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This blog was created for ENVS*3000 (F24), University of Guelph.
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Unit 10 Blog Post
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?
With this being the last blog prompt of the semester I would like to reflect on what this course has taught me, how the content has shaped my view on my responsibilities as a nature interpreter, and how I can move forward and take some of these lessons with me. I honestly just took this course as an elective but have seriously enjoyed the content and interaction with everyone in this class. I think it is difficult to mirror this exact experience outside of this course, of sharing and reading other peoples experiences with nature and how sacred they are to them. Going into this, I never thought I would be given the opportunity to rehash some of my times in nature and have really never thought about how much they actually effected me.
A belief I currently have, that has taken time to develop, is to keep my mind open to the experiences that nature has to offer. I do not think you have to be in the most aesthetically scenic landscape to see something new and/or interesting. I walk the same loop in Guelph and see different animals, plants, flowers, meet new people, and am a better version of myself afterwards each time. Some of my best memories in nature have happened at unexpected times. For example, I travelled out west to Vancouver this past summer to visit my roommates. We spent time in Whistler, Squamish, Lions Bay, and went to Gambier Island by boat. However, my favourite moment was the little hike we took right before heading to the airport, next to my roommate’s house in her suburban neighbourhood in North Vancouver. I am unsure if it was the way the sun was peeking through the massive trees, the last conversations we were having before the car ride to the airport, or the bittersweet feeling I was experiencing; but there was so much joy in that little mundane walk. Now, from a nature interpreters perspective, my roommate did a great job at telling us the little bits of information concerning our surroundings. She did this via storytelling in correlation to the area we were in, and it made me feel that much more connected to the area she had grown up in. By pointing out certain rocks, trees, and hills, and telling us the silly names of these objects that her classmates came up with, or the little anecdotes she had experienced herself; we all felt like we were there with her when they happened. I think that reflecting on this experience has taught me that interpreting nature for others does not have to be this whole elaborate operation. A memorable lesson of sorts can just feel like friends talking to one another and simply having a good time.
I believe that as a good teacher you have to be an even better learner. In my opinion there is always room for growth and improvement. Growing up, myself, and probably some of you reading this, have had a teacher that was a total rigid stickler. Their lessons felt almost militant and there was no room for error. It gets to a point where the information is being absorbed, but it is almost out of the fear of not being able to make a mistake. My current path is to become a high school biology/visual arts teacher and I hope to have the opposite reaction from my students. While there is value in structure, there is more value in being able to make a mistake and learn from it. I have enjoyed learning the content about learning styles and how we can effectively maximize the information we have in different methods. These militant teachers I previously mentioned, were pretty stuck in their ways of pen to paper, and lacked a lot of diversity in their lessons. I think my responsibility as someone who is teaching learners is to let the learners teach me. I can only understand the impact of the information I am relaying if they show me that they are absorbing it holistically.
As an individual who is consciously making the effort to learn and grow, I think the approaches most suitable to me might change with time. Currently, I approach learning by asking questions about the content; whether that be to myself or my peers. I think it is very valuable to understand why we are learning this information and why it is important in context. I have a hard time just blatantly understanding theories, statistics, and stories without diving into the purpose of that information. In the example of the Tragedy on the Timiskaming, I had a hard time conceptualizing the reason for the trip in and of itself. Until I read the description and realized that the stereotype of the time period was to make men of the young boys. I would like to approach nature interpretation in the sense that every individual deserves equal opportunity, but every individual learns differently. I think this notion has become present through the blog posts, creating of the children’s podcast and ongoing adult podcast, and my overall learning in this course.
As we wrap up this semester I have spent my own personal time reflecting on my growth as not only a student, but a person. I feel as though I can tackle other course content more efficiently because of some of the lessons I have learned in this course. I am now better at putting the purpose of a lesson in the context of a bigger picture and I have gained a sense of perspective of the professor or TA that is relaying said content. At this point, I no longer need my teacher to make the content appropriate and conducive to my learning, I can now do that for myself. Like I mentioned earlier, becoming more aware of who I am as a learner has truly made me a better learner; and hopefully a good teacher. Thank you to everyone who has shared personal stories and information, I have learned a lot of interesting facts about Canada and places all around the world!
Like you, I also feel it is so cool how this course allowed for recalling of experiences in nature to really explore the deeper meaning of those moments. Not only has the experience been refreshing but it also offers a consistent sense of nostalgia. Your belief about not requiring a significant, location for interpretation really shows how good of an interpreter you are. Interpretation doesn’t have to be about extraordinary things that few people have experienced. Your example of walking the same path and getting a different experience each time perfectly captures this idea.
That’s so cool that you were able to cherish and connect to the stories your roommate shared from growing up. Storytelling is definitely a type of interpretation that I don’t feel has been covered too much in this course as a version of interpretation. There are so many types of interpretations that are captured within storytelling. The interpretations the listener makes of the story being told. Further, the story being told is the interpretation created by the person who experienced it. The storyteller has the control to create pictures and emotions for the listener to consume. That’s awesome that you not only got to hear these stories but experience the locations at which they all occurred, that must’ve really helped you experience the way your roommate grew up!
Your take on how to be a good teacher is something that I appreciate you reminding me of. We’ve all had bad teachers and we’ve all had good ones and your points helps decipher where you benefit most from the different teachers. I now have to ask myself what traits of teachers I’ve experienced I want to bring forward with me as I develop as a nature interpreter. Sitting down and writing out these traits could be really beneficial for me and my future audiences so thank you for reminding me of this! I am glad you took so much from this course as opportunities for your growth and awareness within yourself.
Unit 10 Blog Post
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?
Throughout my life, and now throughout this course, my love for nature has grown and evolved quite a bit leading to the interpreter I am today. I feel that each week through the assigned textbook and supplemental readings, along with the blog prompts and getting to read others’ posts, I have been able to learn a lot about my personal ethic as an interpreter.
Me out in Lake Erie enjoying nature!
For me, I believe that the interpretation of nature through a variety of goggles is the best way to go about it. In fact, I believe that you cannot only interpret nature under one lens, you need a mixture of outlooks to truly understand and appreciate the natural world. As a science major, it is easy for me to believe that science is one of the most crucial ways we can interpret nature because it brings along an understanding of what exactly we are seeing around us. Understanding why plants are green or why chipmunks may be burying their food helps to provide a deeper understanding and appreciation of our environment. As mentioned in one of week five’s supplemental readings, complicated issues such as the loss of biodiversity gain a lot of support when community members are taught about, and engaged in, the science behind it (Wals et al., 2014). By interpreting nature through a scientific lens we are better able to make sure people are informed about what is really going on around them and hopefully inspire them to take action when the natural world around them is at risk.
Sea stars I collected for experiments in a marine research course!
Even though I believe that science is necessary when interpreting nature, I do not think it would provide someone with everything they needed to love nature for all that it is. While science provides an understanding of what is going on, it sometimes lacks emotion. I believe that a major part of nature is the emotions that it provides to the interpreter and one of the main ways to feel those emotions is through forging a more personal connection through the arts. Whether that be through painting, drawing, crafts, music, or any other form of art, it is what truly connects us to nature. Taking something as simple as a lone tree in a field and interpreting it in a way that is personal to you, making something physical out of what you are seeing, is the most pure form of interpretation in my mind. Boeckel et al (2015)., mention that there is a disenchantment of the world occurring along with a loss of direct nature experiences. I feel that by taking what we see in nature and making something out of it we are effectively reconnecting with it because we have to take the time to be immersed in it to generate ideas on what to make.
Park near my house where I like to go and paint what I see!
Without artistic interpretations of nature we lack connection, but without scientific interpretations we lack understanding. This is why I believe we cannot simply pick one method of interpretation and run with it.
As an interpreter I believe that I have many responsibilities. First of all it is my responsibility to ensure that everyone feels included. This involves unpacking invisible knapsacks as learned in week three. Making sure that each and every participant has the same tools available to them, either literal or metaphorical, to truly understand and appreciate what is around them is key. If someone felt like they were at a disadvantage due to a lack of education, experience, or anything else then they would not be properly able to enjoy nature as they may be feeling othered. It is a responsibility of mine to be extra observant and make sure that this does not happen. Another responsibility I carry is making sure that everyone is being respectful with the natural world, myself included. Whether it's leading a hike or a camping trip or anything else outdoors there is a possibility for people to treat nature unkindly. Maybe it's by throwing their food wrappers on the ground or unnecessarily killing bugs around them for being “creepy”. When we are in and around nature it is our responsibility to treat it with care so that future generations can have the same experiences as us. As an interpreter I feel a sense of leadership and responsibility that includes keeping our forests, beaches, and other environments clean. Another responsibility of mine is to appeal to each and every learning style. In the course content we discussed tactile, auditory, and visual, but the textbook goes on to provide many others. Things like logical-mathematical, inter- and intrapersonal and many more were mentioned (Beck et al., 2018). I feel it is my duty to truly understand what each one involves and what strengths/weaknesses someone with that learning style may face when it comes to interpretation. A final responsibility I feel I have as an interpreter relates to what I wrote about above. I feel it is my duty to ensure that all aspects of interpretation are being included when out in nature. Providing the science behind why something is the way it is then going into artistic interpretations of it to make sure that everyone gets the whole picture is key. In the future I will strive to interpret in a way that incorporates it all to give participants the best shot at finding something they can connect to in nature.
As an individual I feel I am best suited to do all that I have mentioned in this blog. I am a science student which helps me with scientific interpretations, but I also have a love for being creative which would help me with the artistic part. I definitely feel as though these weekly blog posts have helped me better understand who I am as an interpreter and what works best for me. I have learned quite a bit about myself during this course and I cannot wait to use all that I have learned in the future to be the best interpreter I can!
I cannot wait to read everyone else’s blogs this week and I hope everyone has a great rest of their semester!
References
Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. SAGAMORE Publishing, Sagamore Venture.
van Boeckel, J. (2015). At the heart of art and earth: an exploration of practices in arts-based environmental education. Environmental Education Research, 21(5), 801–802. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2014.959474
Wals, A. E.J., Brody, M., Dillon, J., Stevenson, R. B. (2014). Convergence Between Science and Environmental Education. Science 344,583-584. 10.1126/science.1250515
I like your initial analogy stating that interpretation of nature can occur through multiple lenses. Throughout this course, I have also had to ask myself what my knowledge once looked like before school as a reminder that science isn’t the only way to view things in this world. You’re right, having that science background on the world does help me grow an appreciation for not only our environment but also the amount of intelligence and creativity it would take to discover most things I learn about.
Implying that science lacks emotion is the exact thing that a course like this does a really good job of eliminating. That point is such an interesting way to look at it but I love the connection! Making those further connections with nature is what really makes the interpretations meaningful. That’s what this course has really forced me to do, I’ve found myself really being forced to think outside my normal interpretations. These blogs have turned a walk full of thinking into breaking down the questions I asked myself and breaking down the interpretations I was making. It has changed getting into a pond for collecting water samples to thinking about other species interactions happening around. Your reference to Boeckel et al is perfect for this circumstance and I think it captures a perfect connection to the topic of that paragraph.
It is always important to include respect and inclusion in your life especially as a natures interpreter. That really shows your morals as a person for these to be a top priority of yours. This will help people enjoy their time when interacting in nature and being responsible to ensure no littering or unnecessary animal interactions like killing bugs will allow for nature to be readily available for our interpretations!
This was a well-done blog post with a lot of unique connections that allow for me as a viewer to have a lot to think about and connect with. You have a strong connection with your thoughts on nature and I think that will get you far!
The final blog post
I have spent my life interpreting nature even before I realized it. I seek nature’s interpretation to expand knowledge, interest and enthusiasm (Beck et al. 2018, p.12). I have often found myself interpreting through museums, campgrounds, hikes, and visitors centres. Over the years, as my knowledge of the connections and interactions within nature expands, my interpretations become more applicable to my education, allowing me to exercise and expand my learned knowledge. When I am interpreting, there are several things I look to achieve and take away from the experience. This course specifically has taught me to allow my interpretations to be more open-minded, allowing me to see the connections when I reflect on my past experiences interpreting the world (Beck et al. 2018, pg. 13). These connections help me understand why something made me feel a certain way, or why a specific event might be so clear in my memory. This course has taught me to feel and connect my emotions through interpretation, whether it be art, nature, or music. In terms of my personal ethics regarding interpretation, I will never be the person to push boundaries within interpretation for the amusement of my own fascination. Pushing these boundaries offers risk of losing opportunities for anyone else which is not ethical. When at a museum if they say don’t touch something, regardless of if touching it will impact it’s quality I will not touch it. Or if on a hike and there’s a sign stating that these rocks are sensitive don’t step on them I would not push the boundaries for the security of knowing that others will get the same experience when they visit. I feel these are ethics and morals that should go without said, especially for people who often visit nature and might be seen as a role model. I am so strict within these rules for myself because I can recall one time my family was viewing these rocks on a hike in northern Ontario that were so impressively balanced on each other for hundreds of years, and just days before we visited, one of them had been pushed over by people who ignored the boundaries and it was so disappointing for us.
In terms of my personal beliefs regarding interpretation, I am often fascinated by observing and thinking or discussing with others. Especially in natures surroundings like hikes, I do not feel the need to interact or disturb nature’s processes, rather observe with fascination and apply my knowledge. I feel this allows for a more successful interpretation because you are watching experiences that would occur if you were or were not there. When watching nature, it is so interesting to wonder. When watching the squirrels, I love wondering what their mental processes are at the moment of our interaction. This goes hand in hand with the ethics of respecting boundaries. As someone who is in school for zoology, people are starting to come to me for questions about certain animals or situations within nature. People are starting to look towards me to feel comfortable within nature and that tells me I need to work even harder to be the best role model possible.
As someone who is very passionate and becoming educated about the contexts of natures and its interactions, there are several things I am responsible for when it comes to interpreting nature. I am a part of a group of people who are responsible for the quality of our nature and its future. Although I do not work or display myself in public opportunities for interpretation, I do have goals for my future. In whatever I might enroll myself in I have the responsibility to maintain accuracy of information, ethical information, and I will never share a belief for the point of pleasing others, I will always spread information that I also believe in and feel passion towards (Beck et al., 2018 p. 37). In my personal life, my responsibilities include the maintenance of stewardship to stay connected with the goals, beliefs, and cultural morals that portray themselves within whatever I might be interpreting (Beck et al., 2018 p. 37). This will allow for the stories, connections and history expression to stay present (Beck et al., 2018, p. 37).
I work at a dog boarding and daycare facility and I always love answering peoples questions about dog behaviour, why they do certain things, and further informing people on how their dogs might thrive better. All of my answers to peoples questions come from experience, and knowledge. My enjoyment of answering these questions tells me I would thrive in a position where this situation can be applied to nature. I have considered working at trailer parks, or volunteering to do nature lessons with rescued animals, and as someone who might have this future role, there are many responsibilities. These include but are not limited to, the promotion of knowledge towards conservation, educating people on how they can improve themselves or just educating to make more people aware of an issue, engaging people within my lessons without creating disruption, and applying the knowledge to other scenarios like cultures, beliefs, or background information. All this would be present while demonstrating ethical behaviour myself. I can be successful in an advocacy educational role by applying knowledge learned from this course, like different learning behaviours, understanding how to grasp the attention of diverse audiences, and understanding where I would fit in best to educate my audience.
These blog posts have forced me to interpret my life experiences through a new lens. They have allowed me to explore my emotional connections and understand my memories. In an ideal world where I have more time, I would enjoy beginning to journal because connecting my blog posts with my thoughts is something I have enjoyed doing. Starting a journal as inspiration from these blog posts would allow me to deeply understand myself and I also enjoy going back and reading my initial interpretations of the blog prompts to see how I would change my answer now. Finally, this course has taught me that I have unknowingly been interpreting nature this whole time.
Reference
Beck, L., Cable, T. T., Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. Sagamore Publishing LLC. https://sagamore.vitalsource.com/books/9781571678669
Blog Post #8: The Interconnectedness of Nature
One theme that continues to reappear in my blog is the theme of interconnectedness - an intricate web that keeps nature in harmony. When I’m immersed in nature, this idea is always in the back of my mind. I see it in the way trees sway in the wind, in the way their leaves cling to the branches. I feel it beneath my feet, where there’s a hidden world of roots spreading outward, reaching through the soil for all the beneficial nutrients. And within that soil is an entire ecosystem of microorganisms, all working together to support life aboveground. It’s incredible to think about how each piece of this complex system - soil, plants, trees, animals - depends on and nurtures the others. When I pause and imagine this web of life, I am always dumbfounded at how perfectly everything fits together.
A portrayal of interconnectedness that has always stuck with me is in the movie Avatar (one of my favourite movies, by the way!). In it, the main character, Jake Sully, is intrigued by the bond the Na’vi people have with their environment. For them, the forest is alive with energy that connects every living thing. This energy flows through the roots of the trees, into the ground, through each creature, and back again, which represents a cycle of life and growth that Jake tries his best to understand. Although we don’t live on the futuristic planet of Pandora, the respect and harmony the Na’vi have with their surroundings feels deeply relevant to our world, where we also have our own intricate connections to nature.
Consider the relationship between bees and flowering plants: bees rely on flowers for nectar, and in turn, they carry pollen from one blossom to another, allowing plants to reproduce. This tiny but mighty interaction sustains entire ecosystems, and without pollinators like bees, many of the plants that humans and other animals rely on wouldn’t exist. Or think of a forest after a wildfire; although it's destructive, fires can create fertile conditions for new growth. Seeds that may have been dormant for years can sprout in the nutrient-rich soil left behind, which helps the forest to flourish once again. The cycle of destruction and rebirth helps to maintain balance, symbolizing nature’s resilience and interconnectedness.
It’s amazing to recognize how every organism, from the tiniest insect to the tallest tree, plays a unique role in nature. Even organisms we may find inconvenient, like funghi or mosquitoes, contribute to this balance. Understanding that nature isn’t a series of isolated actions, but rather a symphony of interactions is a profound realization. Each element - sounds, textures, etc. - contributes to the whole. The textbook describes lifelong learning as an essential to interpreting nature, encouraging us to design educational experiences that help people appreciate these connections and inspire them to protect natural environments (Beck et al., 2018). I believe that by exploring the beauty and unity in nature, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate connections that hold our world together.
The beautiful view of fall leaves on my walk earlier this week!
Beck, L., Cable, T. T., Knudson D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. Sagamore-Venture Publishing LLC.
When I read your post about how everything is connected and you related it to Avatar I knew I needed to respond. This connection is such a creative perspective on interpreting how everything is related. In Avatar they are so in tune with the connections that they can feel with the energy in their earth. Although our world is also internally connected within itself, it makes me wonder how disconnected we might be from it sometimes.
When you mention how everything and every organism plays a role in nature, I feel this paragraph connects to what I had written about in my post. You bring up the point of organisms we might not even care about, but isn’t it just so interesting how every single organism has produced their own adaptations to be within nature? Mosquitos have adapted a parasitic type of lifestyle but further connect within the species interactions as prey for animals like bats. The elements of nature that express sounds can be interlocked within species interactions for things like mating calls or communications within species. The way animals have adapted themselves to thrive and be successful members within the connections of species interactions can be applied to every organism. It is always so fascinating to me how everything finds its way to life to establish its status level in this world. There are so many ways to interpret the topic of interconnection, and it is so interesting the way that we interpreted it separately, with many connections that can be made between our responses!
Unit 9: The adaptations and interpretations of the ocean
I am finding it difficult to conclude a response this prompt! This is difficult because nature contains so many elements and dimensions. I have experienced so many amazing things within nature throughout my life and during my education at this university I have learned so much more than the surface level knowledge. My education in a zoology degree is very centred around nature and natures interactions. I have learned in significant detail about so many different types of animals and how species interactions within nature work. I have taken geography courses to explore how the world’s natural interactions have led to the world we have now, and I have taken courses like this one that focus on applying life interactions to connections with nature.
One aspect of nature I will always be willing to be more informed on is the ocean. Although I have thoroughly studied the animals in the ocean and how they interact, and I have studied the way the ocean is changing by aspects of climate change. There is just so much to learn about it. All of the different adaptations that occur within animals to be able to live in the ocean, like the giant squid, which can live thousands of meters deep and still thrive (Chung & Marshall, 2017). They can do this with their specialized eye and abilities to withstand the pressures of the deep ocean (Chung & Marshall, 2017). The diversity of life in the ocean is just so amazing to learn about, it is fascinating that so much of the ocean has yet to be explored which just adds to the fascination. The way that Portuguese man of war effortlessly floats on the surface as a cluster of organisms while its tentacles spread up to 40 ft away (Lane., 1960). When they capture prey, they pull it in and essentially liquify the prey for consumption, all while simply floating and gliding across the surface of the ocean (Lane., 1960). The reason I share about these animals is to discuss the point of the fascinating diversity of adaptations that is within the ocean.
The textbook refers to the ocean as the planet's lifeblood (Knudson et al. 2017). They also introduce an interesting point that refers to the creation of aquariums as interpretation of the ocean (Knudson et al. 2017). Obviously, as a viewer, that’s what it is but from the perspective of aquarium creators, it is their interpretation of their knowledge of the ocean. Although this might seem obvious when brought up, I had never considered this fact before. Aquariums really do capture the broad diversity that is within the ocean, although they cannot necessarily display adaptations like those for deep water, hunting, or even mating, it is still fascinating. The ocean is also fascinating because of the wide range of opinions people can have on it. For some people, it raises excitement, for others it might raise anxiety. People want to explore it and know more, and others are intimidated by it and don’t want to know about what else it might contain. How does thinking about the ocean and its contents make you feel?
References
Chung, W. S., Marshall, N. J. (2017). Complex visual adaptations in Squid for specific tasks in different environments. Invertebrate Physiology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2017.00105
Knudson, L.B.T.T.C.D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. Sagamore Publishing LLC. https://sagamore.vitalsource.com/books/9781571678669
Lane, C. (1960). The Portugese Man-of-war. Jstor. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24941298
Nature in Music
Music is everywhere in nature. It can appear as birds singing their songs, animals making noises when searching for insects or food, or even the peacefulness of streams as they flow rapidly, crashing into small rocks or boulders. I'd even consider the winds and how they move the leaf's music, and the crisp crunch of them on the ground in autumn. Music is also often used in nature to communicate a sense of partnership or socially such as with birds, whales, dolphins, etc. In the minds of animals, music tends to bring them together as a community, which I think is a reflection of how humans often incorporate music into our lives as well. Not only do we traditionally bring music into our lives to connect and celebrate, but we also use it to relax, ground ourselves, and destress from the daily challenges we may face. In doing so, throughout centuries we have found many ways to bring nature to music by making traditional instruments with specific materials for authenticity and uniqueness in sounds such as maracas, conches, and ancient Greek pipes.
Other ways we can find nature in music today are through visuals, aesthetics, and natural sounds, like the waves crashing on the beach in songs and music videos. One that immediately comes to mind is a Spanish song that my family and I have been repeatedly playing, Karol G's "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido." Nature is incorporated into this video to set the tone for their environment, which appears to be a karaoke bar by the beach, living carefree and escaping from any worries (at least that is what feeling sparks up for me when thinking about the beach). Nature is something most people can relate to and can trigger emotions and specific feelings, whether it's the calming effects of hearing the waves at the beach, the warm feeling of a white Christmas, or even the sadness of the rain as it mimics tears falling on the side of a car window.
A song and memory which I will forever cherish for bringing me a sense of strong community within nature and playing a role in inspiring my journey to be more mindful and grateful for nature, is one called Jellyfish that I learned with my eighth-grade class while on a school trip at Camp Brebeuf. This trip was three days and two nights long, and although it wasn't a driving factor of my relationship with nature, it was an affirmation of my love for it, and it opened my eyes to see how a simple campfire and singing silly songs around it can form stronger connections and even start new ones with people you never would have expected to get along with. The Jellyfish song was the last song out of many we sang on our last night there, and after having the past days filled with team building and group activities like rock climbing, manhunt, scavenger hunts, mindfulness group walks, etc., this song made me realize how close I had become with others that I had barely spoken to in the past years. At this point in my life, at 14, I had always had a feeling that nature and music brought people together through a different bond than they would in an environment such as school, work, or sports. I had seen examples of such through movies, history books, and my own experiences, but this had been the first time I was emotionally mature enough to understand that it was happening in the moment, and that feeling of being grateful and present as I was looking around and doing all the silly follow-along movements with my classmates to the song, is a magical one that I'll never forget.
Music is everywhere in nature. It can appear as birds singing their songs, animals making noises when searching for insects or food, or even the peacefulness of streams as they flow rapidly, crashing into small rocks or boulders. I'd even consider the winds and how they move the leaf's music, and the crisp crunch of them on the ground in autumn. Music is also often used in nature to communicate a sense of partnership or socially such as with birds, whales, dolphins, etc. In the minds of animals, music tends to bring them together as a community, which I think is a reflection of how humans often incorporate music into our lives as well. Not only do we traditionally bring music into our lives to connect and celebrate, but we also use it to relax, ground ourselves, and destress from the daily challenges we may face. In doing so, throughout centuries we have found many ways to bring nature to music by making traditional instruments with specific materials for authenticity and uniqueness in sounds such as maracas, conches, and ancient Greek pipes.
Other ways we can find nature in music today are through visuals, aesthetics, and natural sounds, like the waves crashing on the beach in songs and music videos. One that immediately comes to mind is a Spanish song that my family and I have been repeatedly playing, Karol G's "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido." Nature is incorporated into this video to set the tone for their environment, which appears to be a karaoke bar by the beach, living carefree and escaping from any worries (at least that is what feeling sparks up for me when thinking about the beach). Nature is something most people can relate to and can trigger emotions and specific feelings, whether it's the calming effects of hearing the waves at the beach, the warm feeling of a white Christmas, or even the sadness of the rain as it mimics tears falling on the side of a car window.
A song and memory which I will forever cherish for bringing me a sense of strong community within nature and playing a role in inspiring my journey to be more mindful and grateful for nature, is one called Jellyfish that I learned with my eighth-grade class while on a school trip at Camp Brebeuf. This trip was three days and two nights long, and although it wasn't a driving factor of my relationship with nature, it was an affirmation of my love for it, and it opened my eyes to see how a simple campfire and singing silly songs around it can form stronger connections and even start new ones with people you never would have expected to get along with. The Jellyfish song was the last song out of many we sang on our last night there, and after having the past days filled with team building and group activities like rock climbing, manhunt, scavenger hunts, mindfulness group walks, etc., this song made me realize how close I had become with others that I had barely spoken to in the past years. At this point in my life, at 14, I had always had a feeling that nature and music brought people together through a different bond than they would in an environment such as school, work, or sports. I had seen examples of such through movies, history books, and my own experiences, but this had been the first time I was emotionally mature enough to understand that it was happening in the moment, and that feeling of being grateful and present as I was looking around and doing all the silly follow-along movements with my classmates to the song, is a magical one that I'll never forget.
Hi Amanda, your blog post is unique because of the way you incorporate thoughts, experiences, and connections outside of the average response. What caught my eye and made me want to respond to you was your connection about music being used to communicate partnership including social interactions that occur. I’m also glad you mentioned how music makes people feel because I love using music as an outlet for relaxation and I love trying new kinds of music that help me do so!
I was trying to think of songs from when I went to camp to speak about in this assignment. From the name alone I don’t think I know of the one you were speaking about. The way you describe being at camp just brings me back, those nights away were some of the best experiences in my childhood. Like you, I also think that aspects of the overnight camp experience are what really drove my initial interests and connections with nature. I remember we used to always go catch crayfish in the rivers or collect bugs for lessons. I love that you mentioned the manhunt and scavenger hunts at camp because there was nothing better than those camp-wide games that included so many people. There are so many valuable lessons and memories that I think every kid who went to camp took away with them. I also appreciate that at our age we really had those opportunities to fully enjoy that time with nature and no electronics. I’d do anything to go back and just have a week to explore and be responsibility free again!
Blog #7: connecting with nature through music
Music in nature is the beautiful sounds expressed by nature everywhere around. The sounds of birds chirping, or the sound of a campfire popping. All these sounds connect me to memories of hearing them within nature. The textbook says that music can be heard, interpreted, and imagined in different ways (Knudson et al. 2018). I think the same goes for nature. These sounds of music that are heard from nature might associate you with a memory allowing for your imagination and interpretation of the sound to be different from the person beside you.
Nature in music is bringing elements of nature into songs. To sing about experiences like campfires or hiking and connect it to emotion and experiences. Nature in music can allow songs to speak about interpretations of nature, including visual and auditory experiences. Interpretations of nature through music represent what an individual experiences from specific moments in nature, or even nature through art. A song that reminds me of this is “Sky full of stars” by Coldplay. This song includes the interpretation of nature and the aspect of connecting it to express emotion. Reading the lyrics of this song has made me debate what the meaning of it is meant to be. Some lines imply this might be expressing a breakup and some imply it might be about grieving someone whose passed. This is the unique part of expressing nature. It can be interpreted so widely because nature doesn’t have to reflect directly back to the trees and flowers, it is everything apart of this process of living. I think this song does a good job of exploring the nature of the world and the nature of life.
Often in the summer time throughout my childhood, my family would park our trailer at this campground with several of our family friends. Since we camped in groups, we would have free range of several campsites each time. I remember that at night we would always set up one of the camp sites for the “kids fire” and another campsite would hold the “adult fire”. Whatever us kids would do, we were not aloud to go bother the adults, it was always this game to see how long they could stay kid-free. As mentioned in the textbook- songs can strike the emotions of different memories depending on the interaction with it like a performance (Knudson et al., 2018). This relates to this one very specific interaction I had to the song “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond. There was one night where all of the dads from the group we were camping with came over to the kids fire, and just started dancing and singing to all of us in our mini sized lawn chairs around the fire. We thought it was the funniest thing to see our dads get into the music and sing to it like that. It was always so much fun when the divider of the parents' fire and kids fire would break down, allowing moments like this to happen.
References
Knudson, L.B.T.T.C.D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. Sagamore Publishing LLC. https://sagamore.vitalsource.com/books/9781571678669
unit 06 blog post
Hyams discusses continuity between the past, present, and future in this quote, highlighting how crucial it is to uphold the integrity that unites all the components of an experience over time. Starting off with the statement that there is "no peculiar merit in ancient things," the quote casts doubt on the notion that artifacts from the past are worth anything just because they are old. Rather, "integrity," or the entirety and continuity of knowledge and experience over time, is what really matters. Maintaining links between various components, even if they are dispersed throughout time, is what integrity is all about. Connecting this quote with our textbook, I think it implies that our comprehension of nature shouldn't be static when it comes to environmental interpretation. Instead, we must acknowledge that nature is a dynamic, living thing that is shaped by the past but is constantly changing, much like history.
This viewpoint is consistent with the teachings covered in this unit, which emphasize the importance of history in understanding nature. The passage stresses the need of keeping a "memory of ancient things," and this section focuses on how historical interpretation enables us to make connections between historical landscapes, events, and artifacts and our current understanding of nature. It's not enough to simply observe the natural world as it is; one must also comprehend how natural occurrences, human history, and societal shifts have shaped it. As history gives our relationships with nature life and significance, it promotes a stronger feeling of place and community.
I can’t help but think of when I initially fell in love with the environment around me during my summers as a camp counsellor. It was all so new to me, so much so, that these places seemed to belong to me now, existing just if I was present to experience them. However, as time passed and I thought back on my sense of place, I came to see that those locations' beauty had more to do with things than just my presence. They were intricately linked to a greater narrative that began long before I arrived and continued long after I left.
Photo of my Camp during my counsellor days.
The quote's last line, which draws a comparison between forgetting the past and believing that a train station only exists while a train is there, serves as a great metaphor for how people frequently approach the world of nature. I felt this way when I returned home from camp to the city, that the environment simply was less existent, however that is not the case. It doesn't mean that nature disappears or becomes less important just because we don't continuously see it or engage with it. It is important for us to recognize that the environments we explore have complex histories, whether they be geological, ecological, or human, and that these histories continue long after we are gone. I see this idea to show us as interpreters how to view our environmental surroundings as parts of a continuous story rather than as discrete points in time.
After visiting camp recently I found I felt a sort of "past" connection to its environment, I wonder have you ever experienced a stronger sense of connection to the past or future of nature?
Due to the lack of specificity within this quote, it is so interesting how differently it can be interpreted. Your interpretation of this quote and connecting it with nature and your personal experiences is strong. I like in connection to the train metaphor quote you put the argument that just because we aren’t actively experiencing nature doesn’t mean it is losing value or non-existent.
To answer your question, I do have connections with specific parts of nature that have created historical moments in my mind. I think everyone has their favourite location in nature to decompress in or a favourite childhood memory at a location that will forever hold a soft spot in your heart. For me, I think of a trailer park we used to leave my trailer at in the summertime. I do feel that if I were to return, the way I recall it in my mind would not reflect the way it would make me feel if I were to go back now. I believe my memories might be more “romanticized” and I might not feel the sense of reunion I hoped for. That is why I am okay with leaving these memories in the past as my history because that is where they sit the happiest in my mind. Like the train station analogy, this campground still exists out of my experiences and I think it’s okay for it to continue to exist in my past to avoid a sense of possible disappointment if I were to go back.
Blog #6
Through having deep conversations with people and reading what people post on the internet. It is very easy to lose track of yourself. Specifically, when you are struggling with something that may have happened to you, or someone else in your life. In these moments it is important to stay true to yourself, let yourself feel all the emotions but don’t let your true self venture too far from reality. When this happens it can be really difficult to admit and it can be even more difficult to ask for assistance to help get you back to yourself. Events that have happened to you don’t define you and they especially shouldn’t allow you to lose track of your true self. Below is my line by line break down of this quotation.
“There is no peculiar merit in ancient things” is saying that just because something is ancient or old does not mean that it is particularly valuable for that fact alone. In other words, not all events of your personal past have significant value. “but there is merit in integrity” justifies that there is value and honour that comes with Integrity. To me, integrity includes loyalty, respect and morals. “and if integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole” this high integrity moral set is required to maintain parts of your past and present to keep it together as a whole. Further, I think this is stating that through any parts of your life that could have broke you apart or tear you down, integrity has assisted in maintaining your mental health as a whole instead of falling to pieces. “then the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things” to keep yourself as a whole by keeping track of your integrity will include knowledge, and memories of what you’ve been through to get where you are today. “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”. To me this last sentence means that if you are to believe events of the past are to define you then you are to believe that a railway station is to only exist when a train is going through it. Implying that the train station still exists and has purpose even when a train is not going through it. I think this railway analogy is another way to say that you are more than what you might think of yourself. You exist and live through the good days and the bad days.
To me this quote represents an introduction to self love when you can’t seem to find any. It offers hope and reassurance that if you are going through a rough time that you will be able to collect your “broken pieces” and collect yourself as a whole again. Always keep your true self at arms reach and don’t forget your memories and history that got you where you are. Learn from what you’ve been to and don’t lose your integrity.
Blog Post 5
As an environmental student when I think of nature the aspect of science is automatically intertwined within. This is just another example of how different people experience nature interpretation, an approach which I haven't really considered before. When I see for example a tree I typically think of things like carbon sequestration and water/nutrient uptake. While both of these are very interesting to me and present when I interpret nature, a lot of people who have not taken a botany class would not immediately think of this when looking at a tree. Instead they may admire the beautiful leaves of the strong structure. I think the Unit 5 content from ENVS*3000 has really helped me to better understand the wide range of ways people can see nature. Sometimes I forget that because I have an educational background in environmental science the knowledge that I have is not “common sense” or something that everyone knows. This is an empowering concept as this allows me to think of new ways to interpret nature and how to do so in a way that suits the audience.
In terms of nature interpretation through the platform of a podcast I think it is important to keep the information interesting and on a lighter side. What I mean by this is not stuff full of facts and dense information as this can be hard for people to digest. Instead if the information is presented in a manner that is interesting and engages the audience they are more likely to remember the information in the podcast after it is done. This is extra important when it comes to making podcasts intended for children as it can be more difficult for children to stay engaged in the content if it isn't made fun for them. So when thinking of nature interpretation through science it is vital that the information be passed down in a way that is fun. Immediately this reminds me of watching Bill Nye the Science guy growing up. Bill was able to keep the audience engaged by making the science fun. Although this does not directly relate to nature interpretation this is the kind of execution I am hoping to bring to nature interpretation through podcasting.
An interesting thing to me is that nature interpretation doesn't always have to be in a formal setting where people are there intentionally to learn. Nature interpretation can be in large groups or small groups. When looking at it from this perspective I believe I have guided a nature interpretation in some way shape or form. For example when hiking with my friends and family someone usually points something out or I see something that I find interesting. I then usually find myself explaining the information that I've learned through school or something else. While a true nature interpretation can require lots of research and planning I think it is also possible to give people short informal interpretations as well. I think these interactions can be just as meaningful as the small bit of information you pass down to someone may result in them thinking about what you told them whenever they pass something that sparks their memory. This can also lead to the further spread of information as this person may tell their friend the next time they are hiking or something of this nature. I believe that the more informed our society is of the beauty and functionality of nature the more we will come to appreciate and value it. Even small bits of information can help lead people to make better choices that help to protect and conserve the environment.
To conclude knowledge that might be basic to you is not “common sense” to everyone is so important in this world. That realization will help you in future jobs when you might be training people, or even when you are raising children. I think people are too quick to get frustrated leading to judgement and shame when they don’t take this into consideration.
I completely agree about the podcasts! As a visual learner I can tell you I will NOT be able to recall what would be spoken about if I was listening to something with pure facts and no in between. Personality and relations to real life is what would help these podcasts stick with me. Bill Nye the science guy is a perfect example to include here! Everyone remembers him.
I like that you’re interested in finding ways to include everyone in understanding nature’s interpretation. The way you talk about different locations of natures interpreting and different ways to pass that information on. You are absolutely correct about your last sentence. Sometimes it does not take a lot of explaining or effort to inform people and alter their opinions. For the example of environmental conservation I feel like most people are uninformed. People can quickly get defensive when this discussion comes up because they think it requires this whole lifestyle change to contribute towards conserving the environment. When really, with a quick educated conversation they can quickly learn it doesn’t need to be that significant. Just start by something as simple as recycling properly and don’t litter!
Blog #5- free prompt
As I head home for thanksgiving this weekend as do most people the thing on my mind is a sense of guilt. Ever since moving away for school I feel so guilty everytime I leave my house. I am the oldest child, so at the end of every visit home I am the one to leave the rest of my family. When I am gone they proceed as they should being a family of four. Which the thought of just leaves me feeling so guilty. To imagine my seat empty at the dinner table each night, or to think about them going places in the car and my sister sits in my designed seat in the middle because she doesn’t need to sit in the back anymore.
Recently leaving home has been so much harder because my dogs are getting older. I have a 15-year-old and 11-year-old although they both look and act amazing for their ages. It breaks me that I am not spending as much time possible with them in their senior years. Out of all the goodbyes when I come back to school saying goodbye to them fills me with the most guilt. I have spent ¾ of my life with my older one and about ½ my life with the other. When I think of my family they are included because that’s all I’ve known. Whenever I am home they always come scratching on my bedroom door because they want to come into my room and hangout with me. My mom tells me they scratch on my door when I'm not home and it feels awful to know they probably just think I’m ignoring them when I am not home to let them in.
Most students who are moving away have felt these feelings of exclusion within their family or are rarely present in their senior dogs lives who have been around for most of yours. I am forever grateful to have a family and parents who make my departure so difficult. I am forever grateful to have 2 amazing dogs that have experienced so much with me that they have. These 4 people and 2 dogs have also experienced almost every single memory within nature that I have shared in my blogs. Once my family was on a 2 week camping trip and my dog had hurt his leg and was on strict walking restrictions. Since he’s so small we compromised by putting him in my backpack and tying him in. He LOVED his free ride in the wind. We’ve gone on kayak trips as a family including the dogs, we’ve went to every cottage, every campground, every hike with all of us… and we do a lot of that stuff.
Through the unexpected deaths of both my grandpa and my friend on back-to-back days, I was taught very quickly to never take another goodbye for granted. I think that is just one more reason as to why leaving my family is always so hard. Cherish every goodbye.
Blog 4!
To interpret nature through art is a process that is based on observation, feeling and to have a sense of connectedness to the surrounding environment. There are, in my opinion, a variety of things at play when it comes to how nature is interpreted through art. I envision mountain ranges, flower gardens, and sunsets when I think of nature in art. However, our five senses are the basis for all these things. Our senses of touch and scent allow us to take in the beauty of the natural world. Like touching rocks, breathing in the scent of woods, listening to birds, or watching leaves rustle in the breeze. It is the sight and sound of nature that evoke some of my most profound memories. There are fundamental memories in nature, from raindrops falling on a window to the calm of a setting sun. The ability to sense every aspect of the beauty that nature bestows upon us through art comes to me when I consider how to interpret nature through art.
One way to define “the gift of beauty” is one’s ability to recognize and value the smallest details, harmony, and patterns found in both nature and human existence. It is all about appreciating the visual, emotional, and occasionally spiritual effect of nature or the arts. By turning this perception into something that speaks to other people through words, images, or various other forms, one might interpret this through art. Although beauty if very personal, at its heart, it often conveys wonder, peace and balance.
I can capture and transmit the essence of the natural environment in ways to encourage people to interact with their surroundings using photos, painting, etc. I love to take photos of the beauty of nature. Something always has a story, from the blooming of a flower, the changing of the leaves, sunsets and more. For example, a picture of a flower in bloom can symbolize rebirth and hope, whilst a picture of a stream with a forest background can be seen as peaceful and calm. My intention and a nature interpreter are to foster a closer relationship between humans and the environments they inhabit by using art to explain what nature truly is. Nature is interpreted by everyone differently, but to enrich someone’s thoughts and views of nature to better it, would be amazing.
Here is a picture that I took 2 years ago of the tree in front of Summerlee. To me it symbolizes change of not only the colour of the leaves but that the seasons are also changing.
An example of when I was an interpreter was when I was a camp counsellor for summer horse camp. It was an amazing experience to teach them the beauty of nature through showing and answering their questions. As well as teaching them the beauty of horses, pastures, and more. It was nice to see their view of how the interpret nature and how they see it.
In the end, everybody experiences nature in a different way, therefore it is important to take a variety of viewpoints and cultural backgrounds into account. They can be enhanced more and can have more comprehensive appreciation of the beauty of nature. Taking Indigenous perspectives and acknowledging their strong ties to the land. My goal is to have people realize how important nature is and to take an act of responsibility for it.
What stood out to me about your post is the way you incorporated our 5 senses into interpreting nature through art. In my post I had considered interpretation of nature through art as a visual process that can be brought internally through connections and emotions. It did not cross my mind to consider different ways of exploring art for example through touch or scent. I appreciate your ability to look at the greater picture and really incorporate a wide range of interpretation to this prompt.
We both interpreted the definition of the gift of beauty very similarly. However, I like the addition you included stating that it is the “ability to recognize the value of the smallest details”. I think including the word value in that sentence is very significant because those who can really understand the gift of beauty are people who are very connected to even the smallest things. These people can find value and significance in all of nature and I really like how you captured that in your definition.
Your interpretation of a flower in bloom is so significant in many ways. It shows that you are able to see the gift of beauty and think past basic observations. I think because of this, your goals as an interpreter to gain closer relationships within the environment is very reasonable. You mentioned that you like to capture nature by encouraging interactions between people and the environment through painting and photos. Is there a specific thing in nature that you enjoy painting or photographing?
Blog #4
Interpreting nature through art is something that everyone with a phone has done with or without realizing it. Every photo of the sunset, every drawing of trees, every moment of appreciating other peoples art are all variations of interpreting nature through art as mentioned in this weeks lesson. To interpret art means to feel something it is expressing. To interpret art is to express connections with nature that you portray on your canvas. I am to interpret nature through art in many dynamics and perspectives. My interpretation of nature through art has changed over the years. What used to be pictures of pretty sunsets has turned into looking within the colours to find hints of my loved ones who have passed away. Interpretation of nature through art makes me feel emotions and connections. Something I enjoy when I can find free time is painting. My family and I always do paint nights together and more often than not we paint scenes from nature. I had never absorbed the fact that even doing things like this is considered interpreting nature through art. This type of interpretation makes me feel the welcoming presence of my family, and it reminds me of the laughter and love that I feel when I am home and bonding with my family. Even throughout this course I have been in the role of sharing my interpretations through art. All the photos I have shared in my blogs and sharing my memories and experiences of nature is also interpreting nature through art.
Here is a photo I took of a sunset on a night when I was struggling with the loss of a close friend. She had beautiful bright red hair like the sky portrayed that day. I can now look back and understand that the way I was interpreting the art of this photo with emotion is completely normal and part of the experience of interpretation.
My translation of “the gift of beauty” from the textbook states that as an interpreter you should be able to observe the beauty around you (Knudson et al. 2017). You should be motivated to find the beauty around you and apply it to different parts of your life (Knudson et al. 2017). To me this implies that interpreters must be very observant and very connected people. Ever since the loss of my friend I search for signs of her everywhere. I feel the gift of beauty when the song Home by Edith Whiskers plays. There was a time right before my friends unexpected passing when my friend group experienced one of the most connecting moments I have ever felt within the lyrics of this song. We took the moment to interpret and connect with this beautiful piece of music. We reflect on this moment often, we are so thankful that we got to experience it as a whole friend group before we were separated by the passing of our friend. I create interpretations of my friend through the beauty of nature and art everywhere in this life.
Knudson, L.B.T.T.C.D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. Sagamore Publishing LLC. https://sagamore.vitalsource.com/books/9781571678669
Unit 04: Nature Interpretation through Art and Planning for “All” Scenarios. (2024). Uoguelph.ca. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/898489/viewContent/3863606/View
Unit 03: Risk versus Reward in Interpretation
In the context of nature interpretation, privilege refers to the unearned advantages or opportunities that some individuals or groups may have over others, often due to factors such as socioeconomic status, access to resources, education, or cultural background. For me, as a hunter, outdoorsman, fisherman, and conservationist, I recognize that my ability to engage deeply with nature—whether through hunting for food, practicing catch-and-release fishing, or participating in conservation efforts—comes from a place of privilege. I have access to knowledge, equipment, and opportunities that not everyone may have.
For instance, not all people have the time, financial resources, or geographic proximity to experience the outdoors in a meaningful way. This privilege can shape how we interpret nature, as someone with more access might view wilderness differently than someone who has only experienced nature through documentaries or urban green spaces. It also extends to cultural interpretations—indigenous communities, for example, have deep, often sacred connections to the land that differ from recreational or scientific perspectives. Acknowledging this privilege is important because it helps us approach nature with humility and respect, recognizing that our experiences are not universal and that we must advocate for equitable access to natural spaces and the preservation of ecosystems for everyone.
I noticed that your working definition of privilege says it is advantages or opportunities that are unearned. I realize the Google definition also agrees with that statement, but I think otherwise. Although some versions of privilege are just given to you, like your race or cultural background. However, I do think there are aspects of privilege that are earned. To further back my argument up, I’d like to point out that you mentioned you enjoy hunting to deeply connect with nature. I think that being able to hunt with certain hunting or fishing licences is an earned privilege. Additionally, your hunting experience includes equipment and time. If you’re working a full-time job, extra time might come from the day off privileges you have earned through being loyal to your company. Also, the money you spent on your equipment would have come from a job and a wage that you also had to earn. These are just some reasons I considered as I wrote my working definition of privilege to be earned or unearned!
I do agree with your statement in the second paragraph saying that “privilege can shape how we interpret nature”. I kind of used a point from my last weeks blog post to conclude this point. Last week it was brought up that natures interpretation is also based on your parents views on it. I feel like if your parents act as if nature’s experiences are privileges when you’re a child it will also make you feel the same way.
Blog #3
My working definition of privilege says it is something that puts individuals or groups of people at an advantage compared to others. This advantage can be something that is earned or it can be something that can’t be helped based on an individual’s upbringing. I think that earned privilege is like attending university. It was a privilege to be accepted and it is a privilege to be able to afford everything that comes along with it. However, I have to work to keep this privilege by maintaining my grades. In circumstances like this my definition of privilege says it can be taken away if it is taken for granted. I think there is another type of privilege that includes race, financial status, and religion. This privilege includes the structure of how people view and respect each other in this world. Different types of these things will allow for different privileges in different aspects. I also think privilege is about perspective. Someone from a family without much opportunity to travel might see privilege as being able to sleep in a tent in their back yard to connect with nature. Someone who might be more well off financially might see going on their families boat as a privilege to connect with nature.
There are many things in my life that I consider to be a privilege. I am so privileged to have been able to see as much of this world as I have. There have been so many opportunities In my life where I have got the privilege to connect with nature in so many different places. Whether that be camping, at cottages, travelling or simply sitting in my backyard. These privileges I have experienced are all combinations of being gifted to me, some I have earned, and some privileges I have experienced just because of where I was born. Even though I haven’t noticed it before this course, looking back I have always made it a point to sit back to observe and take in nature wherever I might be. Even in places that might not be seen as relaxing where you sit back and listen to the birds. When I went to Los Angeles the privilege of connecting with nature looked different there. I would still take in the way the sky looked, or the way the breeze felt and I would still watch all the squirrels and small lizards interact within nature. I am so thankful for all the amazing experiences and oppertunities I have had with nature.
In the role of a natures interpretor in the community advocator position I discussed in last weeks blog there are so many aspects of that position where my definition of privilege would line up. It would be a privilege for me to be able to teach people about topics I love under the name of campgrounds or children’s camps. To be able to also help the audience feel a connection towards natures interpretation and work towards goals I would set for myself in that position would be a seen as an honourable privilege by me.
Unit 2 Blog #2
Two more topics related to this prompt that I wanted to delve a bit more into are another specific interest I would love to promote as an environmental interpreter, and further discussion of the learning styles that need to be considered and catered to in interpretation.
First, as an environmental interpreter, I would ideally teach groups about the importance of insects in our world. Many people have negative connotations with insects, whether out of fear or inconvenience, but I have always felt positively towards these creatures, and after learning more about them in an insect biology course (I would be curious to hear if anyone else took this course at UofG) I have an even greater appreciation. In recent years, the importance of pollinators has been pushed more which is a very encouraging development, but this has largely focused on bees and butterflies which—while important—are not the only relevant pollinators. The role of many flies and even beetles in pollination is something that many people would not know, and I would love to share this passion of mine with others through education about nature. Although I doubt I would be able to convert everyone to an insect lover, I would enjoy the experience of educating people about a side of insects that they may not be aware of to at least earn them some respect or understanding.
Secondly, I have heard discussion of the types of learning styles many times, and this application in environmental interpretation is one that I feel can be integrated well. During a tour of an environment, activities and structure can be created to allow each of the three main learning styles (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic) to benefit. A story can be told during the tour with information and messages you are trying to send integrated throughout, seeing the environment around you as well as informational posters/signs, and hands-on activities such as direct interaction with specimens of plants or animals while learning about them can be included. This integration would be a main goal for me as an interpreter, and I feel this is a subject in which collaborating with others with different learning styles to design the best method of interpretation could be very beneficial. I am primarily an auditory learner, and consistently show the least bias towards kinesthetic learning, so it would be important for me to check with people who do learn this way that interpretation I am leading successfully caters to this method.
These discussions also highlight for me why the “Where might it be?” line in this prompt is not as important as the others to me. I feel strongly about many types of nature in many ways, and thus I prioritize the learning that I would be able to instill and what skills I would need to do this successfully.
Out of interest, I have also included a poll to hear from you all about what type of learner you are as it would be interesting to know how variable the class is on this!
What type of learner are you?
Auditory 👂
Visual 👁️
Kinesthetic 🖐️
When writing my post about my ideal environmental interpreter I took the view as an opportunity to teach others and further inform them. What I understand from your paragraph about insects is that you also want to educate people but with the further goal of changing their perspectives and opinions. I think it’s cool that you have felt the shift from not being fond of insects to growing interest and appreciation towards them. I think that might make you more inspired and motivated as an environmental interpreter because you know the mindset shift is possible. I also think the second half of that paragraph is such an important topic. People are unaware that there are more pollinators than just bees and since they are so important to our world, more awareness would be so beneficial!
If you would be able to successfully integrate methods to adapt to different learning styles I think your role as a promotion environmental interpreter could be so successful. You would be covering topics with the interest of changing peoples perspective and with the intent to educate on new knowledge aswell. If this can be done with adaptations to different learning styles you would have the attention of all sorts of people. I see you mention wanting people to get hands on opportunities with these specimen. Are there any locations that would interest you to teach in? I think maybe some sort of insect conservatory, or maybe some zoos could make this idea so much fun!
