As I continue to develop as a nature interpreter, my personal ethic centers on fostering a connection between people and nature, encouraging mutual respect and growth. This ethic isn’t just about imparting knowledge or facts but about igniting curiosity, wonder, and a sense of responsibility toward the world we share. My background as a snowboarder, surfer, and marine biology student has shaped a unique perspective that embraces the beauty and power of nature while recognizing our impact and responsibility toward it. For my approach, I believe in the raw power of nature, as it has always been a grounding force for me. Whether I'm riding waves, exploring mountains or simply watching the sunset over the horizon, these experiences reinforce my belief that connecting with nature is one of the most profound ways to connect with ourselves. I believe that nature has the power to heal, teach and bridge people from all walks of life. This belief is closely tied to my passion for sharing the beauty and importance of marine life. The ocean has been a consistent source of fascination since I was young. People often see the sea as intimidating and unknown, but I want to show its life-sustaining importance and the intricacy of its ecosystems. By conveying how unique and crucial marine life is, I hope to transform fear into respect and curiosity into action. The oceans provide benefits to humans, such as food, coastal protection and improved mental well-being (Nash et al., 2021). Given the strong feedback between ocean and human health, there is a need to promote desirable interactions (Nash et al., 2021). These desirable interactions must be repaid to the sea as we don’t realize how beneficial it is to us.
In my beliefs, responsibilities are important. Firstly, I am responsible for the accuracy of the information I share. Nature interpretation can be made both personally and factually. It is important to share correct information when addressing ecological impacts. My role is to inform others and inspire them with the truth. This responsibility becomes even more crucial when engaging with a younger audience. This is because they may carry these lessons they learn as they grow and develop. With this world driven by technology, I think that my value to a younger audience is to show the importance of the natural world beyond a screen. Another aspect of my responsibility is to encourage growth and a balanced relationship with nature. As someone who has evolved and grown through my own experience from exposure to nature, I see it as my role to help others find the same opportunities for self-growth. Whether it is interpreting through the land that surrounds them or teaching about marine life, I aim to leave people inspired.
Personally, I believe that storytelling holds power for nature. Stories allow people to experience nature through the eyes and mind of someone else who has truly lived it. I often try to share stories of climbing mountains in New Hampshire or snowboarding down perfectly fluffy fresh snow with a beautiful sunset sneaking under the horizon. These stories are almost able to encapsulate the raw, exhilarating experiences of nature. Instead of just listing facts, as I stated earlier, I know it is so important to start with an emotional entry point. Whether good, bad or just a story with raw emotion, this helps connect to others in a way many are not able to understand.
Another approach that I will take as an environmental interpreter is encouraging an in-person, hands-on experience. My favourite way to learn is by doing. It allows for the best opportunity to grasp what is around you. As an interpreter, I would suggest having or creating the most immersive experience possible. Taking people to feel the flow of the ocean or the cold wind of the mountains. Through these experiences, people can form a personal connection to nature, such as I have myself. This personal connection is essential to create a genuine care for the world that surrounds us. Finally, I find the importance of adapting my communication style to my audience. With children, I aim to emphasize excitement and engagement, making nature feel like a game of dress-up where they can experience anything they want. With adults, I would dive into interesting ecological concepts or conservation issues using realistic and relatable experiences. Regardless of my audience, I will always show my genuine care and passion for the environment.
As I continue to grow in my environmental interpreter role, I understand the importance of connections between the environment and people more and more every day. I want my journey to be fulfilling to myself and others with constant adaptation, such as nature does. Through constant growth and the completion of my education, I am to improve the impact I can have on this world. Overall, as long as I am able to help others experience this beautiful life, I feel that my job will be complete. Whether it’s a child who experiences playing in the dirt, someone seeing their first shooting star or learning to love even the scariest parts of nature, I hope to lead these experiences that allow for a more connected relationship with nature.
Thank you all for reading! This blog post experience has been very unique as I’ve never done anything like this before. I’m glad we get to share unique experiences as I've learned so much from all my classmates. Thank you to the instructing team for choosing this to be part of our grade scheme!
Nash, K. L., van Putten, I., Alexander, K. A., Bettiol, S., Cvitanovic, C., Farmery, A. K., Flies, E. J., Ison, S., Kelly, R., Mackay, M., Murray, L., Norris, K., Robinson, L. M., Scott, J., Ward, D., & Vince, J. (2022). Oceans and society: feedbacks between ocean and human health. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 32(1), 161–187. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-021-09669-5