My personal responsibility to nature
Today, I sit down in a silent room and think about myself as a nature interpreter. I learned a lot in this course, and I thank my professor and university for offering something different from all my past experiences. The projects that I have done in this course are challenging because they make me think outside the box. I came into the course with just a love for nature, a love that started when I was a child going on camping trips with my family, but I come out of it interested in working as a nature interpreter.
A photo of people enjoying camping and nature. Similar to what I used to do as a child. Moments like these are priceless. Retrieved from https://www.anyrgb.com/en/free-image-ybbnsy
As I develop as an interpreter, I believe that I have a responsibility towards nature. I have a responsibility to protect nature, show and spread its beauty to everyone. People in our day and age are missing out on nature. People are always busy with life. Busy making more money and buying bigger things. Our lives are short, and we must enjoy nature and our planet while we can.
I believe it starts at a young age. As a child I developed my love for nature when I used to go camping with my family. Our children are the future and if they don’t care about nature and our planet then we are in trouble. Our world moves into becoming more urbanized and the emphasis on nature is becoming less important. We have less connection to nature than people before us and our children will have even less. This trend will continue if we don’t take action now as nature interpreters and show the importance of nature to our children. We must take our children outside and let them enjoy outdoor activities like camping, hiking and climbing. We must take them on nature walks and allow them to wonder and ask questions about nature. Dr. Richard Louv mentioned in one of the videos in our lectures that we are animals, and we need nature for our health. I truly believe that and think that everyone should experience nature in some sort or form. Whenever I feel down or depressed, I go for a walk or a run through nature, I feel peace and calmness when in touch with nature. I have a responsibility to spread this knowledge to people around me. I need to inform people about the benefits of taking some time off and going out in nature. We need to stop and contemplate away from the busy lives that we live. Enjoy the little things outdoors, it’s good for our health especially mentally.
My personal experiences must be translated to a larger audience and I have a responsibility to do so. As nature interpreters, we must continue to fight for nature educational centers. We must be alongside any programs that exposes people to nature especially children. I think that a large number of people don’t realize the importance of nature and these programs showcase that importance.
People making gardens and showing children the importance of nature. Programs like these are wonderful and it our responsibility as nature interpreters to be involved in such programs. Retrieved from https://friendsoftheearth.uk/nature/importance-nature
We have explored many concepts throughout the term. The two that stands out to me as I think today are privilege and technology. As nature interpreters, we are privileged when it comes to nature. We are receiving the education that nature is important. We are realizing how important it is to humans. Some people grow up not experiencing nature at all and sometimes it’s too late. Ones humans grow older, their minds are set on what’s important in life and if they don’t grow up loving nature, it’s hard to change their mindset. No matter who you are or where you come from, nature always has something to offer. I consider this realization a privilege. Therefore, we are privileged to be learning about what nature has to offer. This knowledge can be translated into helping nature in the future. As I mentioned, the world is becoming more urbanized and technology is taking over our lives. The need for people to focus on the preservation of nature is never been more important.
This brings me to the second concept that stood out to me during the term which is technology. I think of technology is a double-edged sword. We have discussed in lectures and readings the positives and negatives of technology. Technology can keep us inside our homes. Nowadays, you can do everything from the comfort of home and there is no motivation to go outside. This can make people more stagnant. People will be encouraged to spend their free time at home, they will watch movies, play video games, use their phones for hours and never think about going out and enjoying the outdoors. This is a huge concern when it comes to technology. Technology can actually turn people away from nature if used incorrectly.
A photo encouraging people to work and stay home. Notice that ‘DREAM’ is also written to convince people that this is the dream. Making money wile working from home. Photos like these make people want to stay home even though they don’t realize it. Retrieved from https://quickmarket.co.uk/ad/work-from-the-comfort-of-your-home-and-earn-money/
On the other hand, technology can actually be the answer to more people experiencing nature. Technology allows us to see beautiful natural places in photos or videos which will in turn motivate us to go out and experience these places. I know myself; I would research beautiful areas and see images of them before I travel. Seeing a beautiful natural environment motivates me to go to it. In that sense, technology is helping me experience more nature. Technology also helps preserve nature. It has many methods of preservation but one way that I think is very important is GMOs (genetically modified organisms). Plants can actually be modified to be more resistant to climate change for example. That means they can live longer under harsh conditions. This will preserve nature and allow us to enjoy it for longer time. Our planet needs more plants and technologies are vital for a better future. Therefore, technology can be helpful from these aspects.
Photos like these inspire me to go to them. This is located in Jamaica, a country that I would like to visit for its natural beauty. Retrieved from https://www.iberostar.com/en/inspiration-guide/travel/nine-natural-wonders-you-cant-miss-in-jamaica-nature-caribbean/
As a nature interpreter, I’m privileged to know the importance of nature and I must use my knowledge and transfer it to the people around me. We are key in saving nature, knowledge alone is not enough. Interpreters translate this knowledge and make easy and accessible to everyone in society. Whether you’re into nature or not, interpreters can help.
After reading your post I feel as though we look at nature and nature interpretation in a similar way. I love your reference to technology being a double edged sword. I too mentioned in my post and many others about the dangers of technology. Technology allows us to connect with others and become educated about various issues impacting nature. It can even allow us to interpret nature through different mediums. However i think a main issue in this social media, internet driven society is a divide between true connection and a false sense of connection. This is true for any form of connection, but you and I both agree on the impact it can have on ones connection with nature. If we as interpreters push those around us to take a breather from our devices and endless scrolling to go outside and connect with nature, I think the positive effects would be incredible. I touched on this in another post, but levels of anxiety are at an all time high for our society. Finding peace and connection with mother nature truly allows us to decompress and focus on the beauty around us, instead of the false reality behind our screens. Reforming our connection with nature as humans would allow so much more growth for the following generations.
Thank you for your post! You provided some wonderful food for thought!
Cheers!
Caitlyn
Thank you Caitlyn!
You bring up an interesting point about false connection when it comes to technology. Your right, a lot of social media nowadays can send false messages. Messages that are not true. However, if we can use the screens to see places we have never been to, that’s the ultimate goal in helping to connect with nature, at least in my opinion. If I see a picture of a nice forest or beach area then I’m motivated to visit it. That to me is technology helping me connect with nature.
However, technology helps nature in many other ways. It can preserve nature. One example is solar systems to power our homes instead of electricity. If solar systems become the norm then we have helped nature tremendously. All the pollution from factories for electricity would be eliminated. This preserves nature and help it survive for longer periods of time for everyone to enjoy it. So yes the screens is technology but its not the only way that technology helps nature.
You also bring up the fact that anxiety is at an all-time high. It hurts me when I read these statements but they are true. I agree with that nature could be a cure to our anxiety and its sad that people don’t realize it. I think, as nature interpreters we need to continue to raise awareness about the mental aspect of nature. It helps us relax and feel at peace and that’s something that everyone should be experiencing.
Thank you for your great insight.



























