diverse audience, so catering content delivery to accommodate for different learning styles is very important. By incorporating multiple strategies to appeal to auditory, visual, and tactile learners, I can reach more of my audience, and hopefully have everyone leave with a valuable takeaway.

Other important skills and characteristics I would hope to exhibit as an interpreter would be:

-Confident: It’s always nice to feel as though the person giving you information knows what they’re talking about.

-Relatable: It’s much easier to retain information if you can imagine it or apply it to your own life.

-Descriptive: Only you know your experience - being very clear and providing detail can enhance interest and engagement.

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Hi Kira :)

I completely agree that being familiar with the area you are teaching about is beneficial in conveying stories and information. Familiarity is something I've considered when thinking of places I would like to teach at in the future. A key part in feeling confident when teaching is knowing the history and environment you are interpreting; without prior experiences in the area, it can be difficult to provide a memorable experience. I would love to be able to work at a park for a few years to develop knowledge of the landscape and learn from colleagues before extending my knowledge to others. Your dream to work at the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve sounds amazing! Your experience working with an ocean conservation non-profit will provide you with so many great experiences to share. I would love to know more about your work and what made you interested in marine ecosystems.

I also think catering to all learning styles is important when teaching a group of diverse learners. As an auditory learner, I learn best by hearing presentations or listening to podcasts. Creating multiple ways to share stories that are descriptive and relatable for everyone is a great way to help others gain experiences of their own in nature.

I would love to hear some of your favourite stories about your time spent in nature!

Katelyn

Ideal Role of Environmental Interpretation

There are many amazing ways to provide an environmental interpretation that allows for any age and learning style to gain new knowledge. My dream role as a nature interpreter would involve orally communicating in the natural environment. I find it beneficial to learn about topics in an environment that submerges you in the ideas. What better way to learn about then nature than being outdoors? I receive information better in labs or fieldwork because I can experience concepts first-hand. I would enjoy being able to provide others with activities and workshops that are impactful and successfully transfer scientific concepts. Connecting with a small group of individuals would be ideal because I can make meaningful connections to help improve everyone's experience of learning about nature. I believe it is important to create a way that everyone can understand environmental science otherwise, people will feel excluded and misinterpret the credibility of information. Providing opportunities for children and adults to learn and make meaningful connections with the environment is something I strive to achieve.

Discovering and creating workshops that provide knowledge in an interesting and accessible way will require listening to others learning styles and ideas. As we've discussed in the reading, everyone learns in a variety of ways. I want to provide multiple components from each learning style to ensure everyone understands. Presenting content in an outdoor environment with visuals, auditory presentation, and tactical activities would provide information in formats each learner can digest.

I love to get to interpret nature in a diverse ecosystem with interesting biodiversity and landscape. It would be ideal to have an environment that is both terrestrial and aquatic to provide more learning opportunities. Exploring different areas and landscapes is so fun, I would love to travel and work in large growth forests and mountain ranges. Although learning in remote areas disconnected from civilization is an awesome way to experience and discover more about nature, I know many people do not have the privilege to travel to locations like these. I think teaching in conservation areas located closer to urban areas is still valuable and can deliver the same information as ecosystems with greater diversity. Providing nature interpretation in locations that are accessible for many people increases your audience and knowledge shared. I have volunteered at a local conservation area and work in a provincial park leading children through nature activities. I noticed when teaching at the urban conservation area I met a diverse group of people that were all new to learning about the environment, while in the provincial park, many people had previous experiences.

Some soft skills needed for this role are communication and creativity. To successfully inspire others when interpreting strong communication skills are needed. Creativity is essential for discovering new activities and ways to each all ages about the environment. I found it very useful when working as a nature instructor to brainstorm fun and new ideas to engage all children.

-Katelyn

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