Explorin' with Lauryn

My Nature Interpretation Blog

[bdenvs3000f21]

Ethics within Nature

It can be debated that the very being of our ethics are developed around what we experience through nature. Nature is evident within our lives and is involved in our daily activity in some way or another. To further evaluate the role that nature has on our lives, consider the extensive interpretation work conducted by the author Richard Louv. Louv believes in connecting to the nature around us and every small detail it has to offer us, we in return are saving it at the same time. A quote from Louv (2019) regarding the importance of nature that has resonated with me within this chapter is this; 

“Will help everyone break away from their fixed gaze at the screens that dominate our lives and remember instead that we are animals in a world of animals.” 

I believe this quote stuck with me as the dominance of online forums takes over most of our lives. Although this new era of technology careers and schooling is not exactly the ideal situation, it has provided me with the opportunity to become the best nature interpreter I can be. When the pandemic became relevant, I moved back to my hometown in Northern Ontario. Growing up, I used to hate living so far away from any big cities and could not wait to get away from all the rural communities. My beliefs, perspective, and responsibilities towards the environment have been forever altered as I now am back in the North and would not want to be anywhere else. I have included a list of realizations I have now regarding nature; 

It is our duty as the next up and coming generation to highlight the importance of nature and environmental conservation as it becomes the predominant threat to society.

There is life outside the cities and this is even more relevant now that remote work is an option.

We should be interpreting nature everyday as it is all around us and is constantly changing, just like we should be doing. 

We all have responsibilities regarding nature. It is our personal duty to identify what they are and ensure we are actively participating in them.

These are just a few, but everyone has different emotions and perspectives regarding nature and our role in it. Personally, I try hard to be active in respecting nature and educating those around me in doing the same. I believe that nature and the environment should be respected the same way some groups view religion or spiritual beliefs. 

To expand on that idea, I believe that environmental education should be taught within the Canadian school system from the first day. Our young people need to be aware of the deterioration of the environment so they can become an active part of prevention rather than affecting it more without knowing. 

So how do you feel? Do you think teaching young people about their responsibilities as nature interpreters from a young age will inspire a generation of nature conservationists? 

Louv, R. (2008). Last child in the woods: Saving our children from nature-deficit disorder. Algonquin books.

Krebs, A. (1999). Ethics of nature: a map (Vol. 22). Walter de Gruyter.

[lpenvs3000f21]

Hi Brayden,

I loved reading your post this week. I also believe that our ethics are highly influenced by our connection with nature. I think of it simply as, would you hurt a child? Then why would you ever hurt an animal? Nature is alive and is constructed of organisms. We are part of nature too!

I have always lived in Toronto, and quite frankly, love the busy aspect of it. Although I do not necessarily see beauty in all of the concrete buildings, I feel that when I get to experience nature, I truly appreciate it. I have the best of both worlds, I am less than a 15 minute subway ride to downtown, but my backyard backs onto a ravine that is filled with wildlife. At night, we see foxes, racoons, skunks and coyotes and if you go for walks, you may come across a deer!

The quote you include from Louve, 2019 is a powerful one. In the last couple of decades, humanity has seen a massive generational shift with young people glued to computer and phone screens. It is not entirely our fault either, as the things that were once purely in person like work and school now mostly take place online. It has caused massive changes in our lives, and many of us wouldn’t know because we grew up with this. There was once a time where on a Friday evening, work was left at work, and your boss would not forward new tasks to your email over the weekend. Now we are in work mode all of the time, and it is hard to find time to get outside and enjoy nature. The only way for change is to advocate for change and truly understand the importance of nature.

Your list of realizations are incredibly thoughtful. With everything we know from the health effects of strenuous online work, it is our duty to highlight the importance of nature and the environment to society. You bring up a good point, that with remote work, there is life outside of the city. This can give more workers the opportunity to live in more rural areas while completing online work every day. Your other two realizations about interpreting nature as it is constantly changing, and our responsibilities regarding nature are also important points. Especially with climate change, we need to recognize the impacts of our actions and how nature is responding.

I agree that environmental education should be taught to a greater degree in primary schools. My elementary school did a decent job of this, especially around recycling. We knew from a young age the importance of reusing and recycling, conserving water and reducing emissions. I don’t know if other schools did this, but we wrote well-researched letters to the federal government regarding an environmental issue of our choice and providing ideas of how to combat the issue. Regardless of whether or not it reached the office of the Prime Minister, this activity gives young students the confidence that their actions matter, and that their voice can make a difference.

I think if I were exposed to more conservationists and scientists, my passions would have developed early. I did not know of many individuals in science, but began developing the interests in later elementary/ early high school years. As technology takes us away from nature, it has the power to bring us closer to it. It is our job as future interpreters to utilize technology to the advantage of educating people on the importance of taking care of the environment, and getting outside to enjoy it.

Great work this semester Brayden!

[ktenvs3000f21]

Humans: Guilty as Charged!

Nature has been an enchanting wonderland that I love exploring and learning about. But it wasn't always like this. I discovered my love of nature through watching countless documentaries and docuseries' on Animal Planet. Out of all the shows I watched back then, my favourites were always where humans saved domestic and non-domestic animals. However, it was usually humans that put these animals in these situations in the first place. At this moment, I realized that it was humans that were the cause of most of the environmental issues plaguing society today.

Pollution, humans do it every day - from oil spills in the ocean to our morning commute, humans are the sole contributors to most if not all pollution in the world. Humans are causing global warming and the melting of our ice caps. Humans are poaching endangered species to the point of extinction. Honestly, the list goes on and on. I wonder how ethically, we as humans, continue to participate in these harmful practices without thinking about the consequences.

Are we insane? After all, as Albert Einstein said, "insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”.Don't get me wrong; I'm guilty of this, too, at times. Most people are often unaware of how their actions may be negatively impacting the world around us. For many, ignorance is bliss. This is why I believe that our responsibility as this generation's nature interpreters is to educate and inspire people regarding issues that matter. After all, "people must care about before they care for" (Beck et al., 2018, p. 60). What is one way you are environmentally conscious in your everyday life?

This summer, I worked as a scale operator at my community recycling centre. Sounds glamourous, right? I promise it really isn't – "community recycling centre" is just a fancy way of saying community dump. I was surprised to learn just how little I knew and how little the general public knew about sorting waste through my work there. Countless times, residents would argue with me because they believed something that was considered garbage to be recyclable. As an environmental issue, I know this seems like something very minute. Still, I believe it is an excellent representation of the lack of knowledge people have regarding ecological issues as a whole. Since working there, I have taken on the responsibility of educating friends and family members on the dos and don'ts of recycling.

Did you know that although books are primarily recyclable, hardcovers are not? When you recycle a book, you need to remove the hardcover and put it into the garbage. Then the rest can go into the recycling!

I don't know about you guys but, I am an animal lover through and through. I believe that all animals, from dogs to snails, deserve respect. Here is a photo of some of the cute furry friends that I have in my life to prove this to you. Of course, I'd love to see some pictures of yours too if you'd like to share!

I believe that wild animals should remain wild. I have watched many shows where people bought and sold wild animals such as lion cubs as house pets. Once these animals grew up, people often discarded them as trash which is extremely disheartening. There is usually a misconception that if a wild animal is hand raised, they are no longer a danger to humans. When handlers learn this isn't the case many times, it is too late. Just because wild animals are not living in the wild does not mean that you've taken the "wild" out of them.

I also believe that animals should not be kept in zoos or marine aquariums; it is unethical. When necessary, I understand that wildlife rehabilitation centres can be great for educational purposes because they allow interpreters to emphasize environmental stewardship—allowing visitors to see these animals can facilitate discussion on important topics of wildlife management and conservation (Beck et al., 2018, p. 95-96). Although I know it's the best place for animals that cannot be wholly rehabilitated, I believe that no animal should have to live out the entirety of its life in a small enclosure. These enclosures often have substantial negative impacts on animals. A great example that comes to mind for me of the adverse effects of captivity on animals is that of Tilikum, the captive killer whale in the documentary Blackfish. If you haven't watched the film, I strongly suggest you do!

This video does a great job of summarizing why captivity is unethical and mentions some other unsettling cases. If you have time, have a watch and let me know some of your thoughts. Do you agree or disagree?

"Our most important audiences might be our smallest and youngest ones" (Beck et al., 2018, p. 144).

I believe it is imperative that we educate children of all ages - children are our last hope for the future (Beck et al., 2018, p. 144). This is an approach I'd love to take. I love teaching kids new things about nature, especially since I have only younger cousins and have been unintentionally doing this all my life. Children are developing their morals, values, and belief systems at young ages and, therefore, are the most impressionable (Beck et al., 2018, p.144). As interpreters, we have the privilege to shape and inspire the interest of these future generations (Beck et al., 2018, p. 144). To do so successfully, our responsibility as environmental interpreters is to provide age-appropriate environmental education (Rodenburg, 2019). It's essential to remember that children learn best through stories, experiences and discovery (Rodenburg, 2019). We must not forget that "interpreters impact the future by interpreting to children today" (Beck et al., 2018, p. 144).

There are not enough words in this post to help me describe to the full extent all the beliefs I bring to being a nature interpreter. But I can tell you that they mostly revolve around having respect for the natural world. While developing all these beliefs, I learned the importance of advocating for what is right. We learned that advocacy is defined as taking public action regarding important issues (Beck et al., 2018, p. 469). Since the environment can't advocate for itself, I believe it is my responsibility to advocate on its behalf. This can be a bit overwhelming because it seems impossible that one 22-year-old girl living in rural Caledon could make an impact. But, regardless of this, it's worth a shot! This is why I believe the conservationist approach to nature interpretation is well suited for me.

This is Karissa signing off :)

References

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage. Sagamore-Venture Publishing.

Rodenburg, J. (2019, June 17). Why environmental educators shouldn't give up hope. Clearing Magazine. https://clearingmagazine.org/archives/14300

[lpenvs3000f21]

Hi Karissa,

Overall, this is a phenomenal post. It seems like we have all grown so much over the semester and have really discovered the importance of interpretation in nature and science as a whole. You highlight Albert Einstein’s quote about the human population being insane as we repeat our actions over again and expect different results, and you tie it with the bliss of ignorance. This is an important correlation, and I know I have uttered the words “don’t tell me, I’d rather not know” when my roommate who is becoming a meteorologist scares me with pessimistic facts. However, it is very important that we all wake up to the facts that our actions are causing irreversible harm. Everyone waits for someone else to step up, and when someone does, Greta Thunberg for example, they receive hate and are shut down by the very people contributing to the problems.

You ask “what is one way you are environmentally conscious in your everyday life?”, and to begin, I understand that I have a lot to work on. First, I strive to only use the same reusable water bottle. As we all are aware, plastic water bottles are terrible for the earth but even the reusable ones end up in the landfill and take longer to be disposed of because of their strong build.

You mentioned that you worked as a scale operator at your community recycling centre in the summer. That sounds like fascinating work experience and must have been really eye-opening. I am not surprised that you came across more waste than actual recyclable material. I took a food packaging course last fall and was shocked to find out that about 91% of recyclable materials end up in the landfill, and this is often because people are not effectively cleaning their materials before throwing them in the bin! It is crucial that we have interpreters to explain the importance of properly recycling to make a difference in our environment.

You highlight your beliefs which contribute to your role as an interpreter, such as animals do not belong in captivity. I absolutely agree, our missions should be only to rehabilitate these animals to go back to the wild. The selling of animals such as wild lion cubs for house pets is a terrible and disturbing practice. I also feel this way about pet monkeys (which have been known to turn on their owners!).

I watched the video you embedded into your post and absolutely agree with everything. From the harms of breeding within the zoos to the unethical aspect that these wild animals are meant to roam long distances, yet are confined within a small area. The video also states, “kids don’t become conservationists” and studies show that zoos are not an effective learning tool.

This point ties into the idea that "Our most important audiences might be our smallest and youngest ones" (Beck et al., 2018, p. 144). Zoos are advertised as great educational tools for children, however studies are proving this is not the case. It is important that we focus on educating the younger generations on the issues within our environment without causing further destruction. This is why nature interpreters are crucial, because these individuals can teach the public about these issues through various forms like music, art and technology without causing further hard to our planet.

Excellent work this semester, Karissa! Remember that with your knowledge and scientific background, you can help make a positive difference as an interpreter!

[lpenvs3000f21]

Oh, the places we will go...

We have all come a long way from the beginning of this course, which was only two and a half months ago. I took this class out of pure curiosity but leave it with a new appreciation and understanding of the crucial necessity for nature interpreters. Nature interpreters are more important now than ever before, especially with environmental issues like climate change. Without interpreters who fully understand scientific elements and can break them down for the public to understand, societal habits will not change, thus there will be no improvement for our environment. With the number of people who lack trust in science, we need people who are passionate for science and the environment, and who are natural leaders and communicators who can teach the public effectively.

There are many skills I had never considered for this profession. One of the most important ones I learned over this semester is being able to convey information to people of all ages, backgrounds and learning styles. When I think back to the most impactful lectures I attended through university, or even the lessons that remain with me from elementary school, they have something in common, and that is engagement. I remember the lessons where professors asked for volunteers to help test a hypothesis, or the teachers who incorporated a game into their lesson for better understanding and hands-on experiences. It is important to keep learners active and engaged to make an impactful lesson. “No matter how much confidence we may have in our science and our professional procedures, no matter how enthusiastic and polished our presentations, the audience ultimately decides if the resource has value. The audience determines if they will care enough about the resource in order to support the care for the resource” (Beck et al, 2018, p.130).

I also discovered over this semester, the power in reducing homogeneity. Prior to this course, I would have formulated a public work that was very general, something that regardless of culture, ethnicity, age or gender, an individual could relate to. I now know that this is unrealistic and an inefficient way of drawing in an audience. Rather, a good interpreter does the opposite. An interpreter should make it a priority to get to know their audience on a personal level, understand their motives for being present and listening, and learn how to properly welcome them, eliminating any barriers that could inhibit public interest. As Pease (2015) found, economic barriers, cultural barriers, lack of knowledge, and fear are the most common factors leading to reduced groups of minorities participating in interpretive programs (Beck et al, 2018, p.133). Rather than staying broad in topic, learn your audience and find specific ways of assisting them such as by providing transportation to the site, personally inviting groups of minority, incorporating media and additional languages, and increasing staff diversity (Beck et al, 2018).

Through making two podcasts, one for children and one for adults, I understand the power of language. Listening to a podcast can be hard, especially when the presenters sound unenthusiastic, therefore it is important to rehearse, recognize how you sound and even receive feedback from outsiders since we all learn differently. We must also consider everyone’s invisible backpack, how their past experiences influence their thoughts and ability to connect with different symbols leading to their sovereignty. As Freeman Tilden stated: “The visitor ultimately is seeing things through his own eyes” (Beck et al, 2018, p.131). It is important to think outside the box, if you haven’t convinced someone through one method, keep trying because your ideology will likely resonate with them in some other way.

In terms of my personal ethic, I have been described as punctual, literal, a good communicator and hard worker. While these traits have helped me in many ways, such as by staying on task, finishing assignments with plenty of time to spare and following instruction, my work ethic has been my own demise in other ways. I have more trouble writing a blog than I do an essay, as blog posts require self-reflection and less formality. It took a while for me to find the balance between being too textbook-ish, and too informal.

However, my personal ethic can help me in other ways to be a good interpreter! First, I am very punctual. I have never taken an extension on any assignment and strive to never take one. This is necessary for certain interpreters such as podcast hosts. If the host of a podcast promises their listeners to have new content every Sunday at 2pm, it is essential that the timeline is met to keep their listeners trust and loyalty. Or for instance in my position as a host for Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, there is an audience of classrooms waiting at exactly the stated time, therefore it is important to log in early to meet the scientist, ensure there are no technical issues and go live on time. Although I am just another face within the organization, it is important to remember that each staff member and volunteer represents the organization as a whole.

With the new knowledge I have acquired, I am going to work on enhancing my oral and written communication skills but also listening skills. It is easy to assume everyone will share the same feelings toward something as you do, but we all have different interests and experiences leading us to our destinations. While I love coyotes and the peace my seasonal job at my local cemetery brings me, many people fear both of those things! However, someone may share my feeling if I explain that for eight hours a day, I get to enjoy being surrounded by nature, tending the earth, spotting deer, and watching coyote families play in the distance like puppies, of course in addition to strenuous physical labour! I am going to work on incorporating art into my storytelling, through photography and music. I cannot wait to continue this journey of nature interpretation, and I am excited to see the adventures that all of you will go on!

Reference

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

[ktenvs3000f21]

Sea Shepherds

Hey everyone,

This week, I found it difficult to relate our weekly reading to our blog post prompt. However, while reading this week’s chapter, the section on advocacy in action interested me and got me thinking. I wanted to come on here and share some of my thoughts with you guys.

Interpretation provides people with knowledge in ways that encourage and inspire. We have learned that nature interpretation is a great tool that can be used to educate the public on environmental issues. Some issues include climate change, deforestation, water quality, invasive species, endangered species, etc. The list is endless. Advocacy is present in many interpretive programs. Advocacy means taking public action on important issues (Beck et al., 2018). Public advocacy can often be risky to organizations and have consequences (Beck et al., 2018). However, if done right, there can be great rewards. This includes establishing a deeper connection with clientele and making a difference in the world (Beck et al., 2018).

The textbook talks about a marine advocacy organization called Aquarium, whose mission is “to inspire conservation of the ocean” (Beck et al., 2018).

“Overfishing, pollution, and climate change have put the ocean in a precarious position, endangering not just marine life but all life on Earth. But, together, we can turn the tide if we act now (Beck et al., 2018, pp. 470)."

This got me thinking about a marine wildlife advocacy group, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, that I watched on Animal Planet. They are an international organization whose mission is the protection of marine life. They partner with governments in different countries to identify and capture criminal groups engaging in illegal fishing activity. They are very well known for their fight again whaling in Japan. However, their tactics are sometimes very extreme. They often try to destroy fishing gear and fishing vessels in the water. Many people debate if this is good or bad for the conservation movement. Would you consider this reckless advocacy? Check them out for yourself visit https://seashepherd.org or check out the video below (0:46).

I see their extreme measures as being very dangerous and unnecessary at times. However, their methods have helped them reach a fair amount of success. I wonder if they would be as successful without using these extreme measures sometimes though desperate times call for desperate measures.

Have you ever heard of this group? If so, I’d be interested to see people weigh in on the debate.

Keep in mind there is no right or wrong answer. This is a safe space for everyone to share their ideas.

Until next time,

Karissa

References

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

[lpenvs3000f21]

Hi Karissa!

This is an excellent post. I too, had trouble with the blog prompt this week because there are so many amazing and significant things about nature, that it is difficult to choose one. However, after learning about the roles of nature interpreters through this course, I have come to realize the importance of choosing an area of science and nature and becoming very knowledgeable and passion about it to share it with others. Although you say you had trouble with the prompt this week, I can assure you that you did a great job in talking about an issue that you feel passionate about, it resonated with me!

I have heard of the documentary Seaspiracy and have been wanting to watch it for quite some time, but school and work has just been too busy. Unit your post, I have never heard of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, but through reading your blog, I can appreciate their mission. However, you mention that their actions can be rather harsh, causing controversy around their organization. Upon doing my own research, I have found more negative impacts than positive as a result of this organization’s actions. Although not from a credible source, there is a video of them ramming into a Japanese whaling ship, which makes a good point, but puts humans and wildlife at risk of danger. They apparently destroy scientific resources set out for further exploration, which although they are doing for the good of ocean wildlife, actually causes further harm and pollution.

I absolutely agree with your logic, that desperate times call for desperate measures. I am a firm believer in this and was advocating this at the beginning of the pandemic for example, for a strict lockdown right off the bat to avoid a long duration of partial lockdowns, which was the outcome. But in this scenario with Sea Shepherd, I am unsure of whether their harsh measures are worth the risks. I will continue to research and learn about this organization and others, as the state of our oceans is only worsening with time and human activity. Great work this week, I look forward to reading your next blog!

[lpenvs3000f21]

The most amazing thing I know about nature...

I believe that nature is too intricate to deem one phenomenon as “the most amazing thing I know about nature”. Nature is incredibly fascinating as it serves both aesthetic and functional purposes, yet requires so many of the same things other organisms need to survive and reproduce.

One of the most fascinating aspects of nature, and the world as a whole, to me is evolution and adaptation. A concept which further proves the idea that everything happens for a reason. A few weeks ago, I hosted a live virtual event with the Toucan Rescue Ranch in Costa Rica, a non-profit foundation that rescues and rehabilitates many different mammals and birds. Sloths are not an animal I know much about, and so having the opportunity to both host the event and learn about sloths was an incredible experience. Although I knew that sloths move slowly, I did not consider the reason behind this trait. I learned that sloths have the capability of moving very quickly, however they move slowly to conserve energy. They eat very little as their metabolism is slow, and defecate only once every one to two weeks! One child in the event asked the expert, “are sloths smart?”, and to my surprise, he answered that no, sloths are not intelligent at all. This got me thinking of my own perceptions of intelligence. Up until that moment, I was crediting the sloths on their intelligence by means of their energy conservation capabilities, however, this logic would be equivalent to calling a plant intelligent for its ability to photosynthesize. I would argue however, that sloths can be intelligent on their own terms to react to danger. Obviously, there evolutionary traits have allowed them to survive up to this point in time. In the next paragraph, I will briefly explain evolution and mutation the way I would for a younger audience (primary school aged) to get them interested and curious in the topic.

Evolution and adaptation occurs over many generations, and the time frame depends on the lifespan of the organism. For example, while humans have not been able to see human evolution in our lifetime, we see it all around us in other ways. Think of the Covid-19 virus, and mutations that occurred to this virus over two years. This phenomenon occurs because of gene sequencing, or copying errors when the virus replicates its RNA. While this seems confusing, imagine playing the game broken telephone, where one person whispers a message into someone else’s ear, and that person whispers what they heard to the next person and so on. Often, especially with many players, the message at end of the line is slightly different than the original. This is basically what occurs when gene sequences are being copied. Where it gets interesting is what happens to the organism with the slightly different DNA or RNA sequence in the environment, especially when it’s phenotype, or visual appearance of the expressed gene changes. If you picture a white frog and green frog, which will survive longer? Well, if the frog spends most of its time in the grass, then the green one will camouflage better than the white one, which will be easily spotted by predators. Because this green frog blends in with its environment, there is a higher chance it will live on to reproduce, and its offspring, or children, will live on to reproduce also! Although a mutation changing the colour expressed on an organism arises as a mistake, it increases the chance of survival, gets passed on through generations and results in an evolutionary change!

In the explanation above, I tried to incorporate a “concrete operations” approach, where I use a multisensory example to simplify a complicated biological process (Beck et al., 2018). Most children would understand upon illustration how different a green frog and a while frog would blend in grass. I also related the process to a common game played by children, and even if an individual has never played, can hopefully understand the relation of the game to the replication process through my description.

I would love to know, what would you change about my explanation to better suit a young audience? I look forward to reading your responses and blogs to see what amazes you most about nature!

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

[kamenvs3000f21-deactivated20220]

Where is music in nature? Different animals make different sounds and when they come together, they can create a musical performance. DJ Eco Tone provides excellent examples of this by mashing up different animal sounds to create songs. Different animals have different roles in his songs with some being part of the intro and outro, others being part of the whole melody, and a select few being part of the bridge.

When I go for walks in my neighbourhood, I can identify some of these ‘performers’. During the spring, the calls of the spring peepers can be heard throughout the whole 3km loop. I can still hear the birds singing their mating calls, but they are nearly drained out by the spring peepers. Once the summer rolls around the peepers fade and the robins and red squirrels take over. Those darn red squirrels are constantly chattering!! Songs from blue jays and crows dominate the fall skies with howling wolves making special appearances. The black capped chickadees bring in the new year signalling the beginning of a new performance lineup.

Where is nature in music? Let’s look at what defines music:

“Music has been defined as patterns of sound varying in pitch and time produced for emotional, social, cultural, and cognitive purposes” (Gray et al., 2001)

Once again, we can fall back on bird calls. The black capped chickadee has 8 distinct calls. These calls have different purposes and vary in pitch and time; fitting the description of music perfectly. The most common call ‘chicka-dee-dee-dee‘ is used when a threat is nearby. The more ‘dees’ added on, the more severe the threat is. The range in notes is small and speed of the call is fast making the message seem alarming. The Halloween movie theme song has a similar speed, a small range, and also gives off an alarming response. 

The ‘hey sweetie’ or ‘cheese-burger’ call is used by males to attract mates. This call has a bigger range, longer notes, and is much cheerier sounding. The females are attracted to the song. Now if we look at L.O.V.E by Frank Sinatra, we can see that is also has a bigger range, long notes, and sounds happy.

I am sure there are more comparisons out there, but these are the 2 that I came up with and found quite interesting. More information on the chickadee calls can be found here:

https://youtu.be/LfMsUuU9KtQ

The first song that came to mind when asked what song takes you back immediately to a natural landscape is Old Pine by Ben Howard. I was introduced to this song at summer camp by one of my camp councillor friends. We were planning on preforming a song around the campfire but weren’t sure what song we wanted to do. He asked if I knew who Ben Howard was and proceeded to play Old Pine. We were sitting outside the dining hall, guitars in hand, watching the sun start to set with Ben Howard’s beautiful acoustic guitar playing in the background. If I had had enough time to learn the song, I would have 100% preformed it because it was perfect for the campfire! If you listen to the lyrics he is talking about sleeping outside beside the campfire gazing up and the starry night sky. The photo at the beginning is from that campfire where we ended up preforming Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Kate

[lpenvs3000f21]

Hi Kate!

I loved reading your blog this week! Your analyzation of bird calls in music was really fascinating. You talk about DJ Eco Tone and his ability to incorporate animal sounds into his music. Until this week, I did not realize the educational benefit of this and how many artists actually use animal sounds in their music to create a certain feeling for their listeners! It is evident that you have a lot of knowledge on birds and their calls. Many people listen to music when they go on a walk and while I enjoy this occasionally, I often enjoy just listening to the birds and the sounds of nature, even if I cannot identify which birds I am hearing. You have inspired me to learn some of Ontario’s most common bird sounds so that when I go on my next walk, I can identify them!

You do a great job of relating bird calls to Halloween or horror movie music. Bird calls can be eerie sometimes, or at least, to me they can be. Reading this part of your blog reminded me of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds main theme song. The tones used are frightening, but also incorporate bird calls and sounds of flapping wings, which is a great way to spark fright among viewers for the following scenes to come. However, bird calls can be quite beautiful, and you mention how female birds are attracted to the longer notes and bigger range by the male birds. You compared this to the song L.O.V.E by Frank Sinatra, which would never have come to my mind, but you are absolutely right! The long notes and wide range helps to make the song cheery. I also think the simplicity of the instrumentals help to keep the song light and uncluttered in a sense!

Lastly, I had never heard of Old Pine by Ben Howard until reading your post, but after listening to the song, I can say it is absolutely beautiful. I definitely understand how this song brings you to nature. In my blog post, I mention how many songs with the acoustic guitar as the only or main instrument in addition to light percussion helps to keep the song light and natural. Songs like this bring me back to nature too! The song you ended up performing at your campfire is a classic and great one that also radiates nature! Great work this week, I look forward to reading your other blogs!

[lpenvs3000f21]

Where is nature in music? Where is music in nature?

We all have different preferences when it comes to music. While I do not particularly enjoy today’s pop and rap, I absolutely love 60s, 70s, and 80s music. I also like random songs here and there, ones that contain flowing instrumentals and messages. For example, I love the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac because their songs tell stories, rather than songs with derogatory messages (or no message at all, and what seems to be constant swearing). While I may have a granny-ish music taste, many of my friends enjoy rap and today’s pop for their own reasons. Even though all genres of music are different, every one of them shares the commonality of providing listeners with a type of feeling.

In this scientific review, the authors highlight the possibility that our ability to create, understand and communicate through music could be in our genes. They emphasize how other animal species such as birds and whales communicate through music and follow intervals similar or the same as our scales. This gives support to the theory that music capabilities could be hereditary. This article claims that wildlife do not solely make music vocally, but also use instrumentals though flapping their wings or pounding on objects. On the human level, the researchers suggest there is a deep need to create, perform and listen to music as this is present in every culture, and has been for thousands of years.

The idea of nature being in music is one that I have not given much thought to until starting this week’s unit. Wildlife DJ takes this quite literally as he takes sounds from animals to make music. I think this is a neat way of bringing an aspect of wildlife to people who cannot necessarily access or relate to it. I am a host for an organization called Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, where the mission is very similar. This organization brings science and conservation to students through live streams all around the world with scientists and researchers. Last week, I hosted live events at the Toucan Rescue Ranch in Costa Rica, from home, for classrooms. This is something those young students and I would never have the opportunity to do without technology. I appreciate Wildlife DJ’s determination and creativity through making his music while providing an educational experience!

I have many songs which bring me to a natural landscape. As I work in a cemetery, I am always listening to music, and even have a playlist called “Cem Jams”. One song that I added to that playlist that brings me to a natural landscape every time is “Peaceful Easy Feeling” by the Eagles. Not that it has an abundance of nature-talk in it, but the simplicity of the acoustics and voices brings me to a calm state as if I were out in nature. The first time I heard this song was when I was six years-old driving to Florida with my family. I can picture the sunsetting behind the mountains as we were driving through Georgia. The sounds of nature are simple, peaceful and do not contain electric tones, which is one reason I believe songs like this bring me to nature.

I am excited to see what songs bring you to a natural landscape and to see how they are similar and different from my song!

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Nature & 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.

This quote shares a very important message as it emphasizes the historical impact the world has on us today and without it, we wouldn’t where we are. Personally, history is not something I dwell on, however I understand that it is crucial to keep record of our past. Whatever we learned in our past whether it is success or failure, we can apply those lessons learned to our day-to-day life. Fully acknowledging our past will allow us to move forward in inspiring and creating more amazing things! A great example of this, is all the beautiful historical architecture downtown Toronto. Unfortunately a lot of them have been demolished to restore new more modern looking buildings. However those that are still standing, provide a lot of character for our city and reminds us of all the hard work and infrastructure that went into building these monuments. Without these buildings, one can see that a lot of the historical influence is gone and it we can be forgetful on how influential these buildings were at one time. Having these buildings still in place provide a memory and knowledge of ancient things. I do appreciate how a lot of the new architecture is still keeping some of the old character and building around it.

A lot of the nature we see around us is new and what it was once was, was not previously kept or preserved. It is either man made or a new landscape has been developed. Because of this, a lot of the history is lost and we interpret nature in a different way not because of it. Although a lot of our forestry now has been restored which allows us to interpret the historical nature mixed in with the new. By restoring nature, we are keeping a memory and an understanding of the history that was once there. This quote is also saying that even though a lot of our historical discoveries are not with us today, it does not mean that they do not exist. We shouldn’t think that just because we can’t see the history, means it’s not there. For example the textbook discussed tragedies such as the holocaust. In high school, my history class had a unit that was dedicated to educating students about the holocaust. Despite not living through these terrible tragedies, we still understand the impact it has had on millions of lives and we continue to educate people about it.

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Hi Loren!

I loved reading your post this week. I am also not one to dwell on history or the past however, recently I have been seeing the importance in keeping physical things from the past intact as a learning tool for the future generations. You bring up an excellent point of how some newer buildings, especially in Toronto keeps some of the character from old buildings. I wish that our cities would stop tearing down historical monuments because there is so much importance and many stories behind each building!

You make great connections between the preservation of historical artifacts and the preservation of nature. It feels like more land is being stripped for commercial development rather than being preserved which is detrimental for our ecosystems. You mention how a lot of our forestry has been restored which is reassuring, however we need to work toward further improvement. With climate change increasing, and meteorologists stating that we have reached a point of no return, it is terrifying to think that more damage than restoration still occurs. This course has taught me the importance of nature interpretation, and the role interpreters have of influencing the public.

We both bring up the Holocaust in our posts as the textbook highlights this tragedy and this event is of major importance. While I definitely agree with your logic that we did not have to live this experience to be knowledgeable about it, our knowledge stems from books, and stories passed through generations. I think it is crucial to have something tangible, it does not have to be an artifact from the event itself, but at a bare minimum, a document proving it occurred. It is so important to keep evidence with us to continue teaching future generations on past realities without fabricating or missing details.

Excellent work this week Loren, and I look forward to reading more of your blogs!

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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).

This is quite a quote to unpack! In simpler terms, I believe the author is saying that there is no more meaning in an older item than a modern day item, however, there is a distant memory in that older item. This quote is especially applicable to today’s way of life since we are so much more technologically advanced than a century ago, and we live life in a completely different way than our ancestors. The best way I can symbolize this quote is through old architecture which are kept as historical sites today. Why do we keep these buildings? Many of the artistic elements were accomplished by hand, all the engraved artwork we see on buildings such as Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate church in Guelph took hard work, precision and time. By going to such sites and reading the signage, one can imagine what was occurring at the time it was built, and can appreciate the dedication and vision of the artist. As Alan Leftridge said, writing is “intended to make intellectual and emotional connections between the reader and the resource, and it is goal-directed, with the intent of eliciting a pro-social response from readers” (Beck et. al, 2018). I now realize the accuracy in this statement, especially in this moment after summarizing my interpretation of the quote above. We will all have different interpretations of that quote, and different imagery will come to our minds due to our different past experiences!

The second part of this quote introduces a metaphor which I have thought of many times in my life because it feels so true. That when pieces of history are abolished, they are forgotten, and this sums up our own lives and fate. I often think if I were to die tomorrow, who will remember me? What could I possibly be remembered for? I really started thinking about this when I began working at my local cemetery, and had the realization that many of the people laying there to rest died before I was even born, therefore we never could have crossed paths. Sometimes, I would search up their names if they stuck out to me, or if they had an interesting image engraved on their stone and discovered that some of them were well known in the area, especially for their services! But, that stone is one of the only reminders that this was in fact a living being. My perspective was solidified after reading this week’s chapters when I came across this quote by David McCullough: “we need the past of our sense of who we are. We need the past for a sense of our civic responsibility, how all these benefits and freedoms came to us, and what it is our duty to protect” (Beck et. al, 2018). People who succeed in life, and who work for the good of their community despite not having a personal gain are remembered after they are gone. It is a thought that pushes me to keep moving forward, and to keep aiming for success and to be a helping hand in my community because if I don’t, I will just be another name on a gravestone.

It is important to propel forward in life, but to keep history with us. The textbook emphasizes tragedies such as the Holocaust and Residential Schools. These are terrible events which even though have not occurred in most of our lives, must be learned about to avoid being repeated. If we lose evidence of such events including sites, artifacts, and stories by those impacted, we risk forgetting the devastating impacts, thus are more likely to repeat these actions in the future.

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

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COVID-19 and the Importance of Nature (Free Write)

With thanksgiving coming to an end, I believe it is important to consistently be grateful for our privileges and what nature has to offer us. This year, I was most grateful to be at a family gathering that did not consist of only my internal family and I. Well I was surrounded by relatives for the first time in almost a year and a half, it made me think about what positive factors happened during the pandemic. The ongoing quarantine and isolations was some of the most stressful times of our lives. Nature has become the saving grace for so many people. Here are some that I identified a long with some articles that I find interesting-

1. Curbed carbon emissions during 2020

The government enforced quarantine made people isolate in order to help reduce COVID-19 cases. With the lack of travel, emissions were reduced greatly and for this first time in a long time, the ozone layer began to heal. Although the reduction was minuscule, I believe this sparked hope in many environmentalist.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41557-020-0535-z

2. A greater appreciation for the outdoors

The University of Vermont conducted a study that asked respondents if they had increased participation in outdoor activities. With this information they concluded that wildlife watching was up %64, photography and art was up 54% and relaxing outdoors was up 58%. This time gave people the opportunity to truly appreciate nature and realize how they interpret it.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-has-the-pandemic-influenced-our-relationship-with-nature

3. Less scepticism towards science

The intense research, endless trials, and speed of the vaccine advancements has exposed the possibilities of science. Beyond this, exploring and discovering what the environment provides us with has made people more open minded. Science is something I have always been passionate about and the recognition that it has gained is inspiring.  

https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2020/trust-in-science-and-covid-19

These are just a few of what the pandemic has done to our environment. Although as we enter the ‘fourth wave’, many of these statistics have changed. I continue to be grateful for the advancements that we have made. 

Beyond the scientific aspects of what the pandemic has caused, I am also grateful for my own experience with nature over this period. I have appreciated wildlife, hiking trails, and even my own backyard more than I ever have. My ability to interpret nature and share it with those around me has gone from a coping mechanism to a lifestyle.

This is one of my favourite moments from the spring of 2020. Everyone that was on the road experienced their own form of nature interpretation and an appreciation for wildlife (or at least I did!)

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Hi Brayden!

I loved reading your post this week. I am so happy to hear that you got to see your family this Thanksgiving, I saw most of mine as well, and it was really nice to experience a somewhat normal Thanksgiving (hoping Christmas will be the same)! You included many relevant articles in your post, which shed light on the positive outcomes of this year! I know that personally through this pandemic, I have gained a higher appreciation for the outdoors and believe that this appreciation will only continue to grow, even after we return to our normal lives. The third article showing that many more people are less skeptical to science is such a relief. I have seen my own friends and family research the vaccines, and learn the mechanisms of how they work to provide immunity. There will always be non-believers, but it is great to see more people gain interest in science, especially children! I feel the same way about being grateful for my experience through this pandemic. I have been so incredibly fortunate to not lose any loved ones, and to remain safe and healthy while still able to complete school. You say it perfectly, that your ability to interpret nature and share it has gone from a coping mechanism to a lifestyle, and I hold this true to myself as well! Also, that is an incredible video you captured! Are they moose, or maybe elk? I’m sorry for my cluelessness, but regardless, what an amazing thing to witness!

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Week Five Free Written Blog!

I cannot believe we are more than halfway done our fifth week of the fall semester! I remember walking to my seminar on campus three years ago thinking to myself how fast the next three years would fly by just the way high school did, but surprisingly, it felt quicker.

I have found week 5 and 6 to always be the most intense weeks of the semester. This is the time when we have midterms, essays due, and must work the hardest on group projects. On top of that, I am applying to law school and graduate programs and volunteering. This may be the most important year of my life as I need to continue networking with peers and professors, maintain high grades, and ultimately choose my career path which I will be immersed in probably until the day I retire.

With all this stress, I have not been enjoying nature as much as I want to. The last time I stepped outside was Monday morning, and that was just to sit in a car to come back to Guelph after the Thanksgiving weekend. Fall is one of my favourite times of the year because the leaves on the trees turn to a beautiful array of reds, oranges and yellows, and the air becomes cooler and crisper. I feel that this time (especially at the peak of its beauty) goes by so quickly, and I have not had the chance to enjoy it! As written in chapter three of our textbook according to Aristotle:

“leisure time is the resource of true citizenship, that individuals should be able to use leisure time well. Leisure is better than work and is its end”.

While hard work is crucial in achieving academic and professional success, so is leisure. Leisure does not suggest laziness, rather to me, means to engage in other hobbies, learn new things to help you grow as a person and to enjoy life. For example, maybe you find leisure in art, books, podcasts, athletics or even just a walk in the Arboretum! “Pleasant experiences seem necessary to maintain a high quality of life. They increase self-reliance and self-esteem, improve mental and physical health, and alleviate anxiety” (Beck et. al, 2018). This is important for all of us to remember, as we are all in the same boat with the stress of school. I have made it my goal for these next two weeks to go on at least a twenty minute walk daily. Hopefully once the craziness dissipates, I can enjoy longer walks or take up my hobbies. This is a healthier break than scrolling through social media or watching Netflix because let’s be honest, most of us do this every few hours without realizing! I hope that you are continuing to enjoy nature (especially while it is still warm outside), and if you have fallen off-track the way I have, get back into it! Take a few minutes every day to get away from your computer and immerse yourself in something you love! Best of luck on your midterms and assessments!

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

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Interpreting Nature Through Art - Unit 4

One of the things that makes art so incredible is how everyone can interpret things in their own way. As I have expressed in previous blog posts, I believe that our experiences and upbringing inspire how we interpret the world. Our previous experiences shape the way we view the world and in turn, influence how we interpret nature. Art is one of the most unrestricted forms to express how you interpret anything in the world. There is no limit to the various mediums used to create art and no boundaries on human creativity. When looking to interpret nature through art, these principles endure. Two artists could look at the same pine tree and create vastly different works. The endless possibilities of interpretations and artistic expression, coupled with the natural variability of the environment, make it a perfect subject for creative works.

I like to believe that I interpret the gift of beauty with an open mind. As Jan Van Boeckel mentions in one of our supplemental readings, “Arts-based environmental education can engage us with natural phenomena in unfamiliar ways and makes space for the unforeseen” (Boeckel, 2015). When interpreting art, I like to challenge myself to think differently and outside of my established schemas. One of the ways I do this is by imagining myself being in that space with the artist at the time of creation. What were they feeling, what were they thinking. What was the state of the world at the time, and how would that have impacted their creation process. I enjoy pushing myself to imagine what it must have been like for an artist to try and translate nature’s immense beauty into something that can be shared with others.

Art can speak to both our emotional and intellectual rationales. As a student with a passion for environmental education, I enjoy interpreting art not only for its beauty but also to try and apply some of the knowledge I have gained through my studies. For example, when looking at a work of nature art, can I identify the trees in the background or the species of fish and birds. Looking at art through an emotional and educational lens adds depth to the way I interpret nature through art.

This past summer, I hiked along the Centennial Ridges Trail within Algonquin Park. Before leaving the trail head, I picked up one of the interpretive trail guides to read along the hike. At post marker #8, the pamphlet explained that we were currently at a spot known as Thomsons Cloud looking over Cloud Lake. The Thomsons Cloud trail marker was named after the great Canadian artist Tom Thompson to pay homage to the places he used to visit within the park. Although there is no record of Tom visiting cloud lake specifically, the stop was named after him because it encapsulates the tranquility and beauty he would have liked to paint. I remember reading the passage and looking out over the still water and rocky cliffs and thinking about what it must have been like to be an early explorer documenting Algonquin park’s beauty. Being able to immerse myself in natural settings while viewing the space through an artist’s lens has given me a greater appreciation for both nature’s beauty and the talent of those who can capture it in their work.

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Hi Ryan!

I loved reading your blog this week. You are absolutely right, that our interpretation of art can differ greatly based on our past experiences, and that two artists can look at the same piece and interpret it in a completely different way! I notice through your analyzation of the “gift of beauty”, that you truly pay attention to detail. You say that when you look at a piece of art, you distinguish the species of wildlife, which shows your passion and knowledge for environmental studies! You mention about how art is interpreted for its beauty, but also for what it can teach us. This is very true, as through Boeckel’s quote: "Arts-based environmental education can engage us with natural phenomena in unfamiliar ways and makes space for the unforeseen". Art can tell many stories, and teach individuals so much about each other and the world around us. The way you perceive art and take the time to analyze and think broadly about the details demonstrates your skills in interpretation!

Your hike along the Centennial Ridges Trail this past summer sounds like an incredible experience! Whereas I often walk past trail markers, you took the time to not only read it, but try to see the landscape from the lens of both the writer and Tom Thompson’s artistic perspective. It must have been amazing to see the view of Cloud Lake with your own invisible backpack, and with the visions of Tom Thompson in mind.

I would love to know, are there any forms of art that you use to share your passion for environmental interpretation to others? I look forward to reading more of your blogs this semester!

-Lauryn

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Interpreting the “Gift of Beauty”...

The principle which correlates with the gift of beauty is “interpretation should instill in people the ability, and the desire, to sense beauty in their surroundings- to provide spiritual uplift and to encourage resource preservation” (Beck et. al, 2018). I believe this principle goes in hand with Tilden’s (1967) quote, “information, as such, is not interpretation” (Beck et. al, 2018). Individuals must have some form of connection to a historical or natural site, whether it is a love for history, a love for nature, or patriotism, to be passionate for it. As a kid, I was never amused by art galleries or museums. Although I found particular sections or pieces interesting, I thought overall, they were boring, and maybe this is due to a lack of connection or understanding to what is inside the museum. After reading the textbook chapters, this concept makes sense to me now. As I have grown older and learned about specific issues, I have become more interested in history! This logic can be applied to anything, especially nature. While I have always been drawn to nature, I knew a few children growing up who did not share the same enthusiasm. Our passions and curiosity depend on what we already know and connect with. Through the last few weeks, I have learned that it is possible to teach others to relate to nature, not through coercion, but through guidance and symbolism that they can interpret. I have always been fascinated by the art that nature provides, and the imagery that resonates with me and brings me back to glimpses of my childhood. Moments such as when the sky appears lavender on a snowy, January night, or how the sidewalk illuminates a bright white as the sky gets darker and darker before a thunderstorm. I have always loved hearing the cicadas in the trees reminding me how hot it is outside, and the cheeriness of fall when the leaves turn orange. I wish I could share these glimpses with others, and thankfully for technology and art, this is achievable.

Chapter ten delves into different artistic methods of interpretation. Although I am not an artist, I enjoy teaching myself to play instruments, but I am not skilled enough to positively impact others through my music. I do however, love writing, photography, and videography and find that through these, I can express my love for nature. I have not truly engaged in photography since high school, but I think it would be great to invest in a camera and just start somewhere! The picture above was taken in 2015 with the iPhone 5C, so the quality isn’t great, but it gives the perspective of what a squirrel or insect sees, and I think that is pretty fun!

Do you interpret nature through art? If so, in what ways? I look forward to seeing your blogs this week and to learn about the ways you share your love of nature to others!

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

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Privileges in Nature Interpretation

Its often difficult to acknowledge privileges but I can easily acknowledge that when it comes to Nature I have been very privileged in my life. I grew up in the foothills of Alberta and an hour away from Banff National Park. I regularly saw animals as they travel through the area. I was able to camp often and from a young age enjoyed interpreter presentation. My parents loved the outdoors and brought us to play in the wilderness often. We also travelled through BC and to the coast and Vancouver Island. We had a camper, all the gear and my parents had the paid vacation time to go. I know thats not something everyone gets. This has given me an advantage in seeking employment in the Parks, part of that is just the privilege of knowing how to do that. Banff is a weird place to live and I have been stressed about our rent here, but the fact that I make enough to live here in a brand new apartment with my dog, cat and husband is privilege. 

A big part of the reason I want to work for parks is to pay it forward, I want to give back as I know that its not anything I did that gave me the childhood in the wilderness. It was a gift from my parents but also the people who value the parks, made them exist and made it their lifes work to pass that value on to as many people as possible. 

There is work to be done in making national parks more accessible to those that are not afforded these grand natural opportunities from birth. 

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Hi Shannyn,

I loved reading your post this week and learning about your perspective on the meaning of privilege. It sounds like you grew up surrounded by nature, and that you and your family are very in tune with nature! I believe this quality has contributed to your love for parks and the wilderness. Those trips through BC, the coast, and Vancouver Island sound remarkable, and I hope to someday soon, rent a camper and go on similar trips! My parents also enjoy the outdoors and go for weekly walks and hikes, which I think has sparked my love for nature too. I was always encouraged to play outside, and as a family we spent much of our summers playing sports, going to the cottage, and exploring different trails. Except, I have never been able to convince my mom to go camping, or even ‘glamping’! That is something I will just have to share with my friends and future family.

Your main reason for wanting to work for parks is very inspiring. You are right in that your childhood was made possible through your parents, those who valued the parks and those who continue to make these parks a public destination for all to enjoy. This is something I have not given much thought to, and I thank you for highlighting this because it is important to recognize and give credit to everyone involved in making these natural opportunities possible! It is evident that you are passionate for nature interpretation, and this quality is fundamental to inspire others, especially the younger generations. It was great to hear from you this week and I look forward to our future conversations!

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Role of privilege in nature interpretation...

The definition of privilege to me, are traits affecting an individual which are out of their control but result in their own personal advantages. I am very aware and grateful of my privileges and often think to myself, could I be this lucky in my next life? I am Caucasian and a fluent English speaker living in a beautiful neighbourhood in the greatest country in the world. My parents have helped me pay for my schooling and will continue to support me in my studies. I have a recurring seasonal job that I do not have to worry about losing. I also have a great support system of family and close friends.

I never considered the importance of recognizing privilege as a nature interpreter, but after working through this unit, I realize it is crucial. As Tilden Freeman said, “The visitor ultimately is seeing things through his own eyes” (Beck et. al, 2018). No matter how I perceive nature, or try to influence other’s perceptions, they will be carrying their own invisible backpack due to their past experiences. Considering this, I see the importance of not coercing the visitor, rather, providing an experience which they can interpret through their own values and understanding.

It is important to recognize barriers which may prevent visitors from being able to engage, such as economic barriers (not having a means of transportation or residency on their stay), cultural barriers (differences in history, family dynamic or values) and communication barriers (not being able to speak or understand English fluently) (Beck et. al, 2018). As an interpreter, it is important to remember these factors, and try to create a welcoming, diverse atmosphere. This can be accomplished through providing transportation to visitors such as through dedicated busses or cars to bring visitors to the site. Cultural barriers can be reduced by personally inviting minority populations, and by including them in the planning and programing. This way, interpreters can be more accommodating and ultimately, learn how to be more inclusive. With language barriers, additional languages in self-guided tours can be incorporated, or even through QR codes. The visitor can scan a QR code, select their preferred language and read about the site on their device. Additionally, a lack of diversity among interpreters has been an issue resulting in cultural barriers, and by hiring more interpreters of different ethnicities, backgrounds and spoken languages, more visitors can relate and feel welcomed (Beck et. al, 2018).

Along with groups of minorities, we must remember the visitors with disabilities and the differences among people of different age groups. It is crucial to treat all visitors as people, and not talk down to anyone regardless of their disability. However, it is equally important to accommodate to them, such as making sites wheelchair accessible, or providing auditory or visual tours. With differences in age, I did not consider for instance, that young children would benefit from tactile objects and activities to keep them engaged in learning about the site. Another point the textbook mentions is the importance of accommodating to seniors through allotting day time hours for them (rather than early morning or night) as not to conflict with their sleep schedules. The elderly often has more time through being retired and are more generous with their money to fund programs, therefore many programs should be available to them. Teenagers are an age group which is often forgotten, but important because this is the group which becomes passionate and engaged in action groups, such as for climate change. It is important to inspire and accommodate to this age group to spark their interest and prove that they can make a difference in our environment (Beck et. al, 2018).

I enjoyed reflecting upon privilege this week as there is so much to consider when creating programs and tours for the public as a nature interpreter. I would love to know, what other ways do you think we can be more accommodating to all visitors, and make everyone feel welcome and included? Also, in what ways can we appeal to teenagers and young adults specifically to interest them and teach them about the environment? I look forward to your responses!

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

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Ideal Environmental Interpreter Role

My ideal role as an environmental interpreter is a backcountry guide working with Parks Canada. Parks Canada oversees all the national parks, national historic sites, and national conservation areas throughout the country. There are 38 different national parks scattered throughout the province and territories, ranging from the extreme south of Canada (Point Pelee National Park) to the extreme north of Canada (Quttinirpaaq National Park). Working as a backcountry guide would allow me to spend more time outdoors while having the ability to share my passion for adventure with others.

My specific park of interest is Gros Morne National Park, located in Newfoundland. Gros Morne is approximately 700km away from St John’s, the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador. Most can recognize Gros Morne through it’s picturesque Western Brook Pond, an impressive fjord renowned for its crystal clear water and breathtaking cliffs that line it.

As a backcountry guide at Gros Morne my primary role would include leading guided interpretive tours through the various hiking trails at the park. Gros Morne has approximately 20 day use hiking trails ranging from 200m to 20km in length. Besides the day use trails, Gros Morne has two crown jewel hiking trails within the park, the Long Range Traverse and the Northern Traverse, each multi-day strenuous hikes which take you through the interior of the park. These trails are designed for veteran hikers with years of backcountry navigation experience. As a backcountry guide on these trips I would be responsible for assisting in navigation, planning route details, and providing trivial information throughout the trip. Talk about exciting!

In order to be a successful backcountry guide at Gros Morne I would need to have a diverse skill set, including; strong interpersonal skills, an affinity to memorize details, enthusiasm for the outdoors, and a calm demeanour. As a backcountry guide I will work with a variety of different groups and organizations and will have to adapt my interpretive tours to individually suit each group, making it important I have strong interpersonal skills like patience, collaboration, and leadership. While acting as an interpretive guide it is crucial to display enthusiasm for what you are doing, nobody wants to be guided by somebody who clearly does not want to be giving the tour. It is also relevant that backcountry guides have a good memory in order to remember routes, trip details, and trivial information which can create an informative, successful interpretive tour. However, as a backcountry guide there will be times when the ability to memorize route details can only go so far whether there is adverse weather or obstruction to a particular route. In these situations it is critical that the interpreter displays a calm demeanour and handles the situation with confidence. Having the ability to remain calm in an adverse situation while with a group of people ensures that the group stays as grounded as possible, if as an interpreter I began to freak out when faced with a challenging situation the group would instantly begin to worry as well.

It is my hope that I can continue honing my craft as a backcountry nature expert and with the help of this class and other experiences I can become a successful backcountry guide at Gros Morne National Park.

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Hi Lucas!

Your ideal role of being a backcountry guide with Gros Morne National Park sounds like an incredible experience! You seem to be very passionate for Canadian national parks, sites and conservations, which is exactly what you would need to be to be a good guide. I am curious to know, out of all the national parks in Canada, why Newfoundland? I cannot blame you for wanting to work there however, it looks absolutely beautiful! 

You highlight the skills necessary to being an effective environmental interpreter such as strong interpersonal skills, ability to memorize details, enthusiasm for the outdoors, and a calm demeanour. I agree with you that having strong interpersonal skills would be an asset for this position. To be able to relate with the tourists on a personal level would make the experience even more memorable. The skill of memorization is definitely a good one to have, and I think this would derive from your interest in nature! Also, the ability to remain calm is a skill I had not related with an environmental interpreter, but you are absolutely right! If you are guiding a group through a park as vast as the Gros Morne, you will likely face challenging situations, especially in regard to wildlife! It is crucial that if you and your group face a challenge, you remain calm because their trust is in you to keep them safe!

I am curious to know, what sparked your interest in being a guide at Gros Morne? Also, do you think these skills are necessary for other positions in environmental interpretation? I enjoyed reading your blog post and look forward to further conversation!

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Prior to this course, I had never heard of an “environmental interpreter”, but in the last two weeks, I have been learning about their significant role in many settings! I was reflecting on places I have been to where I have come across interpreters, and one place would be the Roman Baths in Somerset, England, where I listened to an audio tour by dialing the numbers at the various stops. I had never considered that with this type of tool, such careful planning goes into the story telling to appeal to the tourists.

An environmental interpreter requires specific skills in their practice. They need to know how much to share about a topic, and the key details that are of interest and relevance to the listener. In my upcoming projects, I will be abiding by various formulas to connect with my audience through podcasts. Mill’s formula is a great place to start, to create podcasts that appeal to the imagination and the reason, to give life to cold facts, make stories to breathe life into inanimate objects, deal with principles rather than isolated information and give biographies rather than classifications (Beck et. al, 2018).

Freeman Tilden’s six “principles of interpretation” (1975) is also resourceful, and builds on Mills’ formula:

1.     Any interpretation that does not relate what is being shown or described to something within the personality or experience of the visitor will not resonate

2.     Information alone is not interpretation, however, all interpretation includes information

3.     Interpretation is an art, therefore is teachable to some degree

4.     The chief aim of interpretation is provocation

5.     Interpretation should aim to present a whole rather than a part and must address itself to the whole person, rather than any phase

6.     Interpretation addressed to children should not be a dilution of the presentation to adults but should follow a different approach. To be at its best it will require a separate program. (Beck et. al, 2018).

Additionally, Brochu & Merriman’s (2008) POETRY approach is another great tool to follow to ensure an environmental interpretation podcast will be successful (Beck et. al, 2018). P, for “purposeful”, is important because I want my topic to be of interest to my listeners, but also of significance, which in turn should motivate more people to listen. O, for “organized”, is also important for a successful project. The information in the podcast must follow a certain order to make listening enjoyable and easy for the audience. If I am jumping from topic-to-topic, the podcast will be difficult to follow and disorganized. E, for “enjoyable”, goes in-hand with purposeful and organized. An enjoyable podcast should not be dense with facts. For example, while the topic of climate change is purposeful, and can be explained in an organized way, if I go on a tangent about the science behind oceanic currents and the Coriolis effect, I may lose some of my audience to boredom. It needs to be a mixture of scientific facts and symbolism to reach a larger scope of viewers. T, for “thematic”, also correlates with enjoyment. It is important to stick to a theme as not to confuse the listeners, and to keep them engaged. If I title my podcast “wildlife in a concrete jungle” and begin my podcast about the different wildlife in the Toronto area, I do not want to conclude my podcast with results of the recent election (which is another point, that talk of religion and politics should be avoided). R, for “relevance” is key to being a successful interpreter. They must remember why the audience tuned in and what they are there to learn. While analogies can be made to make the understanding easier, when teaching a historical lesson, the facts should remain present and relate to the topic. If my audience tunes out and asks themselves “So what? What was the purpose of listening to this?”, then I failed. Lastly, Y which stands for “you” (as the interpreter) is important to consider when creating a podcast (Beck et. al, 2018). The only way to display my passion and enthusiasm about a topic is to be curious and interested in what I am teaching!

I am very excited to start practicing and building upon my skills as an environmental interpreter. I have always loved nature and wildlife, and want others to perceive it the way I do, but this is only possible through technique and effective communication. I hope that soon, I can help more youth and adults perceive nature in a positive way, and highlight aspects of nature that often goes unnoticed! I would love to know, what other skills do you think an environmental interpreter needs to successfully engage their audience and how do they obtain these skills?

Reference

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