Nature Interpretation and Admiration

ENVS 3000 W23

[etenvs3000w23]

Unit 10: Nature Interpretation's Role in Environmental Sustainability

If I were to be totally honest with myself, the only reason I took this course to begin with was to fulfil a credit required to earn a certificate of environmental conservation when I graduated. There were very few options as to what credits I could take, and this one was available so I jumped at the chance. But I could not have been more lucky in taking that chance. That is because from the start of my university career I have consistently asked myself ‘what if I went the other way?’ I ask myself this because when I graduated highschool I was at a pretty big crossroads. I had spent my years in highschool volunteering as a student journalist in addition to taking the required science credits to go on one of two career paths: that of the scientist or that of the journalist. I of course took the route of the scientist, but again, what if I had gone the other way? This thought persisted, and as a result I have always valued the chance at learning how to integrate what I learned in science with that of communication, unfortunately I haven’t had as many chances to build these skills as I would have liked. Enter: this course.

In taking this course I unknowingly received the perfect opportunity to do what I’d always wanted, interpret what I’d learned in my zoology major and gain the skills to present it to a larger audience. Over the course of this semester I have learned way more about nature interpretation than I could have predicted, and I am definitely leaving this class a better communicator than when I began. So then, what have I learned?

I think one of the most important things I learned within this course was the importance of ethics while communicating. I’ve always tried my best to consider my audience when creating a project, but at the end of the day I am just one person with one point of view. Something that stood out to me while taking this course was the emphasis placed on privilege and the part it plays in experiencing nature and the lack of opportunities faced by those who lack it. In my own personal ethic I have always strived to be empathetic, honest, and responsible for my actions. But, what this course has allowed me to do is see the ‘invisible backpack’ described by Gallavan (2005) that many people carry with them. In considering my own code of ethics I need to be responsible in not making assumptions about certain groups, and know that not everyone has had the same opportunities as I have. Like many people I have felt the guilt of having these opportunities when others don’t, but rather than continue to think that simply feeling bad about my place in our society is enough, I know I have to strive to do better and make personal goals for myself. In other words, in order to be a good communicator I can’t just provide for one audience, but all audiences. It is so easy to tell people that if they want to experience nature then they should just go outside and touch the grass as they say, but this is not as easy as people think. There are hundreds of invisible barriers people with privilege who perceive their norm as the cultural norm simply cannot see. Economic barriers, cultural barriers, communication barriers, and so much more. It is learning about these barriers, and working with the people who face them that we can find ways to overcome them and provide less privileged people with interpretation catered to their needs rather than the same run of the mill experience that may be equivalent to others experiences, but not nearly as impactful.

I mentioned before how I once wanted to become a journalist rather than a scientist, and how I am still striving to be a better communicator. Communication is a broad term that has many different definitions. If I wanted to communicate with someone, I could do so using visuals, or music, or writing, or even through dance. Over history, different cultures have found different ways to interpret nature and communicate lessons learned from it to the next generation. For me, my skill set lends itself to utilising writing as the best approach to nature interpretation. Not only am I more confident in the written word, I am creative as well, or at least I try to be. Both the textbook and Strauss (1996) describe the importance of anecdotes and imagery to engage the audience. I know that throughout my life the lessons I have remembered the most were the memorable ones that had a great story behind them. It's part of the reason I can recount twenty hours of lore for major sci fi franchises and yet can barely remember my first year chemistry class. What sticks with people are experiences, and if you can engage people with nature through an immersive and creative experience, they will take that lesson and repurpose it for themselves.

Next year I plan to take a year off science and pursue a graduate certificate course in creative writing. I am in no way giving up science, but what I am doing is trying something new, and something I have always wanted to do. I have learned that influencing people to learn science through media such as fiction and other forms of creative writing can be just as impactful if not more so than discovering the facts in the first place. I hope to one day use what I have learned in this class and the rest of my undergrad to not only continue to be a responsible scientist, but a scientist who can communicate creatively with the next generation and inspire them to consider not just their own needs, but everyone's needs when it comes to nature.

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018b). Chapter 5: Guiding Principles of Interpretation. Interpreting cultural and natural heritage : for a better world. (pp.81-101) Sagamore Venture.

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018c). Chapter 7: Serving Diverse Audience. Interpreting cultural and natural heritage : for a better world. (pp.105-123) Sagamore Venture.

Gallavan, N. P. (2005). Helping teachers unpack their “invisible knapsacks.” Multicultural Education (San Francisco, Calif.), 13(1), 36–36.

Strauss, S. (1996). The passionate fact : storytelling in natural history and cultural interpretation. North American Press.

[nskenvs3000w23]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this week’s blog prompt. I really enjoyed getting to read about your experiences in this class and with daily and nature interpretation.

Like you, I too originally took this class for the credit and because I had heard good things about it from upper year friends who has previously taken the course. I decided to go with an ENVS course for my final science requirement because it was unlike anything I had ever studied in university; little did I know this course would end up not only teaching me so much about nature and the natural world but also about the art of interpretation.

You mentioned that one of the most important things you’ve learned is the importance of effective communication, which I couldn’t agree with more. Having to complete these blog post every week, and even our group podcasts, has forced me to learn how to communicate in a more clear, concise and meaningful manner while also adapting to suit my specific audience.

In this post you went on to mention the idea of our invisible backpacks which we read about in our course readings. Ever since we were first assigned the reading by Gallavan (2005) I have been reflecting on my privilege. There is one thing I know for certain and that is that I am privileged to be able to have the opportunity to learn and grown not only as an interpreter of nature and the world around me but also as a person.

Overall, great job!

[tgenvs3000w23]

My Role in Interpretation: Nature and the Environment

For me, as a developing nature interpreter and a growing human, there are a lot of values and ideals that are important to stay true to when I’m out there in the world, observing and interpreting. I’ve discussed and reflected throughout this course about who I am as an interpreter, so it’s only fitting to share that as I sign off for my final blog.

I remember mentioning in my first blog post how I felt this field of conservation and interpretation is where I was meant to end up. I wanted to talk more to that and why I chose to pursue this type of work. 

First off, I was an anxious kid when I was younger, not that that changed very much. I remember learning about climate change in science class, and it blew my mind when I found out this isn’t how it’s always been. There was a time when people didn’t worry about their emissions, or fret over a hole in the ozone layer, or talk about tipping points and irreversible damage and the ocean levels swallowing us whole. 

Not every generation was told they were the last hope. 

I had originally wanted to become a vet. I always say I changed majors from Animal Biology to Wildlife Biology and Conservation because I didn’t want to be doing the same spays and neuters for the rest of my life. The truth is, when I first heard about WBC, I was drawn in and it felt like I had this “aha moment” where I realized my purpose and where I would excel. Since then, I’ve learned just how to fulfill this purpose. I’ve heard over and over that it’s hard to make a career out of animal/environmental care and conservation. But that’s not why people rally to make these big movements for conservation, raise awareness, and advocate through their interpretation. So what drives us, what drives me?

I’m not in it for the money. I know I’m selfless and honest and respectful and empathetic. But these aren’t the values I want to describe just me, I want these ideals to be associated and intertwined with my interpretation, to guide and direct it.

Selfless

Selflessness means putting others before yourself. When I say I think it’s important to be selfless as an interpreter, what I mean is that you constantly have to be thinking about the audience you are providing your interpretation to. Interpreters aren’t doing this service just to hear themselves talk or just to cash a cheque. I became an interpreter because I cared about getting important messages out to people that want to listen. You can’t disregard your audience because they are the reason we interpret, and they are how our interpretation will spread.

Honest 

As an interpreter, I never lie to an audience, and I will always stick by this. I won’t make an issue bigger than it is, but I also won’t sugarcoat it to lessen the sting of reality. People are seeking interpretation and its services because they want to learn. I want my interpretation to be meaningful and relevant. We discussed in Unit 6 the importance of integrity, mostly in regard to historical interpretation, but this ideal is applicable to interpretation as a whole. It’s my job to make my message entertaining by itself, not add useless, half-true, or distracting filler for the sake of entertainment. An interpreter’s role is to lay out the facts, and move people to make them care about the message.

Respectful 

I feel this one is pretty self-explanatory, but the idea behind this is that people copy what they see. Of course, we want to practice respect all the time, but sometimes people forget that applies beyond human-human interactions. I think it’s not only important to be respectful of the people I talk with, but also of the animals I may handle to demonstrate messages, or the plants I pass on a nature hike, or just the way I talk about my appreciation for the environment around me. I think it’s especially important to verbalize to an audience the respect I am showing when demonstrating appreciation for something because it encourages mutual respect between them and me, and also them and their environment.

Empathetic

I want to be mindful of other people and how my interpretation may be further perceived based on different privileges. I think this was an important topic we reflected on in the course earlier, and moving forward something I will be (and already have been) conscious of when designing my approaches for interpretation. I think being empathetic can make me a better and more effective interpreter this way since I am constantly thinking about how to be more inclusive by changing my message, delivery, target audience, etc.

I aim to inspire people with my passion and enthusiasm for wildlife and environmental conservation. Sometimes I want to inspire action and change, other times I just want to make someone care. Not all of us interpreters will be reaching the same audience, so it’s important to work together so that we can rally everyone together for a common goal, a positive experience that can one day lead to positive change.

Art, science, technology, and teaching are the approaches I tend to gravitate toward as an interpreter, and I think are best suited to me as an individual. I like to use these four in combination because they can have different effects on how your message is presented and interpreted. Teaching is personable and unique, but so is art. Art doesn’t require much talking sometimes and can lead to deep reflection. Science is cool and fascinating, and also empowering for audiences. Technology is becoming more accessible and can elevate interpretation.

I didn’t leave myself very many words to summarize my post, but I hope some people out there relate to some things I’ve said and have more to add themselves. I definitely could go on, so if we meet on the other side of this screen, let’s chat about nature interpretation! You can tell me what you learned and I will share what I have too. Cheers to a good semester, best of luck.

Teagan :)

[nskenvs3000w23]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this week’s very open-ended blog prompt. I really enjoyed getting to read about your experiences with nature interpretation.

First off, I really enjoyed the clear format of your post as it was easy to follow along and understand and did a great job of outlining many important details! I loved that you started off your post mentioning developing as a nature interpreter and growing as a human in a harmonious way because I do believe that both go hand in hand.

I also appreciated the section of your post where you mentioned that “not every generation is told they were the last hope.” I guess I never really thought about it that way, but it is so true. In my original post I too mentioned the importance that we as nature interpreters and humans have to not only get to experience the true beauty of nature but also protect it and heal it from all the damages humans throughout time have caused. I was also glad to here that you found your purpose through the WBC major! Thanks for doing your part!

Like I mentioned I loved your designated sections per personal ethic factor as well as the array of photographs included in your post. I especially liked your mentioning of empathy in relation to nature interpretation as it was not a factor of ethics that jumped out to me when I was brainstorming the topic for myself. As you mentioned, empathy allows interpreters to really connect with their audience while coming across with genuine care and passion.

Overall, great job!

[nskenvs3000w23]

Week 10:- Nature Interpretation’s Role in Environmental Sustainability

It’s wild to think that we have already reached week 10 with the final week of our blog upon us. I remember feeling overwhelmed about the thought of writing nature blogs at the very start of the semester as I have never done anything like this before and on top of that this is my first environmental science course I’ve ever taken. Honestly speaking, I didn’t have a clue what a nature interpretation course would even entail. Looking back, the opportunity to create a nature blog in this manner was such a cool alternative to the boring old Courselink discussion board posts and replies. Not only that, sharing my thoughts freely every week and getting to hear all of your opinions has been my favourite part of my week for the last 10 weeks!

On my very first blog post, I wrote about being a city girl at heart, having spent much of my childhood in downtown Toronto. I even mentioned that I believed my view on nature was skewed due to the lack thereof where I grew up. After the last 10 weeks I came to realize that though I may not be in tune with nature as much as some of you may be, my unique interpretation and admiration of nature is still valid and rooted in the experiences I had in the concrete jungle of downtown Toronto.

Downtown Toronto, Ontario. Taken August 25th, 2022.

Over the last few months, as I learned more about nature interpretation and what it means to effectively interpret, I have developed many personal ethics which have guided me throughout this process.

First and foremost is the belief that it is my responsibility to teach those around me about nature and the natural world while also motivating and inspiring them to interpret their world as well. As we’ve learned from the start of the semester, interpretation has many benefits to society as it provides educational, recreational, and inspirational experiences which promote a healthy and informed community (Beck et al., 2018). For me, the responsibility to inspire my friends, family, classmates, and other community members isn’t something I take lightly. I believe that inspiring those around you is something so special, especially when inspiring those to love and cherish the beautiful world we live in. We all have such different ideas of nature and such different memories in nature, so sharing all our knowledge in an open and honest way is so important.

Key West, Florida. Taken December 22nd, 2022.

Another factor of ethics that is extremely important to me as a developing nature interpreter is the responsibility for everyone to take care of the planet we live in. As I’ve gotten older and had more opportunities to travel, I can say without a doubt that the world around us is absolutely gorgeous and its our duty to protect it and make smart decisions. I’m sure we all know what we are supposed to do to keep this planet the way we know and love, but it seems we aren’t taking the responsibility to do so. Climate change is a real problem, and it is time we work together to make a change. NASA describes climate change as human-caused global warming that is ongoing and only getting worse (NASA, 2022). NASA’s Global Climate Change data demonstrates that since the industrial revolution in the 18th century, there has been a 50% rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide and a global rise in surface temperature of 1.1 degrees Celcius (NASA, 2022). On top of this, Arctic sea ice is melting at the alarming rate of 13% per decade, while ice sheets have melted by 151 billion metric tons per year since 2002 (NASA, 2022). It is so upsetting to think about how much our beautiful world is changing for the worse, but it is important for us as humans to know the consequences of our actions. For this reason, I believe it’s crucial for nature interpreters, like me, to not only interpret and share the beauties of the world but also stress the importance of rectifying the damage we have inflicted on our planet.

The way I see it, if we don’t take matters into our own hands and start pushing for change, nature interpreters and civilians alike won’t have anything to interpret and admire. For this reason, I wanted to remind everyone of a few quick changes we can make in our everyday lives which will make a big difference.

1) Take shorter showers to conserve water! I love taking long hot showers after stressful days, but I have taken the initiative to try cutting down my showers by at least 5 minutes a day. 2) Use a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastics! Though it can be convenient at times to grab a plastic water bottle that you can dispose of at any time, using a reusable water bottle not only saves money but saves the planet too! 3) Carpool whenever possible to reduce your carbon emission! Don’t get me wrong, I love driving alone because I can jam out in the car and not have to worry about anyone hearing, but my friends and I have vowed to always try to take as few cars as necessary whenever we hangout.

Lake Louise, Alberta. Taken October 18th 2022.

Overall, I believe responsibility is the biggest personal ethic I have developed as a nature interpreter. In my opinion, we as interpreters and as humans are responsible to experience the amazing world around us and share it with as many people as possible. Think about it, where do you want to travel? Iceland? Thailand? Why do you want to go there? Often times we choose the places we want to visit or travel to next because of the word of mouth. Similarly, the word of mouth, or the sharing of our experiences in nature with others sparks curiosity and admiration. However, I believe our responsibility to the planet doesn’t stop there. I also believe that we are responsible to look after our planet and resolve as much of the hurt we have caused as possible.

Cheers everyone! :)

References

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World. Sagamore Venture.

NASA. (2022). Climate Change: Vital signs of the planet. NASA. Retrieved March 26, 2023, from https://climate.nasa.gov/

[skgenvs3000w23]

Sense-making of Nature Interpretation

As a wildlife biology and conservation major, I found this topic to be the most difficult to pick a topic for so far! I knew from the get-go that I would initially choose an animal and interpret all the fun facts I knew about it, but choosing the actual species proved to be a difficult task. As someone who has experience working hands on with a variety of native and exotic species, I have a good amount of baseline knowledge as well as fun facts ready for use. For these reasons, I decided to choose to write about my knowledge and experience caring for raccoons! I worked last summer as a general wildlife care intern at a wildlife rehabilitation and will be returning this summer as a staff member in the raccoon nursery. Between the months of last May-August, we had admitted and taken care of around 250 raccoons ranging from orphaned litters of babies to badly injured adults. While most people who live in cities or even in rural areas consider raccoons as a pest species, they are funny creatures that deserve respect as well. Educating the public on their role within the environment and how to help their species as a whole is a great way to bring awareness. We do private tours of the facilities as well as open houses on every Saturday so the public can come in, see how we operate and learn some information about protecting native wildlife. One of the best ways they can do this is by slowing down on sections of roads that are known to be highly trafficked areas for wildlife crossings. This helps reduce the number of animals hit by vehicles and in turn can reduce the number of orphaned raccoons.

My job as a wildlife care member is to feed, clean, vaccinate and medically treat any raccoon that is admitted to us. Depending how old they are when they first come in, they are either fed 3 or 4 times a day with a specific powder-based formula that acts as their mother’s milk that they would be usually eating in the wild. Once they grow older, we supplement their diet with a kibble-based dog food, provide them with cooked egg for protein and some form of meat, typically a ground beef. This mimics their diet in the wild so that once they're released, they can find similar sources of food that give them the same nutritional content. Once they are old enough to move outdoors, they begin living in one of our outdoor enclosures to start being introduced to the natural habitat and climate. One of my favourite parts of raccoon rehabilitation is watching the sweet babies turn into the typical angry raccoon or when they ‘wild up’ as we call it. Although this can seem sad as your favourite creatures no longer enjoy your presence and consider you their mother, it is an indication of a job well done. If an animal doesn’t wild up and consider humans a threat is typically not able to be successfully released and therefore your job was not completed properly! Although it may seem sad to see them go, they are always better off living their lives in the wild where they belong which to me makes it a redeeming process.

[nskenvs3000w23]

Thanks so much for sharing this amazing post! I really enjoyed getting to read about your experience working with animals and about raccoons!

I find wildlife rehabilitation so interesting! Last semester I look BIOL*3670 and this semester I’m in BIOL*3680 which are Introduction to Wildlife Rehabilitation part 1 and 2, so I’d like to think I know a fair bit about wildlife rehabilitation even though I haven’t worked directly in the field. It was so surprising to hear that from last May to August alone you worked with around 250 raccoons! Thank you for helping all those little cuties!

Like you mentioned, though raccoons are often seen as mischievous pests, I have always had a very soft spot in my heart for raccoons. I have a very vivid memory of my math textbook in grade 5 having an adorable little raccoon on it and ever since then I have loved them! I absolutely loved the addition of the pictures to your post as firstly, they are just so stinking adorable and secondly, they really enhanced your overall post and made me want to read more!

You mentioned a great point which I learnt in the wildlife rehabilitation courses I’ve taken, that wildlife rehabilitators not only attend to sick, injured or orphaned animals but also have the important role of teaching the public about animals. You went on to say that the rehabilitation facility you work for has open houses every Saturday for the public to come in and learn about the animals you care for, which I think is such a great idea! As someone who loves animals but is also scared of most things that move (I know it’s quite unfortunate, haha) I think I would really benefit from going to one of these open houses!

I really enjoyed hearing about how you would typically care for a raccoon that is brought in! Throughout my time in BIOL*3670 and BIOL*3680 I have taken part in many case discussions where my classmates and I predict how to care for animals, so it was great to hear the steps straight from an expert!

[nskenvs3000w23]

Week 9:- Sense-Making of Nature Interpretation

This week’s prompt really got me thinking, what is the most fascinating thing I know about nature and the natural world? For me, the most amazing thing I know about nature is my favourite animal, the orca.

Photo taken by Paul Nicklen.

Their scientific name, Orcinus orca, is an ode to Orcus, the Roman god of the underworld and champion of death (Real Science, 2021). These mesmerising fish are also commonly known as killer whales, and for good reason. Orcas are a top predator, with the title of apex predator of the oceans beating out the great white shark (Glatz, 2022). Who would have thought that these adorable black and white whales, which ironically are a part of the dolphin family, Delphinidae, would have such a vicious backstory to their name (National Geographic, n.d.)?

Since these amazing animals are at the top of the food chain, they have a very diverse carnivorous diet including seals, salmon, whale calves, squid, dolphins, sea birds and even great white sharks (Glatz, 2022). In a 2022 study done by Towner et al., it was found that white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) have a flight response towards orcas and will not return to the waters where they previously spotted orcas for at least seven weeks (Towner et al., 2022). Did you know orcas are the only known predator of the great white shark (Glatz, 2022)?

Aside their powerful hunting techniques, orcas are known to be incredibly intelligent and social creatures (Croft, 2018; National Geographic, n.d). They have strong familial bonds as they live in pods with a matriarch, meaning the grandmother is the head of the pod (Croft, 2018). From birth, orcas spend their entire lives with their mother’s family, known as the matriline (Croft, 2018). Around the age of 15, female orcas begin mating with males from surrounding pods, and continue to do so approximately every six years until age 40 (Croft, 2018). Interestingly, humans, orcas and a few other whale species are the only animals in the animal kingdom whose females continue to live for years upon years after they stop reproducing (Croft, 2018).

After learning just how amazing these animals are, it’s understandable that humans are fascinated by them. This fascination for orcas crossed a line decades ago when humans began keeping orcas captive in marine parks across the world, and even right here in Ontario. Have you ever been to Marineland? Marineland of Canada, located in Niagara Falls, Ontario received their first orca in 1971, named Kandu II, and went on to house, or rather detain, 25 others since (Killer Whale Wiki, n.d.). By 2011, the majority of the orcas held at Marineland had either been transferred to other facilities or had deceased, leaving one orca left, Kiska (Killer Whale Wiki, n.d.). Kiska, who was captured in 1979 at the age of three, was sent directly to Marineland where she would live out the rest of her live (Haro, 2023). In 2019, the Canadian government passed Bill S-203 to ban the capture and keeping of cetaceans in Canada, except for those in rehabilitation centres and those already in captivity, which meant Kiska would remain in Marineland (Haro, 2023). From 2011 to 2023, Kiska lived alone in a concrete tank in Marineland with no one to play or socialize with (Haro, 2023). On March 9th 2023, only 10 days ago, Kiska, known as the “world’s loneliest whale,” passed away at the age of 47, due to a bacterial infection (Haro, 2023). Kiska was in captivity for 44 years, lived in solitary for 12 years and outlived all five of her calves. The sliver lining of the passing of Kiska is that marks the end of orca captivity in Canada. Thankfully there will never be another captive Kiska in Canada.

References:

Croft, D. (2018). Inside the Killer Whale Matriarchy. YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQpGT1BgdX4.

Glatz, K. (2022, October 13). What do killer whales (orcas) eat? 16 animals they hunt. AZ Animals. Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://a-z-animals.com/blog/what-do-killer-whales-eat/

Haro, A. (2023, March 17). Kiska, the 'World's loneliest whale,' has died in captivity. The Inertia. Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://www.theinertia.com/news/kiska-the-orca-worlds-lonliest-whale-dies-in-captivity/#:~:text=For%20the%20last%2012%20years,and%20communicating%20with%20each%20other.

Marineland of Canada. Killer Whale Wiki. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://killerwhales.fandom.com/wiki/Marineland_of_Canada

Orcas. National Geographic. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/orca

Real Science. (2021). The Insane Biology of the Orca. YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GimCcrwYxdE&t=1s.

Towner, A. V., Kock, A. A., Stopforth, C., Hurwitz, D., & Elwen, S. H. (2023). Direct observation of killer whales preying on white sharks and evidence of a flight response. Ecology (Durham), 104(1), e3875–n/a. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3875

[csaenvs3000w23]

Nature Interpretation through Music

Music is something that is integrated in my everyday life. Honestly, I simply don't know how to go a day without it. Cleaning, doing homework, walking my dog, exercising, driving. I constantly have music playing throughout my day.

When considering music and nature, there are many ways one can interpret this concept. For instance, one can simply listen to sounds made by nature as a form of music. Many forms of music even include recorded sounds from nature. Such as raindrops, thunderstorms, birds chirping, waves clashing, and so much more. A specific example of a form of music is called Biophony, which can be defined as the cumulative sound produced by organisms within a specific biome (Clarke, 2022). Personally, I find sounds from nature to be very calming and help me to relieve feelings of stress and anxiety. Often, when I am struggling to fall asleep or just relax, I play nature white noise sounds (I especially like ones with whale noises, bird noises, and heavy rain).

Others, use references of nature to convey particular feelings and emotions in their music. I would say nature in music helps provide a sensational impact. In fact, many of the greatest sources of inspiration has be drawn from nature and many artists use symbols of nature to express themselves in songs.

Many other songs have been inspired by environmental issues, and have used music as a way to advocate for making a change for the better. The textbook mentions how music can be used to bring awareness to nature and resource issues, which has resulted in many positive outcomes (Beck et al., 2018).

The following link includes some examples (feel free to check them out and add to your playlists! ;) ) :

Nature is beautiful. From the thick green forests to the oceans, clear blue skies, dusty desert sunsets, and water creeks. Sadly, human acti

Either way, combining the beautiful aspects of nature and music can be utilized as such a powerful tool of expression. Music can truly be an enchanting and compelling way in providing others with a deeper understanding of the importance of nature, strengthening their connections with nature (Beck et al., 2018).

References:

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World. Sagamore Venture.

Clarke, N. (2022, August 15). What is biophony? Definition and examples. earth.fm. https://earth.fm/glossary/what-is-biophony-definition-and-examples/

[nskenvs3000w23]

Thanks for this post! I enjoyed getting to hear your thoughts on the connection between music and nature!

Like you, music is a huge part of my everyday life. Sometimes I feel as though I have my headphones in listening to music more than not haha. When thinking about this week’s topic I was quick to think about songs with themes relating to nature and song using instruments that mimics natural sounds. But I missed the most obvious form of music that incorporates nature, biophony and geophony! As you mentioned, biophony is a genre of music that is formulated with the use of organisms such as birds and geophony is a genre of music that is formulated with the use of non-biological sounds such as rain. In specific I love listening to geophonic music while I relax, finish homework, study for exams, and to help me fall asleep. I just love the sound of rain falling, the loud thunder that bangs during storms and the sound of waves crashing onto shore. I appreciated that you included the link to the Nature Sounds playlist on Spotify which is one of my favourites!

A geophonic “song” I’ve been loving lately is Gentle Rain by Pro Sound Effects Library on Spotify.

A great point you mentioned was the use of music to spread awareness about the environment, which is something I didn’t think of, but I totally agree with! Obviously, we as humans use nature as a source of inspiration for our music because we admire the natural world around us. Part of loving the environment is taking good care of it and spreading awareness of environmental issues, and what better way to do so than through music!

Great job!

[nskenvs3000w23]

Week 7:- Nature Interpretation through Music

The way I see it, music and nature are interlocked with their connection dating back thousands of years. Throughout human history, humans have turned to nature and the natural world for inspiration for a multitude of creative outlets such as visual arts, literature and most importantly, music. Turning to nature as a source of inspiration allows the art we create to connect us with the world around us.

Initially, when pondering on this week’s blog topic, I reflected on the beautiful natural sounds that we hear during our everyday life. Rain drops hitting your car’s windshield on a dark gloomy day, the family of birds tweeting at 6 in the morning on warm summer days, the sound of rustling leaves as the wind blows, the buzzing of a bee, the loud bang after lightning strikes, or the crickets in the grass chirping all night long. Music is everywhere in nature. The inverse is also true. Nature is everywhere in music. Over the centuries, musicians and song writers have turned to nature to spark ideas and get their creative juices flowing. Many songs incorporate nature and the world around us into the themes of their songs, while also using instruments that mimic natural sounds. A throwback song that does a great job of taking inspiration from nature is Fireflies by Owl City. This song which I am sure you all are familiar with, refers to the beauty of the endless night sky and of Earth in general. In interviews the band even explained that the song was directly inspired by watching shooting stars during camping trips.

A song that instantly takes me back to nature, is the song Love by PRETTYMUCH. This song is a rhythmically fun and catchy song about falling in love and the emotions that come with it. Although the song doesn’t directly speak to or reference nature, this song brings me back to gorgeous Key West, Florida. This past December, my family and I travelled to Miami and took the 255-kilometer drive from Miami to Key West, the southernmost point of the United States, only 145 kilometers from Cuba. Seeing the mesmerizing palm and coconut trees and gorgeous beaches, while feeling the warm sun rays paired perfectly with this bright and playful song. These days, even in the -27 degrees weather, when Love plays, I am instantly brought back to my time in Miami and the Florida Keys.

Key West, Florida. Taken December 22nd, 2022.

[cmuenvs3000w23]

A Historical Approach to Nature interpretation (Unit 06)

“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, Beck at al. 2018, pp. 342)

I like the comparative nature this quote uses to exemplify history as a mobile entity that exists beyond the linear point-to-point dry analysis that seems to accompany this topic. Although the quote contradicts its initial standpoint by claiming "ancient things are without merit" and then further going on to standby the maintenance of the exact "things" that were dismissed unless comprised as valuable sections of the integrity of the whole.

Through my interpretation, this quote favours the both observable and record based documentation of history as an interconnected web of "integrity" or a valuable knowledge-based archive that is dependent on the strand of history one chooses to pursue. Through this analysis it touches upon this weeks course content surrounding the importance of expression through the written word and how history illuminates and provides a fundamental context to all lives processes.

The most important part of this quote in my opinion, is the dismissal of history as a "one stop station" that is isolated and otherwise insignificant outside of its conceptualization. Suggesting, that an ideal view of history through a non-linear lens and as connected circumstances that drive a process. From there, interpretation allows us to examine from multiple points of access that occur; pre-, post-, and amidst the details of historical record. Leading to the important takeaway of addressing the writing style and linguistic approach of recording history, is that although intended, it is practically impossible to remove the writer and their experience from the record. Everything in historical record is symbolic, from word choice to imagery to contents, all of the ways those individuals transcribed events are through a form of interpretive lens.

As contradictory as a find the opening to this quote, the tie in of the ridiculous analogy that history could be minimized to the role of a "floating" or otherwise randomly existent isolated station drives home the intended theme that how we record, experience, interpret, and sequence the process of life events is just as valuable a tool for us as interpreters when establishing different ways to connect or communicate with our audiences.

Excited to hear from you!

Cam

References

Beck, L, Cable, Ted T., Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Natural & Cultural Heritage. Sagamore-Venture Publishing. 2018

[nskenvs3000w23]

Thanks for this great post! I enjoyed getting to hear your thoughts on the relationship between humans and nature, as well as your thoughts on the quote provided to us this week.

I too appreciated the fact that the quote highlighted the interconnectedness of history in general. As we know, history in any aspect is hugely important as it creates a framework for the future and allows for us as humans to progress, keeping our successes in mind and growing from our failures. As I mentioned in my original post, history, in terms of nature interpretation, is essential to understand and appreciate the natural world and allows us to happily coexist inside of it. I liked that the quote emphasized the fact that both humans and nature are two separate parts of one big whole. You mentioned the quote's contradicting nature which was something I didn’t previously notice, however I think this aspect symbolizes the importance of togetherness. “Ancient things are without merit,” Hyams says, explaining that history is nothing on its own. As are humans. As is nature. These aspects hold little to no value on their own, but when brought together, their importance is apparent.

Like you mentioned, the most important and my favourite part of the quote by Hyams, is his reference to the railway station. I loved how clearly this analogy depicts the importance of every aspect of the world. Overall, I believe that nature interpretation and history go hand in hand. Everything the natural world is today, in all its glory and obscurity, is because of its past. The past is not just the past, it is part of the present and future.

Thanks for sharing!

[nskenvs3000w23]

Week 6:- Nature Interpretation through History

There’s no doubt that history plays a huge role in today’s society, by setting a foundation for understanding and interpreting the world around us. It is important to study the past so that we as a society can learn from our successes and failures and use that insight to make informed decisions going forward. In terms of nature interpretation, history is crucial to provide us with an understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Understanding the history of the nature allows us to delve into the historical events and changes that have occurred on our planet and how they have transformed nature into the nature we know and love today.

There are many noteworthy historical events related to nature that have changed the way we as humans interact and understand the natural world around us. One major historical event that comes to mind is the Paris Climate Agreement, 2015, where countries around the world and the United Nations came together to vow to diminish climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emission. Another great example of how history has impacted the relationship between humans and nature is the industrial revolution. The industrial revolution, 1760, brought a transition to new manufacturing processes using the burning of fossil fuels to create energy. This in turn significantly increased the concentration of greenhouse gas in our atmosphere, leading to a multitude of negative effects on the environment. The Paris Climate Agreement and the Industrial Revolution are just a few of the many historical events that have changed the way humans coexist with nature and the natural world.

“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 quote by Edward Hyams does a beautiful job of highlighting the significance of understanding the past as it holds the key to maintaining the world as we know it. As the quote describes, the past should not be valued because it is old, but rather for the wisdom and insight that it carries. I loved that Hyams mentioned the importance of keeping all parts of a whole together, because it is essential in order to see the bigger picture. The world we live in today is a sum of all its experiences, the good and the bad, which is important to account for. You are not simply able to look at all the beauties of the natural world without also considering the atrocities that come along with it. Most of all, I loved the comparison to the railway station that Hyams described. This portion of the quote emphasizes the fact that the past is not gone once it has passed, and instead adds to the present and future.

Overall, I believe that nature and the natural world in present day can never be fully understood without considering its past history. The past is not separate from the present, rather it is part of the whole.

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I wanted to take this opportunity of having no prompt this week to write about ongoing global issues that need to be brought to attention. As we have come to know, nature interpretation is about instilling passion and knowledge to your audience on the natural world. Many of the issue I will touch on in today’s blog post has to do with the natural world and its connection to humanity. I feel that this is an important topic that must be talked about in nature interpretation as we all have an impact on the natural world and can create positive change within it.

First, I wanted to touch on the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on February 6th, 2023. We all know that earthquakes can range from small to significant based on their magnitude. The higher the magnitude, the more energy is released during that earthquake, and the more damage is inflicted on the people and the land of that area. Earthquakes can cause serious damage and destruction to infrastructure such as roads and buildings. Earthquakes can send entire buildings to collapse, which is what happened when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, with a 7.5 magnitude aftershock hit Turkey and Syria.  As of today (February 12th), the death toll has reached over 33,000 with 10.9 million people impacted, and up to 5.3 million people left vulnerable without shelter, water, food, medical supplies and help. In Syria, millions have already been displaced from their homes due to an ongoing war, causing a humanitarian crisis that has been going on for almost a decade. With the freezing winter temperatures, the citizens of Turkey and Syria need worldwide aid, and there is something that we can do to help. In the New York Times article where I sourced this information, there is a link on how we can help, listing a variety of organizations that are supplying aid to these countries.

Here’s how to help victims of the earthquake.

Here’s how to contribute to organizations that are aiding the rescue and recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria.

Second, this is more of a local issue in southern Ontario, that I felt needed to be touched on. With climate change, there is a drastic difference in typical weather patterns we see during the seasons around the world. Record high temperatures in the summer leading to droughts, wildfires and even deaths due to dehydration, heat stroke etc. Extreme cold warnings are being issued across southern Ontario due to the freezing temperatures with the wind chill reaching almost -40 C. Areas such as southern Ontario are not equipped or used to these extreme temperatures, resulting in devastating outcomes for those in vulnerable populations, such as people experiencing homelessness. Recently in Toronto, a vote was held in City Council to open 24/7 warming centres for unhoused residents but was rejected in a 15-11 vote. Many of Toronto’s homeless population are turned away from shelters and left outside to battle the cold weather. I am providing a link to a petition created by Progress Toronto, which sends a letter to local City Council members and Toronto’s mayor when signed. The letter pleads with them to fund drop-in access and 24/7 warming centres throughout these cold winter months during their February 15th City Budget meeting.

Petition: 24/7 Indoor Warming Spaces Now — Progress Toronto

There’s nowhere for people to go. Sign the petition to urge councillors to keep warming spaces open 24/7 so there is always somewhere to go

[nskenvs3000w23]

Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed getting to see your approach to this week’s free topic where we were given the chance to talk about anything we wanted to. I especially enjoyed the fact that your post connected the natural world to humanity.

You began by speaking about the earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria recently and provided lots of great information on the topic which was appreciated. Though on the outside this event is simply seen as a devastating crisis, the root of the catastrophe is nature. Earthquakes are known to be caused by pressure built up by the constant rubbing of the edges of tectonic plates which is eventually release by seismic waves leading to the shaking of the ground. Scientists are now explaining the recent earthquakes that devastated Turkey and Syria were due to stress on the East Anatolian Fault which had been building up pressure for quite some time. I really appreciated that you included a link showing how we can help the victims of this shocking disaster.

Next you spoke on the topic of climate change and its direct effects on our daily lives as citizens of southern Ontario. The extreme weather we face in both summer and winter here in Ontario is also rooted in nature. Climate change, which isn’t a new concept, refers to the long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns. Since the 1800s, human activity has severely effected nature and the natural world as we know it, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels. It is absolutely devesting to know that we are destroying our beautiful planet and heartbreaking to know that our kids and grandkids will never get to experience nature the way we do if we continue on the destructive path we are on.

Thanks for highlighting these issues. Great work!

[nskenvs3000w23]

Week 5:- Nature Interpretation through Science

For this week, having no prompt was intimidating for me as I didn’t have a guide on what I should be focusing on for this post. However, I feel as though having the freedom to talk about anything we feel gives us a taste of what true nature interpretation is like. Nature interpretation is everchanging and unique to each individual and their personal experiences. Nature interpretation has no rules and no guides. Nature interpretation is anything we want it to be.

Like I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, I have a strong connection to big busy cities like the beautiful city I was born in and grew up in. For me, my views on the natural world are heavily influenced by the concrete jungle I spent so many years getting to experience. For someone who was born and raised on a cattle farm in Guelph, nature and the natural world would be very different. Someone living in Iceland would view nature in a completely opposite way to someone living in Jamaica. Even two people living in the same country, same province, same city, same municipal, and same exact street, will have differences in their interpretation of the nature that surrounds them. And that’s the beauty of it. Interpretation of any kind is very personal and can be further explored through a variety of lenses including science, music, history and art.

As we’ve learned through this week’s readings, nature interpretation and science go hand in hand. As humans we rely heavily on science to keep us informed about the natural world, whether that be in terms of zoology, botany, ecology, cosmology, oceanography, climatology and so so so much more. Not only this, but we also depend greatly on the use and regulation of the scientific method when it comes to the research findings and information being conveyed. Not to mention, we view nature through a scientific lens on a daily basis and trust it to give us accurate information. For example, did you check the weather this morning? The weather forecasts we quickly browse on our phones is determined by a multitude of scientific tools such as satellites, radars, and surface maps. Meteorologists search for patterns in the atmosphere and use scientific method to determine the most accurate prediction of the weather. And as consumers of this information, we cater our lives to this information. Thunderstorm coming our way? Maybe we’ll have a cozy night in. Bright sunny day tomorrow? Let’s go to the beach and bask in the warm sunrays. -40 degrees outside with 15 to 20 cm of snow? Woohoo it’s a snow day!

The interpretation of nature is vast and is used throughout our daily lives, sometimes even unknowingly, and that’s what makes it so important. Nature and the natural world are not simply a backdrop for our chaotic lives, but rather it is integrated into life, making nature all the more beautiful.

Banff National Park, Alberta. Taken October 18th, 2022.

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Unit 4: The Beauty of the Natural World

Artists have unique ways of perceiving and representing the natural world, and their work can be seen as a personal expression of their experiences and perceptions of nature. The "gift of beauty" is often used to refer to the idea that a character has the power to evoke feelings of awe and wonder in those who observe it. Art can be seen as a way to capture and preserve these experiences, allowing others to see and appreciate the beauty of the natural world through the artist's perspective.

Visual art plays a significant role in nature interpretation by providing a unique perspective on the natural world and allowing people to connect with nature in new and meaningful ways. For example, I experience this through nature photography and time spent outdoors. Photography of the landscape can help people understand the diversity and fragility of the natural world, even if they cannot experience it firsthand.

This week's readings explored how "the gift of beauty" can provide a range of benefits for people in terms of physical, mental, and social well-being (Beck et al., 2018). In terms of physical well-being, nature offers opportunities for people to exercise and engage in outdoor activities, providing a sense of calm and tranquillity, and spending time outside can foster a sense of social connectedness and community.

Lastly, interpretation plays a big part in art and allows the audience to see through their own lens to bring their own experiences and perspectives to work. Furthermore, it can also help raise awareness about environmental issues and the importance of conservation and provide a platform for artists to communicate their vision for a more sustainable and equitable future. By combining creativity with education and advocacy, art can play an essential role in shaping public attitudes towards nature and inspiring people to take action to protect the natural world. As a nature interpreter, it is necessary to have enthusiasm for sharing knowledge with others and a passion for the natural environment and conservation in your back pocket. I believe that the key is to find an approach that resonates with your audience and helps them appreciate and understand the beauty of the natural world. Overall, while art may not be the only way to perceive nature, it can be a powerful tool for interpretation. 

References:

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson, D.M (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World (1st ed). Sagamore Venture.

[nskenvs3000w23]

I really enjoyed getting to hear your thoughts on nature as art. You started off your post mentioning that artists have unique ways of perceiving and representing the natural world. Though this is true, I think that everyone, artist or not, has unique ways of perceiving and representing nature and the natural world which is why nature itself is one of the most beautiful aspects of the world. It is everchanging and in some cases, is experienced in opposite ways depending on where you are in the world, which simply adds to its enticing beauty.

Like you, I love photography and I am often seen snapping pictures of my surroundings. I loved that you mentioned the importance of nature photography, which portrays the variety and delicateness of the natural world whether you are lucky enough to witness it firsthand or simply through a photograph. I loved the images you added to your post as they help demonstrate some of the beauty you have experienced in nature.

In the final paragraph of your post, you mentioned that interpretation of nature can help spread awareness about environmental issues as well as the importance of conservation and sustainability, which I think is a great point that may slip our minds. Not only does art and interpretation demonstrate the masterpiece that is nature, but it also serves as an important platform to bring attention to environmental causes that matter.

Thanks for sharing!

[nskenvs3000w23]

Week 4:- Nature Interpretation through Art and Planning for “All” Scenarios

Although nature can be observed by everyone, what is being observed changes from person to person, and therefore the beauty being perceived changes. A photographer observing the sun rising from behind mountains may be more focused on the lighting and angles the sun’s rays create as it rises whilst a painter may focus more on the colours that seamlessly blend throughout the sky. Different aspects of nature stand out to us depending on who we are and where we come from. The beauty of nature doesn’t only come from the fact that it looks pretty but it also comes from the fact that nature is always open to interpretation. Growing up you always hear the term Mother Nature, it is often understood as a nature being a kind and nurturing place however, if you are a hunter or understand ecology to any amount of depth you will know that nature can be just as brutal and unforgiving as it can be nurturing, and to me the beauty of nature lies within its duality. It is a force that is so immensely powerful that it can destroy our buildings, and cities if it so pleases with a tempest, however at the same time it is so fragile that a flower can be trampled by a child. It can produce beasts that can feast on us without effort, and it produces fruit that can do nothing but get feasted upon.

“Consider the photographs you may take on your phone” (Hooykaas, 2023). This sentence in this week’s content really got me thinking. We take the pictures we take because we see some aspect of beauty in what we’re seeing. Me personally, I love taking pictures of nature, especially of the sky. Whether it be the limitless bright blue sky that could go on for days, the stunning yellow rays dancing in the sky at sunrise, the dull grey sky full of heavy clouds before a big storm, or the gorgeous deep blues and purples that fill the sky at sunset. I am always snapping pictures! To me the sky is a vista of eternal beauty. The textbook explains “the gift of beauty” which speaks about interpretation as the key to seeing beauty in our daily life and daily surroundings (Beck et al., 2018). For me, the gift of beauty lies in the masterpiece that is the sky. No matter where I am whether it be stuck in traffic on the commute home from school, in a plane 30,000 feet in the sky or on a hike in the middle of nowhere, the sky brings me a sense of tranquility and connectedness.

There’s no doubt nature is the ultimate display of art.

References:

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson, D.M (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World (1st ed). Sagamore Venture.

Hookyaas, A. (2023). Unit 04: Nature Interpretation through Art and Planning for “All” Scenarios. Courselink.

Somewhere in the Sky. Taken December 27th, 2022.

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Unit 3: Risk versus Reward in Interpretation

The content this week regarding privilege was extremely important to learn. How I understand it, privilege includes tangible and intangible advantages that a person did not earn, but instead were handed due to their innate positionality. These can include material things like finances, opportunities, health, or place of residence, but can also be subtle, like connections, skills, values, abilities, or mindsets that one holds based on how they were born or raised.

A lot of the time, privilege can go unnoticed by others, and many people are unaware of their own privilege. This is why the term “invisible backpack” that we learned this week is an apt description of privilege.

It is important in my discussion of privilege to unpack my own invisible backpack. I am a white woman who grew up with a loving, middle-class family. I grew up in a safe and well-kept community, in a city with lots of opportunities (Toronto), in a country that is safe, comfortable, and familiar for someone like me (Canada). I am healthy, and educated. These things inform everything I think, say, or do, whether I realize it or not.

My first memory of becoming aware of my own privilege was in kindergarten. I brought to school my Hannah Montana lip gloss I had gotten as a gift from my parents - a piece of merchandise from one of my favourite television shows. I showed it to my friend, and she was perplexed. She did not find my item cool, and had many questions. “What is lip gloss?” “Who is Hannah Montana?”

I wondered why she did not see this object the same as me. Perhaps her parents could not afford gifts like makeup sets. Perhaps she was not allowed to watch television, thus feeling left out on conversations her peers had about these shows during recess. This is a very small-scale example of privilege, but it was my first exposure, and left a lasting impact.

Regarding nature interpretation, I see that privilege plays a role in two ways.

In the first way, the interpreter must recognize all visitors will have a range of privileges. Even if the interpreter is aware the people coming to their program are all part of one group (e.g., all within a certain age group), they must recognize the group is still heterogenous. Accommodating different intentions with the program, ability to progress through the program comfortably and with dignity, or ability to receive and process the information presented must all be considered.

In the second way, the interpreter themselves must reflect on their own privilege and positionality, and wonder about how messages coming from them might be received by a diverse audience. In what ways can they ensure their messages are self-aware, well-received, and free from bias?

One beautiful thing about nature interpretation is that it can serve as an opportunity to interact with people with different invisible backpacks, and learn from each other. That’s not to say we should put the emotional load on those with less in their backpacks, by forcing them to ask for accommodations and teach the rest of us about privilege – it is instead to say the more we interact with different people, the more we become aware of ourselves and what we can do with our position to ensure everybody has a positive experience.

[nskenvs3000w23]

Wow, you made some very insightful points about privilege. The specific example you mentioned about your friend who did not value your Hannah Montana lip gloss brought back a similar memory of mine from when I was in middle school. There was girl in my class that was always known to be loud and obnoxious who always wore a shiny sliver bracelet from Tiffanys. She used to flaunt her bracelet to all her friends and classmates, and would constantly poke fun at the fact that other kids could not afford a bracelet like hers. One day I mentioned to my mom that she had a really nice bracelet and that I wanted one too, and so that year for my birthday I was given a new bracelet. Now of course it wasn’t thousands of dollars from Tiffanys but it sparkly and pretty nonetheless. I remember wearing it to school and loving it, until the girl with the Tiffanys bracelet caught a glimpse of my bracelet. She made me feel ashamed that wasn’t as fancy and expensive as hers. She laughed and laughed and made jokes about how I would never be able to afford the bracelet on her wrist and that the fact that this was the best my parents could afford was laughable. I later found out that her home life was extremely unstable, and that her dad kept buying her expensive things to distract her from the turmoil in her home. Even at such a young age, I remember thinking to myself how regardless of the fact that I didn’t have an expensive bracelet around my wrist, I had a loving home to come to and that was my privilege. It is so fascinating that privilege comes in such a variety of ways, whether that be in our upbringing, in our education, in nature, and so much more.

Thanks for sharing!

[nskenvs3000w23]

Week 3:- Risk versus Reward in Interpretation

Simply put privilege is like being dealt good cards in a card game than your opponents. In most cases, if not all, privilege is gained by chance. In a more practical sense, privilege can be anything from being raised in a stable household with supportive parents, to winning the genetic lottery, to having a certain skin colour. This week’s topic on privilege really got me thinking about how it can be seen as used, abused and neglected every day by a multitude of people in a variety of situations. One of my most recent memories relevant to this conversation is one I had with a coworker regarding our future career paths and current education. My coworker is a recent immigrant from India who came to Canada to live a better life, gain a deeper level of education and acquire a respectable career. Despite us being similar in age with similar goals a discrepancy is evident due to our difference in privilege or the cards we were dealt. My coworker explained how difficult it was leaving her family, friends and her comfort zone back in India and taking the leap to move across the world to Toronto. She explained how being an international student has set her back financially as her tuition is much higher than mine. She went on to explain that many of her friends and family back home have leant her money so that she can afford to pay for her college tuition. Being born in Toronto, attending university at the University of Guelph and even be here right now in ENVS 3000 writing to you all is a sheer depiction of my privilege. Although it seems like these are things I should be grateful for, and I assure you I am, the conversation I had with her really got me thinking about how everyone is trying to play the same game with vastly different cards and that as much as we’d like to believe it equality is nothing more than an illusion when people and the contents of their “invisible” backpacks are examined under a microscope.

So how does this all relate to nature and nature interpretation?

Firstly, I believe we are privileged to live and go to school in such a beautifully diverse country like Canada. Although as of yet I have not gotten the opportunity to explore the beauty of Canadian nature as much as I would like to, I yearn for the day I do. Even the fact that we as Canadians get to experience four distinctive seasons and their corresponding transitions in nature, is part of our privilege.

One way I believe I lack when it comes to nature, is my relationship with nature. Individuals who grew up around nature, as farmers for example, have a much deeper understanding and appreciation for the beauties of nature, compared to a city girl like me. This could potentially mean that privilege is major factor in determining the traits of a good nature interpreter. An individual who grew up in the city with arachnophobia (like myself) might interpret or process a giant spider web much differently than someone who studied entomology due to their love of insects and arachnids due to their upbringing in the mountains. Overall, I think a good nature interpreter is one who is willing to look deeper into nature itself, regardless of the cards they've been dealt.

[nskenvs3000w23]

Mesmerizing Alaskan Glacier River

I wanted to share this TikTok with you all because it is an absolutely stunning display of nature! You can hear the crisp sound of the crystal clear water flowing downstream and see the ice at the bottom of the river like fresh cut diamonds. I highly suggest you check out @johnderting on TikTok to see more beautifully shot clips of Mother Nature.

[cmuenvs3000w23]

The Ideal Environmental Interpreter (Unit 02)

When I envision my ideal environmental interpreter, I do not see a specific role or position that is designed to communicate the complexities of nature and its processes. Instead, I picture anyone and everyone as an interpreter. I believe that as people we possess a responsibility to communicate understanding to one another, and it should be readily available and actionable to everybody. Nature is reflective of that same thought process because it is non-discriminatory by default. Ideally, an interpreter would be able to conduct themselves in the same manner; undeterred, strong, relentless, and passionate. This individual possesses the skills to invoke motivation, command attention, and demonstrated a plethora of knowledge in several different approaches including; tactile, auditory, and visual learning styles as described by Beck et al., 2018. The ideal interpreter must also possess strong conflict resolution and patience skills, as the speeds of understanding and comprehension vary between audiences and contrasting opinions or personal philosophies are all to apparent in the polarized society we live in today.

The most striking component to me from this units excerpt of Beck et al. (2018), is the influential efforts of an interpreter to evoke and sustain passion and invigorate motivation amongst the audience as it relates to natures seemingly boundless connections. This unlimited scale of natural connection ranges between cultural, scientific, artistic and historical categories and provides a huge benefit to the ideal interpreter as they may actively bridge gaps in knowledge by promoting learning through immersion and activity. In my experience working with at the conservation authority, the ability for an individual to demonstrate knowledge in an honest, compassionate, and trustworthy manner promotes the conditions for successful interpretation. That same criteria is the reason why I believe anyone is capable of being the ideal environmental interpreter, we all experience the world differently and the most effective tool in addressing issues of hostility, misinformation or distrust is through collaborative communication.

The role of an environmental interpreter could be located within a government entity, a materials company, at a golf course, conservation authority, at a children's summer camp, and even as your best friend when walking through the park or on the couch at home. Professionally, speaking there are conditions and policies to an interpreters job but the limitations of environmental interpretation are not bound by employment. In my opinion, environmental interpretation resides minimally in the career scope and is mostly discussed interpersonally. In fact, I'd wager that everyone in their lifetime will act as an environmental interpreter. We experience meaningful connections everyday, and as students of an environmental discipline, we possess the burden of proof to communicate why that is important, and so that others may be able to do the same.

To me, the ideal environmental interpreter is anyone who is willing to communicate, discuss, and remain open-minded about the natural world around us and is passionate about expanding their relative knowledge of it.

Literature cited

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. SAGAMORE Publishing.

These two lovely ladies are my mother and my Oma, both do not work in a field even remotely close to the environmental sector. To further enforce my point that anyone can be an environmental interpreter, every time we are at the lake, I am bombarder with new discussions about the environment and its stasis in the global eye. After each visit, both of them message me to say they were either able to teach someone else about the environment or partake in a new conversation based on what we had spoke about. Learning can come from anywhere and anyone and it happens everyday, be an interpreter for all who care to listen and especially for those who don't!

[nskenvs3000w23]

I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on the role of an environmental interpreter and thought you brought up many great points that I never thought of but totally agree with. As humans we are interpreters of all kinds, including of nature and the environment. Like you mentioned, nature is a non-discriminatory part of society, and everyone has access to it in some way or another. This idea got me thinking of how differently nature is experienced based on where you live in the world. Here in Canada, we are lucky enough to experience four distinct seasons throughout the year. We see caribou, beavers, grizzly bears, and coyotes. We have boreal forests, alpine tundras, semi-arid deserts, and temperate rainforests. While someone in Brazil would see toucans, capybaras, jaguars, and armadillos, across many biomes such as tropical rainforests, savannas, wetlands, temperate forests, deserts, and semi-deserts. It’s fascinating how environmentally diverse the world really is.

I agree that a great environmental interpreter is someone who is very knowledgeable, but I also believe that passion is the most important characteristic of an amazing interpreter of any kind. Passion for the topic at hand translates into the way the information is being portrayed and influences how the audience learns, which is important to consider. In my original post I discussed how interpreters are like teachers, so it’s important to know how you teach best and how your audience learns the best. You put it perfectly “the ideal environmental interpreter is anyone who is willing to communicate, discuss, and remain open-minded about the natural world around us and is passionate about expanding their relative knowledge of it.”

Thanks for sharing!