Lessons of a Nature Lover

[kwenvs3000]

What a Wonderful Life (extra post)

As the semester comes to an end, I thought I would share some final thoughts. This course, and the semester as a whole has brought along a lot of difficulties, for some, it was struggling through online learning and Covid safety measures, for others I know there were even harder things you went through. If there is one thing this course reminded me of, its the light at the end of the tunnel. There is still joy and this can be found in so many wonderful parts of life, whether through faith, family, friends or nature. Throughout this semester nature has been a constant escape and is one of the best ways to find peace and joy in a time of confusion and hardships. It is a constant reminder that, although life is far from perfect, it is still a wonderful life we are living. 

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My personal responsibility to nature

Today, I sit down in a silent room and think about myself as a nature interpreter.  I learned a lot in this course, and I thank my professor and university for offering something different from all my past experiences. The projects that I have done in this course are challenging because they make me think outside the box. I came into the course with just a love for nature, a love that started when I was a child going on camping trips with my family, but I come out of it interested in working as a nature interpreter.

A photo of people enjoying camping and nature. Similar to what I used to do as a child. Moments like these are priceless. Retrieved from https://www.anyrgb.com/en/free-image-ybbnsy

As I develop as an interpreter, I believe that I have a responsibility towards nature. I have a responsibility to protect nature, show and spread its beauty to everyone. People in our day and age are missing out on nature. People are always busy with life. Busy making more money and buying bigger things. Our lives are short, and we must enjoy nature and our planet while we can.

I believe it starts at a young age. As a child I developed my love for nature when I used to go camping with my family. Our children are the future and if they don’t care about nature and our planet then we are in trouble. Our world moves into becoming more urbanized and the emphasis on nature is becoming less important. We have less connection to nature than people before us and our children will have even less. This trend will continue if we don’t take action now as nature interpreters and show the importance of nature to our children. We must take our children outside and let them enjoy outdoor activities like camping, hiking and climbing. We must take them on nature walks and allow them to wonder and ask questions about nature. Dr. Richard Louv mentioned in one of the videos in our lectures that we are animals, and we need nature for our health. I truly believe that and think that everyone should experience nature in some sort or form. Whenever I feel down or depressed, I go for a walk or a run through nature, I feel peace and calmness when in touch with nature. I have a responsibility to spread this knowledge to people around me. I need to inform people about the benefits of taking some time off and going out in nature. We need to stop and contemplate away from the busy lives that we live. Enjoy the little things outdoors, it’s good for our health especially mentally.

My personal experiences must be translated to a larger audience and I have a responsibility to do so. As nature interpreters, we must continue to fight for nature educational centers. We must be alongside any programs that exposes people to nature especially children. I think that a large number of people don’t realize the importance of nature and these programs showcase that importance.

People making gardens and showing children the importance of nature. Programs like these are wonderful and it our responsibility as nature interpreters to be involved in such programs. Retrieved from https://friendsoftheearth.uk/nature/importance-nature

We have explored many concepts throughout the term. The two that stands out to me as I think today are privilege and technology. As nature interpreters, we are privileged when it comes to nature. We are receiving the education that nature is important. We are realizing how important it is to humans. Some people grow up not experiencing nature at all and sometimes it’s too late. Ones humans grow older, their minds are set on what’s important in life and if they don’t grow up loving nature, it’s hard to change their mindset. No matter who you are or where you come from, nature always has something to offer. I consider this realization a privilege. Therefore, we are privileged to be learning about what nature has to offer. This knowledge can be translated into helping nature in the future. As I mentioned, the world is becoming more urbanized and technology is taking over our lives. The need for people to focus on the preservation of nature is never been more important.

This brings me to the second concept that stood out to me during the term which is technology. I think of technology is a double-edged sword. We have discussed in lectures and readings the positives and negatives of technology. Technology can keep us inside our homes. Nowadays, you can do everything from the comfort of home and there is no motivation to go outside. This can make people more stagnant. People will be encouraged to spend their free time at home, they will watch movies, play video games, use their phones for hours and never think about going out and enjoying the outdoors. This is a huge concern when it comes to technology. Technology can actually turn people away from nature if used incorrectly.  

A photo encouraging people to work and stay home. Notice that ‘DREAM’ is also written to convince people that this is the dream. Making money wile working from home. Photos like these make people want to stay home even though they don’t realize it. Retrieved from https://quickmarket.co.uk/ad/work-from-the-comfort-of-your-home-and-earn-money/

On the other hand, technology can actually be the answer to more people experiencing nature. Technology allows us to see beautiful natural places in photos or videos which will in turn motivate us to go out and experience these places. I know myself; I would research beautiful areas and see images of them before I travel. Seeing a beautiful natural environment motivates me to go to it. In that sense, technology is helping me experience more nature. Technology also helps preserve nature. It has many methods of preservation but one way that I think is very important is GMOs (genetically modified organisms). Plants can actually be modified to be more resistant to climate change for example. That means they can live longer under harsh conditions. This will preserve nature and allow us to enjoy it for longer time. Our planet needs more plants and technologies are vital for a better future. Therefore, technology can be helpful from these aspects.

Photos like these inspire me to go to them. This is located in Jamaica, a country that I would like to visit for its natural beauty. Retrieved from https://www.iberostar.com/en/inspiration-guide/travel/nine-natural-wonders-you-cant-miss-in-jamaica-nature-caribbean/

As a nature interpreter, I’m privileged to know the importance of nature and I must use my knowledge and transfer it to the people around me. We are key in saving nature, knowledge alone is not enough. Interpreters translate this knowledge and make easy and accessible to everyone in society. Whether you’re into nature or not, interpreters can help.

[kwenvs3000]

Hi, I loved your post! Thank you so much for sharing your beliefs in nature interpretation and the responsibilities we have as interpreters. I also think it is essential for nature interpreters to maintain their responsibility to nature and its conservation as well as engaging the next generation. 

I don’t think it is possible for an effective nature interpreter to not love nature or conserving the environment. In my own blog post, I explained how nature interpreters have a responsibility to help the people they are sharing nature with but it is equally important to conserve the nature they are sharing with the people. There are so many important ways that nature interpretation helps conserve the environment and can be used as a tool for resource protection (Beck et al., 2018). There are many examples of this including reduced off trail hiking in St. Lawrence Islands, Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Parks, reducing the theft of petrified wood in Petrified Forest National Park, and reducing deer feeding at Shenandoah National Park (Beck et al., 2018)

I also think that relating and engaging children in nature is so important. They are the ones who will carry on our task of nature conservation and maintain an interest in nature to the generation that follows them. There are so many benefits to getting kids outdoors including intellectual, emotional, social, physical and environmental benefits (Benefits of Nature for Kids, 2019). Inspiring children to learn from the outdoors not only helps the child but also the next generation of nature lovers.

Children not only learn and grow from being outdoors but they also love to spend time in nature (Taylor, 2015)

Thanks again for the great post! 

References

Beck, L., Cable, T., & Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Urbana, IL: Sagamore – Venture Publishing LLC.

Benefits of Nature for Kids. (2019). Retrieved November 28, 2020, from https://www.brighthorizons.com/family-resources/children-and-nature

Taylor, J. (2015). 8 Ways to Nurture your Children’s Connection with Nature. Retrieved November 28, 2020, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-power-prime/201501/8-ways-nurture-your-children-s-connection-nature

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Not feeling well? Here, have a dose of nature.

Nature is a cure. A cure for what exactly? Well, that’s hard to say. Not because I have trouble finding an answer for what nature might be a cure for. Instead, it’s hard to say because I have trouble not saying “everything”.

Photo of an artistic representation of nature as a cure. The plants are cleverly placed in a standardized pharmaceutical pill container. Retrieved from here.

My personal guiding ethic as a nature interpreter is that nature is a cure. Richard Louv, based on our readings during the course, seems to agree. He invented the term “nature-deficit disorder” because of research he has performed that spans over a decade. He’s studied how there are physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and environmental consequences from having a “nature-deficit disorder” (Beck et al., 2018, p. 50). Louv’s work includes effects on children (2005), adults (2011), and entire communities (2016).

My beliefs are in line with Louv’s because I have witnessed the healing power of nature through my own experiences. Spending time in nature and learning about the details consistently reignites me and makes me feel at peace. The stresses of modern life melt away when I am engulfed in nature. It’s the best medicine I have, but I’m aware that’s my own subjective experience.

Photo of Hamilton Pool, USA. Seeing this in person blew me away and it was the moment that I began to see nature as magical. Being here for a brief moment healed me from poisonous psychological mind states that are an inevitable result of modern society. Retrieved from here.

In my opinion, experiencing things for yourself is much more valuable than scientific data proving something. This is because science is always behind. It takes years to perform a flawless experiment that has conclusive evidence. Additionally, science can only study a few variables at a time by definition, since scientific experiments rely on altering one variable at a time for the purpose of establishing cause and effect relationships. In real life, there are infinite variables. Therefore, science is powerful, but I always make the argument that our own experience is far more valuable because we can reach conclusions faster.

So, my opinion that nature is a cure is not founded on scientific principles. Of course, there are some scientific experiments that can demonstrate why nature helps with certain illnesses such as the ones Louv carried out (Beck et al., 2018, p. 50). But, when I say nature is a cure, I mean it is a cure that exceeds beyond what science can definitively confirm in the foreseeable future. 

This is why I feel responsible for sharing nature with the world. I think our current society has a twisted perversion with science. Science is the modern God. As a scientist myself who has been studying biology for the last half decade, the problems with science are clear to me. I feel a personal responsibility to stop this perversion and make people realize that science should not be our primary guiding principle.

It’s a nuanced idea that I want to share with the world. That nuanced idea is not meant to take away from the power of science and its incredible utility, but to help differentiate the power of science versus the longevity of conclusive data. To put it simply, a real scientific finding that has practical application to our lives and is irrefutably correct usually takes a long time. A really long time.

Through nature interpretation, I can bring this idea to people. For example, I can show people the amazing scientific discoveries related to bees such as how they communicate through sophisticated dances that are similar in precision to a modern GPS. I can outline how honey is made, what constitutes it, and how honey can be synthetically made through chemistry. I can share discoveries related to global bee species decline as a result of several factors such as neonicotinoid pesticide usage and climate change. But, I can also be honest about the limitations of science. I can say that we don’t really know what the answer to bee decline is. I can even say we don’t know if we need an answer. Perhaps, the bees can decline and nature will smoothly go on because other species will take its place. Perhaps, some plants that heavily rely on pollination may go extinct and be replaced with other ones. Is every “problem” worth solving? Dinosaurs, mammoths, and countless other species have gone extinct, but Earth remains. Nature always has a way of balancing everything in a beautiful and harmonious way that humans have historically never managed to do properly. They stopped forest fires in British Columbia, only to now purposely have controlled fires because they realized the positive biodiversity effects of forest fires (British Columbia Wildfire Service, 2010).

Nature interpretation is a way for me to tie all these complex ideas together into presentations that can bring genuine peace to people. People can leave an interpretative session with me realizing the power of nature and its harmonious ways.

I’d place emphasis on explaining connection. How everything connects together in a seamless fashion that is infinitely perfect. How the tree produces a seed and wraps it up with a fruit. How an animal will enjoy the nutrition of that fruit, but how that indirectly helps the tree reproduce by dispersing that seed as a result of eating the fruit. How that seed will eventually thrive as its own tree and continue the cycle. The cycle of never ending perfection.

All we can do is relax and enjoy this perfection, if only for a brief moment. We can breathe in the oxygenated air and feel grateful for nature. We can bask in its power and energy just like we love to bask in the sun. Then we can get back to our busy lives of obligations and responsibilities, but recharged with a potent kind of energy that is capable of worldly success.

As Robert Frost wrote originally almost 100 years ago (2000),

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep. But I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.

[References for entire post included by clicking below]

Keep reading

[kwenvs3000]

Hi, thank you so much for sharing your beliefs, ethics and responsibilities that you bring to nature interpretation. I think you bring some great new insight into what it is to be a nature interpreter. I definitely agree that nature can and is one of the best cures for any physical or mental infirmity. For me, nature can be the best medicine to just get through the stress of daily life. Something I find super interesting is how nature is actually getting increasingly used as a medicine, even getting prescribed by doctors (Hamblin, 2015). This is pretty new to the medical field and is called Ecotherapy (Hamblin, 2015). These practitioners actually prescribe nature based therapies to address both mental and physical health needs (Hamblin, 2015). Research has supported that this kind of therapy works. For example, it has been found that children with ADHD that regularly spend time playing outside have milder symptoms (Hamblin, 2015). 

A cool photo of how nature can be a medicine and truly help people (Summers, 2014)

Link to a neat article on Ecotherapy: https://www.citationmachine.net/bibliographies/1573b96d-ab37-4e07-816e-afc3fdf476e0

I also agree that real life experience in nature are so much more significant than any research paper can give you. I have never found the peace and joy I feel in nature, from being by a lake, an ocean or just walking through the forest from learning through scientific writing. Although scientific research definitely has its place and importance in life, in my opinion nature may be even more significant. 

I think all of your values would combine to create a great nature interpreter that adds a new perspective to society. I agree with many of your beliefs and ethics and think that these can help build a great nature interpretation experience.

References

Hamblin, J. (2015, October 15). The Nature Cure. Retrieved November 27, 2020, from https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/10/the-nature-cure/403210/

Summers, D. (2014, April 03). Warning: 'Natural Medicine' Is Often Code for 'Pseudoscience'. Retrieved November 27, 2020, from https://www.thedailybeast.com/warning-natural-medicine-is-often-code-for-pseudoscience

[kwenvs3000]

One Wild and Precious Life

Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?

Tell me, what is it you plan to do

With your one wild and precious life?

- Mary Oliver (The Summer Day, n.d.)

The quote above is one that was referred to in the lecture notes for this course and I took it upon myself to look up more of this amazing poet. Mary Oliver, in her own way, was not just a poet but also a nature interpreter. She has been said to be an “indefatigable guide to the natural world,” immersing the reader in poems on the quiet parts of nature, anything from hummingbirds and egrets to motionless ponds (Mary Oliver, n.d.). This quote from one of Mary Oliver’s poems is so true, we only have one wild and precious life to live on this earth, so what do we plan to do with it? We can do so much with this life and use our ethics, beliefs, approaches and responsibilities as nature interpreters to make a difference in this world for the short time we are on it.

I hope to use my one wild and precious life for a purpose to help change the world in some small way. To do this I have many personal beliefs and ethics that I want to use as a nature interpreter. I believe that the first thing that a nature interpreter should care about is not exactly nature but the people you are interpreting too. In my mind helping others should be the first priority for everyone but especially for an interpreter. If you took on the role of being an nature interpreter for the right reasons, it is because you know how valuable nature is to individuals and society. When nature interpretation is done correctly, everyone, no matter the age or ability should leave with a furthered education, joy through recreation and uplift through spiritual and emotional inspiration (Beck et al., 2018). I believe that if this is not the outcome, we need to look back on how we interpreted and do things differently the next time. 

I also believe that nature interpretation should be for more than just providing information but providing information for a reason, to invoke action on the topic at hand. Interpretation, when done well, can change attitudes and the social norms of individuals or society which can result in behavioural changes (Beck et al., 2018). Changing behaviour can have huge implications. Examples of this include an increase in support for resource protection, conservation and public safety (Beck et al., 2018). Invoking action through interpretation has been effective in the past, present and will continue to be in the future. One of my favourite examples of how this has been used is how Algonquin Park has helped change the public’s attitude towards wolf protection through Public Wolf Howls, listening to wolf packs and informing the visitors on why they need our protection ( Beck et al., 2018).

The Public Wolf Howls of Algonquin Park are a great way to help further education on this amazing species (The Friends of Algonquin Park, 2019)

Another belief that I bring, which is not as popular in today’s society, is that nature is more than just evolution at work, it is God’s creation. I believe that the world around us is evidence of God, that He exists and that He is good, creating everything for our enjoyment and discovery. I know that not everyone agrees with this but it is a belief that is first in my life, that has shaped me into the person I am today and one that I hope to portray and tell others about if I have the opportunity to be a nature interpreter in the future.

As interpreters, we have many responsibilities to live up to. For me, one of the main responsibilities we have is to ensure the safety of the visitors we have been entrusted to interpret to. Our discussion on risk versus reward and the tragedy at Timiskaming in week 3, really made me realize the responsibility we have as nature interpreters to assess the risk of any situation. Some risk is necessary, to move people out of their comfort zones and gain meaning from nature but as the example of too much risk that the story of Timiskaming portrays, there needs to be a balance. It is our role and responsibility as nature interpreters, often in charge of visitors, to find this balance.

As I mentioned above, education is another responsibility of nature interpreters. Although many people want to visit interpretation centres because it is an enjoyable experience, the main goal of a nature interpreter is educating the public on the environment, nature and conservation (Beck et al., 2018). Recently, I have learnt more about one particular place close to home that meets this motivation behind interpretation, The Guelph Outdoor School. The outdoor school immerses kids and teenagers in nature, offering weekly programs for all ages and on a variety of topics to help them learn through the environment (The Guelph Outdoor School, n.d.). I think this is a great idea and I wish I had been able to have been a part of this growing up. 

The Guelph Outdoor School advertisement for its bursary fund, The Next Child in the Woods to help kids have the opportunity to connect with nature ( The Guelph Outdoor School, n.d.)

Link to The Guelph Outdoor School: https://www.theguelphoutdoorschool.com/#home-section

I believe that the best approach to nature interpretation that would suit my personality and ability would be being in the field, guiding others in the nature that I am so passionate about. One of the most popular approaches to interpretation today involves relying on social media such as blogs, facebook and twitter posts which allow interpretation to reach countless individuals (Beck et al., 2018). I think this approach works in amazing ways but I believe that the approach which I would be best at is going back to the way nature interpretation was traditionally and still is done in many settings, guiding people through the moment, outside in the physical environment that we can touch, see and feel. I think that this is one of the most effective ways that people can experience nature. The only way that I have felt a deep, personal connection with the environment is not through a screen or listening to a podcast but being physically in the outdoors. This is the type of experience that I want to bring to people and this is how I want to make my mark in this fleeting life we live. 

 References

Beck, L., Cable, T., & Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Urbana, IL: Sagamore – Venture Publishing LLC.

Mary Oliver. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/mary-oliver

The Friends of Algonquin Park. (2019). In Facebook [Facebook page]. Retrieved November 25 2020 from https://www.facebook.com/TheFriendsofAlgonquinPark/posts/no-algonquin-park-public-wolf-howl-tonight-ontario-parks-has-announced-that-ther/10156202373901568/

The Guelph Outdoor School. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.theguelphoutdoorschool.com/

The Summer Day. (n.d.). Retrieved November 25, 2020, from https://www.loc.gov/programs/poetry-and-literature/poet-laureate/poet-laureate-projects/poetry-180/all-poems/item/poetry-180-133/the-summer-day/

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An Attempt to Conserve the High Park Nature Centre

Dear Board of Directors,

I am writing to you in regard to the closing of the High Park Nature Centre due to insufficient funding in an attempt for reconsideration. We believe that our programs of nature interpretation are a vital asset to both the community and the relevance of environmental education, and therefore, the conservation of our earth.

The High Park Nature Centre is truly monumental; not only is it home to one of North America’s most endangered habitats (the Black Oak Savannah), but it has educated numerous visitors on the importance of environmental conservation (High Park Nature, 2018). Through this interactive landscape, people are given a practical experience that stays with them indefinitely.

Nature interpretation has countless benefits that are beyond students inheriting facts, as it allows for a deeper connection to nature via the mind, body and soul (Beck et al., 2018). Our programs allow for untraditional teaching methods, thus acknowledging that each person is unique and learns differently, making each experience completely personal and memorable (Beck et al., 2018). As much as I believe there is a time and place for traditional, in-class learning, I have found that I have much more memorable learning experiences through firsthand-learning. There is a reason that children get excited to go outside, and there is also a reason that people of old age remember things that were taught to them many years ago. It is because when we experience something and learn the significance behind it, we are more inclined to actually care.

While we teach many difficult and complex concepts, they are made more feasible through nature interpretation and the various medias we portray such as dramatic arts and music (Beck et al., 2018). Using such teaching methods has been used as a way of communicating urgent environmental issues to audiences of all ages and can be seen as a bridge between the public and the scientific community (Merenlender, 2015; Wals et al., 2014). The use of multi-media is perhaps already an underused teaching strategy, so by combining it with nature makes for an even more enriching experience.

In closing this center, a unique method of teaching would be lost along with the particular experiences and teachings that it offers. Closing this center would also be arguably unbeneficial economically, environmentally and socially due to tourism, lack of environmental conservation tactics, and decline in interactive experiences for the community.

In summation, the closing of the High Park Nature Centre would be to lose an incredibly innovative and unique community experience that connects people of all ages with nature. In an area as urban as Toronto, it is vital that people are able to use nature as an escape for their mental and physical well-being.

We hope that these points will sway your decision.

Best regards,

The High Park Nature Centre

References

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2019). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For a better world. Urbana: Sagamore Publishing.

High Park Nature. (2018). High Park Nature. Retrieved from https://highparknature.org/

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. doi: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. doi:10.1126/science.1250515

[kwenvs3000]

Hi! I really enjoyed reading your letter on the significance and importance in maintaining nature interpretation.

I agree with all of the points you brought up about why nature interpretation and education are so important. I specifically liked the idea of how the way people learn is so much different at nature centres than in a classroom or typical school. From experience, I know that this is very true. I, as many other children and now as an adult prefer learning outdoors rather than in a classroom and some of my best memories are from trips to nature centres. I feel like visitors also remember what they learn through nature interpretation better than other traditional learning methods. It may be that nature interpretation incorporates a vast array of learning styles. As you explained, individuals learn in many different ways and by incorporating all of the styles people learn by it can help students and visitors succeed (Beck et al., 2018). 

Something else that stood out to me was that High Park Nature Centre is in Toronto. Toronto is a huge city and I’m sure it is rare for some families to have the opportunity to experience nature in a profound way. Today there are so many people who lack “Vitamin N”, experiences in nature, and the addition of this in their lives can increase the health and happiness of families and communities that may have “nature deficiency disorder” (Beck et al., 2018). This is important for any location but may be even more important in a large city such as the GTA. 

Thanks for the great post!

References:

Beck, L., Cable, T., & Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Urbana, IL: Sagamore – Venture Publishing LLC.

[kwenvs3000]

Protect the Wonders of the Wild Interpretation Centre!

Dear Board of Directors

On behalf of the Wonders of the Wild Interpretation Centre, we ask you to please reconsider your decision to close this beloved nature interpretation center. We believe that environmental education and nature interpretation are extremely important for all individuals involved, especially the countless visitors we welcome each year.

Today, we are constantly reminded about how a modern, technological life can result in people becoming out of touch and disconnected with nature (Mitchell and Ryland, 2017). Nature interpretation can play a critical role to bridge the disconnect between humans and nature, and when done well it can engage, educate, inform and inspire us (Mitchell and Ryland, 2017) Nature interpretation has great significance for the visitor, and can change them from within (Jurow, 2016). It provides an awareness of something beyond themselves and opens them up to others and to new experiences (Jurow, 2016).

One of the most important reasons to continue to ensure nature interpretation for the public is the educational benefit. Many people enjoy learning and the process of acquiring knowledge is an enjoyable and enriching experience (Beck et al. 2018). Not only does the public enjoy education but learning about nature makes it become more meaningful (Beck et al. 2018). Our Interpretation center connects with schools and has benefits to administrators, teachers and students (Beck et al. 2018). It even has many benefits to interpreters by strengthening community support for our programs (Beck et al. 2018).

Not only are there educational benefits to our center but there are many recreational and health benefits (Beck et al. 2018). We provide a place for physical exercise, relaxation and inspiration as well as a gathering place for friends and family (Beck et al. 2018). From experience I know that nature interpretation helps to heal both physically and mentally. Just spending a small amount of time in the outdoors renews my energy and allows me to continue pushing through. This effect of nature is not just for the individual but allows for a healthier society as a whole (Beck et al. 2018).

The incredible peace of nature is the perfect reason to continue funding our center

Nature interpretation has long term effects on communities and the environment. Our programs educate the children, youth and adults on processes such as climate change, invasive species and extinction. Interpretation plays an important role in awareness and protection of endangered species and conservation of resources (Beck et al. 2018) Education in the environment around us prepares and guides individuals and communities to take on environmental action (Ardoin et al. 2020). It can result in direct benefits to the environment and securely addresses conservation issues (Ardoin et al. 2020). I know that funding the Wonders of the Wild Interpretation Centre will help conserve our beautiful planet for the next generation.

I ask you to please reconsider closing our Interpretation center. It provides people of all ages with education, inspiration, health and empowerment that they can find no where else.

Thank you

Wonders of the Wild Interpretation Centre

References

Ardoin, N. M., Bowers, A. W., & Gaillard, E. (2020). Environmental education outcomes for conservation: A systematic review. Biological Conservation, 241, 108224. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2019.108224

Beck, L., Cable, T., & Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Urbana, IL: Sagamore – Venture Publishing LLC.

Jurow, K. (2016). Making Meaning Together: The role of interpretation during a short-term nature excursion (Master's thesis, Antioch University, 2016) (pp. 1-210). New England: Antioch University. doi:https://aura.antioch.edu/etds/289/

Mitchell, J., & Ryland, P., Dr. (2017). Natural interpretation: A brief guide to the interpretation of nature and wildlife. Retrieved from https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/96655055.pdf

[kwenvs3000]

Nothing can Compare ( extra post)

A beautiful sunset I captured off the coast of Canoa, Ecuador. The photo is great but I will never forget how incredible it was to experience in person

One thing I have been thinking about lately is how nothing can compare to experiencing nature in person. No photo or painting will ever compare to the real thing. No matter how good of a photographer or artist you are, no one will every be able to portray nature exactly how it is in real life. No created artist is as good as the creator himself. When I think about this, the first thing that comes to mind is a sunset or sunrise. There will never be one just like the one you watch at that moment, it is different every day and can never be fully captured, how amazing is that?

[mrhenvs3000-20]

A moment to make sense of nature interpretation

As an interpreter, I know for certain that nature interpretation makes a better world. I know that it is needed to build a better relationship with nature. We have learned when looking at history that humans before us had a better relationship with nature than we do currently. We saw the Group of Seven and how they traveled Canada to paint its environment. They felt at peace painting and traveling throughout the land. They showed people what’s out there and encouraged them to travel and explore nature. When we build a relationship with nature, we will care more about preserving it and not destroying it for a better future. Therefore, nature interpretation is certainly needed for a better future.

One idea that was discussed in this week’s lecture that I found very interesting and goes along with what I know for certain, is that nature interpretation involves many other disciplines, such as science, history and art. It’s the glue that brings everything together. It could use science to interpret nature, for example, how bees pollinate and help nature thrive. It can use art with paintings of natural scenery. It could use technology to bring us close to dangerous animals and how they live. Nature interpretation is very important in this respect.  

I still, however, wonder if technology is helpful in nature interpretation. We learned about technology and its impact on nature interpretation. After all the readings and research that I came across, I still think it can go both ways. It all depends on us, humans, and how we use technology towards nature. Technology could keep us inside our homes and take us away from going out to nature and enjoying it or it could inspire us to go out and travel and experience nature by seeing pictures or videos on our phones or TVs.

A nice illustration of how nature and technology could be hand in hand and work together. An interesting read if you are interested. Retrieved from: https://givingcompass.org/article/how-technology-and-nature-can-to-work-together-to-feed-a-growing-population/

I find inspiration being out in nature. Whenever I go camping with friends and family, I like to take walks in the forest and enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature. If we are close to water, I like to sit and admire the big bodies of water and what could be living within them. I’m not thinking of myself as separate from nature. I’m lost in it as part of the environment around me. I see the animals living in harmony and think of myself as if I was one of them. I’m happy and at peace during these moments. I think that nature improves our mental and emotional health. Whenever I feel down or stressed, I take a walk through a trail or I make a trip to nearby natural areas to relieve the stress.

A picture of the sunset that I took on one of my nature walks. So peaceful. Nature truly brings me happiness and joy whenever I’m feeling down. 

Watching people enjoy nature ignites me. I always take it upon myself to find beautiful natural environments to take family and friends to. Finding the perfect camping spot or viewpoint and showing it to important people in my life gives me great joy. I feel like nature should be enjoyed by everyone and spreading my knowledge ignites me the most as an interpreter.

[kwenvs3000]

Hi! Thank you so much for sharing your passion for nature interpretation and how you are currently growing in your love for it. I completely agree that nature interpretation makes the world a better place and that one of the things about nature interpretation that does that is the involvement of all other disciplines. As you mentioned and the textbook further explains, nature interpretation can incorporate arts, history, written word and technology (Beck et al., 2018). These are only a few ways that nature interpretation connects people and ideas from all backgrounds.

I think that it is interesting to consider the way technology is used in nature interpretation, something I still wonder for myself. There are so many ways that nature and technology can work together to improve life and get people inspired to help conserve and explore the outdoor world. Personally I know that as a child, watching movies about animals on the other side of the world and learning about things not available in my back yard is one of the ways that I became interested in nature conservation. Although this is true, I can also understand your opinion on how technology may be harmful as well, taking people out of the natural environment. In my opinion, I think that if used in the right way, technology has the potential to benefit than harm in nature conservation and nature interpretation. It will be interesting to see how technology effects nature interpretation and conservation in the future. 

Here is a really interesting article on some of the ways that technology is aiding in nature conservation today : https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/08/here-s-how-technology-can-help-us-save-the-planet/

A cool photo demonstrating the influence of technology in nature (Depositphotos, n.d.)

References

Beck, L., Cable, T., & Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Urbana, IL: Sagamore – Venture Publishing LLC.

Depositphotos. (n.d.). How will robots be used in 2020? 7 ways. Retrieved from: https://bdtechtalks.com/2020/01/22/robotics-automation-in-2020/

[kwenvs3000]

The Next Steps in Nature

Although it is hard to know anything for certain, one thing I know for sure is that nature interpretation is significant. Being a nature interpreter is an important role in society. Previously, as much as I loved the possibility of a career in nature interpretation I did not consider it as important to society as I now do today. As explained in the textbook, nature interpretation benefits so many aspects of our world from individuals and society to management of the environment (Beck et al., 2018). Nature interpretation contributes to so many aspects of society from education, recreation, and health to individuals and the community (Beck et al., 2018). 

There are many things I still wonder about in regards to nature interpretation and and my role as a nature interpreter. One of these is how to get my foot in the door for a role as a nature interpreter. How can I take all the concepts I am learning in this course and obtain the opportunity to apply them in a significant way? Through taking this course I have been inspired to potentially teach others through nature interpretation in the future. This prospect seems far away and hard to achieve. Lately I have been wondering how I can get started and the lecture material from this week was able to point me in the right direction. A great place to look for more information is through the Interpretation online resources found on the course website as mentioned in the lecture. I was so excited to learn about some of these resources such as Interpretation Canada and the Interpretive Guides Association as well as ones outside of North America like interpretation in Australia and Europe. 

Interpretation Canada: https://interpretationcanada.ca/

Interpretive Guides Association: https://interpretiveguides.org/

Interpret Europe: http://www.interpret-europe.net/feet/home/

Interpretation Australia: https://interpretationaustralia.asn.au/

I find inspiration to learn more and follow a path towards nature interpretation by thinking of ways that I could use my passion for nature together with my passion for helping others. I am so excited  to see how I could use interpretation as a tool to reach those who would benefit the most from being surrounded by the beauty of nature. I have heard of many ways that people have used nature as a tool to help others and I would love to do the same. An example of this that I found while researching was the special needs inclusion program at the Columbia outdoor school in British Columbia (Special Needs, n.d.). Here, they specifically made a program to allow children with disabilities to enjoy the education center and learn and grow from it (Special Needs, n.d.). I hope to be able to be a part of something similar one day.

The way that I ignite and get fired up for nature is by thinking about the intricacies of every aspect of it. When I think of how perfectly every part of nature, from the smallest single-celled organism to the beauty of a golden sunset works together to maintain this life on earth I am astounded. Each living thing is designed to live in and thrive in its environment, and is different from every other living thing on the planet.  It makes us wonder how all of this beauty can possibly exist, but it does. Whenever I tell others about nature, I get so excited because discovery in nature never ends, and this is why I love it so much.

An example of one of the amazing feats of nature that gets me fired up is the perfect creation of a beaver lodge, how can a small creature create such a wonderful home?

References

Beck, L., Cable, T., & Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Urbana, IL: Sagamore – Venture Publishing LLC.

Special Needs Inclusion Program. (n.d.). Retrieved November 09, 2020, from http://columbiaoutdoorschool.com/special-needs

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The Building Blocks of Life

The podcast I chose to debrief was the “Tree Talk Podcast.”  What made me choose to listen to this podcast was the title as it peaked my curiosity right away.  At first I thought it was going to cover material on trees, however I soon learned that “Tree Talk,” was simply the name of the podcast.  Turns out, the podcast was actually about genetics, which I was even more stoked about!  I don’t know what I about Tree Talk so much but I think the same of the podcast is great!  Maybe it’s just my love of alliterations, who knows!   

One of the main lessons that was taught was what genes are and how they function.  Despite this being an incredibly complex and difficult topic, I thought the team presented the information in a very fun format that would be easy for kids to understand.  I thought explaining genes by comparing them to LEGO blocks, was a genius connection and one that kids could definitely understand. 

The second thing I learned about was the existence of the seed bank in Svalbard.  I had no idea that we kept a reserve of plant seeds in case certain species became extinct.  This was extremely cool in my eyes as it seems like something straight out of science fiction!  I loved the fact that they referenced Jurassic Park, as this is one of my all time favourite movies.  I feel as though making a reference to pop culture like this would be extremely beneficial to children learning about gene banks. This way, they would be able to put it on a context that they would be able to understand more easily.  

Another lesson I learned was that the arboretum serves as a gene bank which until this point, was unknown to me!  I also learned just how large the arboretum is, which I must say took me aback.  Comparing its size to something I could easily visualize, like football fields, really helped understand the scale of its size.  I also learned that I definitely need to get out more and continue to explore the arboretum as clearly I’ve only scratched the surface!    

One thing that I thought the group did extremely well, was how they structured their podcast and interview.  It didn’t sound like an interview where an interviewee was bombarded with question, but rather a conversation.  The little questions they added after their main questions made sure of this.  To me this is exactly how a podcast should be conducted so I’d definitely like to incorporate that into my groups next podcast. 

Overall, I thought the podcast was very well done and if Tree Talk was a weekly podcast, I’d be an active listener!        

[kwenvs3000]

Hi! I also listened to the Tree Talk podcast and just like you, I really enjoyed it. I definitely didn’t expect the topic to be genetics but it was a great choice of topic.  I agree that they did a good job explaining their main lessons of a complicated topic like genes to an audience of children.

One thing I really enjoyed, as you explained with the Lego block comparison, was how well the group related each topic to something that a child could easily understand and relate to themselves. Some more examples of these were comparing the differences between themselves and their siblings physical traits and relating missing a building block of genes to a dog eating their homework. 

As you also discussed, one of the coolest aspects of this podcast for me was learning more about gene banks. Before this podcast I didn’t even know what a gene bank was but the group easily explained this and used many interesting examples to describe it to children. Like you, I had no idea that a gene bank existed at the arboretum and I was fascinated by this fact. 

I agree that overall the podcast was really well done, although I feel like a slight improvement may have been lengthening the podcast to make it closer to the 20 min time mark. Perhaps this could have been done by adding in some activities for the kids to participate in or splitting up the content portion with some songs or sound effects. 

Good job to the Tree Talk Podcast group!

[kwenvs3000]

The Mark of a Monarch (Podcast Review)

The podcast I decided to review from a participant’s perspective was the podcast on Monarch butterflies. My first impression when listening to the podcast was how it immediately grabbed my attention through the soundtrack used in the introduction. The initial set up was also very well done as it introduced what the podcast was about, where we were and who was speaking. The introduction sounded very professional and well rehearsed.

There were many lessons that the audience could take from this podcast. The first lesson that I learnt from the podcast was on the lifecycle of Monarch butterflies. From a child’s perspective, I know that they would have really enjoyed this part. As explained in the textbook, one of the ways that interpretation can relate well to children is through animal allies, allowing children to become the animal the interpreter is explaining to them (Beck et al., 2018). This group did just that, allowing the audience to step into the shoes of a Monarch butterfly.

Another lesson learnt in this podcast was the effects of climate change on Monarch butterflies. This was a major topic of the podcast and overall was somewhat effective to a children’s audience. This topic was mostly covered through the interview. The interview is a necessary aspect of the podcast, but I think that this part might have been improved by splitting up the interview or shortening it to keep the attention of the audience. It was very effective however to let the audience know how they could help the cause. I think children like to feel as though they can make a difference and this podcast definitely considered that aspect.

Lastly, a third lesson children could learn about Monarchs through this podcast was all about migration. This topic was somewhat effective as it was explained through the interview. Although compelling interview methods were used such as asking questions in a logical order and maintaining a friendly, conversational manner (Beck et al., 2018), I think it could have been further improved through including some other interpretive methods such as activities or songs to help explain this topic.

One technique that this group used and I really enjoyed was the creative idea of using a person to portray Miss Monarch the butterfly. Although this may be less effective for an adult’s podcast, it would be interesting to find ways to do something just as creative that would capture the attention of adults as this would have for a children’s audience. I plan on finding some creative methods to do something similar in the next podcast we produce.

Overall, this podcast was very well done. I think that many aspects of it would have appealed to a children’s audience. I enjoyed listening to every part of it. I learnt so much more about Monarchs and was astounded by many details that I could never have guessed were true. Although there are some improvements that could be made, overall it was a very well recorded and produced podcast. Good work!

The beautiful migration of Monarch butterflies (Cordier, n.d.)

References

Beck, L., Cable, T., & Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Urbana, IL: Sagamore – Venture Publishing LLC.

Cordier, S. (n.d.). Monarchs that ‘drop out’ of the migration game pick up more parasites. Retrieved from https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/09/monarchs-drop-out-migration-game-pick-more-parasites

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The Coolest Plant I Own - Lithops

I am going to take advantage of this week’s prompt to talk about how cool plants are and how they adopt to their surroundings.

I was sitting thinking about some of my favourite things about nature and I just kept coming back to my favourite plant, Lithops! I think they are super neat, and I wanted to be able to share them. They are my favourite because they are so odd looking, but I love talking about them and sharing how cool the plant itself is, not just how odd it looks.

I like them because they are unique, this is what originally attracted me to them. This mainly comes from the appearance of their leaves. Like all plants, they all have the same job of absorbing sunlight, but I find it super interesting to see how each plant does it differently and how important these leaves are to the survival of the plant specifically.

Looking at lithops they have two leaves fused together to make the cone shape, narrowing down at the bottom which leads to their few and shallow roots. These plants are native to southern Africa and thrive in dry soil with lots of drainage (Mahr, 2020). Due to its habitat the plant thrives with little water and the leaves are designed to hold water to sustain the plant. When the plant enters its dormant phase, a new body develops and the leaves will then split, allowing the new body to come through. This new growth is sustained by the old leaves and uses the moisture from them.

My plants are currently in this phase!

As described in an article on lithops, lithops has some difficulties getting light to the photosynthetic apparatus of the leaf cells which are underground, so the leaves have windowed cells that allow light into the inner portion of the leaf (Mahr, 2020). Super cool how the plant adopts to its surroundings and thrives. The plant also looks like rocks to blend into its habitat, hence the common name “living stones”.

Overall, I think it’s a very odd-looking plant but it is super interesting to learn how it functions and thrives! Its fairly low maintenance with the limited water it needs, but it also requires attention and knowledge of its growth cycle, so it is not over watered and stunted. Such as when the plant starts to split to allow the new growth in you must stop watering. If not, the plant will not take the moisture from the old leaves and they will strangle the new growth. So, like I said, easy to care for as long as you know the basics and what to watch for!

Anyway, that is currently the thing that amazes me most about nature and it gets me very excited. I hope I was able to produce something of interest to others and I look forward to learning more neat things!

Other plants that top my favourites list are:

Calico hearts

burrows tail (along with what I am propagating)

String of pearls (or string pf dolphins are cool too)

 The article that I have linked below was super informative about Lithops and gives a much greater understanding of the plant. I feel this website does a great job at interpreting the plant and providing those interested with lots of good information and a few stories that help with the understanding, hitting many key things described in chapter eight about successful websites.

Sources:

Mahr, S. (2020, August 05). Living Stones: Lithops. Retrieved from https://wimastergardener.org/article/living-stones-lithops/

[kwenvs3000]

Thank you so much for teaching me more about some really interesting plants! When I think about the most amazing thing in nature, I sometimes skip over plants, with my passion being in the animal field but lately I have been thinking about the nature of plants a little bit more.

To add to your post, I thought I would tell you about some of the plants that I have come across recently. Last summer I went to a botanical garden displaying the incredible amount of beautiful and unique plant species found in Ecuador. The diversity there was astounding. Seeing how intricate and extraordinary each plant was gave me a new appreciation for the plant community that I did not have before.  In the textbook, it explains how nature interpretation can be done through photos and videos to social media and how these images speak louder than words (Beck et al., 2018). I completely agree that photos speak volumes so I made a point of taking many while I was in Ecuador, some which I have included below.

Just a couple of the unique species from the botanical gardens, sadly I don’t have the names so if you know that would be really cool!

Another thing that strikes me about plants is how they are related and necessary for all other life on earth. Plants are necessary for animals to breathe, as the initial food source for all food webs, they are the habitat for a variety of species and provide ecosystem services in many other ways as well.

References

Beck, L., Cable, T., & Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Urbana, IL: Sagamore – Venture Publishing LLC.

[kwenvs3000]

Wild about Wildlife

My favourite thing about nature is the incredible diversity and abundance of wildlife. Each and every species, whether great or small, is completely unique. This uniqueness and the adaptations that each species has which allow them to live and thrive in the habitat they live in is what makes the study of wildlife and their conservation so interesting. 

The total number of species on the planet is pretty much an unobtainable number. Estimates as of 2019 range from 5.3 million to 1 trillion completely separate species (Latty & Lee, 2019). That is a huge range of numbers and we can assume that we really have no idea how many individual species we have the opportunity to enjoy and study on this planet. We are discovering new species every single day. Approximately 18,000 new species are identified each year (Latty & Lee, 2019).

Although we have much more to discover in this world, we have studied some incredibly diverse, beautiful and unique species. There are so many of these interesting species of wildlife that if I tried to discuss them all, my blog would never end, so I am just going to have to tell you about my favourites.

Probably my favourite species of all time is the platypus. The platypus is extremely unique. Their body is a seeming jumble of common animals, with the bill and webbed feet of the duck, the tail of a beaver and the fur and body like an otter (Platypus, 2018). On top of this weird combination, the males are venomous with toxic stingers on the heels of their back feet (Platypus, 2018). They are also unique in reproduction. There are only 2 mammals in the world that lay eggs and this platypus is one of them (Platypus, 2018). The platypus is unlike any other species and is so crazy that the first scientist to see a specimen of this creature did not believe that it actually existed (Platypus, 2018). 

The duck-billed platypus in all its glory (Gimsey, n.d.)

Video on the strange life of the platypus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNoQvjlmGdk

Another animal I find really interesting is the leaf cutter ants. When a group of us came across a long line of leaf cutter ants in the amazon of Ecuador, they just fascinated me. Leaf cutter ants chew off pieces of leaves, often many times larger than themselves. They form lines of hundreds to thousands of ants up to 30 metres long across the forest as they transport their prizes to the nest (Rogers, n.d.). In the nest they put the leaves in fungal gardens to grow the food they require for life (Rogers, n.d.). 

The crazy amount of vegetation that leaf cutter ants can obtain is seen in this photo (Linder, n.d.)

This topic isn’t just interesting but also incredibly important since many of the special species that allow the earth and ourselves to continue living are disappearing. Our current rate of loss of biodiversity, through mass extinction, means that we are losing species faster than we can discover them (Latty & Lee, 2019). This is a troubling thought and one of the reasons why I believe that these topics are important to present to others through interpretation and to inspire all generations to help change our present and future situations. 

References 

Gimsey, D. (n.d.). Taking the pulse of the “near threatened” platypus is a tricky task. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/28/science/taking-the-pulse-of-the-near-threatened-platypus-is-a-tricky-task.html

Latty, T., & Lee, T. (2019, April 29). How many species on Earth? A simple question that's hard to answer. Retrieved from https://phys.org/news/2019-04-species-earth-simple-hard.html

Linder, C. (n.d.). Leafcutter ant. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/animal/leafcutter-ant

Platypus. (2018, September 21). Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/p/platypus/

Rogers, K. (n.d.). Leafcutter ant. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/animal/leafcutter-ant

[kwenvs3000]

This photo is of a beautiful sunset at the pond nearby. I feel like another form of nature in art can be photography. Although I am not so great at it, photographs can capture artistic beauty in nature that other art forms may not be able to. It can capture a second of time for generations to come.

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Interpreting Nature Through Art

Art is such a unique way to interpret nature, it uses many different mediums such as voice, music and storytelling to convey messages that simple words cannot (Beck et al., 2018). During my time in Alberta I had some friends whose job it was to interpret nature through theatre. This was done in an outdoor stage, and many of the actors were drama students or acted professionally. Although I was fortunate to attend a few of these shows, the one I remember most clearly was one about a mother and baby deer. This performance explained concepts such as the wildlife’s usage of underpasses (safe transitways underneath highways for wildlife to cross) and the differences between white-tailed and mule deer (e.g., the name “mule deer” stems from the resemblance of the deer to the mule). These performances are classified as “Outdoor Dramas,” and are dated back to the Classical Greek period as a way to teach about heritage (Beck et al., 2018). I had never thought of communicating nature in this sense, but to this day I remember it quite well. That is just one example of how powerful nature interpretation can be and demonstrates how a connection can be made deeper than at a superficial level.

Two common deer found in Alberta: mule deer (left) and white-tailed deer (right). Taken from: https://coloradooutdoorsmag.com/2015/03/18/a-quick-guide-to-differentiate-mule-deer-from-white-tailed-deer/ by Wayne D. Lewis/CPW.

Nature in itself is so beautiful, really an artform all on its own. So, when nature is then transcribed into an artistic medium, I feel it brings a new level of life. I thoroughly appreciate how nature can be displayed in so many different ways artistically. These different forms range from poetry to dance to music to visual art, and each is beautiful and unique.

While watching the Group of Seven documentary, I admired several things: first and most obviously, the art. The colours chosen so specifically represent the changing of seasons that Canada is so fortunate to be able to experience. Secondly, the nostalgia it created, reminding me of simpler times playing in forests, going to the cottage and the simplistic beauty of the outdoors. And lastly, when one of the women in the documentary was painting her own version of a Group of Seven painting, the way she was able to be wholly present while painting. The peace that came with the ability to just paint and sit in nature. I think it is amazing that art in nature is capable of making one feel all of these things.

The Pool painting by the Group of Seven. Taken from https://www.1st-art-gallery.com/Group-Of-Seven.html.

The way that art is unable to really be “rightly interpreted” is so interesting to me, it is an individually unique experience (Beck et al., 2018). Although Beck et al. (2018) state that most artists object to having their work interpreted as it gives it a proposed “set” meaning, I believe we all interpret nature through art. We may not all create stories, poems or theatrics, but we all have our own experiences regarding our encounters in nature and art.

To think that one piece of art is able to be seen in an infinite amount of ways because of one’s past experiences, likes/dislikes, background, influences, etc., is so interesting. So, although we are not all art critics, actors, or artists, we are still able to harness a distinct take on the piece of art in front of us.

[kwenvs3000]

Thank you so much for sharing about the ways that you have experienced nature in art. I agree that nature, when portrayed through an art form is something unique, something that just makes the artist and all those experiencing it feel alive. Even for those that don’t normally enjoy nature, the “unconverted”, can be strongly attracted by nature told or displayed in an artistic way (Beck et al., 2018). Art can draw a larger and broader portion of the population to interpret nature and be inspired to learn more or aid in conservation (Beck et al., 2018). 

I thought your description of the nature through the drama program you experienced in Alberta was really interesting! I have never considered learning about nature in that way before and I would love to watch something like that for myself. I think this is the perfect example of how interpreting nature through art attracts an unreached population. 

 As I was doing some research, I found that these “Outdoor Dramas” are more common than you might think. Many of the ones I came across are of plays that you might have heard of, ones that may not have anything to do with nature but then performed outside, incorporating both traditional art with a natural atmosphere and potentially inspiring people through both. 

Here is a link I found listing some of the outdoor theatres across Canada: 

https://cottagelife.com/outdoors/the-best-outdoor-theatres-in-canada/

Thanks again for the insightful post, If you discover any more original ways to interpret nature in art or any other way I would love to hear them!

References

Beck, L., Cable, T., & Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Urbana, IL: Sagamore – Venture Publishing LLC.

[kwenvs3000]

A Natural Artist

I believe that to find how nature can be interpreted by art, we do not need to look any further than at nature itself. For me, the greatest artist is God who put His hand into His creation. In nature we see all art forms present. Music is found in the birds, dance in the bumble bees and painting in the morning sunrise. Even the intricacies of a human body are just so exactly designed that the most talented sculptor could not form it to perfection. This is why I do not think I could ever fully relay all of the beauty of art found in nature through interpretation. The least we can do is give the visitors a small glimpse into it. 

One of my favourite ways to learn a new topic, especially on nature, is through the art of storytelling. In the book Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World, they explain how storytelling powerfully conveys information and holds the attention of an audience of all ages and learning abilities (Beck et al., 2018). It is described as the key to effective interpretation (Beck et al., 2018). 

One of the greatest stories I have learnt from, although not specifically nature, was in a place called Shandia in the jungles of Ecuador. Here I visited a small museum where I was told the story of five Christian missionaries whom had been living in this small village and shared the gospel with the entire community. The main message of the story was how they were killed when leaving Shandia to minister to a tribe which at the time was extremely violent. The most amazing part was how the missionaries’ wives had the courage to follow their footsteps and eventually bring the message of the gospel to the tribe which today is a peaceful community. This was one of the most empowering stories I have ever heard. A true story such as this, which brings the listeners to emotion can do amazing things in all forms of interpretation. 

The Napa river in Shandia, Ecuador

The 5 missionaries murdered by Waodani tribe in Ecuador, September 1955 (Anderson, 2019) 

Link to video on this story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-gal-PJCiM

Another art form which draws my attention is visual arts. I have always had a passion for drawing and painting nature. One way that visual arts is unique is the way in which each person can have an individual response to the significance of the artwork (Beck et al., 2018).  I think that visual arts can be a perfect form of interpretation as they surpass any limitations by the viewer. No one needs to speak the native language, be able to read or write in order to view and create their own understanding of a piece of art. Visual arts have been put into practise in nature interpretation for decades. A great example of this is the “Art along the Trail” event at Great Plains Nature Center (Beck et al., 2018). Here, artists set up their easels along the trail and paint to the pleasure of the public (Beck et al., 2018).  

I think that we can give others a look into nature through all of the various art forms that nature gives us. Art can be a tool to build a relationship with the audience, catch their attention and overcome obstacles we come across. 

References

Anderson, J. [andersonjma]. (2019, Jan 8). [Tweet]. Retrieved from: https://twitter.com/andersonjma/status/1082829450511896576

Beck, L., Cable, T., & Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Urbana, IL: Sagamore – Venture Publishing LLC.

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Covid-19 and Taking a Break.

COVID 19 has thrown our world sideways & it is something that I have been thinking a lot about. A virus that emerged in China and spread quickly throughout the world has affected everyone and the way we live our lives. It is likely that everyone in this class experienced the lockdown back in March, and it left a lot of us feeling alone, anxious, and scared. We began to navigate working and learning from home and preparing for this new world of COVID 19. And although it felt as if our entire world just came to a halt, people began to deeply understand the importance of experiencing nature. 

While everyone was locked inside and off the roads, our air became significantly cleaner. Smog in certain areas of the world disappeared, and people were viewing sights that they did not know existed. With improved air quality, plants started to thrive in cities, which created a positive chain effect. There were many reporting’s of unusual wildlife encounters, like the dolphins in the canals in Venice, Italy, or the pumas wandering the streets of Chile; It was evident that nature responded to the lockdown. A break from human activity demonstrated how resilient nature really is and many people developed a new respect for the environment.

Once restrictions started to lift, people everywhere turned to nature as a way to reduce stress and calm their minds while still following local guidelines and maintaining 6 feet apart from others. Experiencing nature offers an escape from all the bad stuff going on in the world and although everyone’s experiences with nature are different, just going outside and sitting under a tree can reduce someone’s stress significantly. This was so crucial to everyone during the spring months; just going for a walk with my dog everyday made me feel a million times better. I think it is so special that nature has this effect and I believe this pandemic really emphasized how important it is to take the time to immerse yourself in nature. Nature is connected to the health of every individual, and I hope that this pandemic taught everyone the importance of saving nature in order to save ourselves. Healthy communities sprout from healthy environments. Even now, with school in full force, taking 20 mins out of your day to take a walk or sit outside can have tremendous effects. 

In an effort to maintain safe public spaces, Toronto turned to painting social distancing circles on park grass so that people could enjoy time outdoors (Novakovic, 2020). 

As a landscape architecture student, my goal is to have a significant impact on communities and quality of life. I want to create spaces that people can immerse themselves in when they need an escape from the real world. I hope to create spaces where the benefits of nature can be found, while advocating for the preservation of our environment. The pandemic really taught me the importance of these kinds of spaces, especially in dense cities. It also taught me the importance of taking a break when I need one. Through nature interpretation we are able to provide people with these breaks from reality and help others immerse themselves in the beauty of our natural world.

References: 

Novakovic, S. (2020). Park Politics: Equity and Public Spaces During COVID-19. Retrieved October 01, 2020 from https://www.azuremagazine.com/article/park-politics-inequality-and-public-space-during-covid-19/ 

[kwenvs3000]

Tank you for sharing your thoughts on this pandemic and how it relates to nature. COVID-19 and its effects on all of our lives has been in my mind lately as well. As you said, our lives have changed so much within the past months and I completely agree that immersion in nature helps all of us cope with these drastic changes.

One of my main sources of comfort and relaxation has been time outdoors. As you mentioned, just spending part of your day outside can help you relax and make you healthier. As written in the book, Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World, it explains how natural landscapes help to contribute to healthier individuals (Beck et al. 2018). Spending time in these natural areas help give us physical exercise, relaxation and inspiration (Beck et al. 2018). 

Nature can also contribute to the health of a society. Human health is linked to the health of the environment and all species that live in it (Beck et al. 2018). As Richard Louv has studied, spending time in nature, or the absence of it, can have physical, psychological, spiritual, social and environmental implications (Beck et al. 2018)

I love how you included the ways that the earth is healing in the decline of human pollution and environmental harm that we are seeing during the shutdown. This has truly blown my mind and given me hope that nature can restore itself. 

Here is a link to a global news article, videos and photos showing some of the return of wildlife in urban areas that has been experienced around the world: 

https://globalnews.ca/news/6851572/earth-day-2020-coronavirus/

Fallow deer on the front lawn of a housing estate in east London, April 4 2020. (Stansal, 2020)

References: 

Beck, L., Cable, T., & Knudson, D. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage For a Better World. Urbana, IL: Sagamore – Venture Publishing LLC.

Stansal, B. (2020). The urban wild: animals take to the streets amid lockdown- in pictures. Retrieved October 1, 2020 from https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2020/apr/22/animals-roaming-streets-coronavirus-lockdown-photos