Nature Interpretation blog

Reilly S 

[robynwhaleyy]

The End...

As this semester comes to end and so does my bachelor’s degree, I am able to look back to the beginning and appreciate all the technical and personal growth I have experienced. This course allowed me to recognize my importance as a student in biology in terms of communicating with others. I was also able to recognize my disconnect from nature I had been experiencing since the start of the pandemic. But having realized this disconnect I can mend my relationship with nature…

My personal ethics as I develop as a nature interpreter.

When explaining the term ethics, it is explained as the moral principles that govern a person’s behavior or the conducting of an activity. However, this a very broad description therefore I wanted to describe both personal ethics and environmental ethics. Personal ethics is how an individual behaves in relation to others and situations in which they experience in everyday life.  Whereas environmental ethics is the right and wrong way for humans to act toward the environment. Affecting us personally, but also the types of government policies we support and the sorts of actions or responses to environmental challenges we believe are necessary or reasonable. I believe in order to be an effective nature interpreter; your personal and environmental ethics need to overlap. I define a successful nature interpreter as an individual that is able to connect with others through a mutual interest in nature, while being able to discuss and educate one another through various means of learning about the environment. Therefore, some personal ethics I have and have aided my progress in becoming an effective nature interpreter is integrity, selflessness and honesty.

Integrity is the quality of having strong moral principles or moral uprightness. In terms of nature interpretation, I believe integrity is the ability and quality of holding healthy relationships with other people as well as the environment.

Selflessness is the concern more with the needs and wishes of others than with one’s own. I believe this important just as an environmentalist, putting the needs of the environment and others can be very important when discussing and making decisions regarding the future.

Honesty is the quality of upholding the truth. This important in terms of nature interpretation because discussing accurate information is essential when wanting to inspire and educate others about the environment.

My beliefs and worldview

When I think of beliefs and belief systems I think of worldviews. Id assume everyone is familiar with the term worldviews but it is the set of commonly held beliefs, ideas, values and so forth about the world and our place in it. In the past the most common worldview was the westernized worldview. The western worldview entails the exploitation of nature so that we can continue to accumulate material wealth is right and that science and technology allows us to control nature for our purposes (nature is for economic purposes only) humans are separate from, and superior to, nature. John Locke (1632-1704) was an English philosopher that was known for his westernized view on the environment. He described that any parcel of land/environment has no value until it eventually becomes property. The fact that the living tree provides a home to non-human species and plays a significant role in our climate and hydrological cycles is overlooked. Thankfully most of the population has moved past this problematic worldview by recognizing the importance and value nature has not just for our own needs. Therefore, I believe I hold an eco-centric worldview. This worldview is a set of beliefs and environmental ethics that put ecological concerns first; over human priorities. This viewpoint believes Earth’s ecology and ecosystems (including its atmosphere, water, land, and all life forms) have intrinsic value—meaning they should be protected and valued even if they can’t be used by humans as resources. The start of eco-centrism was from John Muir (1838-1914). He was naturalist and environmental philosopher, known as the ‘Father of the National Parks’. Muir believed that nature was full of wonder and held great spiritual value and should be protected/preserved from development.

The responsibilities I hold

I believe as a graduating student in wildlife biology and as a general environmentalist I have many responsibilities as an individual and as an educated person. Therefore, I have an environmental responsibility to protect and improve the environment. As an environmentally responsible individual I should regularly assesses my environmental sustainability and apply this knowledge to my future decision-making. Currently, there is an urgent need to take environmental responsibility very seriously within every type of business and sustain our environment for future generations. As an individual I am responsible for recognizing the impact I have on the environment and, when possible, minimize the damage I may do to the planet. But as an educated individual I believe I am responsible for inspiring and educating others about the environment.

Some approaches that are the most suitable as individuals

I believe that from this course we have developed the basis of becoming a successful nature interpreter. Therefore, I believe the most suitable approach as we continue to develop as nature interpreters is to continue the conversation. We should continue to communicate with others whether it be family and friends or strangers through this blog but continue to talk about the environment. Furthermore, I believe another suitable approach would be to continue taking environmental responsibility. There are many actions we can easily do today that will reduce our impact and environmental impact. This following website describes 30 actions to make your life more environmentally friendly.

·       https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/06/17/climate-change-30-ways-to-make-your-life-more-environmentally-friendly/39366589/

Before I conclude my last blog post for this semester, I wanted you remind you that this Saturday (March 26th at 8:30pm) is earth hour. More than 180 countries will be participating in earth hour by diming their lights and reducing their electricity use. If you want to participate individually or with others, here are some activities you can do that do not require electricity: read a book, paint/draw/color a picture, play a board game, do some yoga, catch up on some household chores or homework or simply just relax!

Cheers!

Signing off… Robyn..

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Hi Robyn :)

Great post! First off I really wish I had read it yesterday since I had no idea it was earth hour and I'm kinda mad that I missed it. I have memories of doing that since I was really little and going for a walk in the neighborhood to see who else was participating. I immediately related to your opening paragraph because I too have come to realize my recent disconnect with nature due to the pandemic, but hopefully since we’re graduating we can start to mend it this summer.

I liked that you separated ethics into personal and environmental as I was unsure which to talk about in my post, but yours made it seem more clear. I agree that a successful interpreter requires both to complement each other. This course has certainly made me think more deeply about what mine are.

In spite of all the “doom and gloom” of being an environmental science student, eco-centrism is something that gives me hope. It has definitely gained more traction recently and has become a more popular perspective of the world. I think eco-centrism is a key pathway to a more sustainable relationship with earth. Seeing that nature has a value other than that which benefits us is essential in nature interpretation and any sort of conservation initiative. A lot of the sustainable living hacks I’ve learned is through technology, with tiktok as an example. There are many accounts I follow that use that platform to effectively  deliver information in a quick 1 minute video that is easy for the general public to understand. I think technology combined with an eco-centric worldview is an effective way to interpret sustainability to others.

Reilly

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Myself as a Nature Interpreter

Taking care of the environment around you is a key ethic of mine in everything I do. The quote “take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints” is one that I have always followed in life, and is one that I hope to bring into my future endeavours as a nature interpreter. This quote is often credited to either Sir Robert Baden-Powell or John Muir of the National Park Service. However, the actual source of the quote is unknown at this point in time. If I were to adjust this quote, I would encourage others to “take nothing but memories and knowledge, leave nothing but footprints and improvements”. I have always been taught to leave the world better than you found it, and I want to instill this idea in those I interact with.

Sir Robert Baden-Powell was the founder of Boy Scouts and the co-founder of Girl Scouts alongside his sister Agnes. Prior to this, he was a military man who fought in Africa. Upon his return, he found out that some of the handbooks he had designed for soldiers were being used to teach young men and boys about the wilderness, which became the roots of Scouting as it is known today.

John Muir was fascinated by the interconnectedness of nature. He had a passion for educating and inspiring others to care for nature as much as he did. As noted in the textbook, Muir was well-known for his sentiment that nature has intrinsic value, beyond the value it holds for humankind; this is a sentiment that I myself also share.

Personally, I feel that my views and values around sharing nature with others align with some of the perspectives of these individuals, which is part of why I love this quote so much. However, I want to make it clear that I do not view either of these individuals as role models – I could never look up to someone who has expressed homophobic or racist views towards others. In my opinion, regardless of the time period and of what was deemed ‘acceptable’ at the time, everyone should feel welcome to enjoy and explore nature – it should not be gatekept from those with unique identities. One cannot claim to care for nature and yet disrespect Indigenous people, who are the original caretakers of this land. If you truly care about preserving nature, then everyone’s attempts to do so should be welcomed and valued. Nature is not property – it belongs to everyone equally.

As an interpreter, I have the responsibility of teaching others that every action has a consequence, whether it be good or bad. This could be in reference to their own actions, to the actions of humans as a whole, or to the actions of nature itself. Predators pursuing prey, increases in global warming, pollution – everything impacts the balance of nature in some way. Some things can be rebalanced, like the population dynamics between predators and prey; others, like water pollution, are much harder to counteract and rebalance. This does not mean that I will discourage people from interacting with nature; I will simply help them to understand the impacts so they can make informed decisions about what they do.

My main belief when it comes to nature interpretation is that no one knows everything, but everyone knows something. As discussed throughout the textbook and this course, everyone comes from a unique background and has their own experiences; therefore, there is always room to learn from new perspectives. Learning from others makes me a better interpreter, and allows my audience to gain insights they did not previously have.

As a young female in STEM, I feel that my best approach to interpretation would involve treating others as equals. While I may posses knowledge that they do not, there is no other power dynamic that puts me above them. I aim to create an environment that is conducive to learning for all. My approach also involves being inclusive to all that enter my programs, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or ability. All of these aspects play a role in how my audience and I see the world, but they are not barriers. I like to think of them as different glasses a person wears. They alter your views and mindset but beauty is still seen, even if it is different than the person next to you.

In conclusion, my view on nature interpretation is that everyone is welcome and everyone has something to contribute. Learning from and protecting the environment are everyone’s responsibilities.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/53006178

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-Stephenson-Smyth-Baden-Powell-1st-Baron-Baden-Powell

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sierra-club-muir-racism-board-vote_n_619548aae4b0f398aeff3677

https://www.johnmuirtrust.org/about-us/about-john-muir

https://yourmileagemayvary.net/2020/01/17/the-iconic-tourist-destination-that-youre-not-allowed-to-take-a-picture-of/

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Hi Amanda,

I enjoyed reading your blog this week and thought there was lots to take away from it. I found the short back stories of Sir Robert Baden-Powel and John Muir very interesting (even though they might not have been the greatest people). I was compelled to research more on John since he is also called the “father of national parks”, which seemed very prestigious. I found that his work of protecting lands influenced the establishment of many national parks such as Mount Rainier, Grand Canyon and Yosemite. He created the Sierra Club which is an american conservationist group, who have since had to come clean about the extremely racist views of their founder. It’s crazy to me that those kind of people are still so idolized with schools even being named after him.

 I liked when you said, nature is not property it belongs to everyone equally, as that is something I also very much believe. Canada no doubt has a very shameful history of messing with that, whicht has gotten much light recently. While I hope we have learned a lot about our relationship with First Nations, there is still so much room for improvement. I think many people lose sight of the beliefs we have been discussing on here, and greed, power, and money seem to take over. With this new generation of nature interpreters coming up, I have hope we can reflect these beliefs and responsibilities back into the world.

Reilly

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Blog 10: Reflecting as an interpreter

Throughout this course, it’s been amazing to read all the different backgrounds each person brings from all over the world, that each brought us here, writing these blogs. I think it goes to show how strongly nature can really bring people together. Whether you're in a science major or not we all feel some sort of bond with the outdoors we’d like to extend to others. In a month I’ll be graduating with a degree in Environmental Biology and I'm excited to see where it will take me. I think the writing and personal reflecting I’ve done throughout this course will surely help me in the future. I believe that the ethics and beliefs a person carries with them constantly evolve throughout life the more you learn, which has happened even to me during this last semester.

First off, I really enjoyed watching the video of David Susuki and Richard Louv discussing the importance of connecting with nature. A takeaway from the video is that it’s important to remember that nature can be found even in the most urban areas. We don't have to travel to national or provincial parks to believe we are more connected than other people, it all depends on your perception of what's around you. They said to think of what you can do in your own yard and neighborhood to appreciate what's there. This could be starting your own little garden or collecting indoor plants, putting out bird seed or attracting pollinators etc. Even in a concrete jungle there are always ways to connect.

This is a picture of the greenhouse thats actually on uog campus attached the the Bovey Building! I’ve gone here many times this semester just to take in the beauty of all the plants. Its open to anyone I highly recommend taking a look if you havent.

This is another spot affiliated with uog on college ave across from the arboretum. The trial gardens in the summer and early fall are a beautiful place to see the colours of nature. 

I believe that nature truly has healing abilities and that everyone should have access to it. Studies have shown that spending just 20 minutes outside in nature can decrease stress hormones (Loria, 2019). This can range from a variety of things like a walk to just tending to your garden or plants (I think this is why I accumulated so many house plants during covid lockdowns). Nature can heal both mentally and physically by improving sleep, reducing depression, cardiovascular disease and obesity (Loria, 2019). I’ve become aware though that not everyone has the privilege to access nature for many reasons. I am very grateful for the fact I grew up with easy access to fun outdoor experiences, but I will agree it created a sort of ignorance to those with the opposite. Thats why its important as an interpreter to consider this. Each person brings along a personal set of experiences, interests, knowledge, ability and personality (Beck et al., 2018). I think to be a successful interpreter this must be acknowledged on the job, and to treat everyone the same regardless of past experiences.

I also believe that we should leave nature just as pristine as when we found it.

“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.” -Robin Wall Kimmerer

I think this is also a responsibility we have as a nature interpreter. While nature is there for us to enjoy, it is also there for the next people. This is why many parks have the “leave no trace principle” when camping or being a tourist. Interpretation involves the individual seeing the beauty or understanding the significance of the resource (Beck et al., 2018). Understanding the significance of all nature's resources means we must develop a sustainable relationship in order to properly respect them. From a consumer level in our lives this can mean only buying essentials at the grocery store to reduce extra waste, and living a less materialistic life. As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned the importance of only buying what I really need, as everything requires energy and resources to produce. Being a good interpreter means practicing what you preach on or off the job.

The approaches that are most suitable to me as an interpreter would be through art or technology, since both of these can come in so many different forms. With digital advances, interpretation occurs via websites, blogs and social media among other technologies” (Beck et al., 2018), and has become a much easier way to interpret information across large scales. As I mentioned in one of my earlier blogs, my favorite way of sharing nature is through photography, which is a combination of both technology and art. This is a way of sharing to people that may have physical, temporal or economic barriers that may prevent them from ever seeing what’s in the photos. I’ve learned and remembered more from watching online nature documentaries and photos than I have from what’s around me. Although, there is a dark side to technology that pulls us away from nature. As mentioned in the notes, children spend more time inside on their devices than they used to in the past. Richard Louv mentioned that the more high tech our lives become the more nature we need. Using technology to connect with each other and nature is a way we can utilize it in a positive way. As interpreters, we have the responsibility to use these tools in a way that is enthusiastic and engaging. Not only this, but we must consider that everyone learns different ways, so using these to adhere to visual, auditory and kinesthetic learners creates the most successful approach.

Thanks to everyone I’ve connected with through these blogs!

-Reilly

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

Loria, K. (2019). The Healing Power of Nature. Consumer Reports. Retrieved March 24, 2022, from https://www.consumerreports.org/health-wellness/healing-power-nature-outdoors/

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Nature's resiliency

The most amazing thing I know about nature? That is quite the hard question when you talk to someone in a study based around the environment. There is plenty to talk about but what I want to focus on today is how resilient nature is. You hear it all the time. Especially nowadays. Global warming, resources running out, species going extinct. There is a lot that is changing in the world and it is going at a speed that is too much for the environment to handle. Yet they are trying their best.

This might not be as common as I might think but I would like to reference back to the Pixar movie Wall-e. To explain it to people who are not aware of what this movie is about I will give a brief plot line. It revolves around a robot named Wall-e who remains on Earth after all humans are transported to space. The reason why humans are in space? Because the whole place had become a complete mess. Trash is everywhere, pollution has gotten out of control and there are practically zero natural things around. Besides the cockroach AND a single plant within a boot. Meeting another robot they attempt to show this plant to the humans to show them. Fast forward through the movie, in the end the humans decide that they see hope in returning to Earth and try to save it.

Now this may be a movie but there is a lot to learn from it. There is a saying that applies here. “Art imitates life.” It is not a far fetched idea that we can destroy the Earth and seek refuge in space. Many scientists have already been looking into it. Whether it be for travel or cultivation, humanity has been trying to accomplish an alternative if we reach a point ‘beyond return’. Not only that but humanity has been damaging the environment so that it is not hard that we can reach the level that the movie portrays. Consider the fact that the movie was created in 2008. Over 10 years at the time of writing this.

However, the main similarity between the movie to reality is how resilient nature is. The world was in shambles and still managed to restore something with that plant without any help. Back in the day, the biggest thing was the hole in the Ozone layer. Though we did stop what was causing the hole, we did not necessarily restore it ourselves. The atmosphere did that. One of the biggest functions of fungi is to clean up toxins. Countless of bacterias doing the same. Species coming back stronger than ever. Even trees that are around us are cleaning what we have done.

More and more stories to add onto the ones that I have stated here. The Earth has a fragile balance that we are ruining but it has its ways to restore itself. That is how amazing nature is.

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Hey!

I thought you took a really interesting approach to this week's discussion. I love that you brought up Wall-e as an example of resilience because I’ve always loved that movie. As a kid I dont think I understood the real message behind it, but now I realize that movie is a dramatic way of showing how life might end up if we keep treating the planet as we do. When you mentioned how resilient nature is it reminded me of a show I used to watch when I was younger. Life After People was a series that used to play on the history channel for just one year (2009-10). But even long after I always found it so fascinating.

Here is a link to a bit from one of their episodes: Life After People: Animals | History

In the show, experts speculated what might become of earth if all humans suddenly disappeared. They show the impact of human absence on the environment and how over time nature will eventually take over everything we left behind. It covers from 10,000 to over a million years after people and how all of our national landmarks will eventually crumble to almost nothing. Its an interesting but also heavy topic to think about…considering everyone we know including ourselves would be long dead, but the strength and resiliency of nature is fascinating to see. 

-Reilly

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Blog 8: Spring is here!

When brainstorming the most amazing things I know about nature, so many specific details came to mind, but I wanted to make it something exciting. Instead, I decided to pick something that’s really been exciting me lately and is a much broader topic, and that is spring! The signs of spring after a long cold winter brings me so much joy, so i’m going to share some of the common ones in Canada.

Besides the obvious milder weather and rain, it’s the signs from the plants, animals and insects that fascinate me, the way nature regrows and regenerates in unison.

Plants blooming:

On wednesday March 16th I saw my first flowers of spring. In the photo here is Winter aconite which was found downtown guelph. This flower is part of the buttercup family Ranunculaceae is is commonly one of the first flowers to open up. 

Another sign I've noticed is tree buds getting much larger. This was taken in the arboretum of a red maple. While it may take another month and a half for them to open up. Buds signify the end of dormancy and the start of new growth.

Species Arriving:

Robins are a popular bird that symbolize the return of spring in mid-march. I saw my first one last weekend, and already they seem to be everywhere. Robins migrate south in the winter since the ground freezes which prevents them from getting worms. The arrival of these red-breasted birds indicate that temperatures are raising and they can now forage and begin to mate here.

Mallard ducks are another sign of spring. I took this photo a week ago of this very cute couple. While some can be seen here all year round in unfrozen waters, many migrate to the southern states where the lakes don’t freeze over and food is more abundant.

Insects:

While most people don't get excited about seeing flies, they are another sign of spring in most areas. Flies actually hibernate in the winter by building up fat and produces a natural antifreeze in their body.

Bumble bees are another insect that come out fairly early in spring. I learned in another class they are able to come out early and forage before other bees by revving their internal wing muscles to increase their temperature. This allows them to come out in cooler weather.

While each season has a beauty of its own, seeing colour return and the replacement of brown to green is something that always excites me. Spring is a time of regrowth, and seeing all these different kinds of species doing so at the same time but individually is amazing to see.

Feel free to expand on this with any other signs you have noticed!

-Reilly

Photos from:

Robin: Alex Eberts. 2020. Ohio. Macaulay Library. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/id

Fly: Isabelle Gallant. 2020. PEI. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-houseflies-winter-hibernation-1.5834157

Bumblebee: Chris Helzer. 2014. Nebraska. The Nature Conservancy. https://blog.nature.org/science/2014/03/19/plight-of-bumble-bee-native-pollinators-ecosystem-services/

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Music and nature

Music in nature

When I think of music in nature, my first though is birds. There are so many different types of birds, all with their own sounds. I think it is fascinating how birds sing to communicate (warning calls, mating calls, etc.) with each other, yet we hear it as a form of music in nature. Imagine how funny it would be if humans also had to sing instead of speaking to communicate! I noticed that birds were also mentioned in the reading by Gray et al. (2001), which states, “any rhythmic repeated utterance, whether a bird, a frog, an insect, a whale or a human” can be defined as a song. I’m not sure many people will agree with me on this but, the insect songs are the only ones I am not a huge fan of, simply because there always seems to be an insect chirping outside my window when I am the most need of sleep. I think Gray et al. (2001) defines a song very well in terms of nature. When we are in nature, we hear music all around us from the simple buzz of a bee to the complex whale rhythms.

While I was researching some more in depths ways that we can find music in nature, I came across a company called Plant Wave. They offer a device that detects electrical variations in plants using electrodes. The electrical variations are translated into instrumental music which is super interesting! I linked the company site here if anyone wants to learn more or purchase their own device.

https://www.plantwave.com/

Below is a sample of the Plant Wave device on a mushroom found in the Kaelia Forest Reserve. I think the music is so peaceful and calming. Let me know what you think of turning bio-electricity changes into music.

Nature in music

I enjoyed reading about the birdsongs in beatboxing by Ben Mirin aka wildlife DJ. I found his website and learned that in addition to being an artist and an educator, he is also a biologist. I think that this relates to many of us as we are in sciences programs and learning how to be nature interpreters. It is great to see someone similar to us who has gained a following from sharing his passions.

There is so much nature in music these days. I find that many artists use the sound of crashing waves, bonfire crackling, rain, etc. However, I have noticed artists use these nature sounds more commonly in the introduction of their music, rather than throughout. Another thing that comes to mind when I think of nature in music is artists using nature to portray a theme. Many songs use rain or storms to signify a sad heartbreak storyline. Whereas songs using bird chirping or waves crashing are typically more upbeat and happy. For example, Harry Styles’ music video for his song ‘Watermelon Sugar’ incorporates beach sounds in the introduction scene. This sets a carefree and fun tone for the rest of the video.

My nature song

While it was hard for me to pick one song that reminds me of nature, I ended up going with the ‘Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book movie. The lyrics in this song remind me of nature through my childhood eyes. As a child I was happy by myself at just the local park finding rocks and plants and building houses for insects. This song reminds me of the simple and calm aspect of nature whereas life now is so hectic and busy, we rarely get time to take a step back and appreciate everything around us. Im curious to read what everyone else chose as their song this week!

Reference:

Gray, P. Krause, B. Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C. & Baptista, L. (2001). The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music. Science. 291. 52-54

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I enjoyed reading your blog post this week and thought you incorporated some neat ideas. I loved that you chose a song that reminded you of both nature and your childhood. If I were to pick a song that reminded me of both I would choose “Beyond the sea” by Bobby Darin. This song plays at the end of Finding Nemo which is a movie I have always loved, and it just sounds so happy. Like you mentioned I think its very important to try and connect back to our childhood perspective on nature. I used to play in mud puddles for hours making “pies” and “cookies” , never getting bored. Such a mentally simpler time it was.

Another thing that caught my eye was Plant Wave music. I don’t know much about how that works or how someone discovered that but I’ve always found it very fascinating, and the music in that video is so calming! On their website, the simplified explanation is that plants give off electrical variations that are detected by electrodes placed on the leaves. Then each variation is associated with a musical pitch chosen by the company.

https://datagarden.bandcamp.com/album/quartet-live-at-the-philadelphia-museum-of-art

This link has 2 of their songs done by the Data Garden Quartet, which consists of a philodendron, two schefflera, and a snake plant. This type of technology encourages people to better connect with their gardens and indoor plants in a relaxing and unique way.

Thanks for sharing!

Reilly

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Blog 6: music & nature as one in the same

Where is music in nature? To me the answer is everywhere. We often listen to music when we’re taking time for ourselves and wanting to relax, and the sounds of nature have the same effect. There's a popular quote by George Santanaya saying, “The earth has music for those who listen”, with the important part being those who stop and listen. The sound of leaves rustling in the wind, rain dropping, birds singing, cicadas humming, thunder rumbling ect is all part of the symphony of the earth. Not all notice these noises, but they are constant and everywhere in varying degrees. This reminds me of the saying “it’s like music to my ears'' which people normally say when hearing something they like that's not traditional music. When I think of this, I picture myself on an empty beach listening to the waves crashing on shore, as I consider that a form of music. What comes to your mind?

After reading this weeks content I read the paper that published the quote shown in the notes called The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music by Gray et al. They answered the question of whether or not other species show musical language and expression by explaining how whales and birds use similar musical techniques as humans (Gray et al 2001). They have the ability to memorize and recognize musical patterns, showing they use music to share and interpret information just as we do.

Where is nature in music? With this I think of either turning natural sounds into songs, or songs that mentally take people back to natural locations. A good example of one of these was provided to us as DJ Ecotone. He creatively took nature sounds and turned them into a modern style of music that would appeal to kids. His passion started with recording bird calls and then adding beatboxing to connect others with nature as the birds had done to him. Even the recordings of nature sounds have been shown to improve peoples mood and mental state. Sometimes when I’m stressed I’ll go on Spotify and listen to playlists that combine nature sounds with classical music to relax. It always works to help calm me down before an important exam or presentation.

A song that takes me back to a natural landscape would be “A Horse with No Name” by America. 

I was 13 in the back of my grandparents car driving through the deserts of Arizona when my Grandpa thought it would be ironic to play a song about being in a desert. Although, we ended up listening to the entire album 3 times in a row by which point we were all very sick of it. Now everytime I hear that song I think about looking out the car window into the deserts of Arizona and the vast and flat landcape.

-Reilly

References:

Gray, P. Krause, B. Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C. & Baptista, L. (2001). The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music. Science. 291. 52-54.

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Blog #5: Oh, the places you will go

Over the past 2 years, many of us haven’t been able to travel anywhere to see family or even just for the sake of travelling. Travelling is something that has always been on my bucket list. Travelling and seeing the world also helps us broaden our understanding of nature. Although a relationship with nature can be formed anywhere in the world, even in your own backyard, travelling allows us to experience different parts of the world and allows us to observe various species of plants, animals and other natural wonders. Obviously, travelling requires money and time which is not something I have right now. Once the Covid restrictions end and I have enough money saved up, after graduating here are some of the places that I would like to visit.

There are so many beautiful places in our very own Canada that I have yet to explore:

Aurora borealis, Canada:

The Aurora borealis is one of the seven wonders of the world. When electrically charged particles from the sun collide with gasses as they enter our atmosphere, the aurora borealis AKA the northern lights are produced. This phenomenon occurs all year round, but they can only be seen in the winter as it is too bright at other times of the year for them to be visible. The sky’s the darkest from November to March so that would be the most ideal time to visit. From my research Whitehorse, Yukon is the best place to view the northern lights in Canada. There are so many fun activities that I would want to do here some of which are dogsledding, snowmobiling and visiting the Yukon Wildlife preserve.

Yukon Wildlife preserve

Banff, Alberta:

Banff and Lake Louise is a major tourist hotspot in Alberta and is known for some of the most breathtaking mountain locations on the planet. Banff and Lake Louise offer countless activities and have easy access to pristine nature, numerous outdoor excursions, jaw-dropping landscapes, and a rich history and culture. I love to hike and it has always been a dream of mine to hike in such a beautiful place. When I go to Banff, the hike that I would go on would be one that leads to a lake or waterfall, for example the Rockbound lake hike which leads to the high alpine lake surrounded by a cliff and a breathtaking view. After doing some research I found that this hike is 16.8 km long. While it is on the longer side undertaking this hike would be a challenging and memorable experience for me.

Some places outside of Canada that I have been dreaming to visit are:

Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan:

Hunza Valley

Five of the “eight-thousanders” (mountains higher than 8000 meters above sea level) and more than fifty peaks higher than 7,000 meters can be found in Gilgit-Baltistan. The three primary centers for expeditions to the mountains are Gilgit, Astore, and Skardu. Some of the world’s highest mountain ranges can be found in this region. Hunza Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in Gilgit-Baltistan and has many tourist hotspots and this is where I would want to spend most of my time. My mom told me about how she visited this place with my Grandfather when she was my age and I hope to be able to go there one day too as she describes it as being the most breathtaking sight she has ever seen.

Grand Canyon, Arizona:

Like the Northern Lights the Grand Canyon is also one of the seven wonders of the world and is one of the most visited natural attractions and for good reasons too. This natural wonder is 277 miles long and 18 miles wide. The entry points are the North, South and West rims of the canyon. The South and West rim are the most popular spots for exploring this natural wonder. Both of these rims have hiking trails leading to the grandeur of the canyon. I would like to hike at the West rim because it also features a river and is suitable for people of all skill levels unlike the South rim. Although I love hiking I would not say that I am someone who is highly skilled and I am somewhat out of practice.

These are just some of the places that I would like to visit in my lifetime. I could write about so many more, but for now I will leave you guys with this. Thank you so much for reading my blog, I hope you enjoyed it. I would love to hear about some of the places you want to visit or have already visited. I hope we all get a chance to experience memorable adventures and fuel our wanderlust

Links for more information:

https://grandcanyonwest.com/story/how-do-you-choose-grand-canyon-west-rim-vs-south-rim/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAr5iQBhCsARIsAPcwROPaspjiEtdO_t1r3ZOqOJ_Tmkoc0fTak6rsLyRtSlLSoX32UE8q1AEaAj2iEALw_wcB

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Gilgit-Baltistan

https://www.banfflakelouise.com/hiking?https://www.banfflakelouise.com/hiking?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=TA_DMO_search_program&utm_term=Hiking&utm_content=owned&gclid=Cj0KCQiAr5iQBhCsARIsAPcwROOSZkSxr-W5JrxLLJ9Vx0_BoJ9tmVqXgfwGKJpSDqDBnB-Y6ZVEV_oaAgYdEALw_wcB

https://www.canadianaffair.com/blog/northern-lights-in-canada/

[rjsenvs3000w22]

Hi Simrah,

Your blog caught my eye with all those beautiful pictures. I think many of us are at the point in our lives where we are wanting to travel within the next couple years, especially since this pandemic has made life a little less exciting recently. You have a great selection of travel destinations, and the only one I hadn't heard of is Hunza Valley. Upon looking it up I realize how beautifully unique it is and that it's in Pakistan, so cool!

The one photo that really caught my eye though was Banff Alberta. While I've seen probably hundreds of pictures of that place, they catch my attention more now since I just recently planned a trip to go at the end of april! I’ve never been out west before or seen the mountains so I am beyond excited. I graduate at the end of this semester and I’m going out the day after I finish my last exam. Banff was Canada's first national park and dates back to 1883. I’ve always wondered why that lake is so blue…so I did some quick research. It turns out that fine rock dust, produced by massive glaciers rubbing against bedrock, stays suspended in the water and reflects light, creating the bright turquoise colour. Although, since glaciers are slowly disappearing around the world, this eventually will stop happening, and future generations won't be able to enjoy the view of the brightly coloured water.

Great post!

Reilly

[rjsenvs3000w22]

Blog 5: a relationship with nature

Not being given a topic to write about is definitely something I’m not used to. For as long as I can remember in school, writing was more for the teacher reading it than it was for myself. I normally write what the other person expects to see, which doesn’t always include my own thoughts or opinions. This week's subject on nature interpretation through science is a very vast topic. With most of us here working towards a bachelor of science, this has been our primary way of interpreting and learning about nature.

There's a lot we can learn from textbooks and lectures, but nothing beats actually experiencing nature first hand, and in my mind is crucial to truly understanding it. The video by Kitty and Jenny in the arboretum is a great example of this. Some of the things they talked about like the organ pipe mud dauber and the goldenrod galls were new information to me, but learning that through an interpretive outdoor walk was much more interesting than reading it in a research paper or textbook.

In the book I am reading, “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer, she described the time she gave her third year university ecology class a survey asking them to ‘rate their understanding of the negative interactions between humans and the environment.” Almost everyone in the two-hundred-person class agreed that humans and the environment are a bad mix. Later on, she asked about positive interactions between humans and the environment, with the average answer being there are none. What the students fixate on is the culture they’ve grown up in where the land and water are constantly being harmed by human actions. Although, this is not true for all cultures as Robin explains throughout the book.

After reading this part I could admit that I partially thought the same way as them. Throughout university we often learn about the wrong doings we have made to the environment and all of its cascading negative effects. In the geography and environmental science courses I’ve taken I’ve learned more about global warming, pollution and the negative impacts on natural systems than I have about learning to connect with the land and what it really needs. Conservation is geared towards implementing a scientific proposition to reduce our effects on the environment, rather than changing our relationship with it.

“The land is the real teacher. All we need as students is mindfulness.” -Robin Wall Kimmerer

“What we contemplate here is more than ecological restoration; it is the restoration of relationship between plants and people. Scientists have made a dent in understanding how to put ecosystems back together, but our experiments focus on soil pH and hydrology—matter, to the exclusion of spirit. We are dreaming of a time when the land might give thanks for the people.” - Robin Wall Kimmerer

There are a million quotes I could take from this book since it has such a deep and powerful message. Overall I think it highlights how society has become disconnected from the environment that we rarely take the time to recognize that everything comes from another life. We as humans have the responsibility to look after and respect our environment. Creating a relationship with nature and appreciating it is the first step in showing our gratitude for all it does for us.

The first spring blooms of 2021 

Reilly :) 

[rjsenvs3000w22]

Blog 4: The art of nature

Art based on nature can take on so many forms with various purposes. Examples include drawing, painting, photography, music, sculptures, books, movies and more. This can be done because nature is such a vast subject that encompasses many things. Art is a gift that can show us the intricacy and beauty of the natural world from different perspectives. Although, interpreting the gift of beauty will look different for every person. One piece of art might be overlooked by someone, while the next person could be encapsulated by it. Everyone’s idea of what they find beautiful is unique to them, therefore their means of interpreting the gift of beauty is also unique. Whether an interpreter is a nature guide or an artist, their goal is the same: to help people appreciate the beauty of their surroundings and to instil in them the necessity of conserving it (Beck et.al. 2018).

My primary art source to interpret nature and its gift of beauty is photography. While I am by no means a “photographer”, wherever I go outside I’m always capturing the moment or the view and sharing it with others. Interpreting nature through art, such as photography, enhances my connection with the environment, and that connection extends to others when I share it. I love seeing the other photos people put in their blogs as it always makes me want to go to those locations. If you’re responding to this post, please share one of your favourite nature photos you’ve taken and your connection to it, i’m genuinely interested!

This photo is a favourite of mine, hence why its my profile picture, and captures a Monarch I raised from an egg on one of the flowering plants in my backyard.

When I think of interpreting nature through art the first person that comes to mind is my Grandma. I mentioned her in a previous blog as being one of the people who gave me my “sense of place”. She loves to paint natural landscapes ranging from realistic to abstract and is very talented.

I got her to send me one of her more recent paintings for this class. While you can tell there are two bare trees in the centre, the rest of the painting is more abstract and seems to be telling the story of this scene. I didn’t ask her why it looks this way because I think the intention is for the viewer to interpret it on their own. What do you think its meaning or story is? The beauty of art is that the same image can connect and mean something different to every person. 

This unit also mentioned the group of seven, who were amazing at capturing nature on a canvas. I’ve been to a few of the places they stood when they made some of their iconic paintings, such as Parry Sound and Georgian Bay. Their artwork attracted international attention and captured the beauty of Canada in a unique way. By sharing their work they have subsequently inspired many others to pursue art or take an interest in it.

This is a painting done by my Grandma as well that mimics one of her favourites done by Tom Thomson. Whether we are creating art in nature, or nature in art, we are connecting to something much deeper than what words can share.

Reilly

[efenvs3000w22]

Hi Reilly, 

I really loved your post, and your grandma is a fantastic painter! Looking at her painting of the two lone trees, it gives me a feeling of peaceful solitude because of the warm coloured background. I think it captures the feeling of being in nature with someone and feeling very calm, connected to that person (like the two trees) and at peace, where you are not thinking about the rest of the - just enjoying the moment. I would love to hear your interpretation of it as well! 

Going back to your point about photography, I think that the beauty of this form of art is that it is so accessible. The majority of people carry a phone that has a camera with them, so it is really easy to capture beautiful things you see while out in nature. It also makes it easy to see things from others’ points of view, as photos show glimpses into what that person is specifically noticing. We could all go on the trail, and it is likely that everyone would notice different aspects, whether that be certain trees, fungi, bugs, birds etc. Seeing the photos people take gives a glimpse at how others interpret nature and I believe that is an important part of art. I’ve attached a couple photos I’ve taken as well, but I by no means am good at photography - just enjoy having them to look back at as you said!

- Emily

This is a photo of a really beautiful mushroom I saw this summer, if anyone knows what species it is please tell me!

Here is a photo I took during a small hike on a popular trail. People have started setting up birdfeeders so that kids can bring seed and see all of the local winter birds (I saw a lot of chickadees and a couple woodpeckers!). 

[rjsenvs3000w22]

Hey Emily :)

Thanks for interpreting the painting! Your take on it is very similar but also different than mine. While the warm background gave you the feeling of peaceful solitude, I interpreted it as a forest fire…lol. Although I did see the connection between the two trees. I think it’s their connection to each other that helped them survive through such a difficult time. I think it shows the importance of being there for one another to get through the hardships that life can throw at us, and the value of connecting with the people in our lives. I find it so interesting the different perspectives we have!

I love your photos as well! That is a very pretty mushroom, and the tree filled with bird feeders from the locals gives such a sense of community. It’s very true that the photos we share show what we notice in nature that others may not, and I hadn't thought of it that way. Photography is such an easy way to share the gift of beauty with others.

Thanks!

[rjsenvs3000w22]

Blog 4: The art of nature

Art based on nature can take on so many forms with various purposes. Examples include drawing, painting, photography, music, sculptures, books, movies and more. This can be done because nature is such a vast subject that encompasses many things. Art is a gift that can show us the intricacy and beauty of the natural world from different perspectives. Although, interpreting the gift of beauty will look different for every person. One piece of art might be overlooked by someone, while the next person could be encapsulated by it. Everyone's idea of what they find beautiful is unique to them, therefore their means of interpreting the gift of beauty is also unique. Whether an interpreter is a nature guide or an artist, their goal is the same: to help people appreciate the beauty of their surroundings and to instil in them the necessity of conserving it (Beck et.al. 2018).

My primary art source to interpret nature and its gift of beauty is photography. While I am by no means a “photographer”, wherever I go outside I’m always capturing the moment or the view and sharing it with others. Interpreting nature through art, such as photography, enhances my connection with the environment, and that connection extends to others when I share it. I love seeing the other photos people put in their blogs as it always makes me want to go to those locations. If you're responding to this post, please share one of your favourite nature photos you’ve taken and your connection to it, i’m genuinely interested!

This photo is a favourite of mine, hence why its my profile picture, and captures a Monarch I raised from an egg on one of the flowering plants in my backyard.

When I think of interpreting nature through art the first person that comes to mind is my Grandma. I mentioned her in a previous blog as being one of the people who gave me my “sense of place”. She loves to paint natural landscapes ranging from realistic to abstract and is very talented.

I got her to send me one of her more recent paintings for this class. While you can tell there are two bare trees in the centre, the rest of the painting is more abstract and seems to be telling the story of this scene. I didn't ask her why it looks this way because I think the intention is for the viewer to interpret it on their own. What do you think its meaning or story is? The beauty of art is that the same image can connect and mean something different to every person. 

This unit also mentioned the group of seven, who were amazing at capturing nature on a canvas. I’ve been to a few of the places they stood when they made some of their iconic paintings, such as Parry Sound and Georgian Bay. Their artwork attracted international attention and captured the beauty of Canada in a unique way. By sharing their work they have subsequently inspired many others to pursue art or take an interest in it.

This is a painting done by my Grandma as well that mimics one of her favourites done by Tom Thomson. Whether we are creating art in nature, or nature in art, we are connecting to something much deeper than what words can share.

Reilly

[rmenvs3000w22]

Blog 3: The Role of Privilege in Nature Interpretation

Hey everyone,

I really enjoyed the content of this week. I particularly liked the supplemental ARES reading and appreciated the analogy of having an “invisible backpack” as I think it’s a great way to help understand and visualize the concept. I think it would be a really great way to introduce the concepts to kids as well.

I really appreciated how thoroughly the textbook went into different kinds of privileges and where they can stem from. I also like how it reviewed how to properly interact with people based on their needs so that everyone feels equally respected and heard.

I think privilege plays a very key role in environmental interpretation as it really can affect what an audience is able to interpret as well as how they interpret it. We all have a huge responsibility as environmental interpreters to understand privilege so we can ensure that what we’re creating or teaching is equally accessible to everyone. So far, my definition of privilege is “access or opportunity to things that are only available to certain groups or people”.

Up until recently, I understood that I had privilege, but I didn’t really understand what it meant. I wanted to share one really influential moment in my life that happened last year that taught me a lot about privilege and really shaped the way I think about it.

At the time, I was working as a technician at a vet clinic and everything was still operating curbside. The clinic I worked at specialized in reproductive medicine, so we would regularly have scheduled or emergency c-sections on dogs. Sometimes, we would require dogs and their owners to come in daily to do blood work and have an ultrasound so we could monitor the pups. One of our clients at that time had hired a gentleman to drive her dog to the clinic every day for these appointments as she worked and couldn’t take the time off. On one of the days her dog was scheduled, I was walking back inside from the parking lot when the driver of this client stopped me. He asked me if I had ever been to Africa. A little confused, I said no. He then told me that where he’s from, mothers die when they have complications with their pregnancies because they don’t have access to doctors that can operate on them. But somehow here, people can get the same surgery for their pets 24 hours a day without a second thought.

The driver went on to tell me about his life in Kenya and how he had come to Canada to make a better life for his family back home. He told me that because I’m well-off and have white skin that I have a unique privilege to be able to make change in this world. He wanted me to go to Africa with him to experience the things he told me about so that I could come back and tell people what was happening there. I told him I didn’t have enough money to get there, but that wasn’t entirely true. I had savings for post-grad school and for my first down payment on a house. If I wanted to, I could make it happen. But I didn’t.

So why don’t we prioritize helping others if we have the ability or privilege to do so? I think we are all so surrounded by privilege that it seems like nothing is happening outside of our lives. We have such strong social constructs that tell us we should go to school, immediately get a nine-to-five job and save for a house to support our future families because that is what makes us “successful” in life. No one stops to think about the people our wealth was stolen from or the state of anyone else’s lives other than our own, because that’s not what we were taught to worry about. That in itself is a privilege – the privilege of ignorance.

Even if we can’t end world hunger or make sure every mom has access to medical care by ourselves, I think appreciating that we have the privilege to be able to make change and taking responsibility for the ignorance surrounding it are the first steps. Although poverty in Africa is a very different aspect of privilege than what we may deal with on a regular basis or what we’ll deal with in interpretive roles, the same concepts still apply. In our society, we have been taught to prioritize ourselves and to not think about others. We have the ability and the privilege to be able to change that.

Our roles as environmental interpreters can give us the opportunity to lead by example while we practice taking responsibility for our privileges. If I can understand that I have the privilege to communicate in any way I want, I can then use that privilege to be able to make my presentations available to those who may only be able to communicate in a single way. If I understand I have the privilege to be able to educate myself on whatever I want, I can use it to teach those that may not be able to do the same.  If we understand our privileges in life, we can begin to notice how we can use them for good. Through our other privileges, we gain the unique privilege of being able to help and make change. I think that is such an amazing gift that so few people realize they even have.

I am so appreciative of that gentleman that took the time to pull me aside and remind me of not only the things I am uniquely capable of, but of the responsibility that comes with those capabilities. We ended up talking for about a half an hour, and even though I knew my boss would probably get me in trouble for staying outside for so long, I also knew that what this man was telling me was one of the most important things I would ever hear.

It was. I now regularly work on taking responsibility for the privileges I have by taking the time to identify them and consider how I can use them to do good. If I do end up in an interpretive role, I will incorporate these practices into my work so that I can act on my privilege to make change – even if it’s just within a single person or a community. I was gifted such an amazing ability to be able to help others and make a difference in this world, and I intend to live my life doing so.

My only hope is that I can try to inspire others to do the same. 

Riley

[rjsenvs3000w22]

Hi Riley, what a greatly worded post. I like that you took a slightly different perspective of this and discussed the privilege of ignorance, which is something I hadn't thought about when writing my blog. Your story about the man from Kenya was really moving, and another reminder of how lucky we are to have the healthcare system we have. As grateful as I am, it suddenly seems unfair that our pets here get better care than pregnant women over there. While it is something that's out of our control as an individual, being aware and passing that awareness to others is the first step in making a difference, and I’m glad you shared that with us.

It’s so true that our society is designed in a way that’s meant to keep us busy and distracted from thinking about the lives in third world countries. We have the privilege of putting our time and attention into getting an education and starting a career, that everything outside of what affects us ceases to matter. As current or future environmental interpreters, I think it’s important to keep that thought in your back pocket and know that those who cross our paths may come from very different backgrounds, and being there might mean more to them than you think. Like you said, once we become aware of the privileges we have, we can begin to learn how to use them to make positive change.

Thanks! Reilly :)

[rjsenvs3000w22]

Blog 3: Privilege in nature

This subject was truly eye opening for me. I honestly had never thought of the privilege associated with nature, which admittedly goes to show how privileged I was and still am. I went off on my own tangent of reading a bit of what's been posted and published online on this subject, which gave me another perspective. Reviewing the opportunities and experiences I had growing up I realize that all of them can be rooted back to some form of privilege.

I got to experience camping and day trips in various places my whole life, and was able to hike, bike and swim wherever and whenever I wanted. I got to do these because my family could afford the costs associated, and we had access to the internet to find the places, we are all able-bodied and healthy individuals, and we live in a place where the outdoors is safe. A person's relationship and experience in nature depends on geographic location, race, health, economic status, knowledge etc. A person living in poverty with mental or physical health challenges and no access to safe green spaces won’t be able to prioritize their connection with nature, as other things will have to come first. I realize my opportunities are a privilege and I’m lucky to have had the childhood I did. Such experiences can greatly impact one's conception of the world and their interests/priorities as an adult, which is how we all ended up in a class like this.

It can be hard to appreciate the opportunities behind privileges and be grateful when you haven't experienced a life without them.

A quote by Liane Moriarty has a similar message in which she said, “You could jump so much higher when you had somewhere safe to fall”. I find it really summarizes the meaning of having privilege. In terms of nature interpretation, I think this translates to the variety and quantity/quality of opportunities and experiences bounded by an individual's privileges that others may not have, which is my working definition.  

When unpacking my own invisible backpack I find the following:

I live in canada which grants me access to safe beautiful views of nature nearby

I have constant access to clean filtered water and can control the temperature of my home

My health allows me to travel freely

My education gave me more knowledge of nature

I am white and speak english

I can afford a car which allows me to experience nature further

This is one of my favourite phtotos I’ve taking while camping in Parry Sound, Canada (July 2021)

Environmental privilege seems to be a more understudied area of privilege. The current pandemic has increased the importance of access to nature since most people are dealing with higher levels of stress and anxiety, and increased isolation has been shown to make these worse. Nature is known as a mental refuge that can improve mental health. With everything being closed, sometimes the only option was to go for a walk outside, but imagine not even having that? We forget that something as simple as that can be a privilege.

Thanks for reading :)

[rsenvs3000w22]

My ideal role as an environmental interpreter

Being a student in environmental sciences, I often get a lot of questions from family and friends. From simple things like how does this [blank] process work? To more complex questions like should I be concerned about climate change and what can we do about it? During these conversations, I always hope I’ve communicated effectively without throwing in too much dull or unnecessary information. I desperately want to answer these questions in a way that makes the topic exciting and pushes them to want to learn more.

When I think of these conversations, I envy the social media accounts that can discuss these topics with ease and make them exciting to learn about. One account I think of right away off the top of my head is asap science. While not nature interpreters, they explain science in an easy to understand and fun way.

Here’s an example of one of their videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yywWKtKheQ&ab_channel=AsapSCIENCE

Here’s another great example from Tik Tok I found:

https://www.tiktok.com/@environment_explained/video/6923522211345075458?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1

My ideal role as an environmental interpreter would be to run a social media account that teaches people about the earth and environmental sciences. I’ve always been passionate about these topics and the natural world and want others to feel the same excitement. I mentioned before on my blog that I believe stewardship comes from feeling connected to nature or the issues at hand. This is why I think this form of communication is necessary for tackling environmental problems. Social media has the potential to reach large amounts of people, especially those who might not take a trip out to a conservation area or nature center. As well, many of these topics can feel overwhelming and most people don’t like the discomfort that accompanies environmental problems. Having a platform like Tik Tok or Instagram that breaks these issues down can make environmental issues feel more manageable and help gain interest.

As a soon to be graduate in environmental sciences student I feel equipped with the knowledge for a wide arrange of topics. The first challenge however is ditching the scientific jargon and cutting back on the information. Being a good scientific communicator and for different audiences is something I don’t have much practice in. This is one of the reasons I’m excited about this course.

Creativity is another must for this area of interpretation. Art is one of my hobbies and I went to an arts high school to practice art. Since coming to university I have definitely become rusty and not had to push myself creatively. However, there’s no better way to improve than just starting. Improving and expressing myself creatively is something I’ve missed and wanted to improve upon – which is why this interpreter role is my ideal. It melds together two of my major interests perfectly.

[rjsenvs3000w22]

Hi Rebecca,

I enjoyed reading your blog! My family has also asked me questions like that, and even if I'm educated on the subject I often get stumped on how to explain it to them. Explaining something I know alot about to someone who knows who knows almost nothing I often don't know where to start, and definitely takes practice.

I also like that you included some examples of teaching on social media, and AsapScience is a great one. Their videos are so unique and engaging I have found myself watching a whole video on subjects I didn't even know I was interested in. They cover just about anything you could think of. Especially now, I think social media is the best way to reach a large audience and make it captivating since there are so many ways to be creative. Not everyone is willing to watch a 2 hour documentary, but a 3min tiktok that summarizes those points is much easier to commit to. Most of the information people get nowadays is something they read off of facebook, twitter etc, so using those platforms to increase awareness of environmental problems makes sense to become a successful interpreter.

Thanks!

[rjsenvs3000w22]

Blog 2: Environmental Interpreter

When I try to think of myself as an environmental interpreter, many different ideas come to mind. I can't say I'm someone who knows exactly what I wanna do and which path to take. I’m at the point in my life where I'm hitting the end of a road and have to choose what the next one will be, which is daunting since I have so many I'm interested in, it's hard to pick just one.

I think other environmental interpreters throughout my life have had a huge influence on my interests and hobbies by introducing all aspects of nature in different and fun ways, and to pass on that impact to the next generation would ultimately be paying it forward. While I’m not someone who enjoys public speaking, I think I could find comfort in small groups especially if it’s something I'm passionate about. I could see myself working at a conservation area or a provincial/national park anywhere in North America learning about and sharing the plant species found within it. I could also see myself working in a large scale greenhouse educating customers of the pros and cons of different ornamental plant species.

I personally am a visual learner, so I love to see the things I hear and read about. Although in order to be a successful interpreter, it's important to incorporate all learning styles. To adhere to auditory learners, I would initiate a discussion so people could hear the opinions and stories of others, or do a podcast like the one in this course. To include tactile learners, I would take them on an explorative and self-discovery walk to find the species I’d be talking about. I haven't had any experience being an environmental interpreter, so it would really be a learning experience for me as well.

From looking at the class's collaborative word cloud I noticed that the most popular needs for learning were examples and some form of visual aids, which are very important when teaching anything about nature. How can we learn about a plant, animal or insect without knowing what it looks like in the real world? In the environmental department, I think we’ve all had a lack of in person examples during covid, with most our labs and seminars turning online. Tactile learners and some visual ones like me probably find it difficult to retain information about a course once its over when all you’ve had is online lectures to sit and listen too. I’ve had some pretty interesting interactive based courses over the past couple years that turned into listening, memorising and then regurgitating the information online. It saddens me that I don't remember as much as I could about them, and highlights the importance of including all learning styles to deliver information.

Thanks for reading!

[jsenvs3000w22]

Chapter 1: Growing into my Place in Nature

My relationship with nature has changed significantly over my lifetime. I cannot say that it has been ‘home’ or a ‘friend’ to me in my childhood. To be frank, I grew up quite sheltered from nature. The most immersive experiences I had as a child in nature were a small handful of camping trips that I only remember from photos. Nature was pretty much a stranger to me. There was a huge disconnect from the outdoors that I experienced and the “nature” I saw through television. As a child, I ravenously consumed any documentaries that aired on the TV. I hungered for what the people in these shows experienced – the wilderness beyond my backyard. In hindsight, what these programs did was present to me a sense of place, even for a place I’ve never been. I craved to experience these things for myself. I dreamed of exploring the tundra, riding elephants, photographing birds of paradise, and swimming with sharks. The interpretation of these experiences brought me into the foreign world of nature. While I had never experienced nature in the way these programs had promised, they raised me with such a strong sense of awe that it carried over into my career.

Even into university, there was so little of nature that I had experienced firsthand. My first real camping trip, the first time I saw a deer, my first real cathartic experience in nature all happened in adulthood. My boyfriend had grown up in the outdoors his entire life, and I learned about all these experienced that I couldn’t relate to. The outdoors, to him, was second-nature, while it felt like an awkward acquaintance to me. I mourned the childhood I wished I had, littered with memories I had envisioned – learning how to chop wood, to fish, to hike. I wanted to experience those things for myself.

Over the last four years, I have grown into myself. I have developed a much stronger identify and came to the realization that even if I didn’t experience those things when I wanted to, its never too late. I strived to actively seek those experiences for myself. I learned how to chop wood and start a fire and fish and see nature through eyes of wonderment again. I wanted to rediscover nature for myself, and I did. I started going out whenever and wherever I could. My partner took me out and let me experience nature for myself, he brought me to the places of his childhood. We spent weeks in Haliburton forest where I learned how to fish, and swim, kayak, and canoe. Once again, I was given a sense of place in nature. However, this time I could experience it first-hand. I had known nature through a classroom and could describe nutrient cycling, decomposition, ecosystem structure, productivity, and biodiversity in textbook definition. But this was a new nature to me. One that was raw, and real, and just as wonderous as I had hoped. It renewed a fervor in me to continue to seek these experiences and make nature more accessible to all, at any age. Hence, I took this course. I waited years to find a place in nature for myself, but before that, interpretation bridged the gap between me and nature. I want to learn how to do the same for others.

[rjsenvs3000w22]

Hi Jenna, great blog, I enjoyed reading your relationship with nature as a changing timeline experience. Even though you grew up sheltered from nature, I find it interesting you had such an instinctual pull towards it. I liked when you said that even though you didn't get those outdoor experiences when you wanted to, it’s never too late. I really agree with this, and think everyones relationship with the natural world is constantly changing and developing through their life. We all come from different backgrounds and areas of the world each presenting different opportunities, which makes us all so diverse. I can often find myself comparing my experiences with someone else's who may have travelled the world by my age and thinking “I wish that was me”, but I have to remind myself it still can be! Even though it might take me longer to travel to my dream destinations, it doesn't mean my relationship with nature is any less than theirs. There’s much we can learn from those people to start our own authentic journey. Like the case with your boyfriend, who had a more outdoorsy childhood but ended up giving you your sense of nature. We can mourn the past we wish we had, or we can start a new and exciting one to look back on in the future. Your trip in Haliburton sounded like a really fun and eye opening experience for you, and so cool to learn all those things! I hope to have more of those experiences myself in the future.

Thanks for sharing!

[rjsenvs3000w22]

My relationship with nature

My relationship with nature started in early childhood. I grew up around avid campers, nature enthusiasts and wildlife rehabbers. Every summer with my family from the time I was maybe four we’d go camping somewhere locally in ontario. While we never really had the money to travel anywhere outside Ontario, that never seemed to bother me or limit my relationship with nature. It made me the kid that loved to get muddy and collect “cool” rocks and shells. Everytime I was with my grandparents growing up we’d always go for a hike on one of the many beautiful trails in Milton. Looking back I truly think those moments shaped a lot of my interests and passions today. In the summer of 2013, they gave me and my siblings the opportunity to go to Zion National Park in Utah, which was a life changing experience. If you’ve been there, you’ll understand what I mean when I say it's so beautifully unique, and if you havent I suggest at least googling it.

^This is a photo I took on the trip

To find a sense of place means to see what makes something special and deepens one's connection and appreciation (Beck et al, 2018). I would say this trip gave me my “sense of place” so I suppose I owe that to my grandparents. The hiking trails here were the most challenging I’d ever been on, some being on the edge of a cliff while you walk along holding a chain. But the challenge is what made it so fun, and the views were just breathtaking and so different compared to Canada. The pure joy and bliss I felt there is something I’ll never forget and always try to get back too. Going back is not an ‘if’ but a ‘when’ for me, and hopefully I can go sometime soon after I graduate.

I feel happiest when I’m doing something outside, which is why I pursued Environmental Biology at Guelph to hopefully have a career that involves the outdoors. My current relationship with nature is a little lackluster, but I’m hoping that will change once I graduate in April. Much like others, covid has mentally changed me over the past couple years and there's been less adventures and hiking than I would like. It’s caused me to slip away from my nature-loving side a bit. I’m excited to go back to my horticulture job in the summer and feel more connected with myself. I’ve recently taken interest in Indigenous knowledge and their relationship to plants, and just started reading the book “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Kimmerer. I’ve heard it’s very popular so maybe someone in this class has read it, if so how did you like it? I recently read an indiginous book based on a true story called “The Education of Little Tree'', which was so good, and their relationship with nature was so inspiring and reminds me to disconnect from my phone/social media more often in my free time and go for a walk instead.

Thanks for reading!