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DISCLAIMER
This blog was created for ENVS 3000 F24, University of Guelph.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of the University of Guelph.
The University of Guelph is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by this blog.
Blaze
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Blog Post 10
While we have discussed an array of factors contributing to effective environmental interpretation this semester, I think the most important aspect is ensuring that interpreters allow everyone to have equal access to nature. There are many aspects that can get between humans and nature, be it financial, physical, or simply time management.
Financial barriers are a factor that many of us may not have considered before our readings in this class. When we think of nature, we see it as one of the few general resources that is accessible to anyone just outside their door. Except one of the most unique aspects of nature is that there is always more to explore. Of course, sitting on a porch and bird watching is one way to interact with nature, as well as going on a hike on a local trail. Yet some may want more! A yearning for adventure and exploration is not something that should be attributed to children, and I believe it is an inherent trait in all of us. As stated by Rodenburg (2019), financial liabilities have dwindled the opportunities for children to be outside in an educative setting from few to nearly none. Opportunities such as field trips are integral to nurturing the sense of adventure and wonder in young children. These trips are also important for families who are unable to provide trips for their children, as they allow for a low-cost adventure with transportation and supervision provided while they are at work throughout the day. I remember one of my favourite field trips as a child was going to a lodge during a very snowy January. We were taught how to snowshoe through the thick layer of snow that was on the ground and trekked all throughout the forests and fields on the property. I remember seeing a field of long grass with a deer that got up and jumped away when it heard the group of kids come by and being told that they liked to stay warm by sleeping close to the ground in the grass!
In addition to financial barriers, I believe that how busy we are in our daily lives makes getting out and enjoying nature a chore for some people. As we get older and begin working, we become engrossed in our daily lives and start to get used to our routines. If someone is supposed to get up early enough to get their children up and ready in the morning, take them to daycare or school, go to work, come home and make dinner, and then put their kids to sleep, where could they possibly find time to enjoy nature? This doesnāt only apply to parents with young kids either. I think we are engrained to think that we simply never have enough time! When our society is built around the absolute need to gain financial capital, it in intertwined into our daily lives, both through the week and on weekends. While it may be easy for us to consider nature a simple resource that is available all around us, many people may see things differently. Every activity needs to be learned, even the simplest activities like hiking or IDing plants takes time to warm up to. People may see this as time that they simply donāt find themselves having!
Finally, the accessibility of interpreting nature is something I had yet to consider before taking this course. One of my favourite chapters was chapter 7, which touched on the diverse array of audiences that interpreters should familiarize themselves with, and how to communicate effectively with them. One of the most beautiful things about nature is the fact that it can potentially be experienced by anyone, and interpreters have the gift to make that happen. The first step in understanding your audience is knowing why theyāve chosen to participate in nature programs to therefore understand the proportion of those who do not (Beck et al, 2018). This is particularly important for audiences who are underserved by interpreters, due to economic, cultural, and communicative barriers (Beck et al, 2018), and it is the responsibility of the interpreter to identify these barriers and tackle them to the best of their abilities. The full enjoyment of nature should be offered by interpreters, especially to those with disabilities that may hinder the enjoyment of traditional interpretation techniques. Offering accessible alternatives for those with mental or physical disabilities is vital for interpreters to serve a diverse audience, especially in a learning environment.
As we begin to wrap up the course, I think I have had a great opportunity to develop my own personal insight on communicating nature in a way that is stimulating, nuanced, and inclusive. I believe it is the responsibility of interpreters to ensure that the information they offer can reach the widest audience possible, including those who initially may shy from the outdoors and natural history. I feel that my beliefs regarding natural history and our environment have greatly broadened as Iāve moved through this course, and the most important aspect that I would emphasize as an interpreter is the ability to communicate what is important to the communities that I am speaking for. Interpreters have the responsibility to speak of the historical significance of many landforms and sites. To accurately represent the communities we speak of, I believe it is important to integrate as many first-hand experiences as possible. When we are unable to offer first-hand experiences, brainstorming with those belonging to marginalized communities and ensuring their stories are heard accurately is extremely important, especially when it comes down to us!
Sources:
Knudson, L.B.T.T.C.D. M. (2018).Ā Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. Sagamore Publishing LLC.Ā https://sagamore.vitalsource.com/books/9781571678669
Rodenburg, J. (2019, June 17). Why environmental educators shouldnāt give up hope. | CLEARING: PNW Journal of Environmental Education in the Pacific Northwest. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://clearingmagazine.org/archives/14300
Great work on this week blogs post! I think that you have highlighted a very important idea within environmental interpretation which we must all be aware of and be thankful that we are in the position which we are, and we have been given the opportunity to experience the things which we have. Our personal privileges often go unrecognized and become part of our reality, yet many people are not as lucky. Time and money are two key factors which create space between people and the outdoors, although these factors can be combatted. I admire your ideas on field trips, as this includes children for a relatively low cost, from all different backgrounds to get outside and enjoy nature. it is through these experiences at a young age where an attraction and appreciating for nature is developed and can last a lifetime. Nature, like anything, is something which we have to make time for, something which I thinks makes this much easier is for us to find something which we truly love to do outdoors. For me, that thing is fishing and hiking. Through these two activities, I go outside in nature and am exposed to many beauties which I would miss out of otherwise. When we find things which draw us outdoors, it becomes much more accessible to find the time.
Final Post
Describe your personal ethic as you develop as a nature interpreter. What beliefs do you bring? What responsibilities do you have? What approaches are most suitable for you as an individual?
Understanding and defining oneās personal ethic is a highly individual journey, particularly in fields deeply connected to values and beliefs, like nature interpretation. Ethics can vary widely between people, and for good reason: each of us brings our own perspectives, life experiences, and guiding principles to the table. For me, one foundational belief is that there is rarely one ācorrectā answer; rather, there are often multiple valid decisions that depend on the person, context, and situation.
When I say thereās no real right answer, I mean that each decision is subjective and based on a unique blend of factors, especially in the context of nature and human experience. Consider the question, āIs summer camp beneficial for kids?ā The answer isnāt black and white. It depends on the childās interests, physical capabilities, and socioeconomic background. A child who thrives outdoors and loves adventure might find camp life-changing, while another might feel anxious and out of place. This way of thinking is part of my ethic as a nature interpreter: respecting the diversity of peopleās experiences and the idea that different paths can lead to meaningful connections with nature.
In my journey through this course, I have felt that this field of work reminds me of characters like the Lorax, who famously āspeaks for the trees.ā Though it may sound crazy, I see a similarity in my role. Like the Lorax, nature interpreters spend extensive time immersed in natural environments, making a connection thatās mental, physical, and emotional. We act as intermediaries between the natural world and people who might not have had similar experiences, guiding them to explore and appreciate nature in a safe and meaningful way. This role comes with a profound responsibility to share our understanding and to inspire conservation efforts. Maybe the most critical aspect of my ethic as a nature interpreter is the responsibility to use my knowledge and experiences in ways that support activism and conservation. Knowing about the natural world isnāt just a personal advantage; itās a tool to be used in the service of preservation. Our planetās health is a shared responsibility, and I believe that those of us with the privilege of deep interaction with nature have an obligation to help where we can.
The role I see myself playing is one of advocacy, although not necessarily on the grand scale of figures like Greta Thunberg. Thunbergās impact as a climate activist from Sweden has captured global attention since 2019, particularly with her powerful words: āYou have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty wordsā¦We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money, and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!ā (Britannica, 2024). Her courage and passion are qualities I admire. This statement, especially, feels like a kind of call to arms, and it resonates with my hopes to protect the natural world for future generations. What connects me to an activist role is precisely the meaning in Thunbergās words. Much of my motivation in pursuing nature interpretation is driven by my concerns about the future. I relate to Thunbergās frustration and urgency because, like her, I am deeply invested in helping the environment for those who have yet to experience it, whether they are unborn or otherwise. Iām grateful for the experiences Iāve had in nature, which have provided me with a sense of purpose and emotional growth. Itās difficult to imagine future generations missing out on these same experiences. Knowing that the beauty of natural places might not be there for future children if things donāt change is so difficult to imagine.
Every role in nature interpretation is valuable, and I view the field as a collective movement working toward mutual goals: understanding, protecting, and communicating natureās value. While my focus might lean toward activism, there are countless ways nature interpreters can foster respect and love for the environment. Whether itās through educational programs, immersive experiences, or leading conservation efforts, each approach is vital. After all, each step toward connecting people with the natural world ultimately contributes to the broader mission of protecting it. In my view, showcasing the beauty of natural landscapes is essential to encouraging others to value and protect them. When people experience awe in the face of a forest, river, or mountain, it stirs something within them. This awe can be a powerful motivator, urging people to support conservation efforts and perhaps even act against environmental challenges like deforestation, pollution, and climate change. Through guided hikes, storytelling, and sharing personal experiences, nature interpreters have the unique opportunity to influence perspectives and inspire positive change. One of the most rewarding aspects of nature interpretation would be helping others see the world with new eyes, whether theyāre encountering a familiar landscape in a new season or observing a species theyād never noticed before. By offering these moments of connection, we help people build a personal relationship with the environment. Ideally, these relationships evolve into a sense of responsibility and commitment to the well-being of the planet.
In conclusion, my personal ethic as a nature interpreter involves advocating for thoughtful, inclusive approaches to experiencing and understanding nature. By respecting diverse perspectives and embracing multiple ārightā answers, I would aim to create a space where all individuals feel welcome in exploring the natural world. With this approach, I would hope to inspire respect, protect fragile ecosystems, and pass on the same love for nature that has given my life such meaning. For me, the path forward involves not just interpreting nature, but using my role to stand up for it and protect it, and to ensure that its wonder and significance are preserved for future generations.
It was awesome reading everyones posts through this course and seeing everyones responses. You all did amazing!
References
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. (2024, November 12). Greta Thunberg. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Greta-Thunberg
Hello, you have provided some great insights into this weeks blog prompt. I agree that this prompt is highly individualized and has the potential to arise very different information from each of us, based on our unique backgrounds and life experiences. I admire your connection to the Lorax, I feel that a connection like one, relating to a piece of modern film is an excellent way to describe an idea and draw readers in. You mentioned that as nature interpreters we spend immense time in the outdoors, developing a mental physical and emotional connection to nature, I think this an important constant which has occurred for us all. No matter how, or why we were inspired to embrace the outdoors, it has become a piece of our lives. Despite the activities which you get up to outdoors, the benefits and love you develop is all the same. I feel that for someone to want to protect something, they must first understand its true beauty and everything it has to offer. To me, this is where conservation stems from. Activism is absolutely the greatest role we can play as interpreters in attempt to save our beautiful planet for generation to come. As I talked about in my blog this week, environmental action doesnāt have to be grand to have an impact, a series of little actions and small steps taken, in commination will have great impacts. Stemming from your points on Great Thunberg, the action which she has taken has had great influence and has been an inspiration to many. Excellent evaluation of your ethics of an interpreter, I enjoyed reading through your post,
Liam
Final Blog
As I stumbled upon the course description for this class and decided to enroll myself through curiosity and interest, in all honesty, I had never thoroughly considered what it really meant to be a nature interpreter. It was through the units of this course where I first reflected on my role and responsibility as a nature interpreter, as well as my inspiration to guide people to enjoy nature. The various aspects of environmental interpretation which we studied throughout this semester have amplified my understanding of what it means to be an interpreter and the importance of environmental education.
I feel that the individual identities which we have all developed as environmental interpreters are heavily influenced by our personal experiences, realities and beliefs. Personally, I spend majority of my free time in the great outdoors, throughout every season, on the hunt for various freshwater fish species across Ontario and over the course of my journeys, I have developed immense and rooted appreciation and love for nature and everything which it has to offer. Ā Time in the outdoors allows us, as humans, to understand and feel what it means to be a part of the living world, across time. It exposes us to stimulating and uplifting experiences where we learn to live in a world where time is not always ticking, cars are not buzzing by, and strangers are not disappearing before your eyes in a flash. We are exposed to a world where creatures live symbiotically and donāt exploit each other for personal gain. A world so beautiful, yet fragile. The great outdoors is unfortunately, a fading experience in many modern societies, as children who grow up in cities are given minimal opportunity to experience nature. As a young child, I was heavily exposed to nature, growing up in a home located on a forested property and connected to many farmers fields and hiking trails, I spent majority of my youth outside, where I could be one with the natural world. The thought that many children who are brought up in cities may never get adequate exposure to nature and its beauties is dispiriting. I feel very fortunate and blessed to have been given the chance to have had the environmentally involved upbringing that I did, I also reflect on this blessing as a call to action. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to experience nature on an intimate level also have the responsibility to advocate and protect the environment and all which it has to offer us. A key part of the ethics which I value as a developing nature interpreter is conservation, sustainability and environmental advocation and education. In addition to my upbringing, I have pursued biology and sociology throughout my post secondary education pathways and feel that my general understanding in many environmental processes like climate change, weather systems and various species and their interactions provides me with a unique perspective on environmental interpretation and a concrete background for environmental advocation and general education.
As an avid fisherman and outdoor enthusiast, environmental education to me, means to teach my friends and family about the sport and conservation of fishing to inspire people to get into the great outdoors and learn to love and respect our natural world. Through the content in this class, I valued our exploration through various learning styles as it has allowed me to better curtail both my learning and delivery of information to people with different backgrounds. A huge part of fishing, is conservation and environmental stewardship, like all other finite resources, humans must conserve it to ensure we do not deplete it. I have seen fish stock depletion firsthand, as well as unethical fishing, and environmental disregard (trash, dumping, fish dumping). It is through these gruesome acts where we feel the fire in our souls to do something, and to advocate for whatās right. Once you learn to love nature, it hurts to see people ruin it. Environmental advocation and stewardship is all about the little actions because if everyone does the little things, in commination, small actions can have large impacts. Getting people involved and invoking pride for our environment can be through the display of its beauty; in order to want to protect something, you must be aware of its immense power and magnificence.
I believe that a dominant responsibility which I embody is the role of revealing nature and its many wonders to people, allowing whoever it may be, to find out for themselves, the mental and physical benefits which can come from the natural world. We can form a mutualistic relationship with the environment, where we can benefit immensely, while taking great care of these resources. When people can navigate nature, with some guidance, they are able to see the world for what it truly is, a diverse landscape which so many plants and animals and animals share. This is bound to inspire stewardship and environmental action.
Climate change remains as one of the largest contemporary threats to humanity, yet it is consistently downplayed in media and throughout society, hindering environmental action. As environmental interpreters I feel climate change is one of the prominent items on our agenda. As nature interpreters and educators, we are called to teach and promote good environmental health, in hopes to invoke good policy and community action towards a healthy planet. I find great value and relation to a quote from this week reading, written by Jacob Rodenburg, which states the following, āBeing an environmental educator in todayās world feels like you are asked to stop a rushing river armed only with a teaspoonā. This quote speaks to the ability and impact of one singular person in comparison to the never-ending list of environmental issues and areas in need of progression. Ā It is easy for us as interpreters and educators to feel hopeless and that our individual impact on the world will result to be insignificant, but this is no attitude to hold. We must individually and in turn, as a community, take action in order to make the changes needed to support a healthy environment for our childrenās futures.
Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. SAGAMORE Publishing, Sagamore Venture.
Rodenburg, J. (2019). Why Environmental Educators Shouldnāt Give Up Hope. Clearing Magazine. https://clearingmagazine.org/archives/14300
Unit 9 Blog The Steelhead
For the purpose of this weekās blog, I would like to tell the story of the beautiful and mighty, Great Lakes Steelhead. A steelhead is a migratory rainbow trout which is born in a Great Lakes tributary, which then makes its way to one of the great lakes where they feed heavily and live for five to ten years. When a steelhead is ready to spawn, they embark on a great migration which leads them back to the tributaries which dot the shorelines, where they were once born. During the fall, specifically early September through to the first two weeks in November, large numbers of steelhead stack up in the estuaries of rivers and hold by the mouths of streams and in harbours. After a rain fall, when river levels spike, the steelhead push from the lake up the river in pods of up to a few hundred fish at a time. Throughout this journey, steelhead come face to face with very challenging situations including viscous predators and barriers within rivers like dams or log jams. Steelhead are put to the ultimate test during their spawning migration and only the fit individuals will be able to successfully make this journey. This intense test and application of natural selection and survival of the fittest ensures that only the most fit genes reproduce, ever increasing the strength, ability and survival of the strain. The steelheadsā main goal is to travel up-river until ideal spawning habitat is found. This consists of flowing, oxygenated water with gravel bottom, necessary for the female steelhead to lay eggs and for them to become fertilized. After the steelheads spawn, they begin the process of dropping back to the lake. Over the course of weeks or sometimes months, fish travel back down the river in attempt to free themselves into the lake once again. The journey which these fish embark on is what truly fascinates me. Driven by an internal determination to spawn, steelheads can travel up to ten kilometers in just one day. They have adapted to feast on a variety of nutrients including baitfish, crawfish, various types of insects and larva, salmon eggs and their own fry. Due to the immense energy exertion which these steelheads are putting out, they are required to continue feeding the entire time they are in the river. This is where I come into play. As a steelhead fisherman, we eagerly wait for the first big fall rain fall to trigger a steelhead run, from that point on we dedicate time and money to be out in nature chasing these massive chrome bullets. Given that the steelhead is a fish which spends a lot of its time in great lakes, they grow big and strong and feed heavily on schools of bait. They obtain the power to jump up to fifteen feet in the air and can swim at speeds up to 45 kilometers an hour in just the kick of their tail. The true beauty in steelhead fishing is that it is the pursuit of something so elusive, yet attainable with hard work and dedication to the sport. Ā
BLOG 7: Nature and Music
Music and nature are ingrained within one another, albeit the way music is shown in nature is a little different to how we perceive music to be. Personally, when the word āmusicā is used, I first think songs and artists. Big celebrities like Taylor Swift, Adele, and Hozier come to mind. Different genres like pop and classical are also a first thought. However, when looking at how it intertwines into nature, music becomes so much more.
At the break of every dawn, you can hear the birds begin to sing, signifying the rise of the sun. In different forms of media, we commonly associate birds with music. For instance, Snow White. She is shown singing with the birds, whose tunes slowly merge with the soundtrack. Birds are commonly used as musical accompaniments in films like Snow White and Cinderella, where they create harmonies and interact as if theyāre in sync with the characters. However, they are not the only creatures that āsingā in nature. Many animals use sounds and melodies to attract mates, signal their territories, or even to simply communicate with others of their species. Whales, for example, create long, complex songs that can travel vast distances underwater. Music in nature serves as a complex network of sounds, each having their own, important meaning, but serving as a pleasant tune to our ears. For centuries, musicians have been inspired by the sounds of nature.
In today's norm of āmusicā, the thought of nature might not come to mind immediately. Most songs follow a common trend of finding love or heartbreak, as artists write lyrics that their audience can primarily relate to in some way, shape or form. However, Indigenous people commonly incorporate the theme of nature in their musical traditions, both physically and spiritually. The instruments they use are commonly made from materials you can find in the environment; seeds, wood, and animal parts (Hoefnagels 2011). Hoefnagels (2011) states these instruments are treated with the utmost care, as they are seen as sacred within the Indigenous community. Their music also frequently incorporates sounds that mimic nature like the rustling of leaves or rushing of water. In Indigenous culture, music as a whole is deeply ingrained with their culture, as it served as a way to pass on historical narratives, legends, and general expression (McLeod 2024).Ā
Composers like Beethoven also incorporated birdsongs in their music to connect their pieces with nature. In this post, Iāve linked one of his pieces; Symphony No. 6 in F major, which incorporates different bird sounds. I believe this particular piece of music does well to convey how nature can feel; whimsical, peaceful, and calm. But pieces such as Allegro, where the music is more fast-paced, gives a sense of urgency and serves a bit of a warning; to never get too comfortable in nature, as it is still the place where danger can lurk around every corner.
Overall, I believe that music and nature go hand in hand. But in order to dig deeper into how they connect with each other, we have to dive back into our history.
References
Hoefnagels, A. (2011) Music of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The Canadia Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/first-peoples-music
McLeod, D. (2024). Heartbeat of a People. Canadian Museum for Human Rights. https://humanrights.ca/story/heartbeat-people
Hello, you have included some very interesting connections within this weeks blog post. the first thing which popped into my head when you mentioned the artist Hozier was how much I personally connect his music to nature. This was an interesting connection i thought because in your blog, you were actually contrasting a big artist like Hozier and nature. Throughout some of Hozier's compositions, i feel the tone and theme of his work mimics nature and the environment. Within his album titled Unreal Unearth, nature themes and ideas can be pulled from his lyrics.
I like your description of music in nature and the correlation you draw between bird sounds and various forms of contemporary medias. reading your thought on harmonies, I thought of summer cicadas and that beautiful harmonizing ring that they produce. In my opinion this has to be one of the greatest natural musical productions which we have locally, although bullfrogs can play a nice tune as well.
In addition to your point on Beethoven's composition including bird chirping, I play in the Guelph pipe band, which is a traditional Scottish highland pipe band and we have a large repertoire of various types of music. Within many pieces we play, the bagpipes produce sounds which mimic the chirping and harmonizing of bird call.
Have a wonderful week
Blog 7 Nature through music
Music and Nature have demonstrated a continuous interplay across time which coalesce to create profound works of art and grand experiences. As defined within this weekās course content, music is thought of as, āpatterns of sound varying in pitch and time produced for emotional, social, cultural, and cognitive purposes.ā (Gray et. al., 2001). Humans have been producing types of music for millennia, and the sounds have only become sweeter. From prehistoric times, early humans re-enacting the sounds of nature vocally to our modern-day array of talented musicians and artists. In todayās day and age, music is wherever you take it in nature. We as students, adventurers, wanderers and explorers take great pride in venturing into the back country and many of us bring music with us. No matter what genre of music you listen to, what beat plucks your soul, music can spark very positive experiences for us all. Music exists naturally in the outdoors, maybe less intense and formulated, more continuous and abstract. Music in nature is wherever we can find it, may it be a string of bird calls, atop the trickle of a river and a squirrel dashing through the leaves aside. Given all the time I am so lucky to spend in the outdoors, I often stop to enjoy the sounds of nature, a piece of the outdoor experience which often goes unnoted. In contrast, I also enjoy disrupting this bliss and play my go to playlist on my Bluetooth speaker while hiking or fishing.
Nature and music are often within one another, many pieces of music are inspired by, help to describe or incorporate nature within. Many beautiful songs have so much to do with nature and wouldnāt be what they are without it. Letās use āHeart of the Countryā by Linda and Paul McCartney for example, the famous lyrics sing, āLooking for a home in the heart of the country, smell the grass in the meadowsā. This line is evidently inspired by their personal experiences with the pure, outdoors.
Music means so much to me, since I was a child Iāve played numerous instruments including the ukulele, banjolele, the highland bass and tenor drum, various styles of percussion including kit drum and tympany as do I love to sing. I have expressed my self through music through for as long as I can remember, and I feel that good music just completes an experience. Whether Iām camping, fishing, hiking or enjoying nature another way music is often incorporated, and I wouldnāt have it another way!
Blog #5
Hey everyone!!!!!
Since this week is a no prompt week, I would love to talk about the importance of spending time in nature, and the immense benefits it has on our physical and mental health.Ā
I can imagine as we set into the midst of midterm season and the semester stress catches up to us, the overwhelming and anxious emotions are starting to affect us. From my own experience, these past two weeks have been pretty heavy, spending hours on end in the library, cramming to complete 5 courses of workload is a lot.Ā Starting to feel trapped and overly stressed, I took a step back today and went on a long bike ride through some trails. This is what gave me the idea for this blog post. On my bike ride, my roommate and IĀ started to discuss how much better we already felt being outside, in the forest just immersed in nature and away from all other responsibilities for a while. This reminded us of the importance of taking the time to get outside! II hope that this week's blog post can remind us all to take some time in nature over the holiday long weekend.Ā
Nature has been linked to many benefits such as lowering stress, increasing positive moods, and as an article written by Kirsten Weir states, increasing eudaimonic well-being (Weir, 2020). Eudaimonic well-being is known to bring a deeper sense of life satisfaction (Weir, 2020). While reading this article I found that concept to be extremely interesting and I had never heard it before. Although, it makes perfect sense. Being out in nature, immersed in the natural environment where life feels more free, simple and wild certainly does have the ability to bring a deeper sense of life satisfaction to all of our lives.Ā I can testify this is how it makes me feel, and I'm sure many of you may agree from what I've read from many blogs. Regardless of your major or academic background, this course has made it clear we all have one thing in common and that is nature!
Being in nature encourages environmental stewardship and education, you don't have to be stuck in a classroom to learn, there are opportunities all around nature to learn so much. Apps like INaturalist (one of my favorites) is great to use when on walks to help identify plants, fungi and animals. Nature fosters a love for exploring and learning more about the environment. It has also been researched that citizen science apps help to foster a deeper positive attitude towards the environment (Merenlender et al., 2016). I definitely agree with this, my own usage of these apps has defiely brought to light the wonders of natures and has inspired me to be a better steward to the environment.
When I'm in nature, I feel like I'm connecting to something larger, interconnecting with the natural world. Being surrounded by trees or water insteads of loud cars and large buildings, hearing the sounds of birds and animals and watching the natural landscape instead of a screen. Nature offers the perfect escape from the demands of daily life and this allows us to reconnect with our more natural selves. Spending time in nature largely improves our physical and mental health as well (Weir, 2020). Hiking, swimming or simply walking allows us to move our body while being surrounded by fresh air, trees, and natural sunlight (Weir, 2020). This all releases natural endorphins that entirely improve our mood and mental wellbeingĀ (Weir, 2020).Ā When we feel good, we are able to produce more good in our worlds as well. Therefore, if you haven't taken the time to get outdoors, even if it's as simple as taking a small walk, please do. You will feel so much better, and it's important to take care of ourselves during this busy season.Ā
Nature is beautiful, get outside!!!
Thanks guys!
Weir, K. (2020, April 1). Nurtured by nature. Monitor on Psychology. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature
Merenlender, A. M., Crall, A. W., Drill, S., Prysby, M., & Ballard, H. (2016). Evaluating environmental education, citizen science, and stewardship through naturalist programs. Conservation Biology, 30(6), 1255ā1265. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12737
Hello!
Your topic for this weeks blog is very nice and relatable. Just like youn mentioned in your first paragraph, something as little as going for a bike ride in nature can completely change the way we feel and our outlook on the day. Personally, I spend a lot of time mountain biking on various trail systems across Ontario, some cross country and some downhill. The time spent on my biking weaving between trees, whipping around berms and hitting dirt table tops serves as a mental break where my mind is put to rest and all Iām thinking about is exactly whatās happening in the moment. All our stressors, whether it be school, family, or economic issues, are temporarily put to bed and we are at true peace. I like your point about stewardship and how the best way to strengthen our relationship with nature is to be out in it. The more time we spend in nature and the more we become personally connected, the more we will respect it and encourage others to do so in turn. Nature is one of the best ways to take care of ourselves and can be experienced in some way through us all.
Liam McFadden
Blog 5
Nature has always been a source of wonder and mystery, inviting us to explore its intricacies through various lenses. Among the diverse accounts of phenomena within the natural world, the migration of rainbow trout stands out as a compelling subject for scientific inquiry. By examining this process, we not only uncover the biological and ecological dynamics at play but also highlight the importance of conservation efforts in preserving these remarkable fish.
Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are known for their vibrant colors and strength when on the end of the line. Often called Steelhead, native to the Pacific Coast of North America, these fish have been introduced globally, thriving in diverse freshwater habitats, including various tributaries to all the great lakes. Their migration patterns are fascinating, correlated with spawning cycles, temperature changes, and habitat availability. Understanding these movements requires a blend of ecological knowledge, behavioral science, and environmental monitoring. As a fisherman, I account for various scientific values like barometric pressure, water temperature, water levels and flow rate to effectively locate and catch rainbow trout.
During their migration, rainbow trout demonstrate remarkable navigational skills. Research has shown that they utilize a combination of environmental cuesāsuch as water temperature, flow, and even the Earthās magnetic fieldāto guide them from their summering areas of the great lakes to the flowing tributaries which dot the shores. This interplay of instincts and environmental factors is a testament to the complex relationships within ecosystems. By studying these patterns, scientists can glean insights into the health of aquatic systems, as changes in migration behavior often signal broader ecological shifts.
Interpretation of nature is strengthened through our scientific understanding of various species, their interconnectedness within ecosystems and climate science. In terms of steelhead and their lifecycles, our appreciation and respect for these creatures is expected to rise greatly through the knowledge of the great journey they make to reproduce. As a fisherman, spending countless hours hunting for these fish, hiking many miles of riverbank and experiencing the great outdoors through this lens, I embody a deep sense of connection, ultimate respect and praise for these fish and their environment.
It is through the scientific knowledge I have acquired through my post secondary education which has allowed me to understand the vulnerability and fragility of these wild migratory fish species. As environmental stewards, anglers, and normal people who may not have such a direct connection with nature need to understand the importance of conservation and stewardship. Without them, this beautiful species would be no longer. For the prolonging of this species and many others alike, we need to witness an intersection of policy, natural appreciation, stewardship and conservation.
The interpretation of nature through a scientific lens can help individuals to understand the complex nature of ecosystems and understand the diverse series of networks within.
Liam McFadden
Unit 4: Who are you to interpret nature through art? How do you interpret āthe gift of beautyā?Ā
Before I dive into what it means to interpret nature through art, I want to quickly define what art means to me. Art is more than just a physical painting, sculpture or photograph. Art represents the emotional connection these items have to you. Think about the way your favorite song or a picture of a good memory with your friends makes you feel.Ā Art can be presented in a variety of ways, and as nature interpreters, we have one of the most unique sources of art, nature!
In chapter 5 of our textbook, āThe Gift of Beautyā, presented by Beck and Cable, states that nature interpreters/interpretation should be emotionally connecting to people. Nature's beauty not only in its appearance but also in its experience, sounds, textures, and relationship to life. Good interpretation should uplift individuals and instill a passion to aid in environmental preservation. When I think back to my own experiences in nature, when I experience the art of the environment, it fills my soul with a sense of hope and passion. Like when the sky changes to different shades of orange, or watching a family of deer run through an open field in the early morning. These visual images, alongside the other senses of nature like smells and sounds, fill my mind and body and gives me a sense of duty to protect these masterpieces.Ā
This are some photos from my time in nature that filled me with a sense of deep connection, these are an examples of art in nature to me.
I agree that a big portion of nature interpretation is this connecting factor with your visitors or audience. When I worked at a provincial park, this was a big topic that my supervisor taught us. During my time there I got to sit in on a presentation done by 5 chosen nature interpreters from all ontario parks. Each got the opportunity to put on their own presentation of their choice. The interpreter who won told a very touching story of a snapping turtle, and through his story he brought tears into our eyes. Not to say that you need to make people cry, but he was able to tell the story in such a way it connected so deeply with many people. My supervisor did a presentation involving song, costumes and storytelling. Bringing all these elements into interpretation is using art to connect to your audience. That summer I would put on an interpretive deer program for families on the campground with my supervisor. In the program we wore deer costumes, had antlers for children to wear, played interpretive and educational games, had stuffed animals for the kids to see and touch, and visual images of everything we explained. These methods really aid in connection and keeping your audience entertained. We also have a living museum of an old farmhouse, where staff members would dress in Victorian costumes, just as those who once lived in the home would have worn, and tell the stories of the family who used to live here. All these examples of interpretation through my experiences working at a provincial park came to mind during this week's chapter 10 reading.Ā
Some my experiences as a nature interpreter/park ranger. The first image was my costume for our ghost walk program at the farmhouse, and the second is a picture of me and a baby grey squirrel saved.
As interpreters, when planning for programs, including art is such a valuable way of being able to connect with visitors. We have to think about different ways to present information that invites others to feel and think. Using different methods of art is a great way to promote this.
Thank you:)
I commend your opening paragraph, I feel it is a strong opening to identify exactly what it is your talking about and what it means to you, especially in this context of a blog style assignment. I like your ideas on art as being an emotion connection. I feel that a piece of āartā is not really art if the audience has no feeling towards it, no connection to it, and no interest. Therefore, I think it is safe to say that art is very objective, and what art is to one person, may not quite fit in with the next persons idea of art. Nature is most definitely one of the most unique forms of art! All art stems from our natural world. I enjoyed the imagery you included in your second paragraph reguarding the field scene, set early in the morning, maybe a thin layer of fog lay across the field and through it, bounds a herd of white tail deer. This artistic image which you have painted out for us stokes emotions within me, thinking back to my hometown in southern Ontario where this is a common sight. This scene makes me think of the delicacy of a quite early morning in the outdoors, as well as the fragility of animals and our natural resources like forestry. Working for Ontario Parks must have been a blast! I have always been interested in this position as a summer job. As I spoke about in my blog and relating to your role as a ghost walk facilitator, I attended a conservation area when I was younger which had demonstrations on educating about pioneer lifestyle and I felt that the thematic element explained this very well. Ā
Unit 4: Who are you to interpret nature through art? How do you interpret āthe gift of beautyā?Ā
Before I dive into what it means to interpret nature through art, I want to quickly define what art means to me. Art is more than just a physical painting, sculpture or photograph. Art represents the emotional connection these items have to you. Think about the way your favorite song or a picture of a good memory with your friends makes you feel.Ā Art can be presented in a variety of ways, and as nature interpreters, we have one of the most unique sources of art, nature!
In chapter 5 of our textbook, āThe Gift of Beautyā, presented by Beck and Cable, states that nature interpreters/interpretation should be emotionally connecting to people. Nature's beauty not only in its appearance but also in its experience, sounds, textures, and relationship to life. Good interpretation should uplift individuals and instill a passion to aid in environmental preservation. When I think back to my own experiences in nature, when I experience the art of the environment, it fills my soul with a sense of hope and passion. Like when the sky changes to different shades of orange, or watching a family of deer run through an open field in the early morning. These visual images, alongside the other senses of nature like smells and sounds, fill my mind and body and gives me a sense of duty to protect these masterpieces.Ā
This are some photos from my time in nature that filled me with a sense of deep connection, these are an examples of art in nature to me.
I agree that a big portion of nature interpretation is this connecting factor with your visitors or audience. When I worked at a provincial park, this was a big topic that my supervisor taught us. During my time there I got to sit in on a presentation done by 5 chosen nature interpreters from all ontario parks. Each got the opportunity to put on their own presentation of their choice. The interpreter who won told a very touching story of a snapping turtle, and through his story he brought tears into our eyes. Not to say that you need to make people cry, but he was able to tell the story in such a way it connected so deeply with many people. My supervisor did a presentation involving song, costumes and storytelling. Bringing all these elements into interpretation is using art to connect to your audience. That summer I would put on an interpretive deer program for families on the campground with my supervisor. In the program we wore deer costumes, had antlers for children to wear, played interpretive and educational games, had stuffed animals for the kids to see and touch, and visual images of everything we explained. These methods really aid in connection and keeping your audience entertained. We also have a living museum of an old farmhouse, where staff members would dress in Victorian costumes, just as those who once lived in the home would have worn, and tell the stories of the family who used to live here. All these examples of interpretation through my experiences working at a provincial park came to mind during this week's chapter 10 reading.Ā
Some my experiences as a nature interpreter/park ranger. The first image was my costume for our ghost walk program at the farmhouse, and the second is a picture of me and a baby grey squirrel saved.
As interpreters, when planning for programs, including art is such a valuable way of being able to connect with visitors. We have to think about different ways to present information that invites others to feel and think. Using different methods of art is a great way to promote this.
Thank you:)
BLOG 4
To begin, I would like to dissect a quote which directly relates theories of interpretivism to The Gift of Beauty from the textbook. āInterpretation should instill in people the ability, and the desire, to sense the beauty in their surroundings -- to provide spiritual uplift and to encourage resource preservation." To me, this piece of text targets the actions which should be invoked through nature interpretation, including the heightened desire and drive to interact with natural beauty, holding our spirits high and engaging in conservation and preservation. Art in nature can take many different forms and is relative to different people with different backgrounds. Whether natural art embody a photograph, a painting, a technical skill like fly fishing, a natural phenomenon or something else, it will be perceived emotionally as well as intellectually from an audience. All the various art forms relating to nature are destined to help tell a story and provide a snapshot piece of insight into that setting, or that adventure.
A natural art form which relates to me is nature photography. From the time I was a young boy, I have been on an everlasting nature adventure, spending all my free time hiking rivers with my centrepin, catching snakes, mountain biking and kayak camping. Over the course of these countless adventures, there are too many amazing moments which go by undocumented, this is where our cellphones come into play! Within the last five years, my friend group has developed and as we get older, the trips become more magical and the more I feel the need to photograph them. I purchased a decent digital camera with a strong optical zoom feature and went straight to work. Nowadays, after wrapping up a fishing or camping trip, I have twenty to fifty saved memories which can never be forgotten. Not only have these photos added an artistic element to my time outdoors, but it has allowed me to take my story telling a next level and provide physical evidence of the topic at hand. Displaying fishing photo to people who are interested fosters a bonding experience where stories are shared, and natural interpretation is occurring on another level.
The beauty intrinsic within natural art can be used as a sort of hook for the outside audience to get involved and engaged with nature themselves. Art provides an alternative way for one to feel the effects of nature without existing within it. Aswell as it provides the individual creating the art, an outlet to demonstrate oneās true feelings and passion towards the outdoors.
In contrast to the art which has been a focus of my blog thus far, I would briefly like to draw a connection between nature and interpretive theatre. Theatrical productions can provide audience with a meaningful and memorable story which highlights a unique view. I remember as a student in elementary school, our class would visit the Backus Conservation Area in Long Point, Ontario to learn about local wildlife and pioneer life as this was a prominent area for pioneer settlement. The conservation area put on demonstrations where student employees would dress up as pioneers and act out or describe various aspects of their lives. This created a different form of interpretation and m ay have communicated information better to certain people of certain learning styles. Art is intertwined within nature interpretation through numerous routes and can help foster deeper understanding and engagement.
Liam McFadden
ENVS 3000
What role does privilege play in nature interpretation?
My idea of privilege can be described as a group obtaining some type of special advantage over others. Privilege can be inherent through birth or gained through social position. Privilege and diversity of backgrounds are influential factors throughout an individuals experience with nature. The ideas which an individual will form relating to nature are correlated with the life experiences and level of privilege one has experienced throughout their lifetime.
Privilege is a connecting link to accessing nature. Although the outdoors can accommodate a series of affordable hobbies, there are many limiting factors to oneās ability to enjoy nature. Socioeconomic class, race and geographic location are all restricting factors to oneās ability to enjoy the wilderness. People who live in urban areas supporting low-income populations are less likely to experience the opportunities to explore the natural world compared to those of higher income. This is a very unfortunate reality because stress reducing activities, like fishing, hiking or camping, are all excellent ways to keep youth busy with productive and healthy activities. While creating this blog, I reflect on the privileges I have been blessed with relating to nature. I grew up near forest and ponds full of fish, prime areas for exploration. I was lucky enough to have parents who supported my adventures and provided me with basic fishing equipment, shoes, clothes and a full stomach to venture out and find myself. At the time, I was most definitely not taking the time to dissect the immense privilege I had, but through this activity, it is made clear that the things we donāt take time to appreciate are very important when it comes to nature interpretation. Ā
To look at privilege and nature interpretation through a different scope, I relate this to policy making on and around Indigenous lands. Within the content of an Indigenous course, I took last semester here at the University, we learned about an indigenous tribe who had to go through heightened legal battles as their traditional territories were at risk of being overtaken to build a golf course. The opposing sides of this land claim are subject to very different levels of privilege and understand land and nature very differently. Indigenous peoples are the most connected to the land, as they have lived here harmoniously with the land and the animals for thousands of years, free from European destruction. The land developers have a contrasting relationship with land, one which is rooted in profit and greed.
Privilege plays an influential role within nature interpretation. Through education, understanding and addressing these discrepancies can create nature interpretation to be an inclusive, equitable and valuable field
Liam McFadden
Blog post 2
My ideal role as an environmental interpreter would involve creating a deeper connection with nature and people while educating them on environmental sustainability and protection methods. This role would entail critical responsibilities such as explaining the importance and historical context of the environment. Depending on where this interpreter works, the process of engaging the audience and the level of information they would need to provide will be determined. Despite children having shorter attention spans, I believe they could grasp the same amount of information as adults listening to a podcast. Still, the method of delivery would have to be catered to a younger audience. This could be done by explaining various ecosystems and what wildlife lives in the environment instead of going into extreme detail about certain plant species.Ā
Not everyone can be an environmental interpreter. To truly engage the audience, an interpreter must be experienced and have extensive ecological knowledge to foster deeper connections with the audience and the nature they are learning about. I would prefer to be an interpreter in the outdoors rather than through an online delivery method so that I can be encased in what I am learning about and deepen my learning through an experience rather than trying to visualize it in my head. Alongside being outdoors, I need to broaden my communication skills to get all points across to the audience while ensuring the terminology being used is understandable and simple enough. Ideally, I would love to take my audience on actual hikes where Iād have the routes memorized and be able to point out various aspects of the environment, for example, pointing out species that are being heavily affected by climate change and methods of preserving the respective species or being able to tell the history of the hiking trail. This would help me engage the audience by giving them things they can relate to.Ā
As an interpreter working outdoors, Iād stress the importance of respecting the wildlifeās habitat, as we would not want to harm or scare the animals we encounter. Alongside the animals we encounter, just in general, being respectful to the environment would be one of the key takeaways Iād aim for the audience to leave with, as this will help create new habits for people that do go out in public and litter or pick things off of plants without knowing if any harm is being caused to them. As an interpreter, I help the audience foster a deeper appreciation for the environment. By pointing things out and advising against things such as littering, I can help create a more significant environmental impact. I do not have any preference on what kind of trails I take my audience on. Ideally, it would be a path that I have taken before or somewhere I could do some research before engaging with the audience to create the best possible presentation for them.
I enjoyed reading your blog. I think you share great ideas relating to nature interpretation and their duties. I appreciate how you talked about sustainability and conservation, these are two important topics which I believe, should be at the forefront of nature education. the longevity of our natural resources depends on conservation and sustainability practices; without them, our natural enjoyment would be no longer. Within the body of my blog this week, I talked about nature interpretation in relation to being a wilderness and fishing guide. Many of the same ideas which you have spoken about apply. Both positions require experience based expertise as well as certain communication and people skills in order to communicate and teach individuals effectively. We can also relate the multiple learning styles to our respective career paths as they both involve teaching a range of individuals with varying backgrounds. it is critical to understand and be able to adapt to the different learning styles when communicating information in the field. In support to your point about teaching people how to treat our environment, I feel that the best way to coach people to live sustainably is to expose them to the true beauty nature has to offer and make them understand what it is that we have to protect.
BLOG 2
The role of nature interpreter is one which holds great value, connecting individuals to the beauty of our natural world. Nature interpreters are responsible for conveying knowledge and information to others through various channels and techniques. This can take many different forms, but for the purpose of this blog, I will be relating aspects of nature interpretation to the position of a fishing and wilderness guide. My ideal application of nature interpretation would be to lead a fishing and wilderness guide service which takes you on a fully included, drift boat trip down a scenic river to fish, camp, eat and learn about the details of life on the water. The skills required to lead an epic adventure like this include experience-based expertise on the water, cooking and camping capabilities, social skills and the ability to effectively teach clients skills along the way. The ideas included in this unit relating to learning styles provides effective explanation of the various routes of teaching. While guiding people through the currents and fishing along the way, various techniques are shared. Might it be a specific paddle stroke, a perfectly placed cast or a catch and cook recipe, all information is best delivered through different teaching methods. Some individuals would be further ahead listening to descriptive instructions then putting those plans to action. Others would prefer to be given the chance to try and fail, learning along the way, some like to visibly see how its done. Despite which method best suits an individual, it is critical that in this role of nature interpreter we understand these differences so that we can effectively cater to our clients learning needs.
There are numerous locations which would provide an excellent setting for this guiding service. Plentiful flows like the Saugeen River, The Grand River, or the Credit River would all serve as effective locations. After departure from the boat launch, clients will embark on an informative excursion where they learn how to efficiently float through currents, avoiding rocks and taking advantage of runs and riffles. Within the deeper pools of the river, clients will be taken through the fishing process, step by step, learning where the fish are and what we can do to catch them. As night fall approaches, we will pull off the river and set up camp where we indulge on food and drink and connect through engaging fishing lore.
As the guide, it is necessary to embody a large formulation of knowledge relating to numerous topics. Guides need to obtain paddling and navigational knowledge, fishing skills and camping abilities. Throughout the course of the trip, it is the guides responsibility to effectively teach clients skills and techniques in a digestible manor, allowing them to practise along the way, weather it be paddling, fishing or cooking. I feel that through an active experience in nature, learning becomes more enjoyable and interesting. I have graciously had the opportunity to plan and guide a handful of trips which my friends and I have set out on. I find it very rewarding to be the connecting link between an individual and the great outdoors. Nature is always calling, we just need to answer.
Blog Post 1
My name is Farhiya Ahmed and I am in my thrid year of Environmental Management.
I never really understood my relationship with nature until I moved from my home country. Growing up, it was something I took for granted. My backyard was my go-to whenever I felt off or overwhelmed, but I didnāt realize how much it meant to me until I no longer had it. The transition to a new country was a big shift, and losing my safe space made it even harder. But, in a strange way, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise š±.
In Canada, my connection to nature has grown in ways I never thought possible. Back home, nature was about comfortāfamiliar spaces like my backyard or local parks. Here, itās something completely different. Nature is vast, wild, and unpredictable. Itās not just a place to escape; itās a place that pushes me out of my comfort zone and shows me new sides of myself I didnāt know were there. I never considered myself an adventurous person, but now, Iām excited to get out there and explore.
The person who helped me on this journey is my cousin Hanan. Sheās lived in Canada her whole life, and when I told her I wanted to reconnect with nature here, she was all in. We begun with hikes, and let me tell you, our first one was an experience! Hanan swore it was an easy trail, but I managed to find the one spot of mud on the entire path and got my shoe completely stuck š. There I was, hopping around with one muddy sock, while Hanan was trying (and failing) not to laugh. We eventually got the shoe out (though it was never the same), and that day was full of little challenges like that. It was exhausting, but honestly? I loved every second of it. It was the first time I realized that nature wasnāt just calm and peaceful; it could be messy and unpredictable, but thatās what makes it so rewarding.
Thatās when I started to develop what our textbook calls āa sense of place.ā For me, it used to be my backyardāa small, safe space where I could retreat from the world. But now, Iām learning that nature is more than just a place of refuge. Itās a place of growth, where I can challenge myself, get a little lost (sometimes literally š ), and come out the other side stronger. Every hike, every new trail I explore, makes me feel more connected to the world around me, and itās an incredible feeling.
Nature is now something that challenges me, surprises me, and even teaches me. Instead of simply finding peace in familiar surroundings, Iāve learned to find peace in the unknown. This new relationship has made me more adventurous and more appreciative of the world around me. It's an evolving journey, and thanks to Hanan, Iāve come to see nature not only as a refuge but also as a source of personal growth.
And honestly, I canāt wait to share even more of these experiences with you through this blog! š Iāve got so many stories to tell, some of them are funny (like the time I nearly face-planted trying to cross a creek on a slippery log š¬), others are just filled with the beauty of nature that I want everyone to see. Thereās something magical about being out in nature, even when things donāt go as planned. Sometimes, those moments are the best ones.
Ā Hi Farhiya! I too am someone who has taken nature for granted sometimes. I grew up in a rural community surrounded by farmland and natural spaces and have always found comfort in these areas. Lucky for me that my own backyard is only a few hours away. I canāt imagine the difference between natural spaces in entirely different countries! I find your views on nature in Canada to be inspiring and Iām so glad for your decision to share these views with the rest of us.
Your story about hiking with your cousin was very entertaining and an accurate depiction of how unpredictable thing can be out there in the wild, I look forward to you sharing more stories over the next few weeks.
It is interesting to me how your āsense of placeā evolved from being one small area of refuge in your own yard to now being the whole outdoors and each trail you travel on. I wonder, as your sense of adventure grows and your exploration continues, do you still find time to enjoy the peace of the outdoors? Or do you feel as though youāve traded your peaceful views for the excitement of the journey? I donāt think the two are mutually exclusive, but I would love to hear your thoughts on it.
Thank you so much Farhiya for sharing your thoughts and your journey with the rest of us, it was lovely to read!
-- Alex :)
Your story is intriguing and admirable. i find it very interesting how you talk about how your concept of nature and what it truly means to you has developed overtime and changed from one geological position to the next. i wonder if this shift in natural importance has something to do with your personal development in combination to your physical relocation. it is great that you have someone willing to help you expand and grow in combination with nature in your new home. I relate to your idea on the comfort of your own backyard. currently, living away from home during the school year, i treat my back yard as a sort of temple where peace is of upmost importance, a space where i can clear my head and get back on my feet again.
Unit 1 Blog post:
My current relationship with nature is very therapeutic and spiritual; I find that whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, or even anxious, I can always rely on nature to ground me and put into perspective how minimal some of my worries are in the grand scheme of life, and what it has planned for me. Although this relationship hasn't been consistent throughout the past decade, I feel I needed a certain disconnection to learn and appreciate it from a different perspective, through a lens that now allows my inner child to live in the present while holding an immense amount of gratitude, thoughtfulness, and to connect with nature.
This is a photo I took while on a walk with my cousins in Milton, Ontario.
Growing up, I was always outside, and most of my happiest memories from childhood include whenever my family would take us on camping trips, have our birthday parties in provincial parks, and when we would go to our trailer every weekend during summers, having a blast with my cousins catching frogs. Throughout this, I didn't realize how much I truly enjoyed being outside and how it shaped my relationship with nature. In a way, I took it for granted at the moment, and it wasn't until quarantine, when the world took a pause, that I could be away from the whirlwind high school was sometimes and reconnect with my roots. Spending those warmer days outside playing board games or just having some quality time in our backyard with my family reminded me why I used to love being outside and how much it made me feel whole in life.
Picture of me at my 5th birthday party at a provincial park.
Also, during this time, I found an interest in discovering different isolated trails and hiking spots to take my dog Bruno along for walks. When I started this new hobby, the experience was fitness-related and just some time for Bruno and me to enjoy the peace and quietness those places offered. Eventually, on these walks, I began to notice and truly take in the nature around me and all the critters whose homes I was passing by. In the following years leading up to today, I slowly leaned into a more religious/spiritual view of the world through practicing meditation, journaling, being more observant, as well as taking a world religion class in grade 12 where one of the many things I learned was how different religions honour nature and our planet. This pushed me to make a more conscious effort to be mindful and grateful for the opportunity to have accessibility and be around such a beautiful and relaxing environment whenever.
Photo of Bruno while on our favourite daily walking route by my house.
As for who offered me a sense of place, in general, I would say, my family, being that they introduced me to all the outdoor activities I love to do; but more specifically someone who introduced me to a more psychological view of nature as my "safe place" would be my mom. My mom is a very Catholic woman who often sees nature and many other things in life as gifts from God. Throughout my upbringing, I would consistently hear her stories and adventures of when she lived in Venezuela and all the beauty and phenomena she witnessed within nature personally (the ones that always stuck with me were about the Relampago del Catatumbo (a never-ending lightning storm) and Angel Falls). Through her interpretation of the world of God giving us blessings and lessons to grow, sheās always told me to be grateful and mindful of everything around me in life, regardless if it was a specific moment, place, or person because you never know when one day you won't be able to experience it again. Although throughout all those years of hearing that, I never truly understood the value of appreciating or noticing the simple things in life that we can take for granted, such as a 30-minute walk along a trail, or even enjoying the beauty of the trees we walk by daily; but I can confidently say now, that my relationship with nature has grown more than I ever thought it could, and it remains as one of the most impactful and relaxing things in my life.
A picture of my mom and I at our trailer in Whitchurch-Stouffville, Ontario years ago.
Loved reading your post! I really resonated with the fact that you described your relationship with nature as therapeutic and spiritual. Ive never looked at nature from a religious or spiritual side so this idea has definitely given me a new perspective. I also appreciate how you shared that your relationship with nature wasnāt always consistent over the years. Itās true for a lot of us that we lose touch with the outdoors as life gets busy can relate to the idea that reconnecting with nature after a period of disconnection can allow us to appreciate it on a deeper level. It's really powerful to see how a simple walk to the park or sitting in the sun can ground us and help us find perspective when life becomes over-whelming. Obviously quarantine was a very difficult time for everyone but at the same time it gave us the opportunity to reconnect with simpler experiences that we once took for granted. I will definitely say that during quarantine I was forced to spend a lot of time with my family outdoors which at the time may have been a little dreadful but I look back at those times and reminisce. After reading your blog, I'm gonna explore more into taking on a more spiritual mindset when out in nature such as meditation and journaling. I think I would really benefit from it and it would keep me motivated to keep going outside. Thank you for sharing your experiences I really enjoyed reading your post!
I closely relate to your explanation and connection with nature. I too rely on my relationship with nature as a therapeutic outlet to destress and disconnect from the fast paced modern day lifestyle. My family is also big into camping, ever since I can remember we tent camped all over Ontario, visiting beaches, fishing, hiking and exploring nature. from a young age i most definitely took these family experiences for granted and had limited idea of their deeper meaning, teachings and importance in life. It wouldn't be until later that I realized all those camping trips were foundational to who i am as a person today. As you mentioned, throughout COVID your relationship with nature shifted, as did mine, but not in the way you might expect. As high school became remote and isolation was made protocol, I turned my focus to my relationship with the outdoors and specifically, fishing. i spent a lot of my time during covid fishing the rivers and lakes of southern Ontario with a few of my closest friends. These moments would be carved into history and to never leave my memory.
