ENVS 3000 Interpretive Blog

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Unit 10: Nature Interpretation's Role in Environmental Sustainability

If I were to be totally honest with myself, the only reason I took this course to begin with was to fulfil a credit required to earn a certificate of environmental conservation when I graduated. There were very few options as to what credits I could take, and this one was available so I jumped at the chance. But I could not have been more lucky in taking that chance. That is because from the start of my university career I have consistently asked myself ‘what if I went the other way?’ I ask myself this because when I graduated highschool I was at a pretty big crossroads. I had spent my years in highschool volunteering as a student journalist in addition to taking the required science credits to go on one of two career paths: that of the scientist or that of the journalist. I of course took the route of the scientist, but again, what if I had gone the other way? This thought persisted, and as a result I have always valued the chance at learning how to integrate what I learned in science with that of communication, unfortunately I haven’t had as many chances to build these skills as I would have liked. Enter: this course.

In taking this course I unknowingly received the perfect opportunity to do what I’d always wanted, interpret what I’d learned in my zoology major and gain the skills to present it to a larger audience. Over the course of this semester I have learned way more about nature interpretation than I could have predicted, and I am definitely leaving this class a better communicator than when I began. So then, what have I learned?

I think one of the most important things I learned within this course was the importance of ethics while communicating. I’ve always tried my best to consider my audience when creating a project, but at the end of the day I am just one person with one point of view. Something that stood out to me while taking this course was the emphasis placed on privilege and the part it plays in experiencing nature and the lack of opportunities faced by those who lack it. In my own personal ethic I have always strived to be empathetic, honest, and responsible for my actions. But, what this course has allowed me to do is see the ‘invisible backpack’ described by Gallavan (2005) that many people carry with them. In considering my own code of ethics I need to be responsible in not making assumptions about certain groups, and know that not everyone has had the same opportunities as I have. Like many people I have felt the guilt of having these opportunities when others don’t, but rather than continue to think that simply feeling bad about my place in our society is enough, I know I have to strive to do better and make personal goals for myself. In other words, in order to be a good communicator I can’t just provide for one audience, but all audiences. It is so easy to tell people that if they want to experience nature then they should just go outside and touch the grass as they say, but this is not as easy as people think. There are hundreds of invisible barriers people with privilege who perceive their norm as the cultural norm simply cannot see. Economic barriers, cultural barriers, communication barriers, and so much more. It is learning about these barriers, and working with the people who face them that we can find ways to overcome them and provide less privileged people with interpretation catered to their needs rather than the same run of the mill experience that may be equivalent to others experiences, but not nearly as impactful.

I mentioned before how I once wanted to become a journalist rather than a scientist, and how I am still striving to be a better communicator. Communication is a broad term that has many different definitions. If I wanted to communicate with someone, I could do so using visuals, or music, or writing, or even through dance. Over history, different cultures have found different ways to interpret nature and communicate lessons learned from it to the next generation. For me, my skill set lends itself to utilising writing as the best approach to nature interpretation. Not only am I more confident in the written word, I am creative as well, or at least I try to be. Both the textbook and Strauss (1996) describe the importance of anecdotes and imagery to engage the audience. I know that throughout my life the lessons I have remembered the most were the memorable ones that had a great story behind them. It's part of the reason I can recount twenty hours of lore for major sci fi franchises and yet can barely remember my first year chemistry class. What sticks with people are experiences, and if you can engage people with nature through an immersive and creative experience, they will take that lesson and repurpose it for themselves.

Next year I plan to take a year off science and pursue a graduate certificate course in creative writing. I am in no way giving up science, but what I am doing is trying something new, and something I have always wanted to do. I have learned that influencing people to learn science through media such as fiction and other forms of creative writing can be just as impactful if not more so than discovering the facts in the first place. I hope to one day use what I have learned in this class and the rest of my undergrad to not only continue to be a responsible scientist, but a scientist who can communicate creatively with the next generation and inspire them to consider not just their own needs, but everyone's needs when it comes to nature.

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018b). Chapter 5: Guiding Principles of Interpretation. Interpreting cultural and natural heritage : for a better world. (pp.81-101) Sagamore Venture.

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018c). Chapter 7: Serving Diverse Audience. Interpreting cultural and natural heritage : for a better world. (pp.105-123) Sagamore Venture.

Gallavan, N. P. (2005). Helping teachers unpack their “invisible knapsacks.” Multicultural Education (San Francisco, Calif.), 13(1), 36–36.

Strauss, S. (1996). The passionate fact : storytelling in natural history and cultural interpretation. North American Press.

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Hey!

It’s been so nice getting to read our peers posts and be able to connect to everyone in unique but similar ways. However, I really can relate to so much that you have written about. I too have always questioned if going into environmental science instead of some form of arts degree is what was best for me. At times I didn’t see how the two worlds could fit in a way that could sustain a career, but this course really changed that for me. I think no description for this course can really express how expansive it can be for the people who can find the value in it. I mentioned in my post that I think this course change my way of thinking; I use to be very analytical but I feel like I see more value in learning interpretively now. It really gives me so much hope hearing how many students mentioned privilege in their posts, I think that was a valuable lesson for all of us. I love hearing how this course has helped you grow and your plans to pursue writing and environmental science. Similarly, I think after everything I learned in this course, once I graduate, I might finally take the leap and work towards a design degree and allow my mind to find all the unique ways those to fields connect. I think your innovative thinking will get you very far and I hope you create the future you want for yourself. I wish you all the best!

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Final Post! My Interpretation of Interpretation for Me

With this course coming to an end, I feel like I have surprised myself and learned so much but at the same time, so little. Trying to recall all the things the textbook has taught us about along with the other reading’s it’s hard to pin point what was what but, I can also form a large overview easily. This course is not what I was anticipating when I signed up and to be honest I’m still not sure if it’s what I was looking for. I do however feel it has given me a lot more tools to use in life and interpretation as well as open my eyes to the simple, yet very complex world of what interpretation actually is. All these ideas and information that we have learned have all been pertaining to the three main course elements of: Who Am I As an Interpreter? Who is My Audience? How Can I Make This Experience Meaningful?. I would like to try and answer these questions this week while working through the prompt for this blog as I feel they are connected in the closing of this course.

The first question Who am I as an interpreter? kind of goes along with what personal ethics I want to bring to interpretation and what beliefs do I bring. The question of who I am in this sense has been stuck with me through this course as I do not know, and I am not sure what my role in interpretation will be. I would like to address this as if I knew and what I would imagine it to be. I would like to bring first and foremost honesty and integrity in my interpretation journey. I think these are the two most important ethics in my interpretation journey as I want to bring truth and all truth to the people. I want to have integrity in these truths and be seen as a trustworthy source. If I make a mistake or get something I will own up to it. I want to bring all sides of the story all angles tot eh people with no agenda or pushing of a certain side. I want people to listen and form their own decisions just as it is said in this week’s module “You will all take away your own “so whats” from this course – and that’s completely fine” I want people to come to their own conclusion after hearing from a trustworthy source. This is what I feel is important and who I want to be as an interpreter as I believe everyone has the right to form their own opinions as long as it is based on truth.

Who is my Audience? I think this question comes in question with what my responsibilities and what approaches are most suitable for me as an individual. I feel my responsibility is to somehow bring an appreciation and love for nature similar to my own to others. If I can’t bring forth my appreciation, then I think I will have failed in my responsibilities. I do think I will only be able to reach a certain audience and for this reason I need to fulfill my responsibilities to the best I can. I enjoy athletic activities such as challenging hikes, watersports, long days on the water in any form, cliff jumping etc. This would lead me to a more hands on experience group with stimulating activities along with information thrown in during the experiences. I am not good with technology, and I don’t like being indoors that much so with a hands on practical outdoor adventure with information and interpretation along the way I think that is how I find my audience and sue the approaches best for me to interpret to others like me.

The final question is How can I Make This Experience Meaningful? How do I remain excited in my role? How do I not grow complacent in my position? How do I make sure that the experience I provide is not just another pass time? These questions I have found harder to answer. I think to remain grounded and continue appreciating nature for myself I would need to have a balance of intentional interpretation but also just step back and enjoy the outdoors myself. This could involve personnel trips to new places and my own learning through other experiences and classes. I think to make whatever program I am running not just another pass time all I could do is try and show my enthusiasm and bring as much as I can from what I have learned in this course to create an exciting engaging experience for all types of people. The other side of this would be as I mentioned earlier but creating a smaller niche interpretation adventure type thing and appealing to certain people instead, that way even though it’s reaching less people it is a meaningful few instead of a meaningless many.

A quote brought back up this module that is what I would like to leave off with is by Jacob Rodenburg “Being an environmental educator in today’s world feels like you are asked to stop a rushing river armed only with a teaspoon.” The module goes on to mention the restrictions and liabilities and concerns with everything nowadays. I know the liability of everything is hindrance from personnel experience in different aspects of my life I am involved in along with not having a unified guidance. I think these challenges will only get progressively worse and harder to navigate. As long as we are trying and being honest and have integrity in what we are doing I think we will be able to provide hope, awe, and wonder and if that can be shared with at least one person then it is worth continuing.

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Hey!

I appreciate your honesty in hearing how you found it hard to pinpoint what was what in this course. I can relate, there were so many intersections between concepts, fields, and forms of learning that I think at times I found myself having to really take time to sit down and make sense of how everything was connecting. I enjoyed how you approached your blog post; I think this prompt was really to see how we make sense of this course so I think it was a very smart choice to apply that back to the fundamental questions we are asked every unit. I like hearing how you would be able to best fulfill your responsibilities as an interpreter by playing to your strengths and finding an audience that would benefit the most from what you would be able to provide, that seems very logical to me. I also like hearing how as a future interpreter you would put the effort into finding balance so that you too could enjoy the experience. I think having that care and respect for yourself as an individual could instil passion and allow you to make the most of what you’re doing.

Overall, I like hearing how in your eyes you would prioritize quality over quantity. It seems like you value more substantial connections even if it means fewer because that’s where your values are. Thank you for sharing your perspectives; I found myself asking what type of connections might be most meaningful to me. I wish you all the best!

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Final Blog Post: My Development as an Interpreter

As we are coming toward the end of this course, my understanding of the work of interpretation, specifically nature interpretation, has accumulated significantly compared to the beginning of the year. Aside from the contents, my skills and ethics as an interpreter also grew; I hold a more substantial value over integrity, respect and empathy. To perform integrity as an interpreter is to show solid principles and honesty to the audience. This can be demonstrated through the firm upkeep of the policies; one example would be the canoe accident at St.John’s School of Ontario (“Parents pray,”1978). The interpreter should still enforce the safety rule that may seem dispensable to the audience, as our responsibility is to guide the process in a safe environment.

Visitors often neglect signs like this, and it is part of the interpreter’s responsibility to enforce these rules, even if it may seem superfluous (@SomersetWT, 2021).

Also, interpretation in other indoor locations, such as museums, has its own set of rules and protocols as well. Additionally, integrity is about honesty and providing the audience with facts that are supported by research, and if there is a question that the interpreter does not know, simply acknowledge and question and try to provide an answer even if it has to be a future response (Beck et al., 2018a).

           In sequence, respect is essential in the work of an interpreter. Respect towards the audience, the part of nature under interpretation, co-workers and one’s profession can help to construct a positive learning environment. Especially when guiding visitors, they should be treated as a new situation each time, and respecting their purposes and expectation is how interpretation should proceed (Beck et al., 2018a). Lastly is empathy, which ties into respect. To deliver a well-considered interpretation, we should understand the audience’s point of view and think about the best way to communicate. As we practiced in our podcast assignment, we need to formulate the “guide” that is best suitable for the target audience and to do so, we need to empathize with the audience. Furthermore, for specific ages, like ages four to seven, an interpreter should aim to foster empathy with nature through songs and stories (Beck et al., 2018b).

            I believe that passion is a crucial factor in the work of nature interpretation, and personally, writing blogs throughout the semester has fostered my passion for the environment. Passion is about the urge to learn about nature and take the initiative to participate and engage within the community. It is about actively reflecting upon experiences and providing meanings to recreate or simulate the same experience to others (Beck et al., 2018c). In an academic sense, practicing essential skills in nature interpretation has given me a fresh perspective on environmental science; it is not all research. It is also about how it is transmitted to the public.

Additionally, interpretation as a profession is a long journey of continuous learning, as new information is constantly being studied and published. Hence, interpreters must persistently update their knowledge and refine the “story” for the audiences. Furthermore, the work of interpretation requires the person to be the “face” of the program, representing whichever organization it is in, so without sufficient passion for the work, it would be difficult for one to perform well in a professional manner (Beck et al., 2018a).

Acknowledging Tildon’s “Principles of Interpretation,” several responsibilities lay on the shoulders of being an interpreter (Beck et al., 2018c). First, interpretation should be related to the visitors’ topic, story or experience, and off-topic discussion should be prohibited (Beck et al., 2018c). Second, simply stating facts is not interpretation, it is a part of it, but interpretation should be inspired by facts and elaborated beyond (Beck et al., 2018c). Third, interpretation should be viewed as a form of art, so to enrich the experience, different art forms should be considered to present the material no matter what topic (Beck et al., 2018c). Fourth, the interpreter must structure the experience as thought-provoking, promoting thinking on environmental topics, not simply teaching (Beck et al., 2018c). Fifth, it is the interpreter’s responsibility to present the material as “a whole” and not “apart,” addressing it with integrity (Beck et al., 2018c). Last, when interpreting to a younger audience, the content should not be diluted; instead, convey the message and story with a different approach (Beck et al., 2018c). All of which are principles that interpreters should strive to achieve.

The approach of interpretation that is the most suitable for me personally is the central route of persuasion in the Elaboration Likelihood Model (Beck et al., 2018c). By definition, it is the approach that involves active reflections and mindful thinking based on experience and knowledge (Beck et al., 2018d). One of my strengths as an academic is that I understand the importance of self-evaluation and reflection, so it is a key component of my learning strategy. Hence, as an interpreter, I can generate stories with depth, refined by experiences, which I can then recreate for visitors in a relatable manner. As Tilden stated, with this approach, an interpreter can grab visitors’ attention longer, help them to make associations with the experience, and give the visitors the ability to evaluate the message and decide whether to accept it.

The diagram above displays the two routes of persuasion. Of the two, I prefer the “central route of persuasion” approach in my experience of nature interpretation (Mishra, 2020).

In short, I have learned and grown as an interpreter through this course and developed a deeper understanding of the ethics and skills required for interpretation. Ultimately, nature interpretation is intertwined with many areas of profession in environmental sciences, and practicing this discipline can help prepare us for future careers in science.

References:

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018a). Chapter 9: Personal Interpretation. In Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World (p. 229). essay, SAGAMORE Publishing.

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018b). Chapter 7: Serving Diverse Audience. In Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World (p. 229). essay, SAGAMORE Publishing.

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018c). Chapter 5: Guiding Principles of Interpretation. In Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World (p. 229). essay, SAGAMORE Publishing.

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018d). Chapter 4: Values of Interpretation for Management. In Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World (p. 229). essay, SAGAMORE Publishing.

Mishra, A. (2020). Route of Persuation. Management Weekly. Retrieved 2023, from https://managementweekly.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/two_routes-1-1024x576.jpg.

Parents pray while waiting for names 12 boys, teacher drown on canoe trip 18 survivors due out today. (1978, Jun 13). The Globe and Mail Retrieved from https://subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/login?URL=?url=https://www-proquest-com.subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/newspapers/parents-pray-while-waiting-names-12-boys-teacher/docview/387072296/se-2

SomersetWT. (2021). Twitter. Retrieved 2023, from https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E1rQa6iXMAcg_7M.jpg:large.

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Hey!

I really enjoyed hearing how you hold more value for integrity, respect, and empathy. I agree when you mention how an interpreter is responsible for creating a safe environment and for providing factual information. Similarly, I found myself valuing respect as a fundamental requirement for nature interpretation. I mentioned how respect is for yourself, the place you are experiencing and all those around you. I find it interesting how we both view respect and empathy as factors that very much connect. Hearing you talk about how writing these posts has fostered your passion for the environment really speaks to me. Looking back, there were times where I had a completely new door open for me just by exploring my personal ideas about nature through this course. I really do think that this course changed my perspective on environmental science, I feel like there are so many pathways that I may not have seen before. I think in ways this course allowed me to gain some excitement for my future ventures in nature. I think your comment on how ‘interpreters must persistently update their knowledge and refine the story’ connects back to your first ethic of integrity. I respect that you would choose a method that involves reflection and mindful thinking, I too value self-evaluation. Over all, I liked being able to find myself connecting to what you learned from the course. I think we experienced some similar things, including how intertwined this field is.

All the best!

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UNIT 10

Hey everyone! 

I can’t believe we have reached the end of the semester and I’m writing my last blog post. I am so grateful to have been able to read so many amazing perspectives and discuss the beauty of nature within so many different elements. I have learned so much from this course and I am thankful to have been pushed out of my comfort zone in order to fully dive into the world of nature interpretation and what it means to interpret nature in different ways. It was nice to be able to have a space where we can all have our own perspectives on the topics presented to us and to be able to discuss them respectfully. As stated in the textbook, personal interpretation is important to allow opportunities for others to simply go out and enjoy the wonders of the world on their own, taking in all the different aspects of the beauty of the world through their senses (Beck et al., 2018 (chapter 5). It was nice to see how everyone views the wonders of the world in their own way. Which blog prompt was the most challenging for you?

When reflecting on my personal ethics in regards to nature interpretation, I think that they mirror the ethics that I follow throughout my everyday life. Everyday I strive to make ethical and moral decisions that are inclusive, loving, understanding, respectful, and mindful. I really want to bring back the topic of privilege, as previously discussed in unit 3. I think that understanding and recognizing privilege is so important for my own ethics within nature interpretation. Realizing that the aspects of my life that got me to where I am right now are not accessible to most and I should never assume that any two people are the same in terms of their privilege. It is so important to properly include groups such as cultural minorities, children, teenagers, older adults, and individuals with disabilities so that they are more inclined to participate more readily when interpreters make special efforts to welcome and better serve them (Beck et al., 2018 (chapter 7)). No one should feel like they are not able to participate in nature interpretation, or anything for that matter. 

Nature interpretation in itself is very personal but it is so special when you are able to share it with others. Interpretation is aimed to provoke a personal connection with things, places, people, and concepts (Beck et al., 2018 (chapter 5)). I believe that inclusivity and respect are important aspects for my own nature interpretation ethics. As someone who has given horseback riding trails and has taught a kids camp, I can say that every interaction is different. It is always up to me to make sure that everyone is comfortable and feels seen and heard. I want to inspire people and get them excited about the parts of nature that also inspire me. 

I also love how this course incorporated science and nature. As a student with a science background, it was nice to see how non-science students and the general public can participate to make the planet a better place. There is more attention being given to an understanding of the learning processes and the capacities of individuals and communities needed to help resolve complex socio-ecological issues (Wals et al., 2014). Through nature interpretation, the general public will be able to recognize and appreciate all aspects of nature with a more clear understanding of why there needs to be change. There is a plea that is made to support the Earth Charter, which embodies a balanced respect for future human generations through principles (Bourdeau, 2003). It is important to realize that we are setting the stage for so many generations to come, if we don’t take care of the earth properly, there will be no nature to interpret. The German philosopher, Hans Jonas, said that we must be guardians of nature and of future generations, whose interests are closely confounded as they are weakened to the point where their persistence is no longer assured (Bourdeau, 2003). We have a certain ethical and moral obligation when it comes to taking care of the earth. 

In all honesty, I didn’t really anticipate this course to challenge me in the ways that it did. I took this course because I love nature and wanted to be able to learn more about the ways we interpret it but I quickly realized that it demands a much more critical way of thinking than I was expecting, and I am glad for this. The most interesting thing I learned is how the ambient sound of an environment mimics a modern-day orchestra: the voice of each creature has its own frequency, amplitude, and duration (Gray et al., 2001). I found the podcast to be a challenge, however, I was super happy with how it turned out, getting to see our hard work turned into a good copy. Doing a podcast was very beneficial, especially considering the way technology has progressed because having interpretive programs being accessible live or recorded adheres to more audiences around the world (Beck et al., 2018 (chapter 8)). This means that more people are able to tune in and learn about nature interpretation even if they are not in a particular area to do so first hand. 

I will definitely be taking so much away from this course and will be implementing the different topics discussed into my life. I strive to continue showing and passing on the love I have for nature to others and inspire those who are disconnected to connect and appreciate the world, nature, and the people in it.

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

Bourdeau, P. (2003, August 29). The man−nature relationship and environmental ethics. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0265931X03001802?casa_token=Yn8LrDgbqTUAAAAA%3AdVzbvAyyY5cGTPjw5A-3cyYYh2SIvCtywIrl8Zw8tNvUU0-Mp-1c_6iixOV0Se7bQp7Jz3ul

Gray, Patricia M., et al. "The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music." Science, vol. 291, no. 5501, 5 Jan. 2001, p. 52. Gale Academic OneFile

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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Hey!

I can relate about being challenged to get outside the comfort zone in this course; however, like you said, it really has been nice to hear everyone perspectives and stories. I think I better understand the purpose of having blog posts, I felt like it created a sense of connection between people that may have never met before.

Truthfully, I think this current blog post or the post about privilege was the most challenging for me, but they were also the most rewarding. I may have found it challenging because I think it requires a lot of self-reflection and awareness to be able to recognize personal privilege and ethics, and to be able to translate them using methods in nature interpretation. It felt like there were so many ideas and concepts that would connect and overlap to the point it could be challenging to be able to put it down on paper. However, I think being challenged in that way helped me open my mind to a lot more.

I loved reading you ethics, they were so in line with mine. I think it is so fascinating that we have a similar outlook based on our personal experiences and what we took away from this course. I think by the end of the course it was interesting to see how exactly nature interpretation was implemented in the course while we were learning about it. It feels like we were provoked to practice what we preach.

I wish you all the best!

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10. My Ethics as a Developing Nature Interpreter

When I started this course, I had a lot of preconceived notions about myself that had not been fully explored or understood. I deeply analyzed myself and my surroundings, searching for answers to why I am the way I am, and why the world works the way it does. Yet, analyzing is not knowledge, understanding or acceptance. When you examine something so closely you can lose sight of the big picture. At this point, I could write pages on pages about who I am, how the world works and why things resulted the way they have, but the depth of my connection to myself and my surroundings remains limited. What I’ve come to realize is my use of analytical skills has fuelled the disconnect I feel rather than solve it. However, the purpose of interpretation is to open the minds of people, to reveal meanings and relationships, and to develop deeper understanding by provoking discovery, and foraging intellectual and emotional connections (Beck et al. 2018 p. 6). This course has challenged me to take a more expansive path towards cognition that is not streamlined by one particular skill set. Interpretation became less about something I needed to learn about, rather it became the solution to an obstacle that I was too close to see. With this newer perspective, I have developed a better sense of self and in turn discovered who I am working to be as a nature interpreter.

Freeman Tilden taught that the overriding principle of interpretation is love of the place and love for the visitors (Beck et al. 2018 p. 83). I have adapted this principle using my own personal beliefs to form what I would consider my own ‘golden rule.’ I would claim that it is necessary in nature interpretation and any area of life, to have respect for the place and respect for the people around you. The definition of love is to have intense feelings of affection (Oxford English Dictionary, 2023); when someone acts out of love it can be a beautiful thing and can create a sense of connection but acts of love can also be harmful and dangerous. Acting out of love can result in entitlement and possession, and what was meant to be admired or shared can be taken advantage of. However, respect is different, respect is to have deep admiration for something or someone that is elicited by qualities, abilities, or achievements (Oxford English Dictionary, 2023). I find respect to be more genuine and can fortify connections that aren’t dependent on affection. I think this ethic stems from my belief that everything in nature is connected and that this kin sense of relationship is something that should be treated with care and respect.

I see the ethic of having respect for the place and respect for the people around you as the understructure that supports the overall purpose of interpretation. I believe that content presented throughout this course can serve as the responsibilities needed to uphold the ethic. For example, The Visitors Bills of Right, where everyone has the right to have their privacy and independence respected, to retain and express their own values, to be treated with courtesy and consideration, and to receive accurate and balanced information (Beck et al. 2018 p. 131). I believe it is a fundamental responsibility that visitors and interpreters respect the rights of those around them to provide a safe and enjoyable space for interpretation to exist. Furthermore, I believe it is a requisite for interpreters and visitors to be responsible for ‘unpacking the invisible knapsack’ that is their privilege as stated by Peggy McIntosh in 1989 (Gallavan, 2005). I think that acknowledging your privilege can evoke the empathy and respect that is required for a person to build a genuine connection to their environment and to a diverse range of people. In addition, I think interpreters can demonstrate respect for visitors, the place, and the associated history by prioritizing integrity. In interpretation, having the utmost attention to integrity assures that visitors are being provide with authentic and accurate information which can forage deeper understanding and connections (Beck et al. 2018 p. 336). Lastly, I think creating an inclusive space for anyone to experience the value and impact of nature interpretation is a critical responsibility that falls onto interpreters. Interpreters are responsible for reducing boundaries that prevent underserved populations, such as minorities, from receiving equal opportunities (Beck et al. 2018 p.132-137). Nature interpreters are also responsible for creating equal opportunities by learning to appropriately accommodate those with disabilities (Beck et al. 2018 p.143). Upholding these responsibilities contributes to the respect of the environment and the visitors in a way that aligns with the goals of interpretation.

The most sustainable approaches to nature interpretation for me as an individual would revolve around inclusivity. I find that I learn by all forms of intelligence that are outlined in our textbook including bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, logical-mathematical, musical, linguistic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic (Beck et al. 2018 p.110-112). Although my learning preferences range greatly, I think this is something as a nature interpreter I could implement so that anyone, regardless of how they learn, can benefit from the experience. For example, interpretive trails and tours are a great way to apply all the interpretive principles that have been presented in our text (Beck et al. 2018 p.284). By creating variation in guides that are designed towards different learning styles, I think everyone is given an opportunity to make the most out of their experience. This belief of inclusivity in learning comes from my own personal struggles and feelings of being limited in my education because I learn differently. At times, I wasn’t aware that I learned differently, especially when I was young, and I think that is something interpreters should be aware of. We all learn differently, which is why I think as many opportunities as possible should be provided for people to enjoy. I also see it as way for people to connect with each other and their surroundings in unique ways. If the approach of a trail or tour was combined with the approach of storytelling, I would have visitors contribute to the telling of a story in a way that works for them. For example, if someone is a spatial learner, I would likely encourage them to take photos and map out historical sites for the story, meanwhile, if someone is linguistic or interpersonal, they might excel at being the voice of the story. Having everyone contribute in a way that is both independent but requires teamwork I think follows my ethics of respect.  

Overall, I learned more than I would have anticipated from this course. It has served as an opportunity for me to not only learn about nature interpretation but to find ways to implement it in my daily life and thinking. Going forward I think I will carry the lessons I learned in this course throughout my journey. I believe by doing that my experiences and connections with myself and things around me will deepen rather than be limited. It has been truly amazing getting to read all your posts and being able to feel connected to people I have never met before through interpretive writing. I wish you all the best!

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

Gallavan, N. P. (2005). Helping teachers unpack their 'invisible knapsacks'. Multicultural Education. 13(1). 36.

Oxford University Press. (2023). Oxford English Dictionary. https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/258346?redirectedFrom=emotional+intelligence#eid

[tbenvs3000w23]

Unit 9: Nature is Amazing!

Choosing one topic of interest within nature is very difficult, as I've learned about so many interesting facts and fields throughout my time in my program, and my life outside of school.

I've been very interested in the wine industry for the last couple of months, and I've been enrolled in a wine tasting class, so I think I'm going to share how interesting this industry is, and how very connected it is to the field of environmental science.

Grapes have been used in wine making over other fruits as they are one of the only fruits with a high enough sugar content to convert yeast to alcohol in the fermentation process, however other fruits can be used for wine making.

A brief history: Vitis Vinifera is the globally-preferred grape variety for quality wine, however it's viability to be grown varies around the world. This variety is very susceptible to pests such as the grape phylloxera, an aphid-like species that destroys the vines of grapes, and have causes problems for vineyards for a long time. The wine industry found a way to solve this - by grafting these ideal wine grape plants with the more robust roots of North American-native grape variety - Vitis Labrusca (this grape is not preffered for its flavour, but its roots are immune to the phylloxera).

Now that pests and diseases are less of an issue due to this grafting process, winemaking around the world can fluorish!

As most people know, wine from different parts of the world will have different flavours. Wines from grapes in colder climates will tend to be more acidic and have lower alcohol content, whereas wines from grapes in warmer climates will have a higher sweetness and alcohol content. This makes sense once you realize why this is happening - in warmer climates the grapes are able to ripen faster, therefore producing more sugars as compared to colder climates.

Here's where the amazing nature part comes in; aside from just climate, other factors of the surrounding environment can influence the taste of a finished wine. Many vineyards take pride in the type of soil/substrate the grapes are grown on, as this influences the taste!

This is a vineyard in Southern Rhone, called Chateau Neuf-Du-Pape. As you can see the ground is made up of rocks; which are called "pudding stones". These stones make the vines work harder to find water due to their excellent drainage (harder working vines tend to produce complex flavoured grapes).

This example, as well as other characteristic regions around the world all provide something called 'terroir' in their wines. Terroir is essentially the marriage of climate, soil and grape variety, which creates a characteristic flavour profile for the wine made here only created by this region.

I am so interested in how this works, how the type of soil can change the final product of something like wine, how the tastes can come through after the whole fermentation process!

I'm sure there are reasons that this happens, I'd love to learn more, but it's kind of exciting to view it as a bit of a magical thing that I don't know the details of.

Anyways thanks for reading this post if you've made it this far. Wine is cool! Nature is cool! Have a great day :)

[ledenvs3000w23]

Hey! This was such a cool post!

I’ve been leaning towards going into viniculture after my undergrad and reading this post just made me so much more excited to explore it. I too am in environmental science but have thought since first year that viniculture would be such an interesting field, especially having such a love for environmental science. The management techniques at Chateau Neuf-Du-Pape is such a fascinating method; seeing how agriculturists find ways to promote better quality and quantity yields by manipulating the natural process of a species is brilliant. 

Have you looked into agroforestry at all? I’ve been finding myself thinking about the connections between viniculture, apiculture, botany, geology, soil science and agroforestry. It sounds like it may be something that you’d find interesting based on what you’ve described. There’s so many unique management practices that have been developed in these fields. I get swept up with thinking about a day I could have an opportunity to apply my environmental science and ecology knowledge to viniculture or agriculture. I would love to be able to discover a management practice of my own that enhances natural ecosystem functions. 

If you have thought about what direction you might head when you graduate, I would love to hear more about it!

All the best!

[apenvs3000w23]

The Venus Flytrap

This week we get to talk about an amazing thing we know about nature. Although I find many things amazing, the first thing that came to mind today was the Venus flytrap (Dionea muscipula). In my botany class, my professor briefly mentioned this plant and essentially talked about how cool it is. I have known about this plant before, but part of me wanted to dive deeper and discover how they "trap" their food. Therefore, today I will be enlightening you with all things Venus flytrap! I know you have probably seen a video or two of this plant before. It is the one where it can close and trap its prey! I have always found this very cool, especially since I was a child and I never really understood how it worked until now. 

The Venus flytrap is a carnivorous plant (Hedrich & Neher, 2018). There are approximately 630 other carnivorous plant species, so the Venus flytrap is not alone in this category; however, they are one of the few that have to complete a movement to capture their prey (Lotzof, n.d.). It terms of its trap, there are two lobes that are positioned towards the end of the leaf that are hinged and allow for the open and closing movement, and this is called the bivalved trap (NWF, n.d.). On the inside of the trap, trichomes are present, which are appendages that protrude off the leaf's surface (Werker, 2000). Essentially, the trichomes resemble hair, and when something like an insect touches them, they signal the plant to shut closed (NWF, n.d.). This plant has mechanoreceptors that are easily stimulated that transfer the signal from extracellular to intracellular with the help of an electrical network (Hedrich & Neher, 2018). Although they are easily stimulated, the trap will only close shut once the trichomes have been stimulated multiple times in order to conserve energy (NWF, n.d.).

Now, let's say the plant has trapped its prey. You may be wondering how does it even digest it? Essentially, along the edge of the trap, there are digestive glands, and once the trap is fully closed, the glands produce a liquid (Leege, 2003). The liquid touches the prey and slowly softens it, and the enzymes within the liquid break down the prey and withdraw only the necessary nutrients (Leege, 2003). The digestion process can prolong for approximately five days, so they do not need to trap prey often (NWF, n.d.). It can last many months before its next trap, as it can still undergo photosynthesis and get essential nutrients from that process (NWF, n.d.). 

Overall, I hope you learned something about the Venus flytrap, and that this has made you want to do more research! I have always found this species extraordinarily interesting, so I hope you did too. Now let me ask you, what is your favourite plant? Or a plant you find interesting?

Literature Cited

Hedrich, R., & Neher, E. (2018). Venus Flytrap: How an excitable, Carnivorous Plant Works. Trends in Plant Science, 23(3), 220–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2017.12.004

Leege, L. (2003, December 29). How does the Venus Flytrap Digest flies? Scientific American. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-does-the-venusflytra/#:~:text=Once%20the%20trap%20closes%2C%20the,to%20extract%20the%20essential%20nutrients.

Lotzof, K. (n.d.). Carnivorous plants: The meat-eaters of the Plant World. Natural History Museum. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/carnivorous-plants-meat-eaters-of-the-plant-world.html

Venus Flytrap. National Wildlife Federation. (n.d.). Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Plants-and-Fungi/Venus-Flytrap

Werker, E. (2000). Trichome diversity and development. Advances in Botanical Research, 1–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0065-2296(00)31005-9

[ledenvs3000w23]

Hey! Great post!

I love that you chose this topic and mentioned how it was a botany professor that inspired you to dig deeper in your understanding of the species. When I was young, there was a plant store near my house that would sell Venus flytraps; I would buy one anytime my mum would let me. I think that really exposed me at a young age to how fascinating plants were and sparked my love for botany that continued in university. 

I wasn’t aware that there were 630 carnivorous plants; however, in my honey bee and apiculture course I did some research and found that some species of plants attract pollinators or insects by creating a scent that mimics rotting flesh. I find these types of adaptations wildly interesting. However, I think the plant that I might like the most is the giant water lily. I have loved water lilies growing up, so something about seeing them on such a large scale I find exciting. I would love to have the chance to see them first hand. 

Photo from Smithsonian Magazine 

[ledenvs3000w23]

9. The Power of Nature: Resilience, Adaptability and Recovery

Over the past several decades, the looming fear of climate change has not ceased, but rather amplified; we are constantly reminded by scientific researchers, activists, and government officials that the threats associated with this phenomenon are catastrophic. We amid the worlds 6th mass extinctions, losing species at an alarming rate, primarily due to anthropogenic factors and climate change (Shivana, 2020). For many of us, this imminent threat could be part of the reason of why we choose to educate ourselves about the environment and look to implement conscientious mindsets and practices. However, if you’re anything like me, the fear associated with these consequences can diminish any sense of hope, perseverance, and comfort. That is until I remind myself that mother nature is a force to be reckoned with. While exploring the incredible power of nature, I found myself reflecting on an Ian Fleming quote, “You only live twice. Once when you are born and once when you look death in the face.” In essence, I think what Fleming is commenting on is the mechanism of any natural entity to find ways to be resilient, adaptable and recover when faced with adversity. This can quote can speak to any area of life, from ecosystems to our individual life histories. However, I don’t think this response only happens twice; I think it happens anytime an element of life’s survival or success is threatened. This ability to rise to occasion is what I believe is the most amazing thing in nature. We may never have the privilege to see our world recover, however, glimpses into the power of nature can help us illustrate what it may look like and instill hope again.

  In December of 2019, I was strolling along the boardwalk in White Rock, British Colombia; it was a classic Pacific Northwest Day, cold, windy, slushy and a little gloomy. As I admire all that is both new and familiar to me, I stop dead in my tracks… I was completely taken back by a shrub filled with blooming white flowers; I had never seen flowers growing in December. It wasn’t just the shrub of flowers I noticed, but there were small flowers also blooming alongside the railroad tracks that spans the White Rock boardwalk. Although, costal British Colombia is known for high levels of precipitation and milder annual temperatures that can support a variety of plant species (Natural Resources Canada, 2015), I couldn’t stop myself from questioning, between the wet snow, costal winds, and human disturbance, how were these flowers so resilient and adaptable? (Government of Canada). No amount of ecology lectures could have prepared me for the feelings associated with seeing flowers bloom in a Canadian winter. I felt hope for the environment and hope for myself; if these delicate flowers can withstand the afflictions thrown their way and blossom all the same, then so can I.

Photo take by me, December 19, 2019.

   The ability of nature to be resilient, adaptable and recover is a pattern that has stood the test of time and can be seen on a vast scale. 66 million years ago, the most recent and commonly well-known extinction event took place, the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction (K-Pg). This was the event that caused the eminent extension of the dinosaurs and 76% of other species (Waters et al. 2022). The Chicxulub asteroid is thought to have made impact with earth, setting off an array of nearly global instantaneous events such as, a mega-tsunami, a mega-earthquake, volcanic activity, and forest fires (Waters et al. 2022; Geological Society of America, 2022). Within the first year, the atmosphere grew hazy from the dust and areoles produced by the prior events, the sun couldn’t penetrate the haze causing the earth to go cold. However, within the first century, the barren earth was colonized by pioneer vegetation that over time would alter the land and atmosphere. By the first millennia, there were changes to the carbon cycle and the acidification of the ocean’s surface, giving further opportunity for new life. Millions of years later, an array of diverse species now roams the earth (Waters et al. 2022).

  Although threats to our survival and the health of the planet are very much real, the power of nature provides a sense of hope. The earth’s capacity for resilience, adaptability and recovery has stood the test of time and will likely continue to do so even after we are gone. I encourage you the next time you are out in nature to reflect on what nature is capable of and see where it leads you.

Geological Society of America. (2022). Impact that killed the dinosaurs triggered 'mega-earthquake' that lasted weeks to months. ScienceDaily.

  Natural Resources Canada (2015). Introduction – British Columbia. Government of Canada.

  Shivanna, K. R. (2020). The sixth mass extinction crisis and its impact on Biodiversity and Human Welfare. Resonance, 25(1), 93–109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12045-019-0924-z

  Waters, C. N., Williams, M., Zalasiewicz, J., Turner, S. D., Barnosky, A. D., Head, M. J., Wing, S. L., Wagreich, M., Steffen, W., Summerhayes, C. P., Cundy, A. B., Zinke, J., Fiałkiewicz-Kozieł, B., Leinfelder, R., Haff, P. K., McNeill, J. R., Rose, N. L., Hajdas, I., McCarthy, F. M. G., … Jeandel, C. (2022). Epochs, events and episodes: Marking the geological impact of humans. Earth-Science Reviews, 234, 104171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2022.104171

[kalenvs3000w23]

Music in Nature

The first part of the prompt this week asks, “ where is music in nature?”. I think this is a really interesting question and it got me thinking. Overall I think that you can find music in nature anywhere you are. Music in nature might refer to the birds chirping, or maybe the leaves rustling or maybe even water flowing through a river. This music does not have to come from a secluded area in nature either, I don’t personally think. I think the sound of cars and people moving and talking could also be seen as music in nature. Some people enjoy the hustle bustle sounds that come with living in a busy environment like a city. While others enjoy the serenity of the sounds that come from being alone in nature. The music of nature and the nature of music article defines music as, “patterns of sound varying in pitch and time produced for emotional, social, cultural, and cognitive purposes” (Gray et al., 2001). I think this means that as I was saying music does not need to be defined as one specific thing. I think the beauty of music is it is directly correlated with  the ear of the beholder. Everyone will interpret different sounds slightly differently and will enjoy some sounds more than others. The article discusses a lot about the debate regarding whether other animals also enjoy music and look for music (Gray et al., 2001). They discuss the way that whales and birds make their songs similar to how humans make music (Gray et al., 2001). They even discuss how whales create rhymes in their songs and they use it as a way to remember complex material (Gray et al., 2001). I think it is really beautiful to think that it's not just humans that enjoy music and sounds that form music, but that other species also make music and enjoy the sound of music. 

The prompt also asks, “ where is nature in music?” I think that many elements of songs incorporate aspects of nature. Many songs incorporate nature in their songs through the lyrics. The lyrics paint a picture and transports us to a place in nature. Some songs also directly incorporate sounds like crashing waves or birds chirping that are from nature.

The last part of this week's prompt asks what song takes me back to a natural landscape. I think the song that I feel takes me back to nature the most is “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver. There are many reasons why I feel that this song takes me back to a natural landscape. Firstly this song reminds me of sitting around the campfire at my cottage. My step brother plays guitar and he will start playing this song and we sing around the campfire at night. When I hear this song I am immediately brought back to being outside at the cottage, listening to the fire crackling and my family laughing. I also think this song brings me back to a natural landscape because of the lyrics. For instance when the songs says,

“ Blue ridge mountains, shenandoah river

Life is old there, older than the trees

Younger than the mountains, growin’ like a breeze”

I feel like these lyrics do a good job of painting a picture that is easy for people to visualize. It is easy to hear these lyrics and have your mind drift off and daydream of being out in nature. 

Overall I think that music could be a very helpful tool in nature interpretation. I feel that some songs are really good at incorporating lyrics that can help transform us to a different place. The textbook mentions that music is able to reach a larger number of people than may be possible without music (Beck et al., 2018). I agree with this. I think most people enjoy some form of music and using music could be a good way to hook your audience and also help to put them in the mindset to take in aspects of nature.

References:

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson, D.M (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritagefor a Better World (1st ed). 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.subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/apps/doc/A69270354/AONE?u=guel77241&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=fb9366a8 

[ledenvs3000w23]

Great post!

You really shifted my perspective by saying that “you can find music in nature anywhere you are” and that it really depends on the person and their environment. While writing my post I did not consider the sounds of a busy city to be music in nature; I am person that finds those sounds to be overwhelming at times. However, I was only taking into consideration my perspective. For some the sounds of their environment, whatever it may be, is what grounds them. The serenity I get from the sounds of the natural environment like wind, water and animals evokes a feeling of unity and being a part of something bigger. That being said, I can see how those same emotions and feelings can be brought to light through other environments. Maybe hearing a busy street can provide those same feelings of unity and being a part of something bigger to someone who’s life experiences have been completely different than mine. I find it interesting because I spoke about nature in music and music in nature as being subjective but hadn’t provided an example of that. It becomes clearer to me the range of subjectivity between these areas based on the examples you provided. 

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver is a nostalgic one for me too. Before I ever learned the lyrics I remember pretending to play it with my friend on her electric keyboard that was programmed to play the instrumental version when I was about 6 years old. However, I connected to it far more as I began to understand the lyrics. 

I really enjoyed your post and hearing your connection to “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” You provoked me to think deeper about things that I too was speaking about and you also brought me back to some hidden memories of my childhood. Thank you. 

[fbenvs3000w23]

Nature Interpretation Through Music

Using music as a means of interpretation is no new concept. The protest songs of the 60s and 70s provide a clear example of people using music as a hugely successful means of mass interpretation. This music reached a vast audience of change-thirsty youth, mobilizing them against the time's social, political, and environmental issues (Covach & Flory, 2018). The power of music as an interpretive force is undeniable, but how does this apply to our discussion of nature?

Well, if you consider music to be a combination of vocal or instrumental sounds combined in a way that produces beautiful form, harmony, and emotion, then wouldn’t nature be the purest and longest-playing symphony? Music is everywhere in nature. It’s in the rustling leaves, the whistling wind, the chatter of animals, the pattering rain, the billowing thunder, the trickling water, the crashing waves, and the sounds of footsteps.

Additionally, nature is everywhere in music. It’s in the sounds of instruments, the rhythm/ tempo, and the topic of lyrics. Nature inspires music. Take “The Four Seasons” by Antonio Vivaldi, for example. Each concerto in the series represents one of the four seasons. If you listen to these concertos, you will hear representations of flowing creeks, singing birds, barking dogs, buzzing flies, storms, winter fires, and frozen landscapes, to name a few. “The Four Seasons” may be one of classical music's most obvious direct expressions of nature. Still, many others work off a similar premise, such as Claude Debussy’s “Clair de Lune,” which translates to “Moonlight” in English. Such representations of nature are also not limited to classical music. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong is a great example from late 1960s R&B, and “Summer Breeze” by Seals and Crofts is an example from 1970s folk rock. Lyrically, many songs have nature-related themes and inspirations. There is “Sundown” by Gordon Lightfoot, “Bobcaygeon” by the Tragically Hip, “Where do the Children Play” by Cat Stevens, “California Dreaming” by The Mammas and The Pappas, and the list goes on.

Music doesn’t have to have nature in its theme, lyrics, or instrumentation to inspire thoughts of natural landscapes in its audience. Music triggers a part of our brain that helps us to remember (Baumgartner, 1992). I’m sure you all have specific songs that trigger memories of natural landscapes from your past. Likewise, I can recall many songs that transport me to places in nature. Despite growing up in the age of iPods and Apple Music, I listened to most of my music through CD players. Thus, many of my transportive tunes were, instead, transportive albums. Most notably, every song in the “Cheap Thrills” album by Big Brother and the Holding Company with Janis Joplin swiftly transports me back to the summer of 2016. I would lie in the back of my truck in the middle of the hay field or bomb around on my dirtbikes, all while repeatedly listening to the album.

I compiled a Spotify playlist of some of my favourite nature-related music. Have a listen. Who knows? Maybe you'll find your new favourite tune!

References:

Baumgartner, H. (1992). Remembrance of Things Past: Music, Autobiographical Memory, and Emotion. Advances in Consumer Research. 19. 613-620.

Beck, L., Cable, & T. T., Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and

Natural Heritage for a Better World. Sagamore Venture.

Covach, J., & Flory, A. (2018). What’s that Sound?: An Introduction to Rock and its History. W.W. Norton & Company. 

Gray, P. Krause, B. Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C. & Baptista, L. (2001). The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music. Science. 291. 52-54.

[ledenvs3000w23]

This was an amazing post! I think you did a beautiful job following the prompt in a way that was articulate and what feels like would be true to you. Your reference to music from the 60s and 70s as an interpretive tool used to unite the masses on global struggles really got me thinking. I feel like music of that time was like no other; there was so much intention behind evert factor that contributed to making music, from the lyrics to the composition of every instrument. You can hear the messages that were being conveyed and you can tell that they extended far beyond just making hit records. I believe that might be why I consider music of that time to be my favourite. 

I think I see and hear music in nature and nature in music in a very similar way to you. I think your connections to “The Four Seasons” and “Claire de Lune” shows how impactful nature can be as a source of inspiration. Beyond that, it serves as more than just a muse but a force that connects us all, as we are apart of it. I think you explained and captured that well by showing nature in music throughout time and how it can never be celebrated enough. 

Thank you for your insightful post and beautiful imagery, I think you nailed it! I also admire your taste in music; that playlist you put together will certainly be listened to by my ears. “Vincent” by Don McLean is one of those songs for me that brings you closer to nature than just seeing it for yourself, so I love that you have it in there. 

[ledenvs3000w23]

7. Nature Interpretation Through Music

Although asking where is music in nature and where is nature in music may appear as straight forward questions, there is much to dissect. Nature and music heavily influence one another, they are constantly overlapping, and building off each other. For me, answering these questions involves both subjectivity and objectivity. On one hand I have a clear understanding of where I notice music in nature and nature in music. However, then there are areas where I cannot distinguish where is music in nature and where is nature in music because of how interconnected music and nature are. I believe there are areas where both music can be seen in nature and nature can be seen in music simultaneously. One example where I see the two concepts/questions co-existing is at the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre located in Morrison, Colorado.

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMYyj49Ft/

TikTok User: makaylasutton Performer: Zach Bryan Location: Red Rocks Park Amphitheatre, Morrison, Colorado

Venues and locations such as this one creates opportunities for music to exist in natural landscapes, while also allowing nature to be incorporated into a musical experience. Their mutual existence provides this extremely impactful and novel experience that can move people in ways that may not be achievable without either factor. For me, these kinds of interactions hugely impact the way I value concerts; I feel far more inclined to spend money on an experience that feels all-encompassing. I am the most present when I can turn my face up to the sky and take in my surroundings, whether it be a starry night, a clear blue day, or torrential downpour, while being exposed to the organic nature of live music that creates the most synergetic, synchronized experience.  

All over the world ancestral and indigenous groups have developed musical practices and ceremonies that provide varying meaning and importance to each group. Majority of indigenous and ancestral groups have a close relationship with nature, often viewing themselves and nature as part of an extended ecological family that shares ancestry and origins. There is a perceived relatedness to each other and all natural elements of an ecosystem that is honoured, respected, and celebrated (Salmón, 2000). The ceremonies and practices that take place to honour, respect and celebrate this close relationship often take place in nature, incorporate nature, and/or are heavily influenced by nature. For example, Inuit ceremonies and celebrations tell stories, mimic nature, and celebrate events such as the first successful hunt of a young boy or the birth of a child using drums made from caribou skin. In addition, another cultural practice is Inuit throat singing which replicates the sounds of nature, such as a flock of geese or the Qamuti gliding on ice (Stepping Stones, 2019). This serves as another intersection where both music can be found in nature and nature can be found in music.

There are so many ways to perceive where is music in nature and where is nature in music. Music in nature can be seen through animals and the ambient sounds of different biomes. Whales, birds, and humans have many similarities in structure in the songs they use to communicate such as rhythmic variation, pitch relationships, permutations, and combinations of notes (Gray et al. 2001). In The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music there is mention if songs can be defined as “any rhythmic repeated utterance,” if so then I consider the sounds of waves crashing on a beach or the sounds of a storm to be an example of music in nature (Gray et al. 2001). Similarly, to indigenous songs and music, nature can be seen in music through folk singers and poets in all cultures. There is expression of the relationship between man and nature, and traditional ways of co-operation with nature through this art form (Sahi, 2012). In addition, nature can be seen in both modern and traditional music through the integration of natural sounds (Sahi, 2012). For example, the intro to a song I love called, Short Change Hero truly sets a scene for the rest of the song; you can hear thunder and wind from a storm, and the rustling of dirt and gravel underneath someone’s feet as they walk. Although both music and nature are beautiful on their own and both can be seen in one another, nothing may be more impactful than the connectivity between the two and what it can do for life on earth.

The song Candy by Paolo Nutini is a song that I connect to in many ways; I think the main reason why I feel such a strong connection to this song is because of the feelings and memories it evokes. I listened to this song on my first solo trip out west to British Columbia, a place I have a deep love for due to my previous trips and family ties. This was my first time going alone; I was coming out of a time where I felt like I was facing so many tests to see if I was strong enough to be there for myself and trust that I was ready to face whatever was thrown my way. At the time it was the freest I had ever felt, I believed that nothing could stand in my way. This was the song I listened to as my plane took off from Toronto during sunset, it was the first song I played when I left my hotel for any adventure on the west coast, and it was what I listened to when I was admiring and reflecting on the beauty of British Columbia. However, the core memory I associate it with was when I was hiking the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain range. I had never experienced anything like it; although it was not the top of the world, it felt like it. It was late August, so the air was still warm, but the mountain breeze was crisp and the freshest air I had been exposed to. I don’t know how many times I listened to this song when I was up there, but every time I hear it, I am flooded with memories and feelings from that trip to the mountains.  

This is a photo of me at the top of Blackcomb Mountain 

Gray, P. M., Krause, B., Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C., & Baptista, L. (2001). The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music. Science’s Compass, 29, 52-54.

Sahi, V. (2012). Using folk traditional music to communicate the sacredness of nature in Finland. In Mallarach, J.-M. (Ed.), Spiritual Values of Protected Areas of Europe Workshop Proceedings (129-132). Bundesamt für Naturschutz.

Salmón, E. (2000). Kincentric Ecology: Indigenous perceptions of the human–nature relationship. Ecological Applications, 10(5), 1327–1332. https://doi.org/10.1890/1051-0761(2000)010[1327:keipot]2.0.co;2  

Stepping Stones. (2019). First Nations, Métis and Inuit Music and Dance (Chapter 10). Alberta Teachers’ Association Walking Together: Education for Reconciliation. https://legacy.teachers.ab.ca/SiteCollectionDocuments/ATA/For%20Members/ProfessionalDevelopment/Walking%20Together/PD-WT-16j-10%20Music%20and%20Dance.pdf

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Unit 6: Nature Interpretation Through History

"There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity, and integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole, and if these parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things. …. To think, feel or act as though the past is done with, is equivalent to believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it."

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

Unpack this quote.

The first thing that came into my mind when I read this quote, was an entirely separate quote, that quote being:

“We must learn from the past or we are doomed to repeat it.” 

Following this, I suddenly realised I had no idea who said this quote, when it was spoken, and where. So of course I googled it. According to google, this quote is credited to two separate people. The first is George Santayana who said “Those who cannot remember the past are conedemned to repeat it” in his book The Life of Reason. However, Winston Churchill is also credited with a similar quote: “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Similarly, Edward Hyams more complex quote states that “(to) 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.” What all these quotes have in common is one singular theme: history is important and we cannot simply pretend it did not happen for our own selfish needs.

I think this message is especially important now, in a day in age where so many decisions are being made by people who don’t wish to confront our history simply because it makes them uncomfortable. One of the most engaging portions of the textbook this week was the section on interpreting history titles Controversy. It's no surprise why this is the most engaging section, as controversy is everywhere these days. You can’t turn on the news, access social media, or turn on the radio without hearing some form of controversy happening around us. The textbook briefly discusses how controversy surrounding historical figures who conducted horrible actions or had problematic views are often interpreted differently based on the audience. The example they used was Christopher Columbus, but he is far from the only controversial figure discussed in modern times from new angles that puts their actions in an almost centrally immoral position, which juxtaposes their previous heroic status. 

The most recent example that comes to mind is the renaming of Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) after the discussion of actions taken by the school’s former namesake clashed directly with the university’s current values and stated mission statement. The decision to change the name was not taken lightly, as the student-led initiative expectedly received pushback from those who didn’t see the point in renaming the school. Except there was a point. In refusing to acknowledge Ryerson’s actions which we now consider not just to be wrong, but immorally corrupt on every level, it shows an ignorance to learn from the past and a lack of integrity for refusing to see the whole picture as Edward Hyams suggests in his quote. When someone says we should stop teaching about the Holocaust or American Slavery because it makes some people uncomfortable or makes certain groups look bad, they are completely missing the point. If the interpreter isn't making you uncomfortable discussing these histories they are doing their job wrong. The point is not to simply learn about history, but to learn from it, specifically the moral implications of the events so we do not repeat them ever again. Even if repeating dismal histories seems to be occurring more and more lately.  

‌

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

Clairmont, N. (2013, July 31). “Those Who Do Not Learn History Are Doomed To Repeat It.” Really? Big Think. https://bigthink.com/culture-religion/those-who-do-not-learn-history-doomed-to-repeat-it-really/

‌“Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Winston Churchill. (2020, May 15). Medical Confidence. https://www.medicalconfidence.com/blog/those-that-fail-to-learn-from-history-are-doomed-to-repeat-it-winston-churchill/

Toronto university changes name amid controversy over Canadian educator’s legacy. (2022, April 27). CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ryerson-toronto-metropolitan-university-1.6431360

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[ledenvs3000w23]

Hey! I totally see your thought process in making a connection to the quote “we must learn from the past or we are doomed to repeat it.” This was something that came up for me and through reading other peoples blogs post it seems like a common thought process amongst others. I think it was very smart of you to research the history of how this secondary quote came to be; you were able to provide me with knowledge that I didn’t already have. I find enlightenment and perhaps some humour in connecting that like the meaning of history repeating itself this quote has also repeated its self in different forms. 

I couldn’t agree more, we are in a time where ignoring our past for selfish reasons such as obtaining the ‘good, friendly name of Canada’ isn’t good enough. It’s a slap in the face to those that have suffered and continue to suffer from the brutality that is a part of Canada’s history. Not telling aspects of history with integrity and authenticity is ignorant and is like considering that the train station only existed for the train we were on. Undoubtedly there is controversy based on the audience that interprets historical events, but at the end of the day what may be uncomfortable to someone may be a danger to another persons life. In that context there really is no excuse to push a narrative of history that could continue to cause severe damage and create inequalities in society. 

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Unit 06: Nature Interpretation through History

For this week, we must unpack 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

Since this quote is slightly open-ended, there is a possibility that everyone may interpret it a little differently. You may recognize that your interpretation may depend on your morals, what is familiar to you, or what you are interested in. Since I have been given a chance to explain my interpretation, this is how I deciphered the quote above. 

Edward Hyams mainly describes the importance between merit and integrity, and this connection only resonated with me later once he brought up the train analogy. This quote highlights the importance of preservation and the merit of preserving some things' integrity from the past. He explains that if we are ignorant of history, it is as though we believe that railway tracks only exist for the length of a specific train and then vanish. This analogy helped me to understand that there is plenty of value in understanding "ancient things". However, sometimes these "ancient things" will not be organized in the most efficient way of understanding. For memories to have stood the length of time, they tend to be dispersed along a timeline and have faced many pressures. Therefore, preserving its integrity requires knowledge and, as he states, "a memory". I believe what he is trying to say is that history is fundamental to learning, and without integrity regarding different parts of history, we are simply ignorant. It is easy to brush off the past and "live in the present," but ultimately, it is always vital to be knowledgeable instead of uneducated. 

After reading this quote, I asked myself, "Why was this implemented in the course?".

Until further deciphering, I realized how necessary history is to the world of interpretation, specifically nature interpretation. There is immense value in maintaining the integrity of the past, especially in the realm of interpretation. History helps us to intertwine nature interpretation and create sites with greater importance.

Throughout the textbook, Beck et al. (2018) explain the aspect of history and how it leads the way to understanding and to live in the present. It acts as a guide. The saying "history repeats itself" happens very often; therefore, understanding the past helps avoid making the same mistakes in the present. In nature interpretation, the knowledge that every natural site has history, as said by Beck et al. (2018), aids in developing a deeper connection to the site. I believe that as an interpreter if you are informed of a site's history that you can provide to the audience, the message and importance you are conveying has the opportunity of resonating further. 

Overall, this quote encapsulated history and nature interpretation and helped me to understand their connectedness. Was your interpretation different than mine?

Literature Cited

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

[ledenvs3000w23]

Hey! I am not surprised that I have continued to appreciate your take on our prompts. Over all I do think there were many similarities between our interpretation of the quote; however, I particularly enjoyed your incorporation of preservation. You took it one step farther to touch on previous course material on how preservation of history is vital with your interpretation of the quote. The analogy of the train station for me as well really helped my understanding and importance of the rest of Hyams quote. I felt that the analogy did an excellent job at highlighting the importance of accurate interpretation of history. Not only is it ignorant to not know our history but there is ignorance in not telling history with accuracy and integrity. We both touched on the point that this concept of “living in the present” can hinder our ability to be knowledgeable since we often disregard the past. 

Over all, I think the message we both walked away from is the importance of understanding history as it truly does repeats itself. The knowledge of history allows us to be empathetic and creates connections between sites and each other. It may not be something thats apart of our personal history but with repetition also comes the ability to better understand one another. 

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6. Nature Interpretation through History

“There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity, and integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole, and if these parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things. …. To think, feel or act as though the past is done with, is equivalent to believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it.”

– Edward Hyams

This quote is compiled of overlapping variables that sanction the understanding and underlying importance of ancient things. To best understand how each of these variables yield way for the next, I have broken this quote down into its parts/variables. The first portion of this quote is that there is no peculiar merit in ancient things. Secondly, integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole; followed by the concept that the scattering of parts throughout time requires integrity to be maintained through a knowledge and memory of ancient things. The last variable of this quote in essence states, to think, feel or act as though the past is done with negates the purpose of the paths that it has created and continues to create.

I think what Edward Hyams means by this is that an object, despite its age and the history, may not hold any meaning to its viewer. Beck et al. states, “Without interpretation, artifacts are merely old things, historic buildings are just old buildings, and ceremonies and festivals are merely entertainment” (Beck et al. 2018, pg. 326). I think back to a particular high school history class I was in where at the time we were studying the holocaust. Our teacher had set up a very well thought out and planned presentation; she started by showing us an image of a mountain of rings with no context. She proceeded to give her lecture and explain to us the brutality behind the executions inflected by the Nazis. By the end, she showed us the same image and explained that what we were looking at were the accumulation of wedding rings removed from Jewish people before being forced into the gas chambers at the Auschwitz concentration camp. What had little to no meaning at the start of the lecture, had by the end brought our entire class to tears through the interpretation that our teacher had provided.

Undoubtably integrity defines the state of being whole, which entails keeping together all the parts that make something whole. In history it is common for the entirety of a concept or story to be scattered or divided throughout time. We uncover artifacts and truths of history even in modern day that require integrity through knowledge and memory to create the whole picture/story. Our text outlines that in 2016 veteran interpreter and NAI officer Cem Basam proposed an additional principle of interpretation. The principle states “any interpretation must be presented with the utmost attention to personal and professional integrity to assure the recipients (clients and customers) of the interpretive efforts are presented with the truth” (Beck et al. 2018, pg. 336). The accuracy of knowledge and memory of ancient things is a responsibility when it comes to telling the authentic truth of all the pieces that create a whole part of history.

Lastly, the analogy “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) sheds critical light not only on human nature but the importance of valuing history. I see it on the daily, people pushing through their lives while completely negating their pasts, as if the person they stand as today has nothing to do with both the turmoil and positive experiences they have endured in the past. The same goes for history, to devalue history and the parts and mementos that make it whole not only devalues the lives of those who had to live it but the patterns that have shaped aspects of life today. History and ancient things don’t serve us momentarily, as stated in our text “while interpreting history can entertain and delight audiences, it can also promote a better understanding of present challenges and help people navigate perilous times.” (Beck et al. 2018, pg. 343). Therefore, the train station doesn’t serve us just on that one trip, it has served us many times before and will continue to do so in the future and should be valued for such.

All in all, I think Edward Hyams is articulating the profound effects, and importance of accurately interpreting ancient things through integrity. It gives meaning to mementoes that allow us to truthfully piece together parts of history to tell a whole story. By doing so we can knowledgeably recount the past while also being able to interpret current struggles with insight on how to navigate past these situations.

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

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The Big Dream

A song to listen to while you read :)

I’ve been told my entire life that I dream too big, that I need to be reasonable and practical if I want to be successful. Having ideas and dreams that don’t fit with the ideals of the people around me made me feel like an outsider. It crushed me for a while; I started believing that I couldn’t create the life I wanted for myself. I questioned what the hell am I even doing here, I am clearly not made for this world.

As kids I don’t think many of us question what we are taught, especially when what we are being taught is deemed the ‘standard’ or ‘normal’. I spent majority of my life trying to force myself into a mold that I would never fit, only to realize that I don’t want to fit. Trying to fit in was something I did only to make sure other people around me were comfortable, it was never for myself.

Learning that I have ADHD as an adult confirmed to me that there was a reason why I couldn’t just accept the life that was paved for me and why I struggle so much. I don’t think like majority of the population, I won’t be satisfied or fulfilled by the same things that work for others. If there is a way to make my dreams come true then I will find it, and I would rather destroy myself trying to find a way to do so than accept a life that doesn’t feel like my own.

So, what is the dream? It’s far from simple and it is always growing and evolving but this is what I have so far…

I would want a plot of land where I could create my own sustainable, bio-dynamic, and progressive agroforestry farm. It would be an opportunity to provide an inclusive space for animals and people who perhaps haven’t had the same advantages and successes out in the world. The focus would be on diversity and creating opportunities for all forms of life to thrive, from the microorganism in the soil to the people and animals that care for the land. It would be a place where life supports life.

Beyond that I would want to create a space on the farm for farm to table dining, for an art gallery and studio, for performances, festivals and celebrations, for rentable cottages and spaces, for education that would likely be routed in Montessori methods. Essentially a space for whatever would aid and foster my dreams and the dreams of whoever decides to be a part of this community.

It would serve as a space where ideas and dreams are valued and hopefully achieved. Perhaps this is my way of creating the world I want for myself and for  people who share the same mindset. How I get there isn’t clear, but I have a feeling the path to get there is a beautifully challenging one. It is one that is not done alone rather through collaborative efforts.

I want to know… what is your big dream?

Apricot Lane Farms illustrated by Andreana Raville

https://www.apricotlanefarms.com/about-the-farm/

Feel free to check out Apricot Lane Farms. This farm has inspired me in many ways. 

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A Rainy Day...

Before I start, let me paint the picture of what I am doing at this point in time. So here I am, sitting at my desk at the time I have allotted to complete this blog post. I am on my computer staring at a blank word document for what feels like forever. It's raining outside, so I feel comfortable and a bit more reluctant to complete this task. Cars are passing by, but I haven't heard a single soul outside yet, which is strange because it's 1pm. I am reflecting on the fact that throughout the entire day, I always have what feels like 1000 different thoughts in my head at once that don't let me have a moment of silence. But right now. With all the power in the world to talk about anything I wish, my mind is blank and quiet.

It's amusing to me that no boundaries were set for this week, and I have the chance to be creative, but I am at a loss. When I really think about it, I am a bit fearful! Why can't I decide on one thing? Am I too reliant on others or my phone? Can I not think for myself? But then I take a step back and remind myself that we are in a challenging part of the semester. I have assignments like no other, midterms coming up, and my body has been wrapped in stress for far too long. So? It's okay that I couldn't think of something right away. I'm tired, and school has been a lot.

So instead of talking about things that stimulate the brain, let's talk about how powerful weather, seasons and conditions are to us. Because as I look outside on this cold rainy day, all I want to do is stay inside, close my school work and watch a movie. The act of leaving my apartment right now feels like the largest chore. It is so funny because yesterday it was 6 degrees Celsius and sunny, and I was so upbeat and wanted to stay out the whole day.

However, today, my day started completely different because I woke up to the sound of rain. I think that's pretty powerful, don't you think?

I don't know about you, but when the sun started setting at 4:30pm in late November to December, I was struggling. As someone who likes to get things done during the day, trying to get work done when it is dark felt impossible. My roommates and I found each other getting ready for bed at 6pm and would only realize once we checked the time. We felt so tired, and it ultimately affected all of our work patterns and mental states. Seasonal depression is so real. It's hard to stay so upbeat when the day ends so early. Nowadays, the sun is setting at 5:30pm, and things are starting to feel much better. Although I am still anxiously waiting for the warmth of summer and those long summer months when the day doesn't end until 9pm.

I guess I am trying to say is that sometimes you must take a step back to see how often we are affected by nature. It's okay if you wake up feeling down on a cold rainy day with no intention to move. Seasons and weather are so powerful! It subconsciously affects us every day without us even knowing sometimes.

Here is a picture that was taken at 9:07pm in June.

[ledenvs3000w23]

Thank you for this post, it really resonates with me. I’m sitting here feeling many of the same things. My brain never shuts off, but then as I sit here with complete freedom I have no idea what I want to say. Maybe part of it has to be that I don’t really feel that anyone stops to ask what is on my mind or when they do its often brushed off cause the things that intrude on my mind aren’t always happy or pleasant. So when someone gives me the freedom to speak freely it is scary. I’m use to knowing what people want from me, but when they don’t want something from me, what do I have to say? 

Thank you for reminding me that it’s a hard time of year for students; so many of us are in survival mode. There are a million different balls to juggle and it can be so challenging to even be able to appreciate the accomplishments we make at this time. 

With all this going on I think it can be easy to forget that there’s so many factors that can contribute to how we feel and our success, our environment being one of them. Some of us are so in-tune and sensitive to changes in our environment and it can be challenging for that to be enough of a reason to take a beat, but it is. It is so real, and it is so valid. 

Thank you for your insight, you’ve been able to remind me to validate and be kind to myself. 

[ledenvs3000w23]

4. Nature Interpretation through Art

I didn’t know when I started writing this post where it would lead me. I ended up taking a more personal approach that ended up serving as an opportunity to reflect and show gratitude for what nature interpretation through art has done for me. 3 years ago to the day I had accepted that I was facing struggles that I couldn’t have prepared for; this post serves as a reminder for me what nature and art can do for someone. So I ask, what has it done for you?

The intersection of arts and sciences is a place that once caused me much contemplation. For someone who has a deep love for both, when it came to looking at what I wanted to peruse for my future endeavors I felt divided. Do I choose a path towards creation and expression or a path of exploration and logic? Growing up I had the privilege and opportunities to apply to specialized learning programs and schools that ranged from International Business and Technology, Science and Technology, French Immersion, Strings Program and Regional Arts Programs and Schools. I would say that I am a typical case of the overachieving child turned burnt out 20 something year old. That being said, I was fortunate enough to have my pick at any of the programs and schools I applied to at the time. Every transition I made into a new school or program I chose the arts, until it came time for post-secondary. This time around I decided to pivot towards environmental science; it was a choice that was based off both passion and practicality. In making this decision I gave up 15 years of arts training and specialization; a sacrifice that at the time I thought I had to make. I thought that I could only be successful in one field, that I had to dedicate all my time, energy, and resources to one if I wanted to continue achieving at the standards that I had set for myself. Well, I’m sure you can imagine how that worked out for me; I crashed, and I burned…badly. I suppose for some of us we really do have to learn the hard way, we must tear ourselves down to the baseboards in order to rebuild.

In this process, I felt as though I was mourning the loss of myself while I still lived and breathed; I was the both the killer and the victim. The girl I had described was completely gone, she had been all that I knew and there was just no bringing her back. I was in search for anything that brought me comfort. It started with art; I would conjure up nature scenes in my mind and paint them as a thank you to those people that kept me safe and supported during that time. Eventually I felt well enough to sit in my backyard in the middle of March and paint the baren trees. Over time I found myself going on walks and then eventually hikes in search of solace and inspiration. I fell in love with the art of analog and started bringing film cameras on all my adventures to capture the beauty I saw and to hold onto those moments that were invaluable to me. Slowly I grew into a person that I never thought I could be, a person built of something far more genuine and substantial that could never be torn down. For me, interpreting nature through art was once a means of survival, but now it is the reason I thrive. It is a place where I get to succeed again and where I’ve been able to find the nuances of the girl I lost and introduce what’s left to the woman I’m becoming.

To interpret nature through art is to utilize the gift of beauty. It has the power to instill in people the ability, and the desire to sense the beauty in their surroundings. (Beck et al. 2018 p. 85) For some, that might be the reason they smile in their day, it might be a reason to fight for preservation, or it might be the reason they decide to continue living. Lee Stetson states that, “the interpretive arts bring to many a temporary vitality and a sharing of one another’s truth…” (Beck et al. 2018 p. 216) what can be done with those tools goes beyond the induvial level. It’s an opportunity share and connect in a way that simplified language might never be able to achieve. As noted by Jay Griffiths (2013) “art elicits sympathy, conjures empathy, and these emotions are requisites for a kind, kinned sense of society…” (Beck et al. 2018 p. 216) it is the means for a better future.

Photos taken by: me/Laura Dobbyn

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