Kattrina’s Blog @kkenvs3000w25 - Tumblr Blog

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This blog was created for ENVS 3000 at the University of Guelph.

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of the University of Guelph.

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Last Blog! - 10

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 this course, I have learned a lot about my personal ethics, beliefs, and responsibilities as a nature interpreter. As I grow as a nature interpreter my personal ethic is deeply rooted in the appreciation and respect that I hold for nature. My growth in this area and the 5 years I have dedicated to learning about the environment allow me to offer my unique perspective on interpreting nature. This provides me with the commitment to keep educating and continuously foster a deep relationship between people and the environment. As I progress as an interpreter I like to keep Beck et al (2018)’s definition of interpretation in the back of my mind. They defined interpretation as a unique process made to inspire and inform people about the relationship between culture and nature, which can be communicated in a variety of ways (Beck et al., 2018). Keeping this in mind allows me to remember my basis of interpretation in nature, always inspiring curiosity, encouraging environmental stewardship, and continuously promoting sustainability. Additionally, I want to show people how amazing nature is the beauty, the science, and the wonder of all the elements it has to offer, inspiring other people the value nature as much as I do!

As an environmentalist, I have many beliefs when comes to nature, but to spare you some time I will just run you through my top five. Firstly, I believe that nature holds intrinsic value, meaning that beyond the ecosystem services it provides for humans, ecosystems, species, and natural landscapes are still worth preserving. This can also be known as subjective intrinsic value meaning nature should be valued in and of itself independent of its utility (Sandler, 2012). Second, I believe that nature and humans are deeply connected, just in the context of this course we have learned various ways in which nature is incorporated into our lives, through art, music, and culture. Not only are we connected to nature through aspects that intertwine culture and nature, but through human health and well-being as well. The University of California demonstrated that people who spend lots of time outdoors can experience lower cortisol levels, reduced muscle tension, and lower blood pressure (Ways, 2023). This presents the deep connection between humans and nature that some people may not even realize exists. The third belief that I have is that cultural and Indigenous knowledge matters. Traditional knowledge provides valuable insights on how humans can create sustainable relationships with nature. The more we understand this knowledge, the closer we become to creating sustainable relationships with the environment. The fourth belief I have is that nature should be accessible to everyone, meaning no matter your age, race, ethnicity, gender, experience, or ability everyone should have to opportunity to engage with nature. Lastly, with this in mind, I believe that positive environmental change is possible. This can be difficult to believe at some points especially when it feels like our environment is doomed due to everything going on in the world. But I believe people like me and you can empower and promote the implementation of sustainable solutions to create environmental change!!

Now that you know a little bit about my beliefs you can understand what I feel my responsibilities are as an interpreter. I’ll briefly run through some of them with you! My first responsibility that I recently learned through creating the first podcast is providing accurate science-based knowledge while also trying to make it engaging for the listener. This could involve tailoring the communication process to target different learning styles to better communicate facts. Along with this comes the responsibility of acknowledging the uncertainties in environmental science. Science is always evolving it can be difficult to know every aspect of nature and how it works. Admitting uncertainty can foster curiosity and innovation, which can be especially beneficial for children (Lamnina & Chase, 2019) as they desire knowledge to fill these gaps. Lastly, I feel I have a responsibility to promote sustainability and empower action. As an interpreter one of my main jobs is to educate while educating I’d like to promote sustainability by setting an example for other people. I can do this by living a sustainable lifestyle and teaching others how to do the same! In a similar way I hope this empowers people to make changes to their everyday lives, respect nature, and teach was to contribute to conservation initiatives.

As an individual, I know that I have specific learning styles that allow me to stay engaged. These learning styles are mainly tactile and visual, I believe I benefit most from experiential learning. Meaning, that in order for me to be an effective interpreter I would rather be immersed in nature creating interactive demonstrations. This also helps support visual learning as often seeing the real deal right in front of me allows me to engage and explore additional aspects. Using these styles of learning can help me become a better interpreter and explore the many wonders of nature.

As this is my last blog post, and I reflect on my growth as an interpreter I see I have made some great advancements in the way share my unique perspective. There is still a lot to learn and I am grateful for what I have learned throughout this course!

Thanks for keeping up with my blog this semester!

Amelie

References

Lamnina, M., & Chase, C. C. (2019). Developing a thirst for knowledge: How uncertainty in the classroom influences curiosity, affect, learning, and transfer. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 59, 101785. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2019.101785

Sandler, R. (2012). Intrinsic Value, Ecology, and Conservation | Learn Science at Scitable. Nature.com. https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/intrinsic-value-ecology-and-conservation-25815400/

ways. (2023, May 3). 3 ways getting outside into nature helps improve your health. Cultivating-Health; UC Davis Health. https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/3-ways-getting-outside-into-nature-helps-improve-your-health/2023/05#:~:text=Nature%20can%20improve%20physical%20wellness&text=Studies%20also%20show%20that%20being,lower%20rates%20of%20heart%20disease.

kkenvs3000w25

Hi Amelie,

I really enjoyed reading your blog this week, I’m sad that it is the last blog week!

I’d first like to thank you for reminding me of Beck et al., (2018) definition of interpretation. I like that it includes interpretation as a means of inspiring. This is such a great word in the context of nature because nature has inspired so many things.

Something that this made me think of right away is the way nature may have inspired music. Check out this link to learn more about it, it’s super fascinating to know just how inspirational the natural environment truly is to art!

Earth.fm shares eight pieces of classical music pieces which were inspired by sounds from the natural world, including Beethoven and Vivaldi

Anyways, back to your blog. I really appreciate that the definition of interpretation for you, keeps you grounded in what you really value – curiosity, environmental stewardship, and the promotion of sustainability. I would feel comforted to know you were a nature interpreter as these values are so incredibly important to spread to others. Just by the way you have written your blog, I can tell that you have a lot of wonder and passion for nature, and these are very important traits of a nature interpreter, in my personal opinion. I also appreciate that you said you want to show people how amazing nature is. Not only are you super passionate about it, but you are passionate about sharing what you love, along with promoting its sustainability :)

Reading your beliefs on nature, I felt very inspired. I love that you mentioned that nature holds intrinsic value, because I too absolutely believe this. We were provided with all this wonderful natural beauty around us, it should absolutely be valued outside of its utility to humans!

What I have also learned throughout this course that stuck with me, that you mentioned in your beliefs is that nature and humans have a deep connection. I love that fact you included from the University of California. Nature truly is medicine!

I know from personal experience, I have had days where nothing can fix what I am going through. Sometimes I have days (I’m sure we all do) where my head is flooded with stress, and nothing seems to be going right. Every problem seems like the biggest problem in the world and it doesn’t seem to be getting better. Sometimes, all it takes to feel a little better is some fresh air. Some time spent outdoors can help SO MUCH. Although going outside is not directly fixing the problem, being able to connect with nature, and something outside of the problem at hand, I personally feel like I get a nice change in perspective. I realize that the world is bigger than the problem that I am facing, and sometimes it gives me a sense of peace.

I also really appreciate your mention that cultural and Indigenous knowledge matters. Traditional knowledge is very important and insightful on sustainable relationships with nature! This definitely can help us become closer with the environment. As well, your belief that nature should be accessible to everyone, I of course absolutely agree with. Like you said, sometimes it does feel like our environment is “doomed,” but you’ve given me hope by saying that we have the power to empower some environmental change!

In speaking of your responsibilities as an interpreter, one I actually hadn’t thought of that you mentioned was the acknowledgement of uncertainties in environmental science. Science is always changing, and to add to this, I would say that educating the general public on the scientific method could be very helpful in helping them to trust science. If, like you said, admitting uncertainty would be a helpful promoter of curiosity, this is actually really great! Curiosity is so important and really gets people’s minds working, promoting a passion for the natural sciences in those people!!

Thank you for recognizing one of your main roles as an interpreter to be promoting sustainability as well as empowering action. Nature interpreters have the power to educate others however they wish. It is so crucial to set an example for others, like you said you would, so they understand just how to be a respectful member of the natural world 🙂

Anyways,

I really appreciated this post. It really inspired me and I can tell that you are very passionate about nature.

Have a great rest of your semester!

Kattrina

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

pgenvs3000w25

My Role As A Nature Interpreter

Over the course of this semester, I have learned the importance of knowing your audience when interpreting nature and sharing with others. While interpreting nature, I reflect on my mind, experiences, morals, and values. Being able to communicate these thoughts of interpretation is key when becoming a nature interpreter. To be able to connect people to our natural world is a gift we as nature interpreters get to experience. Nature interpretation has given me time to take a step back from everyday life and be one with nature and bring a breath of fresh air into my life. Nature has been with me my whole life. I hope that others can develop respect and an understanding of nature as I have over the years of my life. To help others connect with nature, nature interpreters are essential guides!

Ethics and Beliefs

It is important to be respectful and socially aware when interpreting nature. At the beginning of this course, I wasn’t aware of the layers there are to nature interpretation. To acknowledge the natural beings, the connection between people and the earth, as well as recognizing the people's stories and interconnectedness. The textbook emphasizes that interpretation should not only be informative but should also empower people to appreciate and protect cultural and natural heritage (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 1).

Respecting Your Audience

Understanding your audience is very important in nature interpretation, as it shows respect for the people you are sharing your thoughts with, as well as making it accessible for all to understand (Sande, n.d). The goal of a nature interpreter is to help people open their eyes to the beauty and complexity of nature. To achieve this, it is important to recognize that not everyone has the same knowledge, opportunity, and privilege as you yourself do. The textbook highlights the importance of understanding the connections between cultural heritage and natural heritage, urging interpreters to embrace a holistic perspective (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 3). Respecting that people come from all sorts of cultural backgrounds that may give them more or less experience with nature is key when relaying your interpretations to others. Nature is prominent in many cultures and is interpreted differently, so it is important to incorporate people’s practices to represent them when interpreting nature.

Accessibility For All

Respecting and understanding the audience also goes along with the belief that nature interpretation and education should be accessible to all. The textbook says that interpretation should be inclusive and reflect diverse worldviews and cultural perspectives (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 4). Sharing nature interpretations in different forms such as visually, audibly, and so on will allow for more people to be exposed to the natural world in ways that resonate with their learning styles and cultural backgrounds. It is also important to incorporate different levels of detail and science within nature interpretation to engage audiences of different scientific backgrounds.

Respecting Nature

Respecting nature is a key belief I have while interpreting nature. Respecting nature is acknowledging that nature is complex and full of all sorts of life forms. Whether it is a tiny beetle or a large oak tree, we must respect that these are living beings that are trying to survive on this earth as we are too. When interpreting nature, do not undermine living creatures just because they are not as ‘complex’ as humans. This aligns with the principle expressed by Beck et al., which calls for an understanding of natural heritage that goes beyond scientific knowledge to embrace the intrinsic value of biodiversity (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 2). We as humans should work to protect our ecosystems as a way of showing we value the species that live within them.

Responsibilities of A Nature Interpreter

Inclusion

It is a nature interpreter's responsibility to include everyone while sharing their insights. This does not mean every form of interpretation will be the same for all, but proving creative ways to include people of different educational backgrounds, geographic locations, ages, and privileges. The textbook highlights that cultural sensitivity is crucial in ensuring that heritage sites and natural spaces are interpreted in ways that are respectful of all visitors’ values and experiences (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 3). So, being aware and accommodating to different cultures and backgrounds will allow for more inclusivity and make all audiences feel comfortable learning about nature.

Communication of Knowledge

Another responsibility of a nature interpreter is to provide information about our environment. By doing this, it is the responsibility of the interpreter to have background knowledge of the natural world to be able to give informative insight into people's questions and help others understand. The textbook explains it is important for a nature interpreter to relay truthful and meaningful information to their audience (Beck et al. 2018, Chapter 4). Although you may not need to be an environmental scientist to be a nature interpreter, it is important to explore the basic science behind ecosystems and how they work in symbiosis.

Providing an Experience

Lastly, nature interpreters need to give people an experience that will help connect them to nature. Whether it be through photos, videos, or out in a forest with their audience, it is the responsibility of the interpreter to provide the audience with an engaging time. Everyone has their own idea of what is interesting to them, and different learning styles. Utilizing different learning styles and experiences will help to bring people together and deepen their connection to nature. It si also important to communicate with passion, energy and vibrance to get people excited about nature and want to learn more (Sande, n.d).

With all these responsibilities in mind, I as a nature interpreter aim to educate and communicate my thoughts on nature to all audiences in a way that will be inclusive for all and give people a meaningful experience.

Approaches to Interpretation

Telling A Story

I believe telling a story and incorporating nature interpretation is one of the best ways to approach nature interpretation. This method can be effective for engaging all ages, as children love hearing an exciting story and it will help them understand the message of nature. As well, it provides visual and audible aids for people, as they can listen to the story or read it, and envision the natural aspects of the story. A great example of this is “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss. This book was made to communicate with children the importance of nature conservation, and how trees and plants make our world go round. Dr. Seuss incorporated important messages while connecting them to fun characters and scenery. The textbook describes the importance of using narratives to help people connect with both natural and cultural heritage (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 4). Using narratives in books and stories is an inclusive way for all people to interpret and understand nature.

Hands-on With Nature

The textbook argues that hands-on learning is one of the most effective methods of interpretation (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 6). Encouraging people to go out into nature and experience the beautiful scenery is a great way of getting people to appreciate nature. Being in nature also has many health benefits which will aid in the positive connection formed between people and nature. Not everyone is able to experience nature often, so giving people opportunities and ideas on how to incorporate nature into their everyday lives will help deepen the connection between the audience and nature.

My Experience as a Nature Interpreter

Overall, being a nature interpreter has been a great experience. It has deepened my connection to nature as I had to think about how to explain my thoughts and feelings to an audience. I also find joy in explaining the beautiful things I have seen or learned about. Following my beliefs and responsibilities has been a great way of making sure I am creating positive experiences and bringing meaningful insights to my audience.

References

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

Sande, A. (n.d). Becoming a Good Nature Instructor. Alderleaf Wilderness College. https://www.wildernesscollege.com/nature-instructor.htmlsrsltid=AfmBOoo7pALF3SEfkCuiH6AfgPjZibiD3_JRKw6HVtE7Kb-68rq_ef4l

kkenvs3000w25

Hey Paige,

I really loved reading your post this week. I think you would be an excellent nature interpreter!!!!

I like that right away you mentioned the importance of “knowing your audience”. Everybody is different. Everyone has different experiences, beliefs, cultures, upbringings and so on and that gives people such varied perceptions, perspectives, and therefore, INTERPRETATIONS!!

Even just knowing your audience in terms of understanding that you are speaking to a child, rather than an adult, for example, is so important! The textbook mentions that knowing your audience, including their attitudes and values, can help us (the interpreters) to “target messages and experiences more precisely and effectively” (Beck et al., 2018, p. 131). Speaking without knowing your audience could have you speaking empty words!!

It is so beautiful that you described our ability to connect people to the natural world as a “gift” we get to experience. This connection we can help people form truly is a gift. We get to experience someone's mindset change or maybe even experience a sense of comfort or relief they get from nature, all from promoting their personal interpretations of nature.

Your points on accessibility were really important and I want to highlight that. It is so important to include different forms of communication (visual, audio) to touch upon several different learning styles, backgrounds, and disabilities people may have. Including different levels of detail of the science presented is also very important so that the group may truly understand the important information they are hearing! When I talk to my family at home about cool scientific things I’ve learned, for example, I keep in mind that they don’t have a science background and explain things more simply!

I appreciate that respecting nature is one of your key beliefs in interpreting nature. All other natural species are our natural neighbours. We should be working to protect our ecosystems like you said…we all share this one Earth!

In reading what you wrote as responsibilities of a nature interpreter, I 100% agree with you. For example, helping people to feel included can really enhance the interpretation experience. The textbook highlighted that: “Cultural minorities, children, teenagers, older adults, and individuals with disabilities participate more readily when interpreters make special efforts to welcome and better serve them” (Beck et al., 2018, p. 132). Therefore, this is very important for audiences!

I like what you said about “Providing an Experience” as an interpreter. Like you said, everyone has their own ideas of what is interesting and different styles of learning. Though each person’s learning style may not be able to be targeted through the whole experience, for example, being able to use a combination of different learning styles and talking about a variety of experiences may generally help as much as possible.

Your approaches to interpretation were also lovely to read about! My favourite approach that you mentioned is telling a story! Especially after creating the children’s podcast, I found that telling stories was a fun way to get a message across. I love that you also mentioned the advantage of telling stories, and how it is an accessible way to tell a message too. Storybooks can have words and pictures, and audiobooks, or someone can read the book out loud! Finally, your mention of being hands-on with nature is something I find very important. For me, reading and listening to information about something is one thing, but to go out and have a hands-on experience – to me there is nothing like it. I feel that physically connecting with nature helps us to create memories and to truly foster an appreciation for it :)

Overall, I really enjoyed reading your blog. It was also very well organized!

Have a great rest of your semester Paige.

Kattrina

References

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

Hey everyone,

Welcome back to my blog, I can’t believe we have made it this far already!

As I reflect on all that I have learned on my nature interpretation journey so far, I think I want to get more personal on my blog this week. I want to talk about what I would truly bring to my role as a nature interpreter.

I first want to talk about my personal ethics as a nature interpreter. First, I want to talk about my priority for inclusivity as a nature interpreter.

Nature interpretation is all about connecting with people and allowing them to connect with the nature around them. Thinking about walking through nature with a group, for instance, I would foster inclusivity by first making connections with the group around me. Little “get-to-know-me” games and activities are exactly how I would start this. Just like every orientation I’ve ever done – orientation week in first year, Grade 9 classes, team building at work…that kind of stuff! The textbook mentions that when conducting an interview, the first question to be asked should be an “ice breaker” (Beck et al., 2018, p. 181). Though this is not necessarily an interview, it is clear that ice breakers are helpful as they let the visitor talk about themselves and introduce a level of familiarity between everyone…even though this may not exactly help me truly get to know everyone deeply. It may help to break down barriers between the group and I, and within the group too! A bunch of strangers would hopefully (at the very least) turn into a bunch of acquaintances who enjoy each other’s company. Maybe even friends??? That would be cool!

As well, to promote inclusivity, if I was an interpreter I would offer programs at times that would be convenient for many – like both early morning programs and late afternoon programs. As well, I would offer specific children’s programs, adult programs, and senior programs, for those who would prefer a more age specific program. Tilden stated, regarding interpretation programs for children , that to “be at its best it will require a separate program” (Beck et al., 2018, p. 144). Supposedly senior programs are very popular when you can offer a “fun and meaningful” interpretation (Beck et al., 2018, p. 154)!

Most importantly, though, with my activities, everyone would have the chance to be included. Everyone would have the chance to speak their mind and participate. As well, I would make sure to make very clear that I have respect for and value equality and respectful treatment towards everyone. I want everyone to feel comfortable sharing their true selves with everyone. According to the textbook, “Cultural minorities, children, teenagers, older adults, and individuals with disabilities participate more readily when interpreters make special efforts to welcome and better serve them” (Beck et al., 2018, p. 132). This is exactly what I would aim to do.

I want to also make sure to be leading with an open mind, and promoting open mindedness to everyone else. I understand that people coming into a nature-based experience may have many different experiences and memories with nature. Maybe some people are fearful, maybe some are adventurous. I would encourage others to keep an open mind as we move through nature.

Another thing to think about – all of us carry an invisible backpack of our memories, thoughts, expectations, burdens, trauma and other experiences. I need to make sure my mind is open to that. Someone could be coming in after having the most difficult week of their life. Or maybe the best week of their life! We are all different people! I will lead in nature interpretation by keeping this in mind.

The beliefs I bring will also change the way I move as a nature interpreter.

I truly believe that we are all capable of having a deep, personal connection with nature. I also believe that this connection begins within ourselves and how in touch we are willing to get with our personal experiences and emotions. We were put on this earth as neighbours of nature, co-living with incredible species that most of us don’t even know anything about.

I would hope that by showing my vulnerability in communicating my own personal experiences and thoughts regarding the nature around me, it would help others to let their walls down a little bit and let themselves feel connected to nature as well.

I do believe that I, as a nature interpreter, have the responsibility of trying my best to help others be vulnerable in terms of connecting to nature. I would also need to make sure I do this while keeping the boundaries of others’ privacy in mind, of course.

According to Robert Rudge’s set of rights, “The Visitor’s Bill of Rights,” visitors have the right to “have their privacy and independence respected” (Beck et al., 2018, p. 131). When I ask questions during the interpretive walk, such as “What does this make you think of?” I will make it clear that, yes they are encouraged to answer out loud, but self-reflection is encouraged as well. The most important thing is that people are trying to keep an open mind, regardless of if they want to keep everything private or share it.

As well, in speaking to my group, I will of course tailor what I say to what I learn about the group I am with. I want to try to relate to them as much as possible to help them feel more comfortable and present in their interpretive experience.

David Larsen, U.S. National Park Service interpretation training manager, wrote: “No matter how much confidence we may have in our science and our professional procedures, no matter how enthusiastic and polished our presentations, the audience ultimately decides if the resource has value. The audience determines if they will care enough about the resource in order to support the care for the resource (Beck et al., 2018, p. 130-131)”.

I feel responsible to help children, specifically, to develop a sweet relationship to nature. I know personally, growing up, kids learn about the important stuff like climate change and pollution. I remember learning to turn off the tap when brushing teeth so save water, and learning not to litter – little stuff like that too. But, as mentioned by Rodenburg (2019), younger children may not be ready for this, cognitively or psychically. I feel like we learned all of that stuff, but weren’t first given enough exposure to the wonders and fascinations of nature to first develop a strong love for it.

I feel responsible for helping children foster a love for nature, so that they could further connect with and hopefully grow passionate for conservation of our wonderful environment. I would move by informing (to the best of my ability) and encouraging those of ALL ages about conservation of the environment as well. This is a huge priority as an interpreter! I would make sure to point them to important trusted resources so they could learn more and potentially contribute as good stewards of the environment : ).

I did mention some approaches I would take as an interpreter, like fun activities to get to know each other. To add, I would also have people wear name tags as well as wear one myself. I feel like this would encourage further personal connections between the group and hopefully result in more comfort and vulnerability in the interpretation of nature.

Check out this link for some fun ice-breakers!

Learn about the best icebreakers for small groups to create an inclusive atmosphere, encourage collaboration, boost morale and strengthen co

I encourage you to use these any time you are in a group setting and want to get to know others better as well:)

All in all, I would highly prioritize personal connection, reflection, and promoting a sense of community and comfort in my role as a nature interpreter. It is such an important role and I would hope to leave a lasting impact on those who would participate in an interpretive experience. This all begins with an openness to connect to nature, which I would hope to promote in others!

Thank you so much for reading and keeping up with my blogs!

Stay open minded : )

Until next time,

Kattrina

References

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

Rodenburg, J., & Name. (2019, June 17). Why Environmental Educators Shouldn’t Give Up Hope. Clearing Magazine . https://clearingmagazine.org/archives/14300

kembenvs3000w25

Week 9 post

Unit 9: Sense-Making of Nature Interpretation

Prompt: The most amazing thing you know about nature!

Personally, I don’t have any fun facts when it comes to Nature, I always wished I was better at things like that! BUT for me, the most amazing thing about nature is its interconnectedness! Everything is connected in some way, shape, or form, every ecosystem relies upon one another, as well as the species those ecosystems contain. We overlook how cool that really is because the world of nature has balance, and we must remember that it needs to be preserved! We rely on nature’s feedback loops every day, yet we hardly notice them.

Let’s walk through it:

Imagine you are walking through a dense forest. The first thing you might notice is the tall tress or the immediate noises you hear, such as the chirping birds and small forest animals. However, just bellow your feet lies an invisible active network at work, a complex and intricate system of relationships and feedback loops that keep nature in balance. From the even smallest bacteria in the soil that can only be seen under a microscope to the largest animal at the top of the food chain, everything in nature is connected in more ways than we often realize. These connections help shape the world around us, and because they are so constant and reliable, we often don’t think twice about protecting, observing, or focusing our time towards helping keep this balance that nature needs.

Now, looking closer into the connection:

Example of a single tree: A single tree alone can already provide for multiple species and feedback systems. Starting at the base, we have its roots, which then form partnerships with fungi, which from there provide essential nutrients in exchange for sugars. At the other end of the tree, we have the leaves absorbing carbon dioxide and participating in photosynthesis. Regulate the climate. There are species using every aspect and element the tree has to offer: birds nest in its branches, while insects feed on its bark, creating a miniature world of interactions. Even at the end of their life, trees are still providing because they will eventually fall, fungi and microbes break it down, returning nutrients to the soil and fueling the next generation of growth. This cycle repeats endlessly with many different types of trees and species, feeding back into the system and ensuring the continuity and connectivity of life. But because these processes happen silently without being heightened by humans and without our intervention, we rarely stop to think about how fragile they are.

We must remember to not take anything for granted in the world of nature because you never know how that aspect may be tied to something bigger! Just remember there's always a bigger picture :) !

kkenvs3000w25

Hi Kate,

Wow, I really enjoyed reading your blog post this week.

The interconnectedness of nature is super interesting to think about. The more you really think about how connected everything is, the more fascinating it really gets. I remember when I was younger just learning about the food web freaked me out. If that really fascinated me, you can imagine how intriguing it is to me when I’m learning about symbiotic relationships, for example.

When you wrote “We rely on nature’s feedback loops every day, yet we hardly notice them,” it really sparked something in my mind. I really appreciated this because I feel like sometimes people don’t really think about the ripple effects their actions may have on the environment, since everything is so connected.

Your example of the tree to show how interconnected different species truly can be had me really intrigued, because it reminded me of something I read while creating a podcast with my group for this ENVS 3000 course. I read that pine trees can release chemicals called terpenes, and they can actually be released into the atmosphere by trees in warm weather, and may have a role in “cloud seeding” (helps to induce precipitation) (Peñuelas, 2003). This precipitation, of course, has an impact on the entire area, creating a total change from a dry environment to a wet one. Also, the clouds created before the precipitation could cool down the area, which would also change the behaviour of organisms in the area!! Super cool how everything is connected.

Anyways, I wish you a great week.

Take care,

Kattrina

Reference:

Peñuelas, J. (2003). BVOCs: Plant Defense Against Climate Warming? Trends in Plant Science, 8(3), 105–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1360-1385(03)00008-6

The most amazing thing about nature!

Hey everyone, it’s been a while! Welcome back to my blog.

Today I want to talk about something really fascinating to me. Not sure how fascinating you all will find it but it really blows my mind to think about.

I learned this fascinating thing while I was studying for my DAT test this summer. While studying for the biology section, a fact popped up about how dark the very deepest depths of the ocean are – like pitch black! Which then led me to a deep dive where I learned a crazy fact (that may be super obvious to most of you, but I just never thought about it).

The DEEP SEA ANIMALS who live in these pitch black areas, have evolved WITHOUT EYES…because they don’t even NEED them! These animals live in COMPLETE DARKNESS! This complete darkness begins at the Midnight Zone (1000-4000 meters deep) of the ocean and below (Scott, 2024).

Some of these animals (who have eyes) evolved bioluminescence to be able to see which is also super cool.

Check out this link to learn more!

The big-picture super fascinating takeaway about nature that I gathered from this wormhole I got sent into is how insane our adaptability and evolution is depending on our environment.

Yes, I know, there are full courses on this and this maybe shouldn’t be a big realization for me at this age…but it totally was! I had never thought about it this much until this summer! A fish with no eyes, living in complete darkness!!!

Anyway, back to interpreting this though…

When I hear something like this, it truly opens my eyes about nature itself. For example, just humankind. Comparing a bicyclist to someone who isn’t very active, the cyclist would probably have really strong quads, because they need to! Someone who’s mainly sedentary likely wouldn’t, because they don’t really need those super muscular quads.

My roommate's family is full of marathon runners and just long distance runners in general. Since that’s the environment she grew up in, she also took part and has incredible endurance when she runs. Me on the other hand, people in my family actually liked to do sprints and quick paced sports like basketball.

Though both of these examples aren’t necessarily evolutionary adaptations, it's just an example of how your environment can impact the way you are and act.

Then I start thinking about how this also affects the way we interpret things. Depending on what experiences one has accumulated, this changes their perception and interpretation of what is around them.

Not to bring up the whole nature vs. nurture debate, but I think they both truly interact with each other in a very complex way.

If you put someone who’s whole family for generations has lived in a climate that doesn’t have much sunlight, and has lots of cold weather, and suddenly moved them somewhere tropical, it would likely take their bodies a long time to get used to it, and vice versa.

But eventually, our bodies would be able to adapt to it. The same way the fish in the deep sea, because of its environment, adapted by using bioluminescence or even evolving without eyes to have their energy used elsewhere rather than on unnecessary sight. Crazy!!!!

These differences that we all share, even between human beings (even though we are the same species) are such an advantage. It is amazing that we have so many different perspectives and ways we interpret based on our personal upbringing and experiences. In Chapter 21 of the textbook it is stated that “we need to become more proactive in making an interpretative approach an integral part of tourism experiences” (Beck et al., 2018, p. 459). Though the context of this was that tourism is a powerful driver for the economy, I think this also ties into the fact that being able to explore a new place with a very different set of perspectives as a local person really adds new levels of depth that the locals probably hadn’t even thought of! The textbook said it well: “taking into account diversity is critical to success” (Beck et al., 2018, p. 461).

Anyways, that is all from me this week. Sorry if I sent you into a million different directions in this post. The way we are so diverse in nature and really change based on our environments is truly so fascinating, I could talk about it forever!

Take care,

Kattrina

References

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

Scott, K. (2025, January 10). Animals of the ocean depths. Oceana. https://oceana.org/blog/animals-of-the-ocean-depths/

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Blog 7: Nature Interpretation Through Nature

Where is Music in Nature? Where is Nature in Music?

Nature and music have a strong correlation and significantly influence one another. In nature, various sounds are made by interactions in an ecosystem. Birds chirping on a warm sunny day, thunder on rainy days, and waves crashing against the sand on a beach are varying examples of nature’s form of music. In music, many songwriters are influenced by the sounds and their relationship with nature, to develop songs. Music is a fundamental element interpreters can use to evoke a connection between nature and their audience. Tilden’s third principle of interpretation states “Interpretation is an art, which combines many arts”, including music. It is often a struggle to capture an audience’s attention in the increasingly distracted world, and music is a beneficial method for making interpretation clear and engaging (Beck, Cable, & Knudson, 2018, Chapter 8, p. 166). Furthermore, utilizing music can enhance the interpretation experience for visitors, fostering an emotional connection to nature.

Where is Music in Nature?

Many aspects of nature create music. The most common form of music in nature is the interactions between species. Many animals, ranging from birds to wolves, to insects create distinct noises to aid in survival (Bradbury & Vehrencamp, 2025). Birds sing to communicate with one another, wolves howl to remain in contact and insects produce sound waves to warn of predators or discover a mate.

Wolves howling to communicate with each other, to remain connected. Living with Wolves. (n.d.). Language of the wolf. Retrieved February 24, 2025, from https://www.livingwithwolves.org/about-wolves/language/

Another form of music in nature comes from non-living things like waves, wind, and rain. These all generate a soothing sound, which may foster an emotional connection to the environment. In my experience, the rhythmic sound of ocean waves crashing against the shore makes me feel relaxed and I associate the sound with happy memories. As a result, when I’m feeling overwhelmed by my school work, I play the video attached below, which is an 11-hour recording of ocean waves, to help me destress. These sounds bring a sense of peace and can remind people, including myself, of the beauty nature provides us with, even without access to the outdoors. The music provided by nature allows individuals to connect with nature in a more meaningful way (Beck, Cable, & Knudson, 2018, Chapter 8, p. 166).

Where is Nature in Music?

Many creators are inspired by nature to create songs. For example, classical artists like Vivaldi’s song The Four Seasons and Jean Sibelius’s song Tapiola, reflect the magnificence of the natural world (Boston Symphony Orchestra, n.d.). The Four Seasons represents the weather changes and association with mood throughout the year, and Tapiola creates an image of forests. Both use music as an art form to display the beauty of nature and tell a story.

Music can also serve as a way to raise awareness and encourage individuals to protect the environment. For example, the song We Love The Earth by Lil Dicky aims to bring attention to the ongoing issue of climate change and stresses the significance of environmental conservation. The song contains famous artists voicing animals, using catchy and humorous lyrics to spread an important message. The song is engaging and creates a clear message for the audience, crucial in nature interpretation (Beck, Cable, & Knudson, 2018, Chapter 8, p. 166). This shows how music can be a powerful tool to share meaningful messages, similar to how mass media raises awareness about nature protection (Beck, Cable, & Knudson, 2018, Chapter 8, p. 182).

Song That Takes Me Back to Natural Landscape

One of my favourite songs of all time is What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong. I deeply associate this song with my cottage and strong emotions of peace in the natural world. The lyrics depict a picture of Earth’s beauty, allowing me to imagine a sacred place, like my cottage. Moreover, my family and I always play this song around the campfire; therefore, when listening to it, I associate it with the scenery of my cottage and feelings of happiness. It serves as a reminder to cherish the environment around me and appreciate it in its entirety. My experience shows how music strengthens nature interpretation and fosters a relationship. Similarly, personal storytelling can help visitors form meaningful connections with the environment (Beck, Cable, & Knudson, 2018, Chapter 8, p. 169).

Overall, music and nature are interconnected. It’s prominent for interpreters to use this form of art, allowing visitors to form deep and emotional connections to the environment. Does anyone else use the sounds of nature on YouTube to relax and create a positive study space? If so, what’s your favourite?

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

Boston Symphony Orchestra. (n.d.). Tapiola. Retrieved February 24, 2025, from https://www.bso.org/works/sibelius-tapiola

Bradbury, J. W., & Vehrencamp, S. L. (2025, January 7). Signal production in animal communication. In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved February 24, 2025, from https://www.britannica.com/science/animal-communication/Signal-production

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Hi Alex,

I really loved reading your post this week. When you said that many songwriters are influenced by nature - their relationship with nature and the sounds of nature - and this impacts the way they create songs, I immediately thought of songs I’ve heard with nature sounds in it. The first songs that come to mind were Good Days by Sza and American Dream by Khalid.

You can hear chirping birds in both songs. The songs both have a happy and warm vibe to them, which is, in my opinion, due in part to the nature sounds present. The birds chirping also give the songs simplicity, and a bit of nostalgia too. When I listen to both songs I’m transported to the middle of a beautiful grass field, with birds chirping and clear skies.

I like that you said music can be used as a beneficial method to help others engage with material as well as interpret it. I totally agree that using music would enhance the interpretation experience and foster that emotional connection to nature for them. I experience this feeling all the time when I go for a walk. If I’m on a walk, and I’m listening to sad music, this affects the way I interpret nature around me. I could see a sky with very few clouds, but really focused on the fact that the sky is not completely clear. When I listen to upbeat, happy music on my walks, rather than focusing on the clouds I’m focusing on the clarity of the sky! Kind of like that half glass full mentality.

I’m not sure if you’ve ever seen this and if not, check it out. This video totally changed my perspective on music and interpretation in general. The accompanying music of movie scenes were switched, changing the meaning and vibe of the entire scene. I’ll link one here:

Video: The Power Of Music In Film by Jack Pierce (5:49)

It’s truly crazy how the background music totally changes the way we interpret movies! The same thing goes for nature interpretation! Let me know if you watched this and your thoughts!

I find it super cool that you mentioned music as a way of interaction between species. The howling of wolves and the singing of birds could save a life, to warn of predators, like you said! Music for these animals is critical to their life and survival!

I can totally relate to your use of the soothing sounds we get from nonliving things in nature. I just had the pleasure of going to a warm beach over this reading week, and I would take walks along the shore every morning just to hear the soothing sounds of the waves. It would make every morning so calm, helping me to reflect and feel gratitude to start my day.

It is so sweet that your family plays What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong around the fire at your cottage. I totally understand the emotions this song brings you. The world, especially right now, has a lot of noise. The news is hard to read and listen to, and bad things happen pretty often. When I listen to this song, I am reminded of the natural beauty of the world that I had forgotten about. There is so much beauty to the world and I think in times of sadness and stress, we should reflect on our wonderful environment.

I really connected with your post this week and I truly look forward to reading more.

Kattrina

#Youtube

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Blog 7: Nature Interpretation Through Nature

Where is Music in Nature? Where is Nature in Music?

Where is Music in Nature?

Where is Nature in Music?

Song That Takes Me Back to Natural Landscape

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

Boston Symphony Orchestra. (n.d.). Tapiola. Retrieved February 24, 2025, from https://www.bso.org/works/sibelius-tapiola

Nature Interpretation Through Music

Hi everyone,

I hope you had a great reading week, and welcome back to my blog. Today I’m going to look at the connections of music with nature.

Music in nature is everywhere. I’ll take you to a nice summer day by the pool. As soon as I step out into the backyard, I can hear the birds chirping to each other. I hear beetles buzzing away, and the rustling of leaves with the wind. Though all different, these sounds are like nature’s perfect harmony to me. Humans are not the only musical composers of the world.

In fact, after reading an article (referenced below) by Gray et al., (2001), I’ve learned that human music and animal music are not too far off! One thing that was super fascinating to me was the humpback whale’s choice of using similar musical intervals between notes as humans. Mariah Carey (according to Wikipedia) has a five-octave vocal range. The average human vocal range is between 3 ⅓ octaves. Humpbacks can sing over at least SEVEN octaves; However, they choose to use similar musical scales as us (Gray et al., 2001).

(Click the hyperlinks to read more)^

What’s also cool is that whales make rhymes too, just like we do. The “repeating refrains” in their songs form rhymes, and may be to help them remember stuff the same way we use rhyming for (Gray et al., 2001).

So, music is really everywhere is nature, but where is nature in music? As best said by Gray et al., (2001), “ambient sound is a central component of natural habitats”. On first thought, ambient sounds may not feel like music to you, just noises. But as the textbook says (though not in the context of natural sounds), people need to get “intellectually and emotionally involved with the message” for its interpretation (Beck et al., 2018, p. 166).

It’s important to realize that the same way the act of singing or playing a note on an instrument has its own characterizations (note, volume, timbre, etc.) so do these ambient sounds. So why would that not be considered music? Nature gives us a perfect harmony - the harmony of life.

Music has always been a key component in my life. I find that when I hear a certain song, I am taken back to the exact time and place I was at when I had heard it for the first time. Everything is associated with a song for me - moments, people, movies, and so on. Thinking in the context of nature, and a natural landscape, one very sweet specific memory comes to my mind.

Last summer, I took a little road trip from my hometown to Guelph to grab some things from my house in Guelph. My grandparents had been wanting to see Guelph, since they’d never been, so they came along for the ride.

On the way back, driving on the 401, there was an area with a lot of green grass. My grandma couldn’t put her finger on it but she kept saying there was a song that talked about the “green, green grass,” and we could not figure it out for a while. Finally it came to her - “Green Green Grass Of Home” by Tom Jones. Immediately we put the song on, and I’d never heard both of my grandparents singing so loud. They seemed so happy to hear a song that really took them back. It was so cute. Just thinking back to this fills me with so much love. This road trip really brought me closer to them through music, all thanks to that wonderful green grass out of the window.

I put this song on pretty often when I miss home and I miss my grandparents. It gives me that warm fuzzy feeling and makes me feel closer to them.

Do you have any songs that make you feel a little homesick? Or maybe a song that helps you when you do feel homesick?

I would love to hear all about it.

Anyways, music was naturally given to all of us. It’s everywhere when we go outside. It’s how we communicate with each other - it's a universal language that requires no words. It’s in every culture. It helps us to celebrate, to grieve, to connect, and to enjoy life and its beauty.

Music is in nature, and nature is in music.

Thanks for reading :)

Kattrina

References

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

Gray, P. M., Krause, B., Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C., & Baptista, L. (2001). The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music. Science, 291(5501), 52. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A69270354/AONE?u=guel77241&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=fb9366a8

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Unit 6 Blog

Hello everyone! Welcome to my blog. This week I will be unpacking an impactful quote written by Edward Hyams. The quote goes as follows:

“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)

The quote begins by acknowledging that there is no inherit value to an object just because it is old, but things kept together throughout time can represent important events and ideas in history. Hyams recognizes that the integrity, or the wholeness of any system or object kept together through time reveals a connection that can unwrap stories throughout history.

The connection between historical objects and the presence of integrity shows that history is not just a collection of events but reveals timelines and events that support our present understanding of society. Awareness of the connection between any object or idea prevents fragmentation or misunderstandings of the past, allowing us to thoroughly understand patterns and ideals seen throughout history.

The next part of the quote, “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” implies that the past does not just disappear as we move through time, but is an integral part of the present, the past becomes a part of the larger present whole. Just because the past is behind us does not mean it doesn’t have significant impacts on present life. Ancient Ideas and traditions do not simply vanish because time has moved forward. All events and ideas big or small change present day life, the past shapes the conditions we live in present day.

Overall, the quote suggests that dismissing the past is illogical and limiting. Acknowledging history is necessary for predicting future events and making sense of the present. This quote calls for historical awareness and an appreciation for continuity and the wholeness of history. It discourages us from believing history is disposable or irrelevant.

I look forward to reading everyone’s interpretation of this intriguing quote.

Thank you for reading my blog this week!

kkenvs3000w25

Hi Mackenzie,

I really enjoyed reading your insightful blog post.

I love the way you interpreted very clearly that it is the wholeness of systems or objects through time that makes for our connection to history and understanding it. The way you worded this was very clear to me.

I totally agree with you that it is all about having an awareness to connect objects or ideas together and be able to really realize their significance. You wording this as preventing “fragmentation or misunderstandings of the past” helped further clarify to me that a reason one idea or object may have a different meaning from one person to the next is that their idea of the object or idea is incomplete. It truly is important to allow one enough information to piece together one’s own puzzle to develop a unique understanding and picture of history.

Your unpacking of the last part of the quote meant a lot to me. Especially when you wrote that “the past shapes the conditions we live in present day.” This is very true, and is one very important reason (in my opinion) that we study history in school. History tends to repeat itself, and it is crucial that we can acknowledge the past as something that still lingers today. This acknowledgement of history can be a very good and important force for change as well!

I agree with you that this post really discourages our labeling of history as “disposable”. I like your word choice of “disposable” because, like I mentioned, history does not fade away, it lingers with shared memories, and this is so important.

Anyways, I hope you have a wonderful reading week Mackenzie and I look forward to reading more.

All the best,

Kattrina

Memories are Everything

Hi everyone,

Today I will be unpacking the following quote:

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)

The Oxford dictionary definition of merit is as follows: “the quality of being good and deserving praise or reward.”

“There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity”

The above quote by Edward Hyams attributes merit to integrity, rather than to ancient things.

Integrity means to be whole, cohesive, and honest. If ancient things do not (peculiarly) have merit, why is there merit in integrity? Can ancient things possess integrity?

“...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 knowledge, a memory, of ancient things.”

What is it that transforms a random old rock into a storyteller, or a representation of the most significant moment in history for a local town or group of people? How can a random old rock be moving enough to make someone cry, to send someone back into a period of time, or even to feel inspired? This quote connects this meaningfulness back to integrity.

The quote says that a maintenance of integrity involves knowledge and a memory of ancient things. “Knowledge and a memory of ancient things” answers my above questions. To one person, the rock may mean nothing. To another person who knows that this rock was, I don’t know, a rock that their loved one used to sleep on when they did not have a home, that rock represents something completely different. Maybe that rock was where someone would go to meet their friends when they were young. The transfer of knowledge and memories that happened at this rock serve as its integrity.

In reading the course’s textbook, I found a name for this. Objective authenticity is tied to tangible authenticity, the rock being our tangible object in this case (Beck et al., 2018, p. 338). For someone that has knowledge of the memories associated with the rock, they will be able to interpret it with “personal authenticity” (Beck et al., 2018, p. 338).

This part of the quote really resonates with me coming from a family of immigrants, because I understand I would not ever be able to experience what time in their home country was like, and have those exact memories. Instead, I can feel these experiences through their own artifacts, such as my grandmother’s necklace, for example. When I see her necklace I feel as though I am in her childhood home, and I can understand how important of a memory it is. I accept the authenticity of this necklace, and according to the textbook, once this acceptance of authenticity occurs, one can “allow their imaginations to enter the place’s story” (Beck et al., 2018, p. 340).

“...To think, feel or act as though the past is done with, is equivalent to believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it.”

(Edward Hyams, Chapter 7, The Gifts of Interpretation)

This part of the quote is very important to me. Pretending the railway station only existed when our train passed through it is symbolism for that fact that the experiences of the past may not be presently occurring anymore, but it doesn’t mean they do not still exist. That railway station has seen many trains, with many different people on it. Everyone has their own stories, but history has a huge impact on the present.

The textbook says “Another reason to interpret history is to remember…not only the happy stories…but also the tragic ones” (Beck et al., 2018, p. 326). We must understand that the world is always carrying memories, whether good or bad. The world is the railway station, and our stories are the trains. Our stories will always exist, if we give them integrity, by sharing memories and knowledge with others.

Thank you for reading and see you next week,

Kattrina

References:

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

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The Power of Social Media in Shaping Fashion Trends

Social media has transformed nearly every aspect of our lives, and fashion is no exception. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest actively shape and accelerate fashion trends, with every few scrolls revealing new styles, aesthetics, and outfit inspirations. Every year, social media users collectively decide what fashion trends are "in" and "out," often without questioning the deeper implications of this rapid trend cycle. While social media has made fashion more accessible, it has also created a culture where individuality in style is fading.

Fashion is an essential aspect of personal identity. It is one of the few ways people can visually express themselves, showcasing their personality, creativity, and unique sense of style. However, with social media dictating trends at an incredibly fast pace, the individuality that once defined fashion is becoming increasingly rare. Instead of using fashion as a medium for self-expression, many individuals feel pressured to conform to whatever is deemed popular at the moment. This pressure has led to a growing uniformity in fashion, where people feel obligated to follow trends rather than explore their own personal style.

Fashion trends are now changing at an almost overwhelming pace. A clear example is the shift from baggy jeans to skinny jeans. Throughout 2024, oversized, baggy denim was the dominant trend. Many people, myself included, embraced this style for its comfort, effortless appeal, and alignment with the overall aesthetic of the year. However, as 2025 begins, social media has already declared skinny jeans fashionable again. This sudden reversal highlights the influence of online personalities and fashion creators in shaping what is considered stylish, often without any reasoning beyond the cyclical nature of trends.

This constant turnover of styles pressures consumers to frequently update their wardrobes, fueling excessive consumption and raising concerns about sustainability. The question remains: do people genuinely prefer these shifts, or are they simply following trends to fit in?

Another significant social media-driven fashion shift was the transition from the Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic to the "old money" look. In 2024, many influencers popularized the minimalist, chic, and practical style associated with Scandinavian fashion. This included trench coats, oversized sweaters, tailored trousers or baggy jeans, and white sneakers. This aesthetic was everywhere on social media, influencing countless people to adopt it. However, when Sofia Richie gained traction on TikTok, the "old money" aesthetic began to overshadow the Scandinavian style. This included well-fitted blazers, dress shirts, skirts or dresses, and loafers. This shift demonstrates how rapidly social media can determine what is perceived as stylish, often disregarding individual preference in favour of the latest trend.

Two photos showcasing the contrast between Scandinavian fashion and the "old money" style.

While social media has undeniably made fashion more accessible, it has also led to a culture where individuality is often sacrificed due to conformity. The rapid cycling of trends pressures individuals to constantly change their wardrobes, discouraging personal style exploration. Fashion should be about self-expression, not just about following what social media deems acceptable at any given moment. Rather than blindly adhering to every new trend, we should strive to wear what truly resonates with us, regardless of whether it aligns with mainstream fashion.

kkenvs3000w25

Hi Meghan,

I really appreciate you talking about this, because it has been a huge topic of conversation among my friends lately!

I too have such a high value for fashion as a form of self-expression. Just thinking about walking in a crowded room, most people aren’t going to have the chance to even speak. In a sense, however, we can communicate with each other via our own self-expression through fashion.

Fashion can bring so many people together. Whether it’s a unique statement piece that starts up a new conversation, or a simple “I love your top” comment that starts a whole friendship.

I too definitely loved the baggy jeans trend, and I remember last year how social media had absolutely declared the skinny jeans “out”. I always ask myself how on earth these things happen, and how somehow I usually agree with them? Am I just conforming to what everyone else thinks? Are the influencers influencing me too, or do I really just like and agree with the current trends?

I like that you mentioned how individuality is falling with the rise of platforms like TikTok and high accessibility to what fashion trends are in and out. We are constantly seeing what the new trend is, whether we genuinely like it or not, and if what we wear based on personal preference isn’t what is on social media, it's “out of style”.

Individuality and self-expression is so important. I am turning 22 soon, and I am truly just starting to discover who I am. Fashion is a big part of that for me so I am going to try to blur out the external influences and focus on what I truly like.

I really resonated with your post and look forward to reading more.

Kattrina

Education is Everything: Nature Interpretation Though Science

Nature Interpretation through Science

After completing this week’s readings, my thoughts lie with how crucial it is that we develop proper education for others for the good of society. Education is so powerful in general. In the same sense, a lack of education can be very detrimental. We see a lack of education more than ever nowadays with the quick spread of information on the internet.

In the age where we have social media at our fingertips, it is so easy for fake news to spread quickly. If you take 5 minutes to scroll on any social media, whether it's TikTok or Instagram, and so on, you will likely be flooded with several opinions on many different matters, whether you were looking for them or not. So, now more than ever, especially regarding the current state of the environment, it is important that we spread the word to others on basic scientific and media literacy, and how to fact check what they are hearing.

There are many current environmental issues, whether global or local to a specific region, that are crucial for a general population to understand so a change can be made! For many of you, climate change may be what comes to mind. As we know, climate change affects everyone, and we live in a time where we need scientific knowledge to collaborate with “citizen science” as referred to by Wals et al. (2014). According to Wals et al., “citizen science” refers to “community-based local monitoring of changes in the environment using simple data acquisition devices and communication tools” (2014). Ultimately citizen science can foster an engagement between the public and science in terms of environmental issues, and collaboration between the public and local/global scientists. In this way, we can translate crucial scientific knowledge and ensure community accessibility and understanding of environmental science to take action in the form of environmental stewardship.

I am so thankful for my scientific education and ability to read and understand articles, or hear a fact and be able to look for backed up articles and trusted sources to confirm it. I know this is not the case for everybody. Environmental education and scientific education must be able to work in tandem in an accessible and public-friendly manner, and this has been proven to be effective in helping society learn about addressing "sustainability challenges” (Wals et al., 2014).

There are many steps that can be taken in enhancing the integration of environmental and scientific education, including educated, trusted people taking to social media to describe how we can truly trust science. For me personally, learning about the scientific method helped me learn to trust science a lot, as well as truly respect the hard work that scientists and researchers put into their careers.

Nature interpreters, as nature experts, have the power to bridge the science-environmental education gap, and promote important discussions in the public. Of course, interpretation programs should be fun and engaging, but since the interpreters and the programs themselves have the privilege of connecting with the audience, the messages they choose to send can be very powerful and deep.

Research was done in California and Virginia, where they examined two regional naturalist programs, to get a sense of how participants took action in their communities and demonstrate environmental stewardship (Merenlender et al., 2016). As a result, it was found the participants in the programs generally “increased their content knowledge about ecosystems, had greater confidence in conserving them, and continued to engage as citizen scientists after completing the program” (Merenlender et al., 2016). This is great, and shows that passion and participation in educational programs can really inspire people to help change the world for the better.

Everyone has the power to be environmentally responsible. Some people just may not have the education to spark that passion for science and the environment. Interpreters can play a huge role in this where they may inspire and educate the public in a way that helps them understand and feel passionate towards the environment. It would change the way they interpret the nature around them, knowing more important context about the environment backed by science, and knowing how to trust science. Knowledge is everything!

Something that really impacted me was hearing about the “Climate Clock,” which you can learn more about by clicking this link: https://climateclock.world/

This clock encourages us to act in time to limit global warming and reach “zero emissions”. I encourage you to check it out.

Was there any moment/something you learned that really sparked your passion for science and the environment?

Let me know,

Kattrina

References

Merenlender, A. M., Crall, A. W., Drill, S., Prysby, M., & Ballard, H. (2016). Evaluating Environmental Education, citizen science, and stewardship through naturalist programs. Conservation Biology, 30(6), 1255–1265. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12737

Wals, A. E., Brody, M., Dillon, J., & Stevenson, R. B. (2014). Convergence between science and environmental education. Science, 344(6184), 583–584. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1250515

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Prompt 4: Who are you to interpret nature through art? How do you interpret “the gift of beauty”? (Your readings – specifically Chapter 5 of the textbook – will be helpful for this!)

I don’t typically consider myself an artist. I’ve never been particularly skilled at drawing, painting, or other traditional visual art forms. However, we don’t need to be artists to appreciate and interpret art. Art is meant to evoke emotion in the viewer, spark discussion, and maintain interest. This makes it a powerful tool for interpreting nature. Nature-inspired art can help viewers feel more connected to the natural world by sparking emotional responses. Additionally, art can serve as an educational tool. For instance, a painting depicting countless tree stumps could effectively illustrate the devastating impact of mass deforestation. As a visual learner, I find that this approach is especially impactful for individuals like me.

Art is often called a “universal language,” one that transcends the barriers of spoken and written words. Beck et al. (2018) emphasize that cultural and language barriers can sometimes prevent minorities from fully accessing nature interpretation. Last week, we reflected on this and I realized that as a native English speaker, I have the privilege of easily understanding and accessing most forms of nature interpretation. However, I’ve also experienced moments when art, which transcends language, resonates with me more deeply than spoken descriptions.

It’s not enough to merely describe nature’s “gift of beauty.” The gift of beauty must be experienced—it must be felt (Beck et al., 2018). Art facilitates this by sparking emotion and offering a window into aspects of nature that we might not otherwise encounter. For example, while it may be unrealistic for someone to travel across the globe to witness a distant ecosystem, they could still experience its beauty through photographs or paintings. This accessibility is especially important for individuals with financial constraints, as it allows them to engage with the "gift of beauty" without the need for costly travel.

Earlier, I mentioned that I don’t typically consider myself an artist. I’d like to amend that statement. While it’s true that I don’t usually express my creativity through visual arts, there are many artistic ways to interpret nature beyond drawing or painting. Beck et al. (2018) highlight various art forms that can be used in interpretation, including theatre, music, dance, storytelling, and poetry. These forms can even be combined to create multimedia experiences (Beck et al., 2018). Though I may not use visual arts to express myself, I have certainly employed poetry and storytelling to share my emotions and perspectives.

So, who am I to interpret nature through art? I am a poet. To illustrate this, I’ve written a quick poem dedicated to the “gift of beauty” I have experienced in the Arboretum.

Through the quiet rustling of the leaves, Shaking contentedly in the wind, Lies a sanctuary of life and wonder, A heart of biodiversity. Can you hear it beating, As the crickets chirp for companionship? Can you see its warm glow shining, Through sunlit paths that stretch so long? Can you appreciate its gift of beauty? It’s waiting for you. — The Arboretum by Michelle Masood

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

kkenvs3000w25

Hi Michelle,

I loved reading your blog this week.

I really appreciate how you highlighted that you don’t need to be an artist to use art as a tool to interpret nature. You mention how art is meant to “evoke emotion in the viewer,” and I can tell you that some of the most powerful emotions I’ve ever experienced were from works of art, like movies, theatre, paintings, and music. I totally agree with you that art is so powerful, even for educational purposes. Your example of a painting of tree stumps illustrating the impacts of mass deforestation perfectly exemplifies this. I also consider myself a visual learner. Whether it's pictures, diagrams, or flow charts, being creative in putting my notes together and seeing pictures included in textbooks or notes really helps me to solidify what I am learning.

Art really is for everyone, and I appreciate your use of “universal language” to describe this. As someone with a lot of non-English speakers in my family, it can sometimes be hard to communicate with them with words. For example, when I visit my grandmother, we bond a lot by looking at pictures together, and the songs she sings to me. When we do this, it breaks the communication barrier, still allowing us to connect without needing English. I really appreciate you connecting art back to privilege in terms of cultural and language barriers, I hadn’t even thought about this connection!

Your poem dedicated to your experience of the “gift of beauty” in the Arboretum truly moved me. The line, “A heart of biodiversity,” really resonated with me. The “heart” – the central power organ of the body – of biodiversity, makes a lot of sense for the Arboretum. We are so lucky to be in such close proximity to such a strong connector and promotor of biodiversity, and the many different species that live in, or may visit the Arboretum!

I look forward to reading more of your blog posts. Based on this lovely poem you wrote, I am not sure why you don’t consider yourself an artist!

Take care,

Kattrina

Interpreting Nature Through Art

I am a seeker of developing my own understanding of the world. Something I have really come to appreciate as I’ve gotten older and met people from many walks of life is having an appreciation for individuality – the world is so differently interpreted by everyone. The way we interpret things is a reflection of who we are, what we believe, and the things that we have experienced. This differs among everyone.

Because of the variable nature of interpretation, I believe its connection to art and creativity is strong.

Different accompanying music during a nature walk, for example, could change everything. If I were walking through a forest and the interpreter had played eerie music, it would probably evoke fear in me, and I would associate my experience with a negative feeling. If the interpreter had played lovely, soft music, maybe I would feel inspired. Maybe I would have a deeper appreciation of the beauty around me.

“The gift of beauty” is a privilege that I did not always know I had. Growing up, the best way I could interpret was through music. Lyrics or not, and whether I interpret the music the way the artist does or not, it makes me feel strongly and see myself and my stories described in the songs.

Best of all, is when I walk through my park at home, with music in my ears. What I view with my eyes is like a painting. To me, there is no distinguishing between art in nature, because they are one.

Included is a picture of the beach at my friend’s cottage. I recall at this moment there being cute acoustic music playing, I remember the outfits we were in – neutral colours, and flowy. I remember turning away from the beach to see a blue-coloured beach home, with its colour complimenting the white sand. Turning back to the ocean, I recall the vibrant colours of the sky at sunset contrasting our neutral outfits. This was one of my calmest moments. When I think of peace, I think of this.

As an interpreter of art, I look at this beautiful world of nature and cannot believe we have the pleasure of exploring it everyday. A sunset happens, everyday. We are so lucky. This to me is the gift of beauty, and as an interpreter, I will use this beauty to relate to my own life. The same way the sun sets and rises everyday, I go to rest and wake up. The sunset has always been a strong symbol for me. It represents a new chance for tomorrow. The way the art of a sunset creates a gorgeous blend between water and sky, gives me a feeling of serenity I cannot describe.

A line from the textbook really resonated with me: “Art has the power and transforming qualities to move people in extraordinary ways” (Beck et al., 2018, p. 230). I am so thankful everyday for art, and its ability to help me connect better to myself and my feelings.

Thanks for reading,

I will see you next week.

References:

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

wildlifechayse

The Role of Privilege in Nature Interpretation

My privilege in nature has not always been something that I have been aware of. I feel that an awareness of my privilege began developing as I was a teenager, and my friendships evolved into deeper relationships where we shared our thoughts, feelings and life experiences. It was during this time that I became aware of how lucky I was to have been born into a family that has roots in the backcountry and valued outdoor experiences. I’m privileged to be white and middle class and to have moved around throughout my childhood, these things have exposed me to an array of outdoors experiences in many different places, which I never even considered my peers may not have had access to.

The story that began the textbook chapter made me think of my own experience with recognizing how privileged I am to have had so many experiences in nature; the story tells of a Boys & Girls club program where kids were given a chance to have excursions in nature. It was mentioned that despite living just a few miles from the coast, many of the kids had never seen the ocean before due to accessibility barriers. I’m sure this has been the case in all the different communities that I’ve grown up in at different points of my life; although I have fond memories of exploring new wild spaces in each place that I’ve lived, many kids that I was friends with likely had lived there their entire life and didn’t have the same experience as I did.

One common barrier to nature for communities that have not grown up surrounded by it is the real and perceived risk that comes with outdoor excursions. Some outdoor experiences have more inherent risk than others; the tragedy on the Timiskaming was an excursion with far more inherent risk than the average family’s trip to the trails, however to someone that has never left the city, the perceived risk is still likely huge! A way to alleviate this perceived risk is through effective interpretation, offering services where someone can be with a knowledgeable person while experiencing nature for the first time is valuable and can help reduce the anxiety of the visitor.

Because privilege has a large role in the ability of people to access nature, privilege is also influential on the experience of nature interpretation. As mentioned throughout this unit, there are real and perceived barriers to accessing nature and interpretive services, some folks may have had poor experiences in the past and are reluctant to return, or some people may have a fear of being judged or left out in a group lesson. These are two of the many barriers that exist in the way of accessing interpretive services, however there are many ways to break these barriers down and help others have a valuable experience in nature through interpretation. One way to break down these barriers that was discussed in the textbook is access to multilingual resources. One story told of a broken English-Spanish conversation between an interpreter and a park visitor where a woman was able to have a discussion about bears with the interpreter, and have her fears calmed through the interpreter taking time to understand and talk to her. This is something that I hope to be able to do in my future as an interpreter. As a Canadian that did not take much time to learn French in high school, I have realized how many people I will not be able to reach because I can’t speak French well. Because of this, I have decided to take up learning French again as an adult, so I will be able to broaden my future opportunities to share knowledge with more people.

Through this exploration of privilege in nature interpretation, I have been able to formulate my own definition of what privilege means to me. I think that privilege is when a person is provided an advantage based on qualities that were likely inherited in some way. For example, no one can choose the race, sexuality, or gender that they are born as, however being a part of one group can give a person advantages in life that are not afforded to those in another group. Although this is not something a person need be ashamed of, it is important to keep it in mind, especially in the field of interpretation. The most effective interpretation is done when people can make everyone in a diverse group feel heard and seen, and this can only be done by breaking down barriers.

kkenvs3000w25

Hi Chayse,

I really enjoyed reading your post this week.

I relate to you in that you became more aware of your own privilege in your teenage years. I feel that this may be because with the move from elementary school to high school, you begin to learn about and connect with friends on a much deeper level. The way friendships evolve with age is truly beautiful. We become more honest, and vulnerable, and learn about privileges by learning about others’ experiences and feelings.

Unlike you, I don’t have that privilege of much experience with the wild nature around me. I do live near a forest, but my mother, who grew up in the city, would warn me of the dangerous animals that may be there, cautioning me to avoid that area. I think her fears translated to me, as I find myself avoiding trails and forest areas still, especially if I am alone. So, when you mentioned a barrier to nature for some being “the real and perceived risk that comes with outdoor excursions,” I definitely resonated with that.

I do, however, agree with your comment on effective interpretation as a way to relieve some of that fear for people like me, or my mother. I believe that if someone were to confidently guide me around a wild area, with much knowledge and effective communication, I would feel less anxious, trusting them to guide me through an unknown area.

Your mention of multilingual resources is one I quite appreciate as someone with immigrant parents and grandparents, who came to Canada without the privilege of fluent English. My parents were able to pick up English well, but my grandparents, who love nature, would likely need further assistance if attending an English interpretive program.

I look forward to reading more from you Chayse!

Cheers,

Kattrina

Privileges In Nature Interpretation

To me, privilege is greater accessibility of opportunities and achieving goals for certain people more than others.

Nature interpretation could be put into action in so many ways. Picture, for example, walking through and observing a park as an interpreter tells you about the historical significance to what you are viewing.

Because I have the privilege of sight, of being able to hear, walk, and feeling comfortable in a group setting, I feel that I could truly enjoy soaking up the entire interpretation experience. I also have the privilege of living in a safe place, taking away any fears I may have about going to an interpretation event like this.

I was born and raised in Canada, so I have been fluent in English my whole life. Yet another privilege I have because, likely, most nature interpreters would speak English.

Reflecting on this, I recognize that not everybody has these same privileges.

Just thinking about my fathers family, it hits me that they had a very different experience growing up that would have impacted something like going to a park with a tour guide, interpreting the surrounding nature.

My father, at a very young age, and the rest of his family immigrated from Lebanon to Canada in the 70s due to war. Though they lived comfortable financially back in Lebanon, my grandfather's job title was not able to transfer when he moved to Canada. He turned to taxi driving to help pay the bills, and faced some very dangerous encounters along the way.

My father told me that in school when he would bring ethnic food for lunch, he would get rude remarks and weird looks, and he felt overall pretty uncomfortable. As well, the entire family had to learn English pretty quickly.

Thinking about my father’s family back at that point, I can point out many privileges in nature interpretation that they wouldn’t have, that I do. According to (Beck et al., 2018, p. 129), nonparticipants of interpretive programs want to participate but may face either physical or social and psychological barriers “from feeling unwelcome or irrelevant”. My father’s family would not have been able to understand the majority of English the nature interpreter would have been speaking. Depending on the diversity that may have been present at the company of the park tour, they may not have felt safe or comfortable due to faced racism and isolation they’d experienced.

Another explanation for non-participants mentioned by (Beck et al., 2018, p. 129), was that they “do not know about the interpretive opportunities”. I have the privilege of the internet, social media, and a large network of friends, family, and neighbours that I could rely on to share opportunities like these with me. However, a new family in town, like my fathers’, and many others in the country, didn’t have these privileges yet, or still don’t today.

As well, they did not have the financial freedom to do activities like these comfortably. Transportation to the activity is also a factor. Using gas money or paying for a cab on events that were non-essential, for example, may not have been in the equation early on after their big move from Lebanon. Though nature is free, the act of participating in interpretive programs themselves could very well be impacted by the different financial privileges one may have. Thankfully, however, they had the privilege of physical health. As well, they did not have any barriers due to physical disability.

I encourage whoever is reading this to reflect on the privileges you have, and see how you could use those privileges to help others who may not share them with you.

See you next week,

Kattrina

References

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

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