Final Blog
This course has taught me a lot about nature interpretation that I can apply to my life in the future. I’ve had a wonderful time reading everyone’s blogs and everyone’s perspectives on the prompts. My biggest takeaway from this course is that everyone has the right to access nature. I acknowledge my privilege, being a white, middle class, English-speaking, able-bodied woman. As a nature interpreter, I want to provide everyone with the same opportunities to learn more about nature.
I think my biggest responsibility is to inspire others to want to learn more about nature. I can do this about being enthusiastic about my work, as my passion can inspire others to want to learn. It is also important to be engaging, so I can be memorable and help create lifelong memories. Another important responsibility is to spread the message about conservation. As climate change continues to affect the environment, I think it is important to teach those who want to learn about facts, and how we can help certain species or ecosystems.
As a science student, I had always interpreted nature through science, but this course has taught me how to interpret nature through art (unit 4), music (unit 7) and history (unit 6). I think approaching nature interpretation from multiple different angles is what truly creates a well-rounded interpreter. This also allows the interpreter to reach different audiences, for example those who appreciate art or history.
What are your next steps in nature interpretation after this course? I got a job as a tour guide at the African Lion Safari for this summer! With this course under my belt, I will think back to what I’ve learnt to make every tour I give memorable for the visitors. I truly hope to inspire children to want to learn more about the animals at the safari, as I hope they will see my passion and will want to get excited about animals with me! I will make sure to cater to my audiences, whether my tour group consists of more children or adults, I want to make sure that everyone has a memorable experience. I will reach auditory learners by talking on the tours, visual learners by driving by the different animals in the safari so you can look at them while I interpret, and hopefully tactile learners will enjoy taking in the whole experience. As it says in unit 2, as an interpreter I must be able to cater to every learner and adapt to my audience’s needs.
Overall, I am glad that I have completed this course as I move on into the world of nature interpretation. I’ve learnt a lot, and I’ve spent some time rethinking how I approach nature interpretation. I will always remember to ask:
Who am I as an interpreter? Who is my audience? How can I make this experience meaningful?
Goodluck to everyone with your end of the year assignments and exams, hope to cross paths in the woods someday!
Grace
Hi Grace, I loved your post. In our textbook, it calls enthusiasm contagious by saying “the interpreters who seem truly excited about what they discuss create an atmosphere of inspiration”(Beck et al. 2018, p 194). The way you described your new job certainly shows your enthusiasm. I really like African Lion Safari. You make a great point about using a wide variety of techniques to share information with the audience. In unit 4, it says art captures a moment in time and when shared the story continues (Hookaas, 2021). Pictures can give intangible ideas a very real depiction and even a face. Often the emotions that a picture evokes are very unique, and different than other ways of getting the audience to feel. I agree that it is our responsibility as nature interpreters to be a positive guide to help people engage and explore the environment. To answer your question, “What are your next steps after this course?” I'm done my certificate in Environmental Citizenship and am now planning my career by applying all the knowledge I have gained. Although, as a lifelong learner,v my knowledge will constantly develop. I feel that it is the responsibility of nature interpreters to always learn new science, technologies, and approaches so they can improve their programs and approaches. I like your point about asking yourself the questions that were in each unit as you go through life, as this will help gather your thoughts and reflect on your program's efficacy. Good luck in your new job!
References
Beck, L. Cable, T. Knudson, D. (2018) P 194. Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Sagamore-Venture Publishing LLC. ISBN 978-1-57167-865-2
Hooykaas, A. (2022). Nature Interpretation through Art and Planning for "All" Scenarios. [Unit 4 course reading]. Nature Interpretation Course University of Guelph.


















