Rameel Ahmed

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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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Week 10

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? 

Ethics are an inherently interesting topic that we are introduced to at a young age; they’re an essential aspect of humankind. As nature interpreters, a tremendous amount of responsibility is placed on our shoulders to not only maintain ethical standards, but also pass these on to our learners. I believe that it is our responsibility to “right” the “wrongs” that have been done in the past, so that we may continue to a brighter future where wildlife and people can coexist peacefully within our shared biosphere. We learned that it is important to contemplate the events that occurred in the past, in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the historic events that led to current issues. Ultimately, in doing so, it allows us to independently build our worldview in a way that makes it appealing to continue to improve ourselves, others, and the environment we live in. I find the aspect of worldview fascinating as it greatly influences one’s fundamental aspects of reality and thus their thought pattern, decision making, and even emotions. This is not a static belief, in fact you could argue that it is impossible for beliefs to be static, and there is always potential for change! All in all, the main belief I bring to nature interpretation is this sense of duty that we have to our wildlife, wild spaces, and to ourselves. This means I believe that everyone should be constantly striving towards positive change for themselves, for others, and for our planet. By connecting people with nature, they are more likely to adopt this worldview for themselves. 

                  In terms of responsibilities as a nature interpreter, my main two goals are to keep everyone safe while performing interpretation, and second, that everyone can get something out of the experience. The first goal can be accomplished by demonstrating safe practices, offering advice for potentially dangerous situation, and outlining safety concerns before spending any time in the environment. The second goal is perhaps more difficult to accomplish, but through this course we have learned many strategies to ensure that it could be met. Catering to multiple individual learning styles will allow me to better connect everyone with nature and potentially shift their worldview, and I can do this by spending time getting to know the students independently. It is my belief that as a nature interpreter I have the responsibility of helping learners to see the world from a different perspective, one that is perhaps new to them, that could spark positive change. 

                  In terms of interpretation approaches that are most suitable for me as an individual, I would have to say that leading by example is possibly the best method that one could employ. Simply taking a group of naïve learners into the forest and offering my perspective of how I see things would be highly beneficial for people who are seeking to learn and listen. I’m sure that some learners would benefit more from a “classroom” approach combined with a hands-on, experience-based component, so I think that this would be the most suitable for catering to multiple learning styles. I think that prompting people with small changes and actions they can perform in their day-to-day lives would be beneficial for continuing their positive growth thought patterns. 

                  For example, in the David Suzuki video from this unit, him and Richard Louv talked about the possible change that could come about from people rewilding their yards. This is a topic I have been passionate about for a long time, because although I hadn’t heard it said in words before this video, I understood that this “trend” has the potential to change the worldview of entire communities of people. In reality, this is more than just a trend: it has tremendous benefits for biodiversity, connection between people to people and people to nature, societal benefits, wildlife benefits, I could go on and on. It is such a small change for people to make, but the impacts are intensely profound. Personally, I have a small native prairie and wildflower patch that I planted two summers ago, and it brings me so much pride and joy. I share it with whoever I can and have even shared seeds with my relatives who were so interested in it that they wished to start their own native garden. Creating and holding space for biodiversity and wildlife is not only easy and but well worth the effort and cultivation, and definitely has the potential to alter one’s worldview.

An image from my native prairie garden of a calligrapher, a species of hover fly, many of which can be found in this tiny patch in the summer! 

An endangered species I found in my native pollinator garden, a white-banded crab spider. This just goes to show that creating spaces for biodiversity to thrive will allow them to! They will take advantage of spaces if we just provide it for them!

                  Moreover, if we allow people the opportunity to create opportunities for wildlife to thrive, they will be offered a sense of purpose and direction. Small changes like this may change the entire trajectory of their lives. I’m well aware that one encounter with nature has the potential to change the course of one’s life, as this is how I found myself here. There is an indefinite amount of styles in which you could go about nature interpretation, but I believe that as long as your heart is in the right place, and you take on the responsibility of sharing knowledge and inspiring others, then all nature interpretation can have a positive impact. 

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Hey there,

I really applaud your passion for nature interpretation. Ethics are indeed supposed to be introduced at a very young age. As it’s known to be one of the many ways which develops someone in righteousness. I totally agree with your point where you mentioned that one of the responsibilities of a nature interpreter is to also pass, which I must say wisdom, to their learners. This is what I also alluded to in my blog 10 post, that the textbook highly endorses wisdom in the process of getting nature interpretation done well. I also liked where you mentioned safety as a responsibility of a nature interpreter. But I am curious regarding what “type” of safety did you mean there? Is it the type of safety one must implement while hiking, etc?

Your approach in terms of nature interpretation is a very interesting one. Leading by example needs to be everyone’s aim that is passionate about nature interpretation so that they can become role models for others. As you mentioned that some people benefit better by “hands on” activities, I am totally one of them. As I also alluded in my blog 10 post, I would like to first experience doing nature interpretation in environment related community organizations before going on to become a tourist guide. One’s encounter with nature does totally change someone’s life as you rightly mentioned, this is possibly because nature is an innate disposition in a human being. Without nature, humanity would be in darkness is what I always believed to be the case. Well done on your blog, I really enjoyed reading it!

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Unit 10 Blog Post

As I reflect on my journey toward becoming a nature interpreter, I realize that the foundation of my ethic is rooted in the belief that fostering a love for the natural world is one of the most powerful ways to inspire long-term environmental stewardship. Through my experiences, particularly with a background in working with children, I’ve come to understand that the most enduring memories and connections to the environment often begin in childhood. This early spark can shape how individuals relate to nature throughout their lives, influencing how they advocate for the planet.

As I continue to develop in this field, and from what I have gathered in this course, I understand there is a lot of work required to successfully strike a balance between imparting knowledge, inspiring curiosity, and empowering others to connect with the natural world in a meaningful way. For me, nature interpretation, and many of my previous jobs haven't just been about conveying facts— it’s about cultivating a sense of wonder and inspiration. Specifically for nature interpretation its about imparting a sense of responsibility and a sense of care for the Earth that will last a lifetime.

One of the key principles that shapes my personal perspective is the deep conviction that fostering a love for nature in children is essential for the future of the planet. This belief stems from my own experiences of watching young learners light up with wonder during hands-on, community STEM workshops in my previous job, and it is reinforced by insights from environmental educators like Jacob Rodenburg, who emphasizes the importance of creating nature-rich experiences for children (Rodenburg, 2019).

Looking back at the Unit 1 posts for this course— I personally wrote about my childhood nature experiences, and how that had the biggest impact on my relationship with nature. Specifically, my cottage. Even looking at my most recent post— the natural phenomena I find most amazing is tied to fond childhood memories of watching fireflies dance in the night. Looking back at my favourite memories in nature, there always seems to be a magical quality to childhood memories. Whether it's simply the innocence and childlike wonder we're remembering feeling, or just feeling nostalgic for the past, there's something extra special about our experiences as children. I truly believe that the experiences I had in nature as a child are the most impactful ones, because they just have an extra emotional kick to them. Growing up spending summers at my family cottage is a central part of my relationship to nature, and my life in general. Whether it was early mornings spent fishing with Dad, long hikes through the woods with my neighbours and sister, or simply observing the subtle changes in the landscape throughout the seasons. There is one tree by the lake, a little maple tree, that always turns a deep red by the end of August, way before the rest of the trees do. Seeing this tree go red year after year has become an important marker in my life of change. Each time I see it, I know that summer is coming to an end soon, and that the fall is on it's way. My childhood experiences at my cottage, and even further on in my life, have taught me to value the simplicity of nature— it offers both peace and profound lessons. For example, moments like watching a sunset, hearing the call of a loon, or noticing the colour change of the trees became more than just pleasant experiences for me; they became moments of reflection, connection, and gratitude.

As I've been thinking about the part that my childhood experiences played in me becoming such an avid lover of the outdoors, I can't help but return to the concept of a "sense of place". Having thought about this, I definitely believe that a strong sense of place in nature often stems from positive experiences in nature as a kid. When you grow up surrounded by nature, you can't help but feel more and more enveloped by it, and I feel like my sense of belonging has only grown throughout time at special places like my cottage. Fostering a connection to a specific place is something that Rodenburg emphasized in his article (Rodenburg, 2019). Just as I have personally developed a deep connection to a unique place, so has everyone else in this course. I think the fact that my connection began when I was little, I almost perceive those places as a "magical place" that I can return to. It's a certain feeling that I'm not entirely sure how to describe, but I can certainly say that this is a central motivation that would guide me as a nature interpreter— to help children and adults develop a sense of ownership and familiarity with the places they explore.

Today, the challenges facing the environment— from climate change to species extinction— can feel overwhelming. I have definitely felt defeated at many times, especially when I am actively taking environmental science courses and learning more and more about the issues we face. As Rodenburg points out, the weight of these issues often leads educators to feel like they’re trying to stop a rushing river with a teaspoon (Rodenburg, 2019). The urgency to address these complex problems is real, but I firmly believe that the role of a nature interpreter, particularly when working with children, is to ignite hope and wonder, rather than burden young minds with the enormity of global crises. If I am struggling to manage my own emotions on these problems at 21, it would certainly unfair to put those problems on the shoulders of a child. This approach aligns with my ethic: fostering connections to nature in ways that empower children to care for the world around them, without overwhelming them with the dire realities of environmental degradation. I think this concept can be applied to pretty much anything in life— if you fill people's heads with negativity, they start to feel defeated, and are not motivated to do anything about it. A lot of the news nowadays is so extremely pessimistic, and it can sometimes feel like the world is too far gone to change. I truly believe that the world's most prominent environmental activists and nature interpreters didn't fall in love with the planet because it was dying. They fell in love because of the beauty and wonder they experienced one or many times in their life or childhood. So to rob children of the opportunity to innocently explore nature, without having to worry if tomorrow it won't be there, I think will be damaging to future conservation efforts, and also to their personal relationships with the environment. The next generation is depending on us, and we have a responsibility to provide unburdened activities where children can grow and learn outdoors. Until they're old enough to tackle these issues alongside us, it's better we leave them out of that conversation.

So long story short, I personally hold the belief that children don’t need to be lectured about global warming or pollution at a young age, but rather encouraged to explore, discover, and build relationships with the land they live on. Rodenburg emphasizes that younger children aren’t yet cognitively ready to grasp the complexities of environmental issues, but they are always ready to love nature (Rodenburg, 2019). As a nature interpreter, my responsibility is to nurture that love by providing experiences that spark awe and curiosity. I’ve witnessed firsthand how powerful these moments can be— whether it's a child’s delighted reaction to finding a salamander under a log or their awe at the beauty of a tiny insect in the grass. One of the most special memories I can recall from being a STEM Community Presenter, are the times during a workshop where the kids would combine baking soda and vinegar, and were always delighted at the fizzy reaction that ensued. Watching their faces light up, having them turn to me for an explanation, and then watching the gears turn in their head as they understood what was happening in front of them really felt like I was fostering the first of many moments of falling in love with science. I truly believe the same should be striven for in the case of nature interpreters. These experiences don’t just build knowledge; they create an emotional bond with the environment that will last a lifetime.

Personally, when I consider what I would love to do as a nature interpreter, I am really excited about the prospect of using art as a bridge to nature. I have always been a bit of a creative mind, since I was young I have loved drawing and painting with watercolours. In the past I have also been a camp counsellor at arts camps. Since taking this course, I have looked back on many of my artworks and found a common theme of always painting stuff that I loved or was passionate about. With this in mind, I believe that art, something that can be so emotionally powerful, is a fantastic tool to foster love for the environment (which we have certainly seen in Unit 4!). Creating art— whether it’s sketching plants, painting landscapes, or capturing wildlife in a work of art— enhances your understanding and appreciation of the natural world. For me, I responsibility I would like to uphold would be showing that art can be more than a hobby; it can be a way to reflect on nature’s beauty, its intricacies, and its rhythms. In a future setting, as a nature interpreter facilitating activities, I believe I would excel at designing art activities to help children capture the beauty of the environments around them, making them more mindful and observant of even the smallest details in nature.

Overall, as someone who is a lover of both arts and science, I would love for my future nature interpretation journey to be about blending beauty with facts. Whether it's understanding an ecosystem, identifying insect or plant species, or observing animal behaviour— I think it will be so important to also foster an appreciation for its aesthetic and emotional aspects. I would love to create activities that combine observation with creation. For instance, I would love to encourage nature journaling, sketching, and storytelling to help people see nature from both and intellectual and an emotional perspective. And specifically to children, this kind of dual approach could help them engage and fall in love with nature on multiple levels, fostering both their scientific understanding and their creative imagination.

To quickly touch on a belief that I bring to nature interpretation, I truly believe that mentors are a key part of who and where I am today. Whether it be parents, teachers, or other influential figures in my life, they have shaped my journey through their guidance and encouragement. Although looking back it may seem insignificant, teachers who brought my elementary classes on field trips to outdoor conservation areas, to art museums, or to the science center, all provided me with formative experiences. These trips and the mentors who organized them helped me see the value in nurturing relationships with the things that inspire you, and nature is certainly one of them. In my journey of nature interpretation, my goal would be to become a mentor to others, particularly children. I aspire to provide the same kind of guidance and inspiration that my mentors gave me, whether it's through sharing knowledge, fostering creativity and freedom, or simply offering a listening ear.

Lasltly, I'd like to discuss how this course has been a reminder that my personal journey with nature is ongoing. I just spoke a lot about how childhood is the most important part where a deep connection to nature begins, but that doesn't mean that as an adult we aren't capable of growth and progress. Loving nature can be a lifelong process of discovery and learning, and I find that this mindset is an inspiring way to frame my approach to nature interpretation. Nature, a lot like art, is always in flux, and my role as a nature interpreter would be to help others embrace that flux and be open to new discoveries. Whether that will be through scientific exploration, creative expression, or personal reflection, I am yet to see.

As a closing note, I just wanted to mention that I have thoroughly appreciated this course this semester. I have been working with a busier schedule than I ever have before, and my classwork and courses are typically a reason for me to stay inside and work. However, this course this semester provided a fantastic weekly reminder to take time for myself, and spend time outside. I believe it was very beneficial to my mental health, and has made me subscribe to the ideals of nature interpretation— most of all what it can provide to our spirits and our souls. Spreading that love for nature this semester has been extremely rewarding. Thanks so much for reading!

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

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Hey Alyssa,

I really enjoyed reading your blog post! Your passion for the natural world has indeed inspired you into becoming a nature interpreter! Love for the natural world is indeed the most powerful way to inspire long-term environmental stewardship! I can relate this to myself in which my love for the environment actually made me enrol in this course. Your point regarding fostering love in children, reminds me of my own childhood. This is where my parents also held the belief that if they foster love in me, I would grow up to become a great environmentalist, which I have! I really liked how you recap to your previous blogs in giving us an idea of what your beliefs are in nature. Your childhood experiences having the biggest impact on what you are today is totally understandable. In fact, the greatest memories are indeed from one’s childhood as those are the moments that we enjoy the most.

The challenges facing the environment today do need strict plans/mandates in order to stop or prevent them from further damaging the environment. It is pretty difficult to deal with these challenges, as you rightly mentioned that it’s like trying to stop a rushing river with a teaspoon. But with equal effort, discipline, and hard work, I believe that we can prevent major damages if we all put in the effort to work together in this. I really applaud you for mentioning mentors in your blog. In my opinion, mentors are the greatest blessings we have in order to stay inspired and motivated. We can always seek inspiration from our parents, teachers, or anybody we get influenced by!

Well done!

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Unit 10: How I Developed as a Nature Interpreter

My love for the natural environment made me pursue ENVS3000 for which I am very grateful for. Before enrolling in this course, I was very ignorant of natural interpretation and didn’t have the tools necessary to fulfill my job. Without the necessary knowledge of interpretation, I felt like something was lacking in me when I went outdoors to explore nature. It was also my dream to become a tourist guide, and by enrolling in this course, I believe my scope in becoming a successful tourist guide got broadened by learning the fundamentals in regards to making one a good interpreter. Whereas, the textbook of ENVS3000 states that interpreters help people gain some understanding of the curious and unusual places in efforts to impose a sense of wonder in the mind of the perceiver (Beck et al., 2018). I believe this is how every tourist guide should ever be, if they wanna truly inspire those they are trying to interpret to! The textbook really endorses wisdom in nature interpretation, as it alludes to an interpreter that transforms bare facts into experiences as stimulating wisdom! With this implementation of wisdom, I would say I am a successful nature interpreter!

My journey of natural interpretation first begins with the love for the environment, which I had since I was a child. My belief, which aligns with the textbook, is that love is indeed an essential ingredient to effective interpretation (Beck et al., 2018). Without love, one would not be able to sufficiently interpret what they perceive. As mentioned earlier, my love for the environment grew when I started to explore nature as a child. From there, I became addicted to contemplating the beautiful trees, grass, rivers etc. This is where I developed a passion for turning my addiction into an actual career of interpreting the beautiful nature. For successful interpretation, there has to be a lot of respect between the interpreter and the receiver. Therefore, no form of racism, sexism, and derogatory words should ever come out of an interpreter’s speech. I also believe that dedication is another important ingredient in interpretation. I almost fell short in the dedication part as I got busy in other works of life. To overcome this, I made a list of personal goals which will help me stay on top of my work. Dreaming big and taking action is also one of my main beliefs that keep me motivated. My beliefs make me a better interpreter because they highlight the key aspects that are needed in order for me to adequately develop as a nature interpreter.

My responsibilities as an effective interpreter is hard work, dedication and perseverance. These three assets, in my opinion, are fundamental in successfully pursuing anything in life. As the textbook implies that successful implementation for interpretive efforts depends on planning (Beck et al., 2018), I highly value the process of planning. It is my responsibility to plan for whatever I am going to interpret so that I can have a clear sense of what I am going to portray to the perceiver. As beautiful nature is, so does the interpretation need to match the beauty of it in all fairness! As with my career of being a tourist guide, I would always plan off by writing a script regarding my interpretive perceptions of the area I would be sharing. That way, my point would be clear and its wisdom would transform to the receiver. This of course, is easier said than done as the process of planning does take quite a long time in having the right measures taken. It is also my responsibility to make sure that the receiver of whatever I am interpreting gets his/her questions answered if they have any. Whereas, the textbook, under the box 3.1 “Expanded Levels of Visitor Needs and How Interpreters Can Meet Them”, highlights “understanding” as posing key questions and responses (Beck et al., 2018). Which proves the point that questions are an integral part of understanding an interpretation. But most importantly, it is my responsibility that whatever I say is entertaining and keeps the receiver interested throughout. According to the principles of interpretation from the textbook, E stands for “enjoyable” in the abbreviated TORE (Beck et al., 2018). There is no use of interpretation if the people do not enjoy what they are listening to.

As I am a hands-on learner, I always learn when I act it out rather than just theorizing it. So an appropriate approach for me in becoming a nature interpreter would be to act the whole scene out. I would start off by volunteering in small environment related organizations. They would consist of engaging with different crowds and interpreting to them of my vision of how I preceive the environment to be. Another similar approach would consist of taking a few friends with me on my tours of exploring nature and then interpreting my perceptions to them as we contemplate on the beauty we see in our surroundings. My approach would then transform into going out in the wild as a tourist guide and interpreting everything I see to my clients; which would be a gateway to providing wisdom as the textbook affirmed to. Alongside that, I would also provide a lot of education in terms of keeping our world safe from all the dangers that possess it in terms of climate change/global warming and pollution. Our society is making the environment look worse because of the destruction it’s causing by littering, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation practices. We must take a strong stand against it so that we can save the planet and preserve its beauty. I believe it is the responsibility of every nature interpreter to protest against environmental degradation!

It has been a great semester for me! I learned a lot about nature interpretation! My knowledge for nature interpretation would be of a great benefit to me as I pursue towards becoming a tourist guide. This course was literally one of my favourite courses I ever took at the University of Guelph. I really enjoyed everything that was offered in this course. Thank you for reading my blog posts!

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

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The Hidden Wonders of Nature

If there’s one thing in nature that constantly amazes me, it’s the hidden world beneath our feet, the mycorrhizal networks connecting trees and plants in an underground network often called the "Wood Wide Web." This symbiotic relationship between fungi and plants isn’t just fascinating; it’s one of the most complex and impactful systems on Earth. It changes the way we understand forests, ecosystems, and even the very idea of what it means to be connected in nature.

Here’s how it works: mycorrhizae are fungi that connect to the roots of plants and trees. Through these connections, they exchange nutrients and information, almost like an underground internet. Plants supply the fungi with carbohydrates produced via photosynthesis, and in return, the fungi offer up minerals and water from the soil, resources plants might not reach on their own. What’s even more amazing is that these networks allow trees to communicate with each other. Through these fungal connections, they can share resources, warn each other of threats like insect infestations, and even support weaker members of the community.

For instance, when a tree is attacked by pests, it releases certain chemicals into its roots, which the fungi can then transport to neighboring trees as a warning. This signaling system prompts other trees to activate their own defensive mechanisms. This level of cooperation challenges the way we traditionally think of nature as a competitive “survival of the fittest” environment. Instead, it reveals an intricate web of collaboration and mutual support. Knowing that trees can “talk” to each other through these mycorrhizal networks offers a glimpse into the intelligence of ecosystems, a perspective that not only fascinates me but also deepens my appreciation for the complex interdependence found in nature.

I think about this when I’m walking through a forest. Every towering tree, every fern, every patch of moss is likely connected in some way, silently communicating and sharing beneath the soil. As a nature interpreter, understanding and sharing this knowledge with others could be a powerful tool. Imagine telling a group on a forest walk that the trees they see are more than just individual entities, that they’re part of a hidden society, caring for and protecting each other. This knowledge has the potential to transform how people perceive forests, not just as collections of trees but as complex, interconnected communities.

In my podcast, I would love to explore the idea of “hidden connections” in nature, bringing this sense of wonder to listeners. Debriefing after each episode to assess what worked, what didn’t, and how we might improve could help me grow as an interpreter, pushing me to find new ways to bring the unseen wonders of nature into people’s lives. Just as these mycorrhizal networks require constant exchange and balance, so does our learning process, adjusting, reflecting, and connecting ideas over time.

To make this experience meaningful for my audience, I would focus on sparking their curiosity and encouraging them to look closer at the natural world. I’d like them to walk away from the podcast with a new perspective, perhaps asking themselves: "What else in nature might be connected in ways I can’t see?"

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I really enjoyed reading what you found interesting in nature which is the “Wood Wide Web”. Although I never studied this phenomenon before, you really made me educated on it! You also have a great precise description of how it works in which I found it very interesting that they exchange nutrients and information like an underground internet. It then begs a question whether nature in of itself can produce really good algorithms, just as well as humans?! As you mentioned regarding tree defense mechanisms, it truly does challenge the “survival of the fittest”. As we see there are many defence mechanisms from the speed of a cheetah while running from a lion, to the leathery and scaly skins in reptiles, they all help their causes in my opinion.

I believe your podcast regarding the “hidden connections” in nature will be as interesting as your blog post in all fairness. This is because you seem to connect ideas very well in a precise manner. One example of where you connected an idea very efficiently was where you mentioned of yourself walking through a forest. You connected your experiences of walking there very efficiently where you described how every towering tree, every fern, every patch of moss communicate and share with each other beneath the soil. In all fairness, I always have the same thoughts as I walk around a forest regarding the interconnection of different parts beneath the soil. I hope you keep up the good work in your final blog and final podcast assignment for ENVS3000.

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Unit 9: The Most Amazing Thing about Nature!

The most amazing thing about nature are mountains for me. I developed a passion for mountains since I was a child where I went with my family to mountain ranges to explore their beautiful creation. I find their formation in of itself very interesting. This is where they are formed by either tectonic plate movements, erosion, or volcanic activities. Their size is also a key aspect to note. Mountains can range over 5000 M, which is quite huge and remarkable. As being heavy on social media, I love to post about the mountain areas I have visited alongside sharing it with my family and friends. The texbook of ENVS3000 states that many amazing personalities like Ansel Adams and Wallace Stegner loved mountains! Therefore, mountains are truly loved by amazing nature interpreters.

I really love to contemplate and interpret the mountains! When I visit mountain ranges, I always take a telescope with me so that I can look at their characteristics more closely. From there I go onto my social media and I post a story describing the area I just explored. It always lightens up my mood whenever I visit a mountain area because I just find them so fascinating. As the textbook claims that love is an essential part of interpretation, my love for the mountains made me a huge interpreter of them! One of my main goals of interpreting mountains on social media is to let the people know that we are truly blessed by having them. Whereas, the textbook alludes to interpretation as provoking people to know, understand and, appreciate a place. I personally feel that society in general takes mountains for granted and they call it useless. But I really beg to differ with them because mountains are a key factor to uplifting the natural beauty of a given place in my opinion.

The photo above shows the tallest mountain in the world called the Mount Everest standing at 8848 M! Many people lost their lives trying to climb this mountain as they had a lifelong mission of reaching it’s peak. It is located in the Himalayas, which is an area known to be so big that it spans four countries (Pakistan, India, China, and Nepal). From looking at this mountain, I can observe how it is situated in an area which snows a lot as I see a lot of whiteness present there. I can also likewise precieve that this is a really cold area, so one would really need warm clothes in order to visit this area. It is also one of my dreams to visit this mountain as I really wanna observe how it looks when I am there spotting it live from a telescope. The textbook claims that interpreters illuminate the meanings and beauty of places. This exactly aligns with me, whereas I really want the people to feel the beauty of mountains as I describe it to them on social media.

This photo above shows a demonstration of how big the Mount Everest really is in comparsion to some of the best buildings/towers in the world! This truly makes me amazed how Burj Khalifa (tallest building in the world) is less than half as high as the Mountain Everest!

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Unit 07 blog post

Hi all,

To answer the question, “Where is music in nature?” and “Where is nature in music?”, I think there is more than one response. Music in nature can be found, in my opinion, quite literally everywhere. Whether that is the sound of trees rustling on a windy day, birds communicating while flying overhead, waves crashing into each other, or even rain during a heavy thunderstorm. Although this isn't quite like the music we like to listen to on our headphones every day, I find it can still be just as enjoyable. These natural sounds can even inspire the composition of music we hear today. Many different cultures across time have incorporated animal sounds, fire sounds, and many more natural melodies into their own musical traditions. It goes to show that music and nature are intertwined with one another.

Many natural rhythms are influenced by the sound of the sea, wind, and rain, which serves as a reminder of how deeply ingrained nature's melodies are in music. According to the article by Gray et al. (2001), musical sounds observed in nature indicate a connection between any living things, and that this relationship can be understood as a shared language among species. On the other hand, when it comes to music, there is so much more to reflect on when it comes to nature rather than just purely imitating the sounds. Composers often write their music according to the landscapes they see. This includes mountains, lakes, or even a thunderstorm. It can be a way of portraying the place, where the listeners feel themselves there when they are far from it. For songwriters who have enough talent to capture the wide range of feelings, narratives, and visual beauty found in nature and transform them into sound, it can be a constant source of inspiration. For artists, songwriters, and composers, nature is an endless source of inspiration. It offers a variety of feelings, stories, and visual beauty that may be transformed into sounds. Tilden's principles state that interpretative programs that combine art and information can have a profound emotional impact that leads to a sense of connection with nature, which should then inspire responsibility. Incorporating bird melodies into beatboxing is one example of how Ben Mirin uses his skill to capture the sounds of specific species. This gives audiences a new perspective on animals and ecosystems that they might never get to see firsthand.

One song that immediately takes me back to a natural landscape is “Good Days” by SZA. The reasoning for this is that I find the song to be really dreamlike as if I’m walking on a beach at sunset or nighttime. SZA has been one of my favourite artists for a long time so I am definitely also a fan of her voice, in this song specifically. The song is about how even though things might be tough right now, “good days” are coming. I love the meaning of this song because it is a reminder to not be more present and to not focus too much on the things that stress us out in life.

This is a picture I took two summers ago, walking along the beach at around 11pm, listening to "Good Days". I love this picture because even though the quality is not the best, it takes me back to that time when I felt so at peace :)

Thanks for reading!

[raenvs3000f24]

Hey, I really enjoyed reading your blog post! I totally agree with your statement that music in nature can be found literally everywhere. This is where I also hold the opinion that birds do sing as they are flying up in the air. At the same time, I also believe that seas and rivers influence the natural rhythms we experience. During my childhood days, I used to always go near sea areas and would observe whatever sound I could hear. That exact childhood experience made me realize that we are indeed surrounded by natural rhythms. Furthermore, I was raised in a very nature friendly area. This is where I had my neighbours playing light music during the weekends which made my experience even better while enjoying the nature present there.

The song which takes you back to natural landscape called “Good Days” is also one of my favourite songs. I also feel that this song is very dreamlike in which it does give a feeling of walking along a natural area during sunset or sunrise. SZA, in my opinion, does have very good meaningful songs which I casually enjoy listening to. You are also a very good camera artist, I really liked the photo you took of the beach at 11 pm. I hold the theoretical belief that good nature interpreters also make good photographers, which is the case with you. Walking along natural areas while listening to music is one of my favourite activities to do as it gives me a sense of relaxation.

[raenvs3000f24]

Unit 7: The Relevance of Nature and Music

Music and nature are two things which hold a big priority in my life. Music is for the most part my go to for relaxation. I listen to it everytime I am resting or doing a light study. Nature on the other hand is very important for me because I use it for refreshing, meditating and contemplating. Music holds a very important aspect in nature interpretation. As the course textbook of ENVS3000 alludes to music as being a part of history in it’s interpretive context. This is where songs and performances were considered an integral part of every campfire in the early days of Yellowstone, a famous camp area called Wylie Camps. Nature is present in music due to it’s lyrics which fundamentally describe its characteristics in any way or form. The textbook also provides us with many indicators that express how songs actually work in order for it’s true meaning to be percieved by an individual. It is as the following: get words and facts to stick to the mind, paint pictures in the imagination, and reach emotions of the listener. It is safe to say that all of these indicators are a very reasonable measure in which one perceives a song.

In the utilization of the following indicators listed above; I would like to share a song which I casually listen to that reminds me of nature interpretation. The song is called The Open Road. The lyrics of the song read;

Here I am in this old town Still dreaming of the open road I've been here for far too long There's so much more than this, I know

It's been years since I've been gone I miss the way it feels to roam This urge that's grown inside my heart To pack my bags and hit the road

I'm dreaming of the road again Set free in the wind Feels like we've found home again On the road that's grown within

While listening to the lyrics, I get their words and facts to stick to my mind by pondering upon their meaning. For example, the lyrics allude to an open road in context of a roadtrip where a breeze of wind is blowing upon the travellers. I also imagin myself being physically on the roadtrip while I am listening to this song. There is where I imagine the wind blowing on me as I drive along a long road trip in an old town. I also get very emotional when I listen to this song in which I feel like going back on a road trip to explore the beautiful nature that freshens up my mind. This song has been my favourite song since my childhood. Me and my family always played it when we went on long road trips which made us get very good vibes from it. Alongside the lyrics, I really appreciate the music video of this song as well. The video displays a very good illustration of nature as a group of friends drive along the area.

”Display photo of the song The Open Road”

The textbook really endorses music in the nature. As it alludes to music as making outdoor exhibits alive. I personally agree with this statement in reference to my own natural background experiences. Once upon a time, I attended an outdoor exhibition of motorbikes in the wild nature. The exhibition was occupied by a guitarist gang that sang songs. That made my experience of attending that place a hundred folds better! This is where I totally correspond to the view of the textbook that mentions guitarist can add a whole new dimension to an exhibition!

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Unit 6 - nature interpretation through history

“There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity, and integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole, and if these parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things. …. To think, feel or act as though the past is done with, is equivalent to believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it.” (Edward Hyams, Chapter 7, The Gifts of Interpretation)

All natural sites have a history though many people don’t expect to learn about the history of a natural site when they go on a walk in nature. From my personal experience, learning about the history of a site adds a fascinating layer to my experience! Most of the nature interpretation I encounter comes in the form of signs, brochures and posters.

For example, I often walk around the Arboretum on campus when I have some free time. The signs posted along the trails are hard to resist, and they draw me into learning about the site’s history. This interpretive writing helps me feel both emotionally and intellectually connected to the Arboretum as if it is an old friend. 

Beyond nature, interpreting history is crucial in helping us remember everything. Memories and stories passed down through generations enrich our understanding of ourselves and future generations as discussed in this week’s readings. The quote by Hyams highlights this idea as this quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing and remembering the past in order to preserve the integrity of the present. Hyams states that we can’t simply forget the past and move forward as if it no longer matters, history is a continuum of time. 

Reflecting on this, I think of how our relationship with nature has evolved. Society now lives more separate from nature than we ever have. We have forgotten our historical interconnectedness we once shared with the natural environment. This disconnection has contributed to the lack of care for the environment, which has led to the climate crisis. Hyams says “to think, feel or act as though the past is done with…” is like how we treat living closely with nature as something from the past. A style of living that is no longer modern because we have the infrastructure and technology to live in spaces far from the natural world. 

Despite all of this, I think it can be really special to learn about the history of a natural site close to you. Whether it’s a park, a landscape formation or a place where something significant happened. These spaces offer a chance to reconnect emotionally with nature and to share the history you learn with family and friends.

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Hello, I really enjoyed reading your blog post! I must admit that walking around the Arboretum is one of my favourite activites at the University of Guelph. Just like you, I ponder upon the signs posted along at the Arboretum, and it also reminds me of the fasinating history behind that place. I totally agree with your point regarding all natural places having a history behind it, and that people do not pay heed to the history behind such places. This is also what I alluded to in my blog post regarding the preservation of history. As the textbook highly praises the acknowledgment of history behind any natural place, it is for sure a big part of natural interpretation. You have a very valid point about the “memories” of the natural places. I am curious wheater any specific memory of the past history really interests you? For me, it is definitely the dead sea. I am really interested in how Lot confronted Sodom/Gommarah and their relations. I believe there is history behind every single thing, and that we must give it the right it deserves by acknowledging and pondering upon it. As you mentioned about history regarding near by areas, I live beside a huge park which has history of a royal family who was once situated there. This is where when I walk around that natural site, I read all the fasincating descriptions they wrote about the place’s history. It is infact one of my hobbies to explore natural history!

[raenvs3000f24]

Blog Prompt 6:

Preserving our history is a very integral part of our society. As a famous quote reads;

“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 emphasizes the importance of preserving our natural history. It alludes to the act of preserving history as being an act of integrity. This is where it also refers to those who do not pay heed to the historical notion of nature, as being unfair. Whereby, it compares it to one believing only their train has ever passed through a situated railway track. This quote in my opinion holds a lot of justice and reality to what we see today. Many people walk around a nature dense area without even contemplating the history behind such an area. The textbook of ENVS3000 really endorses history in which it considers science and history to be pathways to ecological learning. Interpretation, as the textbook alludes to, is known to breath life to past events, architecture, and artifacts. Thus, interpretation is known to work in ties with the historical aspect of whatever it is interpreting. The textbook focuses on our upcoming generations to adopt natural history in their lives as it says; “Children need to learn to love their own local natural history before asking them to solve global problems and care for far-away places.”.

“The Deadsea, known to be a historical phenomenon which goes back to the amazing personalities like Lot and his battle with Sodom, and Gommorah”

The textbook refers to a “historical interpreter” being the only window to the past for the upcoming generations, also known as the youth. It then talks about the challenge of enticing the youth away from many distractions like smartphones, iPods, ear buds, video games, and social media. This in my opinion is a very negative stance in our society. Whereby, history is not being given the consideration it has to be given for our youth in order for them to learn and ponder upon history, which of course, is because of the limited amount of windows available for them that take them to the past. The same can be said to adults as well. They are usally so busy in their work/business lives that they barely get time to explore the historical aspects of nature. So there has to be a lot of awareness programs that would entice our society to dive deep into learning about the historical interpretation of our environment.

The museams, in my opinion, are one of the greatest places to interpet historical nature. As the textbook alludes to a quote under it’s “preserving and interpreting history” saying; “We need the past for our sense of who we are. We need the past for a sense of our civic responsibility, how all these benefits and freedoms came to us, and what it is our duty to protect. –David McCullough”. Museams offer a lot of history behind the nature we see today. One of my best childhood memories is having been to the historical museum of the Niagara Falls. There is where I really learn/explored how this beautiful piece of nature, called Niagara Falls, existed a few decades ago.

“Historical museam at the Niagara falls” As the textbook alludes to history being a “place of memory”. I got exactly the same feeling in my mind when I went to the museum at the Niagara Falls. I contemplated that whatever I saw at the falls, was just a memory of past decades regarding how it has formed into a natural wonder. I felt like I am giving justice to this place by contemplating it’s history. And this is where I believe the initial quote alluding to preservation of history, being an act of integrity.

”The historical falls of Niagara river”

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Unit 05 Blog Post

I was brought up in Eldoret, a town that rests in the heart of Kenya, near one of the greatest natural wonders on Earth, the Rift Valley. The sheer scale of the Rift Valley, the largest of its kind, has always been a breathtaking sight for me. Spanning thousands of kilometers from Lebanon in the north to Mozambique in the south, the Great Rift Valley runs through Kenya, carving out a beautiful landscape that is both vast and rugged. Its significance in shaping nature and the lives of the people who live near it, including my own, is immense.

An image of the Rift Valley captured from the valley floor. See if you can spot the waterfall in the image above.

As a child growing up near the valley, I remember standing on its edge, staring into the seemingly endless horizon. The Rift Valley is more than just a geographical feature; it is a living, breathing ecosystem that has a dynamic relationship with the wildlife, vegetation, and communities that inhabit it. The valley is a cradle of biodiversity, home to a range of ecosystems from dry savannas and wide grasslands, dramatic escarpments and fertile plains.

An image of the Rift Valley taken from the edge.

Nature in the Rift Valley is something I came to appreciate deeply. The valley is a host to countless animals, including some of the most iconic species of East Africa, such as elephants, giraffes, zebras, and lions. The wide plains of the valley offer these animals plenty of space to roam, and it is not uncommon to witness them in their natural habitat when visiting nearby national parks like the Maasai Mara. The Rift Valley lakes, including Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru, are vital water sources for these creatures, making the valley a true haven for wildlife.

The valley's landscape is marked by dramatic features that are a testament to the forces of nature at work over millions of years. The escarpments, which rise steeply from the valley floor, provide stunning views that capture the vastness of the land. Standing at the edge of these cliffs, one can appreciate the sheer scale and geological history of the valley. It’s humbling to think that the Rift Valley was formed as a result of tectonic forces, with the earth’s crust pulling apart, creating the gaping chasm that now defines the region.

The beauty of the Rift Valley is not only in its grand scale and geological significance but also in the subtle details of everyday life. Whether it’s the cool breeze that sweeps down from the escarpments or the vibrant sunsets that light up the sky, the valley has a way of making you feel connected to something ancient and enduring. It is a constant reminder of the power and beauty of nature, a place where one can feel small yet part of something immense. Growing up near this natural wonder has shaped my view of the world, giving me an enduring love for nature and its complexities.

[raenvs3000f24]

Hi, you have a very interesting blog there! I really enjoyed learning about where you were brought up! I always wished to travel to Kenya one day because I always loved the natural scenery of there, especially the Rift Valley. Some of my family comes from Lebanon and they do always share with me how beautiful it was when they drove past the Rift Valley that motivated me to plan a trip there perhaps. I really liked how you typically elaborated on the nature of the Rift Valley, it was for sure way more elaborative than my family who also been there. As you mentioned that the Rift Valley has “countless animals”, I am really curious what type of animal species it has, and wheater I ever learned about that specific specie or not. This is because as a child, I always had a tedency to at least see once, every animal that I learn about either at the zoo or their natural habitats. So perhaps I can learn about more animal species in my visit to the Rift Valley. I really feel you when you mentioned that growing up near that natural place shaped your view of the world. I also grew up in a natural suburb which really shaped my view regarding nature, as I got a sense of how it feels to be crowded with nature all across. It is also very interesting as you mentioned that the Rift Valley was formed by as a result of tectonic forces. This is because it would be really fascinating to visit there and observe how our natural beauty went about numerous forces to produce such a natural phenomena.

[raenvs3000f24]

Blog 5: “How enrolling in ENVS3000 inspired me”

I always wanted to get a deeper inspiration for nature interpretation. I was lacking the knowledge I needed to fully grasp the concepts involved it. This is where one of friends from the University of Guelph recommended me to enroll in ENVS3000. He told me that just because I am a big fan of nature, I should enroll in this course to get an indepth knowledge of nature interpretation. Which I did! ENVS3000 is my one of my favourite courses because it is mostly about the environment, which is my main interest. While I read the textbook of ENVS3000, my knowledge enhances on nature interpretation which I was always fond of. The course textbook of ENVS3000 is called “Interpreting Cultural and Natural heritage”. This textbook in my opinion has to be read by anyone who has a passion of nature interpretation as it brings about many learning opportunities.

Some specific information I loved learning from this course so far is how interpretation is so benefical to the society. As the textbook states that “Interpretation contributes values associated with improved family, community unity, and stability”. The textbook thoroughly explained the real purpose of interpretation, as it states “Interpreters seek to add the essential elements of heightened appreciation, deeper understanding, and new ways of seeing the world”. The textbook also states interpretation to be; “indispensable tool to achieve suc-cessful cultural and natural resource stewardship”, thus being of a great benefit to culturism. From learning about the purposes of interpretation, I got a new sense of inspiration which motivated me on pursuing to become an environmental tourist in the future. I also learned about the “interpretive approach” by Bill Lewis. As the texbook emphasizes about Bill’s approach to interpretation called TORE. TORE can be simplified by T (thematic with a focus on the main message conveyed) O (organized to provide structure and meaning) R (relevant to the audience) E (enjoyable for the audience). Using this approach from the textbook, I fully grasped how I should go about in interpreting nature. While there is much more to learn as I progress in the course, I think I just started in my journey of learning in which there is a lot of content to learn.

I am really grateful to enroll in this course, as being an ecofriendly environmentalist, it has been a great achievement for me. In my highschool years, I always wished to enroll in a unversity which had one of the best arboretum in Canada, and it was for me the University of Guelph. This is where most of my courses in biological sciences is very enjoyed by me as I get to work near the arboretum. The city of Guelph in of itself is a very beautiful natural area which I loved to expore.

The arboretum of the University of Guelph.

All the knowledge I learn from ENVS3000 will be helpful for when I become a tourist guide in the future. It is without doubt that I will become a better tourist guide after I have completed this course. This is because the course emphasizes about the manners of interpretation which in my opinion are totally meaningful in developing better sociality in one’s life, thus becoming a better, helpful tourist guide.

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Unit 04 Blog Post

The interpretation of nature through art is not only reserved for professional artists or those in creative fields. As someone who is passionate about environmental interpretation, I think that nature itself is an artist, and it creates moments that can inspire reflection, emotional connections and allows for oneself to open up to the beauty that nature offers and finding ways to share that with others. Just as I have used nature as a learning tool in my previous experiences, I see art as a way to engage people emotionally, mentally and physically with the environment.

I believe that nature offers endless opportunities to capture moments of beauty, whether through pictures of a sunrise, the intricate patterns of leaves and tress, or the texture of rocks in the water. Here is a moment where I felt captivated by nature's beauty:

Art allows us to pause and appreciate these details in a way that daily life often doesn't. It is not about creating "perfect" paintings or sculptures but about recognizing the beauty in the world and helping others do the same.

The Group of Seven mentioned in the course provides an excellent model for this kind of interpretation. These artists captured the essence of Canada's natural landscapes not by showing human figures but by allowing the viewer to immerse. They cause an emotional response that helps shape our identity, and individual appreciation of the land we live on. As an interpreter, my aim is to channel that same emotional depth and feeling when engaging with audiences, whether through photography, a story, or an outdoor experience.

When I think of the "gift of beauty" in nature, I reflect on the concept of seeing and sharing moments of subtle beauty that might go unnoticed. It's in the sunset and sunrise pictures we always feel compelled to capture, or the first snowfall that makes us smile. These moments are brief but extremely important and profound, and when we share them, whether it be through pictures, words, or experiences, we show that appreciation to others. This act of sharing the beauty creates both a personal and collective connection to nature. By recognizing the "gift of beauty", we also might have a desire to protect and preserve it.

My role as a nature interpreter becomes not solely about providing information but about awakening a sense of beauty and responsibility in those who experience nature through my lens. I may not have the creativity/eye of a painter, or the skills of a photographer, but I can offer moments of beauty that invite others to appreciate the world around them. In this role, I would focus on using both emotional and intellectual approaches to communicate the beauty of nature, ensuring that everyone I guide walks away with a lasting connection. I would engage in creative activities that end in reflection, while incorporating their own personal experiences and skills to that. The goal is not only to see beauty, but to understand it and appreciate it.

Interpreting nature through art is a way of helping people slow down and engage with the world around them in meaningful ways. It is not about being a talented artist but about sharing the gift of beauty that nature offers and inspiring others to see it and notice it too.

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

Unit 04: Nature Interpretation through Art and Planning for “All” Scenarios. (2024). Uoguelph.ca. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/898489/viewContent/3863606/View

[raenvs3000f24]

Hey, I really enjoyed reading your blog post. Art is really a beautiful thing and it’s subtile beauty indeed does go unnoticed as you rightly mentioned. That is why art needs an indepth analysis for all it’s beauty to be equally analyzed. As you mentioned that art is not only for reserved professional artists, this is in my opinion is one of the biggest misconceptions we have in our society. People always underestimate themselves and believe that they are not capable of performing or analyzing art just like the experts do, but they are not right as anyone is a capable artist inheritly due to their unique perception qualities. You have also mentioned regarding your experience of nature through your lenses, I believe this is how every nature interpretation should be. It must be through unique individual perceptions of everyone’s different outlook to how nature looks.

I really liked the picture which you have posted on your blog. Your photo shows a blend of different colors from the shrubs of the tree to the green grass, truly emphasizing the fact that nature is a beauty. Your point regarding sunrise and sunset photos which compel people towards nature is a very logical one. Whenever I open social media related to nature, the first thing I see is sunrise and sunset photos probably because the society finds them the most beautiful aspects of nature. We both agree on the point that interpreting nature through art is a unique meaningful way although society likes to interpret through words mostly. I believe society should use artwork more in their interpretations and give it the credit it deserves.

[raenvs3000f24]

Blog 4: Who are you to interpret nature through art? How do you interpret “the gift of beauty”? (Your readings – specifically Chapter 5 of the textbook – will be helpful for this!)

We as humans always have a tendency to express our emotions, feelings and perceptions (interpretation). They can be expressed by either speech, body language, and art. When we discuss regarding perceptions being expressed by art, it is usally found to be very under rated in comparison to speech and body language. Just because speech and body language are more easily understood to the public rather then art. Many of my friends at high school specially did not like to draw or analyze art just because they found it irrelevant. Although I always spoke about the benefits of art to them as being a great tool for self expressing our perceptions on any given thing. Once my friends actually implemented the performance of art in their life, they actually agreed with me that art does have a great place in expressing our perceptual interpretations. This is why I make the case that art can depict interpretations in a more convenient manner in comparison to speech and body language. Alluding to the emphasis of art in comparison to nature interpretation, the course textbook of ENVS3000 states “there is a natural connection between the arts and interpretation of our culture and landscape”. This makes the case that there is indeed a big connection between our art work and interpretation of nature.

As the course textbook of ENVS3000 alludes to art being counted among the tools of interpretation. When I analyze the photo above, I can easily notice that there are red trees and mix color shades of water. This can be there to reflect the mood of the artist in comparison to the rest of the picture (light red shades and grey shades of color depicting the pond). This is where I can easily reflect upon this art work as showing us that the world is very lively after a rainfal has taken place. This is just one of the many countless examples of art work I can analyze just by looking at the color and style of the art work.

The gift of beauty for me is everything that artwork has to provide in terms of it’s affectionate nature. Art is a very beautiful thing which humans do not give much credit for. In terms of interpretation, art is like a gift for us in which we can interpret our feelings in a more convenient manner. As the textbook says “Interpretive programming extends beyond walks, talks, and evening campfire programs”, this alludes to the fact that art work also has a big place in terms of the interpretive world. And what is the best place for a person to witness art? It is definitely art museams! Whereas the textbook mentions that art museums can play a role in interpretive philosophy in which art can typically interpret itself. This typically gives a lot of credit to art museums as bring a great place of interpretive agenda. We are totally blessed to have art in our life, art has also been proven to cure depression in many people because of the effect color has on giving joy to the mind, which is just another reason to why it’s beautiful.

Unit 05: Nature Interpretation through Art and Planning for “All” Scenarios. (2024). Uoguelph.ca. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/898489/viewContent/3863606/View

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Unit 03 blog post

When it comes to nature interpretation, privilege describes the undeserved benefits or privileges that some people or groups enjoy because of their race, social class, level of education, physical prowess, or cultural heritage. Access to natural areas, how people use them, and which voices are given importance in the environmental education can all be impacted by privilege. I am a straight white woman who does not have any physical disabilities, who speaks English and Spanish and have grown up in the middle class meaning that I have been privileged most of my life. Saying that you recognize and comprehend your privilege is always simple, but you will never truly grasp its significance unless you walk in another person's shoes. There have been many eye-opening topics to this discussion, and these are just a few.

Being able to speak English is a privilege. As that is the main language that nature interpretation relies on for scientific terms or ecological concepts may be off-putting to people who are not educated or who cannot speak English. This could reduce the success rate of environmental programs and keep out people with different backgrounds. In some trails that I have been on, the maps and words are all in English. This can be confusing for people who do not speak English but just want to take a hike on a trail. Some people may not even have phones to use google translate or other apps to help them which is an inconvenience. 

Another reason is having the privilege to a natural space. People who came from middle-upper class typically have more access to nature reserves, parks, trails, etc. On the other hand, people who came from lower class communities could be living in urban areas with very little green space or can be close to polluted and degraded areas. This difference may contribute to alter the perceptions of the natural environments and a continued isolation between some communities and to nature. It is also more likely for the middle-upper class to have more affordability to travel to national parks, take nature tours, or engage in any outdoor activities that can call for gear, transportation, etc. People without access to financial resources may find it more difficult to engage in these kinds of activities, which would reduce their chances to connect and experience nature. Why is it that something that is accessible to everyone can be so hard for others? 

Lastly another reason is our privilege in decision making. When it comes to environmental initiatives, groups who are more privilege frequently have the last say when it comes to which lands are protected and which are not given the priority. Because of this power dynamic, conservation polices may be created to favour some species and environments over others without taking the needs or viewpoints of the local or Indigenous communities into consideration. The unequal distribution of privilege in environmental decision-making is reflected, for instance, in conservation campaigns that displace Indigenous territories or peoples. Encouraging local communities to share their knowledge of the land and to tell their stories in another way to acknowledge privilege in nature interpretation. We must include all. 

[raenvs3000f24]

Hey, I really enjoyed reading your blog post! You do have a valid point that privilege can be enjoyed by people because of their race or cultural hertiage. But I would like to add that this is the same for every race out there. That everyone equally deserves privilege despite of their race and cultural heritage. You also bring a logical point in which you state regarding the access to natural areas, giving a sense of privilege to those who have a better access to it. This actually reminds me of myself infact. While growing up in Pakistan, I had access to a lot of natural areas in Pakistan which automatically made me feel that I do have a lot of privileges in terms of nature. Specially, when my parents introduced me to observing the nature that we lived nearby at was a gateway towards my interest in nature interpretation, thus adding onto my privileges I felt entitled to. I really like your point about speaking English as being a privilege. As you rightly mentioned regarding the language of English being the main language in nature interpretation really made me contemplate about my cousins living in Pakistan. As mostly all scientific data regarding nature interpretation is in English, I feel that my cousins are some sort of less privileged than me in that regard. I really liked your point about decision making. But I would like to inquire that don’t you also believe that those who are “less” interested in nature are least privileged than those are more interested? This is because I do feel that people who do not have a big interest in nature are usually least privileged compared to those who do, thus impacting their decision making.

[raenvs3000f24]

Blog 3: What role does “privilege” play in nature interpretation? Please include your working definition of privilege.

Privilege plays the biggest role in nature interpretation. As we usually take it for granted that we actually do have a privilege in taking part of natural interpretation. Most people would question wheater they have a privilege or not soely because their innate disposition finds nature a boring aspect. My working definition of privilege would definitely be the freedom granted to do something in excess. This privilege would make sure that a person has the right to interpret its perceptions regarding nature despite of their race or gender. I really have to owe it to my parents who first introduced me to exploring the nature since they were the one who were a gateway into my journey of interpreting the nature. From there, I really had a chance to dive deep into how our world looks from exploring it. That is why I wish to develop a career as a tourist guide so that I can enhance my love for natural interpretation.

Privilege in some cases is not granted to physically disabled people who do not have the power to natural interpretation. These can include those are blind, unable to walk and/or sick. As the course textbook of ENVS3000 says regarding the World Health Organization (WHO) stating that disability has to happen in every human being’s life whether it is temporary or permanent. I totally agree with this statement because we are definitely not perfect as human beings who would never go through any hardships in life. This is where in my opinion, privileges are taken away from an individual. To overcome this, we should have people who love to interpret nature to do it for them and get them to acknowledge what they physically can not. This can be where a tourist guide can help describe where a blind person is going as he/she takes them through the area of nature. We always have to help the disable as this is a very moral act, and someone will help the helper too perhaps if it goes through disability in the future as well.

As being a student in the university of Guelph, I totally respect the right of everyone to have equal privileges in natural interpretation. I bring up the topic regarding privileges as that is very important to be brought forth and discussed. I totally stand up against racism and sexism, in which these could possibly ward off their privilges. In my opinion, society has to be considerate towards each and every single person of having a fair right to natural interpretation. I always take part in BLM, ALM, no-genocide organizations which protest against the people who are actually doing such harm in our societies. I also wish that more people need to get together in raising awareness against racism and sexism wherever they are so that we can build as a stronger community in fight against them. My mentor regarding all my efforts in this are my parents. They are the one who taught me about equal rights and that privilege is granted to everyone regardless of their orientations, so I abide and stand by it.

[amenvs3000f24]

Unit 02 Blog Post

My ideal role as a nature interpreter would be sharing the aspects of nature that are personally important to me and incorporating my passions into my work. One of the main focuses of nature interpretation is conveying a captivating topic to audiences. I find that the most captivating lectures I attend are delivered by those who clearly care deeply about their research and what they are teaching. I imagine this is difficult to accomplish fully, since it’s not easy taking the ‘job’ aspect out of being an interpreter. Despite this, a topic you are interested in learning can alleviate this small problem.

I have a strong interest in entomology and would love to be able to experience the handling of exotic insect species. My ideal location would be at a conservatory or zoo, similar to the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory or the Victoria Bug Zoo. Incorporating Genius loci into sites like these would be interesting due to their unique characteristics unlike those of national parks and conservation areas. While a museum/zoo site may have been built on land with rich cultural history of its own, it also gives us the opportunity to touch on the architectural and geographical details of each exhibit. Incorporating pressing issues such as endangered species and climate change into interpretation would be important to me as it is usually at the forefront of my studies. When many think of wildlife rehabilitation, I feel that they are generally more drawn to mammalian or bird species. I imagine this is due to their similarities to house pets and how we perceive ‘cuteness’ and empathy. This can even be seen among insects, with the beloved monarch butterflies and honeybee’s gaining large amounts of traction for their endangerment. Yet it seems that the critically endangered burying beetle – more of a creepy crawly, has seen much less traction!

Communicating with a wide array of audiences can be challenging, but I would like to interact with a diverse audience to educate a wide array of people. Receiving feedback from such a range is valuable for interpreters as the discussion of difficult issues can arise. This is just one of the many communicative skills needed as a nature interpreter. While dealing with children is an important skill, understanding how people of all ages learn and process information is an important aspect of interpretation. Working in a conservatory or zoo would require the application of Piaget’s cognitive development stages through sensory activities, concentrated ideas, direct experiences, and problem solving for children and youths. Anatomical diagrams of certain insects, sensory activities through dirt, rocks, and sand, life cycle outlines, and common bugs children may have already come across are some examples of application. For all audiences, the theory of multiple intelligences is also something I find very interesting and would love to incorporate into my work. I understand how frustrating it can be to have trouble comprehending certain concepts when you have yet to learn your specific learning style. Engagement in various styles is the best method for people of any age or background to actively participate and learn.

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Hi, I really enjoyed reading your blog post! I really like how you have a passion for interpreting nature and would like to incorporate it in a work type setting. It is really interesting how you would like to experience handling different type of exotic insect species. I also have had the same interest for a while and would love to actually experience them as well. Handling different types of exotic insect species in my opinion would bring forth new perceptions I feel towards insects, as I would experience something which I havent before. A zoo as you mentioned would be a great location because it is a type of area which creates new perceptions and can lead to different types of interpretions for that matter. I personally have had the chance to explore different types of zoo areas in my childhood and it really made me develop a perception of how it feels to be there. I explored different animals which I have not seen before and also learned about their lifestyles during my visit to the zoo.

Entomology in my opinion is an awesome field for those who are passionate about different type of insects. I totally agree with you how interacting with a long array of audience can be challenging. This is because people can also disagree with your opinion and it might cause arguments on that matter. I really liked how you mentioned about diversity, that is very logical as when we educate a diverse array of people, we can help different types of people gain knowledge regarding the environment. As you mentioned the idea of “difficult issues”, I am curious what they are in your point of view. For me, a difficult issue would definitely be the climate change we have developed as that is one of the leading problems we are facing today.