maddy

ENVS 3000 class disscussion post

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Disclaimer

This blog was created for ENVS 3000, 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.

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Last Blog 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?

Hello everyone, can't believe this is our last blog post, time really flew by! I've really enjoyed seeing everyone's thoughts every week, and I've definitely learnt a lot about everyone as well! This is a really interesting blog post prompt, and I've made my post very detailed, so get ready!

Looking back at one of my first blog prompts, I can see how much progress I've made in learning what it means to be a natural interpreter. My knowledge has changed as a result of the journey, and it has also strengthened my bond with nature. Nonetheless, I have a strong desire to work as a nature interpreter; I want to be a tour guide that takes people on adventures throughout different ecosystems across the globe. The idea of sharing these experiences with other tourists makes me feel really fulfilled. Taking on the position of narrator and acting as a representative of the amazing marvels that our world is home to will undoubtedly be a very fulfilling experience. 

My main objective as an interpreter is to enlighten and motivate people about the topics that I find fascinating. By doing this, I hope to shed light on the complex environmental factors that influence the surrounding biomes in addition to offering useful and insightful information. This purpose not only informs but also cultivates a deep understanding and appreciation for the complexity of life that surrounds us. My efforts are driven by motivation. My goal is to pique people's interest and inspire them to discover the wonders of the natural world. By spreading my enthusiasm, I want to encourage a community that actively engages with and cares for the environment by instilling a sense of responsibility. 

My personal ethic as a nature interpreter is deeply rooted in my desire to convey to others my enthusiasm for the environment and develop in them a sense of wonder and responsibility. In my opinion, encouraging people to have a relationship with nature is essential to supporting sustainable practices and conservation. I see myself promoting responsible behaviour and emphasizing the value of environmentally conscious travel and conservation. I think it's important to spread the word that all of our acts have an influence on communities and the environment, no matter how minor. In terms of responsibilities, my main objective is to make people deeply aware of their surroundings and to instill in them a sense of wonder and awareness. My commitment is to inspire people to cultivate deep connections with the natural world by highlighting the importance of sustainable practices and conservation. 

Nonetheless, I think it might be difficult as a nature interpreter to strike a balance between offering informative material and engaging experiences. Considering that entertainment may be a potent technique for grabbing people's attention, the issue comes from the desire to draw in and involve a larger audience. However, there are a number of ethical issues at stake when amusement overrides instructional value. Although there's an intrinsic fascination with nature, there's a chance that certain elements of it may be sensationalized or dramatized for entertainment value. This may result in a distorted view of the natural world, emphasizing dramatic details over a comprehensive comprehension. As a nature interpreter, my professional identity is profoundly influenced by the environment, which inspires me to promote constructive change and build relationships with like-minded individuals. My approach includes not only displaying the beauty of various settings but also educating and raising awareness about the necessity of environmental stewardship. My goal is to inspire people to take responsibility for the environment and take action to safeguard it by acting as a catalyst for change, as I mentioned previously and to raise awareness of environmental issues among the largest number of people through tours and informational lectures. My greatest sense of fulfillment in this position ultimately stems from the chance to motivate others. I want to be able to support group efforts to cultivate an awareness of and reverence for the natural world's beauty. In summary, my holistic approach to conservation considers not just the biological components of conservation but also the social and cultural factors. 

By combining these components, I hope to promote a legacy of care for coming generations and help humans and the natural world live in harmony and sustainability. My experiences in the ENVS*3010 class, in particular, benefited my journey toward refining and deepening my environmental ethics, responsibilities, and approaches. My awareness of sustainability, environmental challenges, and the complex interactions between human activity and the natural world were all examined by this course. Essentially, the knowledge I acquired from ENVS*3010 has shaped my professional identity and influenced how I advocate for environmental stewardship and connect with others. In addition to increasing my knowledge, this course has fueled my desire to motivate positive change. I am appreciative of this class's transformational influence on my career as a nature interpreter, which has strengthened my resolve to advance the peaceful coexistence of humans and the natural world. As I dive deeper into the specifics of being a nature interpreter, my daily goal is to gain more insight. Upon contemplation of the deep significance included in my position, I consistently improve my morals and responsibilities. These ideas will inevitably become dynamic, and I look forward to accepting this evolution with flexibility and an open mind.

To ensure that I am knowledgeable about the changing dynamics of this subject, I continue to study in the field of nature interpretation. My goal has always been to cultivate a mentality that encourages both ongoing curiosity and personal growth.

Have a great rest of the semester everyone, hope all of your upcoming assignments and exams go well and I can’t wait to read your last blog posts!

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Hi enjoyed reading your post this week! I appreciate you reflecting on your overall experience throughout the course comparing your first post to your last. I also went back to look at my first post and I agree. I feel like I have a greater appreciation for the effort that is put into presenting a topic or information depending on the audience being addressed. Ecological systems can be a complicated concept that oftentimes people will just not bother to learn anything about. As a nature interpreter, we can build an enthusiasm and passion for new audiences that may not have had that before. I agree that people won’t want to make any change in their lifestyles for the better of the environment if they are never educated in the responsibilities we have. There are many aspects such as social and cultural factors to biology that many scientists, and experts often overlook. I think that it is important that you mentioned highlighting these factors to promote conservation.

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Unit 10: Nature Interpretation's Role in Environmental Sustainability

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?

It is hard to believe that we are at the last blog as this means we are coming to the end of the semester. Coming from England as an exchange student, I have wanted my time here to go as slowly as possible, so it does not all rush by. Luckily I have another semester here to enjoy as much of the famous Canadian nature as possible. It is after all, one of the reasons why I picked this country.

Simply, my personal ethic as a nature interpreter would be to get other people as excited about nature as I am. I feel I have done this job well in the past with friends when we go on holiday. They are usually determined to stay in the bars and drink the week away, but I have encouraged them to go on hikes to actually see the country itself. Call me old or boring like they do initially, but afterwards, they are glad they have done it. Last week I visited a friend doing his exchange year in Victoria, BC, and I had to convince him to walk through a park instead of just going to the pub first. While we were out, we managed to see deer and an eagle which is a bird we never see in the UK. We both ended up very glad we did that, and not start drinking earlier.

I watched an interesting video the other day that summed up, said when we are gone, we will eventually be forgotten and our possessions like our car or house will either be used by someone else or destroyed. This may seem daunting, however, the point of the video was to say that when we are here, we should not worry about 95% of the things we waste our time thinking about. At the risk of sounding corny, I believe that by appreciating the world we are in, particularly the nature side like the mountains, coasts, and wildlife, this is how I believe we should live our lives. Through nature interpretation and passing down the knowledge and passion of the natural world, is the best way for this.

For me personally, the best parts of a trip away are the outside activities (only if it is not raining) like walking and beach activities if it is that type of holiday. I believe each country is unique or in this case, each state or province is. My ideal approach for nature interpretation would be to be involved in filming a show or film that involves nature in any way. I do not necessarily have to be the one holding the camera or be in the shot, but to be involved in any way would be enough for me at this stage. I really do not want to be stuck in an office job every day. If I am able to travel and in some way be part of spreading the knowledge and love for nature, I would be satisfied.

After watching the video of 'David Suzuki and Richard Louv at the Art Gallery of Ontario discussing how to reconnect to nature', this further supports my approach to nature interpretation. As I said earlier about wanting to be part of filming, this links to the idea of when they discussed technology in the video. Children these days rely on technology even more than we did which is a shame but understandable with all the changes going on in the world. They explained that it is harder for children to appreciate the nature especially if they are in growing urban cities. Therefore, it is through technology that they can get some sort of experience of it, until they are older hopefully when they can go out and experience it for themselves like we do. This would be another reason to do what I want to do through filming etc. In this modern world, this would be one of the more effective ways to share nature interpretation.

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Hi, it was great reading your blog post this week! That awesome to hear that you are an exchange student, and you chose to come here because of Canada's famous natural sites. What are some of your favourite memories you’ve got to experience in nature here?

Your ethics is something I relate to in wanting people to be excited about learning new things about our environment. I think spending time in nature with your friends like you mentioned can build more memories that will last a lifetime than any party! You mentioned an important point that we only have a short period of time here and when we are gone over time our presence will fade.  This makes me think about how nature will always persevere even long after we are gone, and I think that’s part of the reason we need to be appreciative of the world we are surrounded by. I love the idea of filming in the style of documentary as a form of nature interpretation. It goes back to how nature interpretation connects with technology and provides an easy at-home accessibility to anyone. Documentaries were always what sparked my curiosity for nature and its interactions as a kid!

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Blog #9

As a nature interpreter, you have a responsibility to uphold and incorporate certain ethics, beliefs, and responsibilities. As a nature interpreter, you have an enthusiasm for nature and a passion for education. Interpreters express concerns for environmental issues and community involvement surrounding nature. As an interpreter, the importance of providing lifelong lessons that become influential in individuals’ lives. I believe that education is a valuable resource that anyone has the right to participate in. I believe that it is important as an interpreter to constantly be gaining new knowledge and listening to different perspectives around certain topics. I believe that effective interpretation can improve research opportunities and public support when people are educated and passionate about a topic.

 As an interpreter, you are responsible for embracing the wonders and beauty of nature and sharing that experience with everyone. As we learned in our podcasts, we have to know our audiences. By understanding our audience's age group, pre-conceptual beliefs, and why they are they are there in the first place we can adjust our way of presenting our ideas. There are often times as an interpreter when you won’t have just one set age group for your audience and you will have to connect with a diverse group of minds. When working with diverse groups it's important that you share your enthusiasm while also encouraging individuals to find personal connections with the topics you are presenting. By having a more broader sense of different individual’s ideas a more meaningful outcome can be experienced for guests. Nature interpreters get all different types of audiences, I often think of school trips and there's always half the class super engaged and amazed by the nature they’re within and then there’s the other half that doesn’t care to be there and running off into the woods. Knowing why an audience is there to see you in the first place can be valuable as an interpreter as you can adjust your way of presenting to be more engaging, more fast-paced, and hands-on. As a nature interpreter, you have a responsibility to advocate for the issue you're presenting and that may require taking action publicly. Call-to-actions urge elected officials to make choices that can be beneficial to the issues you’re fighting for. As an interpreter expressing this message to the public and to official leaders is something that has to be presented differently depending on the audience being addressed.

When I picture myself as a nature interpreter there are a couple of approaches that I believe would be most beneficial to me. When I think of approaches that seem most suitable to me as an educational interpreter, I would have to favour a Roving style interpretation (Beck et al. 2018). Roving is a personalized face-to-face presentation that is presented in a chosen location with the purpose of nature interpretation (Beck et al. 2018). When I think of my own personal experiences with nature interpreters the most memorable and influential had always been ones that took place in a Rove setting. My experience with interpretation with Provincial Parks, Wildlife Interpreters, and Conservation Experts has left lifelong memories because of the hands-on approach these settings can bring to the audiences. I have always been an animal lover so nature interpreters that had focused on native and endangered species have always provoked the most interest in me.  Crowdsourcing is another source that can be useful in expanding your own knowledge as an interpreter and for connecting with a broader audience as well (Beck et al. 2018). Crowdsourcing is the use of a community or other professionals to obtain new knowledge on a certain topic or idea (Beck et al. 2018). By sharing expertise this provides a further opportunity for nature interpretation in education, research and enforcing new legislations. Another area of nature interpretation that I would be interested in moving forward legislations that revolves around environmental conservation. There can be a disconnect in the corporate business world and the world of science making a nature interpreter very useful in these cases.

Overall, there is a need for advocacy for environmental change and providing nature interpreters can push conservation to a wider audience in a more obtainable way.

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

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Blog 8 (week 9) - Fireflies; I just think they're neat

Bioluminescence is one of the most incredible phenomena on the planet. Before humans invented electricity and lightbulbs in the early 1800s, the only thing we knew that could produce light was fire and stars…and life. 

As humans we like to think of ourselves as quite advanced and intelligent as we have mastered how to light up the dark - fire allowed us to find safety from predators at night when we were most vulnerable and allowed us to work even after the sun had gone down. But we aren’t special, so many species were making their own light long before we ever tried. 

If you’ve read my old post on art and nature you’ll remember one reason I am very fond of fireflies is because of a chance encounter with a massive population during field work; but fireflies have always been near and dear to my heart - growing up in rural Canada, there's no shortage of time to waste and bugs to catch and fireflies where the first insect I ever really took the time to observe up close as a kid. 

Bioluminescence is incredible for a lot of reasons, one being it is almost perfectly efficient at using energy (Branham, 2005). Fireflies are tiny! They don’t have a lot of material and energy to waste so their light needs to be as cost effective as possible. If you’ve ever touched a lightbulb that’s been on for a long time it's hot! But fireflies don’t waste any light energy as heat - both for their own safety and to save precious calories.

For glow-worms (larval fireflies) flashing lights are a warning to predators - a giant neon sign saying “HEY! I TASTE REALLY BAD!” (and they do, so if a bird eats the glowing worm once, it's unlikely to want to do it again). Adult fireflies have unique flash patterns for their species and use their light to attract a mate (I’ll save you my attempts at flashing jokes, you’re welcome) (Branham, 2005). I’ve you’ve ever taken a date on a romantic night out to look at the stars, are you and the firefly really that different? 

So how does it work? Well bioluminesce happens through a complicated looking chemical reaction like this:

(Navizet et al. 2011)

It looks science-y and difficult but at its core ATP is the same molecule that your body uses when it needs energy. When you eat, the energy from your food attaches a phosphate “P” onto the molecule and then you rip the phosphorus off to use that energy when and where you need it! When the P is ripped off to do biofluorescence the energy is used to power a reaction between magnesium or calcium, oxygen and a chemical the fireflies produce called luciferin that produces light!

As pollen and nectar foragers- they are also pollinators hard at work even after everyone else is asleep. So thank a firefly for more than just their incredible light! I think it's always good to remember that as separate and exceptional from nature we may consider ourselves to be as humans - most of our technology is something nature did first and really - we’re not so different from the rest of the animals we share a planet with. 

 Branham, M. (2005, September 5). How and why do Fireflies Light up?. Scientific American.

How and why do fireflies light up?

Marc Branham, an assistant professor in the department of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida, explains

Navizet I, Liu YJ, Ferré N, Roca-Sanjuán D, Lindh R. The chemistry of bioluminescence: an analysis of chemical functionalities. Chemphyschem. 2011 Dec 9;12(17):3064-76. doi: 10.1002/cphc.201100504. Epub 2011 Oct 13. PMID: 21997887.

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Hi I truly enjoyed your post this week talking about fireflies! As a kid I think they are one of my first wonders of nature that I had got to experience that show the true beauty of nature and science! Your personal connections with fireflies growing up in a rural area, chasing and catching them is something I can also personally relate to. I never realized that even as larvae they had bioluminescent abilities. The ability for spcies to produce bioluminescence has always been a natural beauty. One of my favourite species that have the ability to luminate is the Green Pepe mushroom (or Mycena chlorophos). They are commonly found in rainforest and emit a green light from their gills of the mushroom caps. These mushrooms are brightest when they first emerge then fade as they grow longer (Rapoza, 2021). Like fireflies, Green Pepe also contain Luciferin responsible for luminescence (Rapoza, 2021). Insects that are attracted to the bioluminescence are they covered in fungal spores after crawling on the mushroom, increasing their reproductive success (Rapoza, 2021). Bioluminescence as a kid was the closest thing to magic in the real world. I always found these mushrooms feel like they’re something right out of a fairytale.  The same feeling that seeing any species that is able to light a night sky or dark ocean can bring.

Rapoza M. (2021). Bioluminescent Fungi Glow to Trick Insects. The common Naturalist. Accessed from: https://commonnaturalist.com/2020/04/13/bioluminescent-fungi-glow-to-take-advantage-of-insects-looking-for-love/

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Blog Post #8

Blog Prompt: Interpret (through this blog) the most amazing thing you know about nature – get us excited. This is your blog – your audience isn’t out in the field with you so bring the field to your armchair reader.

When considering the most amazing thing about nature I had to take a minute to reflect on some my experiences and encounter with nature that had surprised me and made me take a step back. When I think of something that has always interested me and surprised me was the symbiotic relationships between species. In our everyday lives we have symbiotic relationships with other species and each other but theres always been something about two species interacting with each other in a beneficial way that made me curious. I think naturally we think we are the smartest and most superior species on Earth so when you see these complex interactions between another two species it makes you question if their intelligence is really that much different from ours.

A symbiotic relationship that I have stumbled across in my everyday life as well as when working in greenhouses is the relationship between ants and aphids. Aphids are commonly found on all plant species being tiny bugs that feed on the plant's tissue and sap (Mar, 2021). While eating the sap they produce a sugary secretion called honeydew (Mar, 2021). Species such as ants eat this sugary honeydew as a source of food and energy (Mar, 2021). As a result of the aphids providing a continuous food supply, the ants will protect the aphids from other insects like ladybugs and will move them to other plants for them to obtain sap from new plants (Mar, 2021). The ants will shepherd the aphids to more juicier parts of the plant (McVean, 2017). Oftentimes times people will refer to this as the ants being farmers and the aphids being their livestock. Like any human farmer obtaining food sources at a fast rate is the most desirable outcome and is the same with ants and aphids. Worker ants that look after aphids will “milk” the aphids to get them to excrete the honeydew in a more timely manner (Mar, 2021). Ants will use their antennae and stroke the aphids causing them to trigger secretion (Mar, 2021). When ant colonies move from one nest to another they will often times bring with them aphid eggs so they can create new livestock within their new home (McVean, 2017).

Next time if you are looking at your house or garden plants and see aphids oftentimes you'll find a colony of ants close by.

You may remember in A Bugs Life the queen ant had a lap dog named Aphie who was an aphid that the queen adores and protects dearly. I guess it would have made more sense if Aphie was represented more as cattle or other livestock.

Mar R. (2021). Land Lines The Nature Conservancy of Canada Blog: The ants that herd aphids. Nature Conservancy Canada.

McVean A. (2017). Farmer ants and their aphid herds. Office for Science and Society. McGill University.

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Blog #6

Prompt:

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.

When we consider nature interpretation through the lens of history, we need to consider whose history we are telling and why. What truths are being shared? What role does privilege play in this? What responsibility might we have to share the authentic voices and experiences of others who came before us and experienced the same nature in perhaps a different way? The story you share is but one of many. Being sure to include or mention others stories in your story. I think these are all important questions to ask when interpreting history, but also just as important to consider when reading or learning about it.

History is important because it creates meaning and context to the present moment. Nothing in our realities makes any sense and would not have been possible if it was not for the events that created the structures and ideas we all operate on; this is culture. History makes our differences make sense, and also allows us to achieve compassion for, an understanding of, and to celebrate our differences. It is through learning history that we can prevent mistakes from the past from repeating themselves, and create a better understanding of the conflicts we witness in the present day. When the quote talks about a train passing through a railway station I think this is referring to any event in history. It would be foolish to assume a train would only come by a station once. The train station represents the certain unfolding of events, or the present moment and the moving trains, the time and build up to the events that happen.The train is always coming to, is at, or is leaving the station. It's just that different people doing different things at a different time come through the station. The same story is never told twice, but any story could never have happened without its precursors. To make sense of modern day conflicts it is crucial to understand the various histories and the meaning of these histories to different people. That is one danger of today, and one of the interesting moral questions. We live in a world of informational access, one where we have a voice and a platform unlike previous generations did. It becomes a question of ethics however to voice opinions on events without a proper understanding of history and who is to be affected by an only partially informed voice. The more history, the more perspectives and otherness we understand the better an outlook there is for ourselves, our communities, and collective humanity.

In interpretation, it is important to present history in a way that is careful of other perspectives but to make sure that it is presented in a way that is relevant to the person learning about the history. To learn of events in the past without an understanding of one's own connection to them is poor interpretation. Interpretation should always call on someone's sense of self and worldview, they need to understand history in the context of the experience in which they learn it. Otherwise it is too abstract, unrelatable, and forgettable.

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Hi

I found your blog post very interesting this week. When you mention what and whose history we are sharing because just like a game of telephone it feels as though information can go misunderstood or unnoticed just due to the privileges one may have as being an interpreter. History has many different sides and opinions on what may or may not have been the right decision at the time. By being able to recognize the difference in experiences can help create a more accurate depiction of what history truly was like. I agree with how acknowledging what occurs in our daily lives is having to acknowledge the past that has brought these things to us. In my post, I had also mentioned the importance of history repeating itself and how we can use past experiences or the integrity of the past to help us not repeat experiences that may have been unjustified in the past. I enjoyed how you mentioned that a train doesn’t only pass through a station one time and when it passes through the station each time a completely different experience can be witnessed each time. It's important for us to understand the different contexts that can come from experiences and still learn from them. You mentioned how it's important when interpreting history, that it is presented in a way that is unique to the person being taught. Not only does this allow them to have a better understanding of a certain topic but also now a personal connection that sticks with them in the back of their mind.

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Blog #6

Prompt: "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."

For this week's blog prompt, the first time I read it I didn't fully understand what it meant. I read it again and I felt I had a bit more of an understanding, but I was still a little confused. Like monologues and poetry, I enjoy breaking down a quote into smaller parts and dissecting them individually. From that, each part dissected can be woven together to develop a true in-depth understanding that was originally entailed by the author.

To begin “There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity and integrity entails the keeping of the parts of any whole,…” In this section, I unpacked this as the value that is placed in wisdom or traditions isn’t just due to them being a practice that occurs over a span of time but because of the trust we put in these practices. The definition of integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. This definition can be taken into account in understanding this quote as we have a moral principle to be honest in times that involve teaching lessons.

“…and if these parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things…” To lose moral values in situations can cause a damaging effect that can last generations depending on the circumstance. To rebuild the trust that is needed for integrity to be practiced would require us to remember and reflect on the damage that may have occurred in the past due to non-ethical situations.

The last part of the quote states: “…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.” To forget the past or to reject a scenario because it had occurred in the past would be denying ignoring the circumstances that had occurred and resulted in our everyday experiences. Our knowledge of ancient things is a collection of the human experience which entails lessons that highlight the good and bad that has occurred in the past.

Overall, this quote mentions how there is no merit in an ancient thing or occurrence solely due to its age but rather merit comes from the integrity that occurs from the ancient thing or scenario that had happened. Our past has shaped us into who we are today and to ignore what had happened in the past will only result in history repeating itself.

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Blog #4

Hey! This week’s blog prompt our relationship with interpreting nature through art.

I wanted to start by answering the first question, and considering my own relationship with looking at nature through art. One of my favourite ways to experience nature interpretation through art is through nature documentaries. Although they might also be educational, I personally think the best ones also have an element of story to them and they’re always beautiful to watch. Also, I think it’s fascinating to see behind-the-scenes of how all these breathtaking videos of nature are recorded. It lets me learn about and see places I’ve never been anywhere near, and feel like I’m right there. The diversity of animals, plants, and even geology on our planet is incredible, and I really appreciate all the work that goes into creating art to share it. As much as getting outside is a great way to interpret nature, art can be an accessible and inspiring way to interpret nature. It can be a way to teach, but it can also be a way to share a love of and connection to nature with other people.

Often the first idea that comes to mind when someone thinks of nature interpretation is guided hikes and walks. While it was discussed in this week’s readings how these also have an element of art to them, I also think it’s important to incorporate other forms of art, whether that be books, poetry, photography, painting, videos, or anything else. Art is an integral part of nature communication, I think one of the most important things it does is just make people care. While there may be no official definition for “art” in general, I think it always has something to do with expression of feeling, and be able to share that expression with other people. Feeling disconnected from nature seems to be a relatively common thing, and I think that art can be an incredibly important remedy to that. While it may not always be possible to drop everything and go for a backpacking trip, art is almost always accessible in some form, and can be way to bring nature into our own lives even when it sometimes feels far away.

This weeks prompt and reading made me consider other aspects of how I might want to include nature interpretation through art in my career. Personally, I’m not much of a visual artist, I hadn’t really considered bringing art into my work even if I might enjoy it in some forms as a hobby. But I would like to find a way to incorporate it more into my life. For example, I love taking photos when I’m outside. Being able to look back at them later always reminds me of the experience and place where it was taken. They also give me a way to share something I care about with friends and family. Art is a powerful form of communication and connection, and there are so many different ways to include art when interpreting nature.

Photo: Vegetation near the alpine zone

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Hey!

 I enjoyed reading your blog post this week! I thought your interpretation of nature through art was really insightful. When thinking about how I enjoy interpreting nature through art one medium that I feel I overlooked was documentaries. I also enjoy documentaries and I think they were one of the things that inspired me as a kid when it came to connecting with nature. Documentaries provide us with a window to the beautiful natural world that a lot of us may never come in contact with. I agree that documentaries possess a storytelling element which allows viewers to relate to our natural world in a more emotionally engaging way. I agree that art can provide a bridge between humans and nature that can further provide a greater appreciation, inheriting a sense of responsibility to protect and preserve our environment.

 I appreciate you acknowledging other forms of art such as photography. I believe photography requires a keen eye for natural beauty and perspective that creates a connection with people and nature that may not have always been there. Photographs, like other forms of art, capture a moment in time that evokes a deeper connection that can spark conversations about protecting and appreciating our environment. I appreciate your openness on how you could incorporate art more into your life to establish a deeper connection to nature. I think we all should continue to look for more mediums of ways to interpret nature and appreciate the gift of beauty.

Maddy

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Blog Post #4

Who are you to interpret nature through art? How do you interpret “the gift of beauty”?

Art is a medium that is subjective to an individual when it comes to creating a piece of art or interpreting a piece of art. Throughout time nature has been an inspiration for artists when it comes to the many artworks of landscapes and nature. When it comes to nature, it is a complex ecosystem that can emerge and connect one in a way that seems to only be achievable when experiencing nature for yourself. Conveying this connection of nature with an observer of a piece of artwork can be a challenging thing to achieve. Artists are able to convey a unique outlook on one's connection with nature whether that’s seen through the eyes of the artist or the spectator. The ability to tell a story or depict emotion as a result of our natural environment evokes a deeper connection and appreciation for nature. Art can act as a bridging point that connects an individual with nature.

Artist are able to use nature to explore further in their own use of techniques. Nature is a complex system and to fully be represented through art the incorporation of textiles, shapes, colours, and movement are all things that make a piece feel more realistic. Artists can highlight these features in nature that allow a spectator to view nature in a way that might’ve gone unnoticed before.

When interpreting “the gift of beauty”, it is another thing that can be subjective to an individual much like art is. My interpretation of the gift of beauty is finding beauty and enjoyment in the little things that surround your life. When emerged in nature this is something that I feel the most appreciation for the beauty of the world I live in. I think of the time when I was driving home and it was just about to storm and the clouds were a dark grey-purple colour. As I drove home I couldn’t help but acknowledge and appreciate how vibrant the sky and landscape looked when in contrast with each other. This natural phenomenon took me out of my own world which often distracts me from “the gift of beauty” around me. Moments like this make you feel connected to the nature around you but also can make you feel small in this giant world. Sometimes this feeling can be scary, but practicing this appreciation makes you more grateful for the time you have and what you have.

I truly believe in finding beauty in the little things. Creating art that highlights these little moments connects people in a way that tells a story and interprets an experience within nature that can connect generations of people with similar experiences.

Maddy

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Prompt 3: The role of privilege in nature interpretation.

What role does “privilege” play in nature interpretation? Please include your working definition of privilege.

I believe that privilege has a major role to play in nature interpretation, but before that is discussed, I believe that it is important to explain my definition of privilege. The formal definition of privilege is “a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group”. I believe that my definition of privilege is nearly identical to this one, while I would add that for most of the people who have privilege, they remain unaware of it, as in today’s society, privilege is deeply ingrained.

Now that we have my working definition of privilege, we can discuss the various roles it plays in nature interpretation. One being the access to natural spaces, one of the most significant ways privilege affects nature interpretation. People living in urban areas such as Toronto have limited green spaces and limited diversity among the flaura and fauna that they are able to identify and see, while someone even such as myself, who grew up just outside of Orillia, Ontario, has a much greater access to green spaces and diversity of living organisms and environments. Furthermore, those with a higher economic status are able to have better nature interpretation due to the access to cars and vehicles to reliably transport them to said landscapes. Also, they can pay the entry fees and day passes to certain landmarks or provincial parks that others might not be able to afford.

Another way that privilege plays a role in nature interpretation is access to jobs in environmental fields or outdoor locations. I am very privileged to be so close to a provincial park and to be able to work maintenance at said provincial park. This means that I am spending 40 hours a week at minimum in nature and have access to a provincial park where one of the main goals ins species diversity and environment rehabilitation. The same cannot be said about others. Some people have to work indoors, at desks, in cities, in factories, in order to live, while I get the opportunity to work in the place that I do.

Finally, privilege plays a major role in environmental awareness. Those that have access to the education and literature may have a larger understanding of the environment and ecological issues. Those that are able to take courses, afford books, or even have a major in an environmental science or nature specific course load may have a greater knowledge of certain things in nature then others.

While these are not all of the issues that privilege has on nature interpretation, I do believe that these are some of the major ones, and it is important for everybody to recognize the privilege they have, whether it be in nature interpretation or in all facets of their lives.

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Hi

I enjoyed reading your blog post this week! I completely agree with your point that privilege is often something that is ingrained into society and oftentimes goes unaware. We shared many of the same points when it came to people’s accessibility to natural spaces due to them possibly living in urban environments such as Toronto. I appreciate your additional point of economic status as I personally overlooked this point at first; I completely agree that two people both living in the same urban areas may have completely different outlooks on nature just due to their economic status. Another point you made that I had overlooked was accessibility to jobs. I also lived close to and worked in a provincial park! I was very privileged to live in an area so close to protected parks and it was what encouraged me to get a job in the park near my house. I’m sure you can relate when many campers and hikers would often tell us how lucky we were to work in a place like provincial parks. I agree that the opportunities we get to experience can be unique compared to urban-focused jobs which can result in privileged experiences. There are many examples of privilege in nature interpretation and your post opened my eyes to some more points that I experienced myself being someone who lives in a rural area experiencing the natural environment.

Maddy

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Blog Post #3

Blog Post 3

What roles does “privilege” play in nature interpretation? Please include your working definition of privilege.

Privilege is often something that we process and take for granted daily. I think we all know the saying “It is not a right it’s a privilege” We may think that what we get to experience every day is a necessity of life without thinking that many people don’t get to have these experiences daily like we do. When it comes to research interpretation in nature privilege can go hand in hand with bias.

My working definition of privilege would be an advantage in a particular situation or environment that allows someone to gain further insight that may not be available to others in different circumstances. When working as a nature interpreter, privilege will come into play in many circumstances. When interpreting nature, one’s accessibility can greatly impact their experiences with the environment. Typically, people who are in regions that don’t have much natural diversity such as urban environments can be put at a disadvantage when it comes to their experiences in spaces that may not be accessible such as conservation areas, national parks, and other natural areas. Due to this people's abilities to witness nature in its natural state is hindered. Access to education surrounding natural diversity is also another privilege that comes into play in nature interpretation. The level of education an individual receives can affect their ability to understand ecological concepts that they may experience. Having an understanding of the importance of biodiversity and its conservation can come from having the privilege to educate on these topics. Overall, these few examples of privilege can affect one’s perception of nature and the natural environment. People who have been privileged to grow up in environments that are exposed to lots of natural diversity may have a greater appreciation for the environment. When compared to someone who may not have grown up in an area where they were exposed to nature often, they may view nature as complicated and uninteresting due to their systematic barriers.

To become a nature interpreter, many privileges result in a nature interpreter having a better understanding and acknowledgement for the environment. But being a nature interpreter, some privileges come with being in that position. As a nature interpreter, the knowledge that you process can give you the privilege to advocate for environmental policies. Nature interpretation can provide benefits in research situations for providing insight into better ecological practices.

Recognizing privilege in the context of nature interpretation is essential in promoting inclusivity within the natural world. Overall, many privileges can provide an advantageous outlook for sustainable practices and conservation efforts as a nature interpreter.

Thanks for reading

Maddy

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Me as a Rookie Interpreter

Describe your ideal role of environmental interpreter. What might it entail? Where might it be? What skills might you need?

I am happy being outdoors in any setting for the most part, but if I had to choose a type of environment to interpret, it might have to be a mountainous region with lots of streams and forest. I imagine myself leading a hike through a valley next to a river in the summertime when everything is in bloom and there are lots of pollinators about. I think it would be extra interesting to describe the glacial history that may have helped shape the mountain ranges and surrounding lakes. I think this was influenced by my time in Alaska, where we spent a lot of time driving between mountains, and even driving two miles through one when we went to the town of Whittier. Theres a saying about the weather being not so great in Whittier compared to the other side of the mountains, because of the way they affect the winds and precipitation. The day we were in Whittier, it happened to actually be a nice sunny day, but the guide we were with remarked about how uncommon this was and it made the day memorable. I think the weather patterns would keep things super interesting and leave so much to talk about!

For this type of environment, I would need to make sure I’m aware of risky areas along the path, for example unstable rock, large roots, or rapid waters. Something that I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about is accessibility in the case of emergencies. A lot of the hikes and trails I’ve done have been super desolate and I wondered in the midst of them what the options would be if somebody happened to decently injure themselves. I would need to learn how to assess risk level and manage different abilities on a hike with such potential for injury or getting lost.

I would also love the opportunity to interpret anything related to insects. Ever since my high school co-op, when I took a course on raising monarch butterflies, it has been my passion project at home. In August I had the opportunity to bring my monarchs to Guelph Bug Day and present them to folks of all ages. This was my first more formal experience with some interpretation, because it was up to me how to run the booth and what to say. Of course, different ages required different versions of the presentation, as our textbook mentioned that it is not satisfactory to simply dilute the information, but to make separate points altogether. For the younger audience I would focus on the distinct stages and order of the life cycle, whereas for the older audience I could get into the instars, or the process of forming the proboscis after hatching as a butterfly. I would love to participate in an event of that sort again, because I feel I learned so much about conveying scientific information to all learning levels in just a six-hour day. That experience taught me which facts people are actually interested in, and what isn’t so important to point out.

It wouldn’t matter how well you understand the surrounding landscape and ecosystem if you don’t have a good understanding of your audience. We don’t just want to throw information out there, we want it to be absorbed, pondered, and to leave an impression, so I think understanding the crowd is one of the most important skills to have, and one that I want to develop. Our textbook also mentions allowing visitors a choice and autonomy over their experience, which is something I would find interesting to incorporate.

Here are some photos from my time in Alaska, the inspiration behind my ideal interpretation role. As well, a photo of me with my booth at Guelph Bug Day.

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Hi

I enjoyed reading your blog post this week and your past experiences! It is very clear that your past experiences would allow you to have a unique outlook and guidance as a nature interpreter in a mountainous region. A background in the geographical effects and history of a particular region can provide much insight into the natural characteristics and influences of that area. I also agree that there are many risks that come from exploring these regions and that’s why having a nature interpreter in these locations ensures safety for people visiting as well as the natural environment. I think in these settings a nature interpreter who specializes in mountainous areas is essential when adventuring along mountains.

Your past experiences and enthusiasm when it comes to bugs is something I admire! Its super interesting to learn about your presentations you have done as a nature interpreter yourself! You clearly are able to adjust and adapt to the audience you’re presenting to which is one of the most important things as a nature interpreter!

Your passion for the outdoors as well as your experiences has made you a promising nature interpreter for educating all ages. Love the pictures!

Maddy

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Blog Post #2

Prompt: Describe your ideal role of environmental interpreter. What might it entail? Where might it be? What skills might you need?

I am currently majoring in molecular biology and genetics, so when I think of an ideal role of environmental interpreter my mind instantly goes towards genetics. When it comes to educating on a topic such as molecular biology and genetics, I know it can instantly seem boring and confusing. Although when comes to environmental conservation, genetics can be the key to effectively achieving this. An ideal role as an environmental interpreter would be for involvement in scientific research. Much further research is needed when it comes to the genetic effects of environmental stresses caused by humans.

 Working with people involved in conservation laws and policies would also benefit from an environmental interpreter who specializes in MBG. When developing policies or programs to protect or conserves specific locations, working with scientist and environmental interpreters can ensure the most practical and beneficial plans are undergoing that guarantees environmental safety.

When in the field, an environmental interpreter who specializes in molecular biology and genetics can work with endangered species to restore genetic diversity. Biodiversity is often examined using genetic screening to track changes happening within ecosystems. As a result, having a strong background in molecular biology allows for further interpretation of environmental effects. Although much of the language used can start to get confusing when explaining in full detail. As an environmental interpreter, it would be important to explain these complicated concepts easily and engagingly. Often this can be more easily achieved through presentations/visuals or interactive exhibits.

When I first read this blog prompt, I initially thought of the conservation center back home. The conservation center contains a small educational building where the environmental interpreters working there would put on small presentations about the biodiversity within the area. growing up I always felt I learned much more in that interactive experience than I did in any classroom. I feel incorporating small lessons around genetic diversity could be something that introduces people who have never studied or heard of these concepts. Introducing concepts such as genetic diversity can be as easy as bird beak shape or flower petal colours. These hands-on experiences can easily show and introduce the backbone of our ecosystems.

When trying to convey these theories to someone who may not have a full understanding, it is important to have effective communication skills that allow you to explain complex topics to different audiences. To be able to communicate efficiently you would have to have a strong background in MBG as well as a passion for environmental conservation.

  Through the integration of molecular biology and genetic approaches into environmental studies, a further understanding for the public could be received as an environmental interpreter.

Maddy

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Week 1 Blog Post

Prompt : Describe your current relationship with nature. How has this developed/evolved? Who offered you “a sense of place,” as described in our textbook?

My love and appreciation for nature started when I was a little kid. I was born in Tanzania, a country famous for National parks and game reserves. Growing up I remember walking to school and hearing the call of wild peacocks and watching them in awe as their tail feathers rattled. My mom would come and pick me up when school was over and our walk back home was filled with canopies of tall trees that protected us from the harsh sub-Saharan sun. As much as I was fascinated by nature and its abundant flora and fauna, I was also wildly scared of it as a child and I think that’s when I learned how to appreciate it from a distance. 

In the winter of 2008, my family and I moved to Canada, and I got to experience snow for the first time in my life. We lived in Port Credit and every weekend my family and I would walk by the water and we would look at the ducks, geese, and all the Canadian wildlife. These family walks started to instil my sense of place with nature within Canada and they helped to further foster my fascination with it. My family and I then moved to Mississauga and I remember looking forward to the start of every different season. Spring for me meant I could see flowers and trees in bloom and I could look at fields of dandelions from my school bus every morning. Summer meant I could go swimming and visit parks and beaches. One summer my friend and I went to Jack Darling Memorial Park and we found a baby snapping turtle in the water. We would also go to different parks and watch the fish near the surface of ponds and give them names and life stories. Those experiences with my close friends offered me a sense of place with nature and I felt connected with it. Growing up I would also watch nature documentaries and videos of animals peacefully living in sanctuaries and it inspired me to pursue a career with animals. I gained a deep respect for nature and all the wildlife you can find within it throughout the globe.

When I first came to Guelph I was enrolled in the Wildlife Biology program, however, in my second year I ended up switching to Human Kinetics. Despite that, during covid times I would take it upon myself to learn about the plants that surround my neighborhood, and learn more about animal conservation but more so as a hobby now. I enjoy exploring different parks and hiking trails near my city and I still marvel at all the wildlife and plants that flourish within our ecosystem. I’ve also been to Costa Rica, France, and Switzerland, and in each country, I would always take some time to myself to explore the nature there and learn more about it.

Guelph has certainly offered me a sense of place with nature and I love our beautiful campus. My fascination for nature grows every day as I get to learn new material and I do hope to pursue a job in wildlife conservation at some point in my future.

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Hi!

I really enjoyed reading your blog post! I have a friend who just recently visited Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. I would also love to visit there because I know their National parks are unbelievable. I love hearing about your experiences moving to Canada because I can relate the same way to being with my friends and family exploring the local parks and conservation areas. Hiking with my family was also something that had instilled a sense of place in me too. Being able to see and experience the wildlife that you might encounter was always an exciting experience that I had looked forward to.

Guelph's strong green background always had been something that had attracted me to it. I can relate to you when it comes to our majors not being so directly focused on plants and the environment but still being able to enjoy it here at Guelph. One of my favourite things to do here is hike on the trails near my house with my friends. Do you have any favourite spots in Guelph? I agree that Guelph has also given me a sense of place and a greater appreciation of nature.  I’m very jealous of the number of sites you’ve visited I would love the opportunity to travel Europe one day.

Maddy

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Blog Post #1

Blog Prompt: Describe your current relationship with nature. How has this developed/evolved? Who offered you “a sense of place” as described in our textbook?

Hi all,

I look forward to reading your post and interacting with you all this semester.

When it comes to my current relationship with nature, I would say I’m a lot like most of the people taking this course and that I love being outdoors! Growing up I’ve always been one to explore the forest in my backyard as well as going on hikes or swimming in the area where I grew up. My family enjoyed camping, so most summers were spent outside. I was the kid who would spend hours catching frogs and looking for turtles and snakes, all covered in mud. When I got older, I got a job working in Provincial Parks as a park ranger which I fell in love with. I had spent my summers hiking and canoeing all day bringing me even closer to nature. Working in parks gave me a new perspective for the environment and what it has to offer. I ended up working in provincial parks for five years because it was where I felt “a sense of place” as mentioned in the textbook. Besides being a park ranger working, deep in the woods, often unnoticed by the campers and hikers that entered the park; I also worked as a gate attendant in the park. Being a gate attendant consisted mostly of customer service-related tasks like helping people plan their camping or hiking trips, giving people advice/recommendations on trails, etc. Working face to face with people entering the park for the first time and being able to witness the beauty of the park I was luckily able to see everyday was a unique experience that I got to witness. I felt a sense of place by being able to share my experiences, favourite hiking trails or lookouts to others.

When I first started at the university of Guelph I was just majoring in Molecular Biology and Genetics, which is something I’ve always been interested in as well. As I continued my degree, I felt like there was something missing… more nature! I ended up adding a minor in plant sciences to my studies and started focusing on plant genetics and agricultural development, which had made me more passionate about what I’m learning and what I want to do with my career.

recently I had moved on from working in Ontario Parks, I had gotten a job working in a greenhouse for the city that I live in. Being here was a completely different experience because I was very used to working in the middle of nowhere with a canoe and no service, and now I was working with urban landscaping around the city. Even though it was a new environment, the nature that I was surrounded by is a sense of comfort that creates a stressless environment. I loved working in the greenhouse, and it had only given me more knowledge and perspective on plants and our environment. Through my past experiences I can only picture myself working in a place where I would be able to be surrounded by nature each day.

I look forward to reading the rest of all your blogs!

Maddy