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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.
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Nature Interpretation Ethics
As I continue to develop my personal ethic as a nature interpreter, I see my beliefs, responsibilities, and approaches taking shape in a way that aligns with both my experiences and the principle ideas from class, be it the book, extra readings or in the content section. My journey so far has been an exploration of interconnection, the power of storytelling, and the need to balance education with emotional resonance.
At the heart of my personal ethic is a belief in the deep interconnectedness between humans and the natural world. I truly believe that nature doesn’t just contain music; it is music. I see the way birds sing, the leaves rustle, and the rain falls as parts of a complex harmony that touches the human spirit. These natural sounds evoke feelings of peace and connection that are essential for creating impactful nature interpretation. Beck, Cable, and Knudson emphasize that the best interpretation stems from a true belief in the importance of what we’re interpreting, and that resonates with me. I want to share not just information, but the emotions that nature inspires in me and others.
This belief in emotional engagement connects to my view of art and nature. To me, art isn’t about being formal or polished—it’s about expressing experiences, emotions, and stories, even the imperfect ones. That’s how I approach nature interpretation, by taking creative risks that reflect my authentic self. Beck, Cable, and Knudson argue that interpretation should inspire and provoke thought, and I want to ensure that what I create moves people to care and connect deeply.
Integrity also plays a huge role in how I view my responsibilities. When I think of history, especially in the context of protecting old-growth forests and Indigenous stories, Edward Hyams’ idea about the merit of ancient things having integrity comes to mind. I know it’s not enough to appreciate something for its age alone—it’s about valuing it for the layered stories it carries and what those stories mean to people today. The historical voices that often go unheard are important to me, and I believe that acknowledging them is essential for creating interpretations that are whole and honest.
As an interpreter, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to not just educate but to foster stewardship and inclusivity. I’ve learned from my experiences and coursework that interpretation should amplify voices that have been historically marginalized, such as Indigenous communities who hold spiritual and historical connections to the land. This has shaped my commitment to telling stories that respect and honor those perspectives. Beck, Cable, and Knudson stress that our work should help audiences see beyond their immediate environment and understand the larger stories, and that’s what I strive for when I integrate these voices into my interpretations.
I also see it as my responsibility to make sure people leave with more than just facts—they should walk away feeling a connection. My time doing outdoor labs in places like the Arboretum and the Dairy Bush has shown me firsthand the impact of spending time in nature on mental well-being. Those experiences reminded me that being in nature is more than observing; it’s about *feeling*. I’ve felt grounded and revitalized after being outside, and I want others to experience those benefits too. Beck, Cable, and Knudson point out that interpretation should foster a sense of place and well-being, and I see that as a guiding principle for my work.
The approaches that resonate with me most are ones that integrate art and storytelling with experiential learning. I’ve always believed that nature interpretation should be accessible to everyone, whether through painting, music, or even photography. Art has the power to bridge the intellectual and the emotional, which makes it a perfect tool for creating meaningful connections. Beck, Cable, and Knudson talk about the importance of using creative methods to engage people, and that’s where I find my stride. Art invites people to see nature not just as a backdrop but as an essential part of their own narrative.
Music, too, has become a significant part of how I interpret nature. When I think about my experiences with performances like *Trees.Listen* and the musicians who blend environmental sounds into their work, I’m reminded that interpretation can be modern and multifaceted. Beck, Cable, and Knudson’s emphasis on making interpretation relatable aligns with this—music reaches people on a fundamental level that words alone often cannot.
Storytelling is another approach that’s crucial to me. I believe in telling stories that hold both the beautiful and the challenging truths. History, especially environmental history, isn’t always pleasant, but it’s essential for understanding why we must act now. My reflections on the fight to protect old-growth forests and the role of Indigenous communities have shown me that comprehensive storytelling is powerful. As Beck, Cable, and Knudson mention, storytelling reveals larger truths and helps audiences grasp the meaning behind what they see. I want my stories to stay with people long after they hear them.
Experiential learning is also an approach I’m committed to. Outdoor activities like tree inventories and plant identification labs have reinforced my belief that learning by doing makes the experience memorable. I’ve found that engaging with nature directly helps people internalize what they’ve learned and feel more invested in protecting it. This idea, echoed in Beck, Cable, and Knudson’s work, aligns with my view that active participation is key to deepening understanding and connection.
What sets me apart as an interpreter is how I blend my passion for art, storytelling, and environmental ethics into a unified approach. I love to draw from personal experiences, like outdoor jobs and campfire evenings, to make my interpretation relatable. This approach adds a human touch that I believe makes the message more compelling. I see interpretation as more than a job or a skill; it’s a way to inspire people to care for what they might otherwise overlook.
I often say that “the imperfections in nature make it the epitome of beauty,” and this belief drives how I share nature with others. I want people to see nature for all that it is—the raw, the resilient, and the endlessly beautiful. I hope that through the artful and genuine connections I make in my work, people will leave not just knowing more but feeling more.
Hello Alex! This is a beautifully written blog post and was a pleasure to read. I strongly resonate with everything you have written because I can almost feel exactly what you are saying. I can agree with you that people who have been marginalized such as Indigenous peoples should absolutely be given recognition during nature interpretation as it is our job to make sure that history is accurately recited and to honor their perspectives of the land we are occupying. There is also so much to learn from Indigenous stories and shared knowledge that we are lucky to receive. The focus on this way of storytelling in your blog post reflects your commitment to inclusivity and honesty in your work.
I find it very interesting that you use music during nature interpretation as I have never experienced that before. The thought of using sounds produced by the environment is something that I have not considered but I will be looking into it as a way to connect with a broader audience. Personally, experiential learning is the most effective for me so I can definetly agree that directly interacting with nature creates a very deep and meaningful connection. Given the passion you have incorporated into this blog post it is clear to me that you are an amazing interpreter.
Unit 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?
Through writing this blog, I’ve been pushed to develop a more concrete sense of my personal beliefs and ethics within nature interpretation. I’ve found that at the core, I feel nature interpretation is most powerful in its ability to create lasting connections with people and the natural world, rather than simply an avenue for education or entertainment. These were thoughts I brought with me before starting this blog but were immediately reaffirmed in Chapter 1, where Beck et al. (2018) explain how good interpretation expands awareness and understanding, leading to enriched experiences. As such, I continue to view interpretation as a vehicle for connecting diverse audiences with equally diverse aspects of nature, from towering mountains to molehills.
Nested closely with my core beliefs is my personal history, where, as a new Canadian (having only lived here since 2022) I deeply value conversations which highlight the diverse cultural perspectives on nature. From a purely personal standpoint, moving continents meant a VERY steep learning curve in terms of the species I now share spaces with; allowing (aka forcing) me to take things way back to basics and appreciate natural spaces in a way I had certainly taken for granted. For example, even after more than two years, an up-close interaction with a black-capped chickadee in the UofG Arboretum or cautiously passing the neighbourhood skunk on the way back from my mailbox never fail to make me smile, despite being some of the most overlooked species. In a way, I feel this is what makes them most exciting! While settling here has encouraged me to reorient myself to Canadian species and landscapes, it has also encouraged me to explore differing cultural attitudes towards wildlife and conservation. I distinctly remember being saddened but not surprised to learn that the Woodland Caribou (mentioned in an earlier post), which hold great ecological and cultural significance to many Indigenous people, face dire threats of habitat destruction by humans: despite the continued efforts towards their protection by Indigenous communities (Viswanathan, 2023).
Knowing that humans are so frequently directly responsible for the loss of wildlife and subsequently indigenous culture around the world has led me to reflect on my biases. As an interpreter, it is my responsibility to share knowledge in an accessible and captivating way, but also to ensure my delivery and practices are equitable and inclusive. The concept of the “invisible backpack” mentioned in Unit 03 reminds me to consider the varying privileges and barriers people face when accessing natural spaces (McIntosh, 1989). For example, as someone navigating new cultural norms in Canada, I’ve noticed how environmental experiences often reflect dominant cultural values, sometimes overlooking other traditions of engaging with nature. Recognizing this informs my efforts to craft experiences that resonate with diverse audiences and honour multiple ways of knowing; which have led me to realise the power of nature interpretation as a tool for change.
A photo of Buzz, a non-releasable Turkey Vulture at Mountsberg Raptor Centre. Here, he’s ‘sunning’, a common behaviour among vultures where they save energy by using the heat of the sun to maintain homeostatic body temperature.
I am especially drawn to advocating for species that are often misunderstood, like Turkey Vultures. Their scavenging lifestyle means they are commonly associated with death and decay, meaning that many people think they are unpleasant or even ugly! But this species and other scavengers around the world play a vital ecological role; they are nature’s clean-up crew. By consuming and digesting carrion using stomach acid that has a pH slightly above zero, they prevent the spread of disease and help to recycle nutrients back into the environment (Greaney, 2017). By sharing remarkable adaptations like this, I hope to shift perceptions and inspire admiration for a species often dismissed. Advocacy for such misunderstood creatures aligns with my goal of broadening people’s appreciation for all forms of life, even those that might not immediately captivate their attention.
In Unit 2, I learned that I am an auditory learner. As an auditory learner, I can bring a unique perspective to nature interpretation by embracing sound and storytelling as powerful tools to connect people with the natural world. Storytelling through sounds allows me to craft vivid narratives that bring ecosystems and wildlife to life, weaving tales of resilience and interconnection, and lends itself to my particular interest in birds. The bird-nerd phase started young and never left, thanks to these wonderful species. Take a listen!
I love the idea incorporating the sounds of nature into my interpretation, whether it's guiding audiences to pause and listen for a chickadee’s cheerful call or playing recordings of natural phenomena to deepen understanding. I also find the absence of sound to be incredibly moving, for instance in a dense woodland. It’s moments like this where I personally feel most able to connect to nature, and the peace that comes along with it, and I hope to one-day share that with people. Experiences so far have showed me that my strength in active listening helps me engage with audiences, valuing their insights and tailoring my delivery to species or phenomena they can relate to; encouraging dialogue that fosters a collaborative experience. My aim is that using these approaches allows me to share my passion for nature in a way that reflects some of my personality, while also resonating with others and leaving lasting impressions.
Ultimately, my personal ethic as a nature interpreter is rooted in curiosity—sparking a sense of wonder in others while encouraging them to explore the natural world with open minds. My experiences as a new Canadian, my fascination with misunderstood species like turkey vultures, and my dedication to inclusive storytelling inspire me to approach this work with my own curiosity and wonder. Whatever the medium, I strive to create experiences that ignite curiosity and invite audiences to ask questions, make connections, and see nature in new ways. I am lucky to have already gained experience in this field, but as I continue to grow, I hope to refine this ethic by keeping my passion fuelled by learning of others’ perspectives and new experiences.
---References---
Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson, D.M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World. Sagamore Publishing.
Greaney, D. (2017). Vultures have the pH for public health. Record Searchlight. Retrieved 14 November 2024, from https://www.redding.com/story/life/2017/07/26/vultures-have-ph-public-health/504630001/
McIntosh, P. (1989). White privilege: Unpacking the invisible knapsack. Peace and Freedom Magazine, 10–12.
My Birding Year (Director). (2021, January 29). UK Garden Bird Identification Guide—Bird Names and Songs [Video recording]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfLIYOh8qEU
Viswanathan, L. (2023, May 15). Indigenous-led Conservation of Caribou. Indigenous Climate Hub. https://indigenousclimatehub.ca/2023/05/indigenous-led-conservation-of-caribou/
Hi Megan! I really loved when you talked about your experience of being new to Canada and going back to the basics to appreciate natural spaces and learn about the species here. I can totally understand how species that most people would consider common would incite joy, all wildlife is fascinating no matter how many times you have seen it (in my opinion anyways). I wish you the best of times exploring the wildlife here, there is a lot to discover! I also appreciated how you mentioned using the experience of being new to Canada to deliver your interpretation in an equitable and inclusive way which can make your content more accessible.
I also enjoyed the information you included about turkey vultures. They are a misunderstood species and get a bad rap despite their important ecological roles. The first time that I saw turkey vultures displaying the behavior you showed a picture of trying to warm themselves up was on a dead tree on the side of the road. I made my mom stop the car because there were at least 5 turkey vultures in the tree all spreading their wings. It was an eerie sight but really piqued my interest and encouraged me to investigate why they did this. Even though I have an interest in these birds, I never knew about their extremely acidic digestive systems! That was such a cool fact and definitely makes sense considering their diet. You’ve done a wonderful job with this final blog post!
Final Blog Post
The beliefs I bring to nature interpretation are that it is all around us and it is for everyone. Nature interpretation does not just have to be historical reenactments, guided hikes, museum tours, or any traditional in person experience that I had once summed nature interpretation up to. Nature interpretation can be asking your parents why fish live underwater and then explaining it, using an identification app to share the plants you saw on a hike, reading a blurb about the history of an area on a plaque along a trail, and so much more. Due to technology, nature interpretation is more accessible and can be a YouTube video, nature documentaries, animal photography, and so on. As I have learned in this course, it is not currently as accessible as I had thought which can prevent people from experiencing nature interpretation. However, this is not what I mean by nature interpretation is for everyone. I believe there is something in nature interpretation for everyone despite what peaks the most interest or any previous experiences with nature. There is so much to learn and experience from nature that it is truly limitless. Interpretation can be done through history, technology, firsthand experiences, etc. Using what I have learned in this course about making nature interpretation accessible for a wider variety of people, I will adjust my work so that it really can be for everyone.
As a nature interpreter, we are responsible for sharing our knowledge and our passion for nature in hopes of inspiring others. I want to set an example for children and adults that shows a healthy and strong connection to nature. I believe being in nature is a healing experience for everyone, but more importantly I want people to care about our Earth on a deeper level. When people care about the plants, animals, and other organisms that make up our natural world they will also care about conservation, habitat restoration, and climate change. Global warming gets more serious with every day that passes, and we are faced with increasing ecological issues. Inspiring children to care about nature encourages them to care about these serious issues, hopefully creating a future generation who are vigilant in changing our planet’s fate. I see a lot of nature interpretation targeted to children; however, adults can make changes effective immediately. It is never too late to inspire someone as learning takes place throughout our whole lives. Even if my nature interpretation does not inspire change in future or current generations, I would be perfectly content with just sharing an interesting fact or inciting curiosity in someone young or old.
I also believe that my job as a nature interpreter is to preserve the natural environment while I carry out my work. There is a fine line of acceptable disturbance to the environment during nature interpretation that should be strictly followed. If I refuse to interact with the surrounding environment during a program, I lose an opportunity for connection between participants and nature. If I disturb the surrounding environment, then I am setting a bad example for how people are supposed to treat their natural surroundings. For example, at my previous nature interpretation job we were not allowed to handle any wild animals for more than 5 minutes, remove items such as plants or fungi from the forest, teach about foraging, or allow visitors to go off trail to explore. However, we were able to pick a small sample of a plant to demonstrate the smell (wintergreen) or interesting properties (jewel weed), carefully pick up small animals such as frogs to discuss the different life cycles, and bring props such as beaver pelts to give a hands on experience in a safe and controlled way.
This was a 36 pound snapping turtle we were releasing back into the park after an unfourtunate interaction between the turtle and a fishing lure. Luckily he made a speedy recovery and after showing him to some visitors in the area to encourage people to be aware of turtles while fishing, he was set free into his home.
Something I struggle to believe in when it comes to nature interpretation however is the use of captive animals or interfering with wild animals. I would never interfere with wild animals just for the sake of “showing them off” or using them for demonstrations because I believe it is unethical and an ineffective approach to encouraging people to appreciate nature. There are so many resources today that can replace hands on experiences with wild animals as photography and literature about animals is extremely advanced. Zoos are a very controversial topic when it comes to animal rights activists and people with a general love and appreciation for animals. While I do not believe in taking animals from their homes in the wild, I believe interpretation with zoo animals can sometimes be a helpful tool to create deep connections between people and animals. I believe that captive bred animals with their needs fully taken care of can be ethically used in some nature interpretation practices, but I do not think I would ever personally choose to do this. However roadside zoos or corporations such as SeaWorld and Marineland are highly unethical due to their blatant disregard for animal welfare.
While there are many different approaches suitable for nature interpretation, the approaches most suitable for me would include sharing my firsthand experiences and using demonstrations to peak interest in nature. I have vast experiences with nature from my childhood and from this past summer working immersed in the outdoors. I took on a role that included assisting with a research project searching for endangered turtles. I got to experience parts of nature that most people do not get to see. Using this knowledge, I created several programs about carnivorous plants, wetlands, and reptiles using props and pictures to demonstrate how amazing nature is. I interpret best using a tactile and visual approach because this is how I learn most effectively and therefore can transmit my passion surrounding these subjects. I have previously only interpreted through in person experiences but in the future, I plan to create digital content while interpreting so I can reach a larger audience.
Blog Post 8 - Unit 9
Hello everyone! Thinking about this week’s prompt had me imagining all the amazing and wonderful things I know about nature, and it was exceedingly difficult to settle on just one amazing thing. After pondering for a while, I finally settled on one amazing thing about nature that brings me a lot of joy, beavers. I know beavers do not sound amazing or interesting to a lot of people as they are often seen as nuisances, but they are capable of amazing things. I hope that by the end of this blog post you will be equally as fascinated by them as I am.
After most of my life never really being interested in beavers, I encountered a pair of beavers at my summer job and wanted to learn more about them. Once I started my research I was hooked. We gave these beaver’s the name Benny and Beatrice and made-up stories about their lives to use in our interpretive speeches at the park’s nature center. We told these stories to visitors to spark their interest in beavers and go out exploring looking for them. Some camper favorite facts about beavers were that they have a symbiotic relationship with muskrats and will allow them to stay in their lodges and share food supplies during the winter and in return the muskrats supply the lodge with clean bedding.
An unfortunately poor quality of Beatrice taken during her speedy labs around her beaver pond.
Beavers are the largest rodents in North America, and are often referred to as “ecosystem engineers” because they are responsible for creating freshwater wetlands, an extremely important ecosystem for many types of aquatic animals such as herons, frogs, dragonflies, moose, etc. Unfortunately, this superpower has led them to be known as nuisances because they will flood people’s properties if they are located around flowing bodies of water. Beavers have adapted very well to their semi-aquatic lifestyle as they have a second clear eyelid to help them see underwater, their ears instantly press closed when they enter the water, they have webbed rear feet to assist with swimming, and their long flat tail acts as a rudder to help them steer while underwater. They are now nocturnal animals, but not because they have physically adapted to live that way. Beavers are primarily active at night because when beaver pelts were highly sought after by humans, they would be out during the day to hunt them.
Beavers are also deeply integrated into Canadian history due to the fur trade beginning in the early 17th century and are Canada’s national animal. As I previously mentioned, beaver pelts were highly sought after by Europeans due to their highly insulating and waterproof coats. European settlers worked with Indigenous peoples who had extensive knowledge about navigating and hunting. This helped build the economy in Canada and start companies such as the Hudson’s Bay Company. It is said that the fur trade led to peaceful interactions between Europeans and Indigenous peoples, however we cannot be sure that this was the case due to Europeans historically mistreating Indigenous peoples in North America.
Sources:
The fur trade was a vast commercial enterprise across the wild, forested expanse of what is now Canada. It was at its peak for nearly 250 ye
The beaver (Castor canadensis) is a herbivorous mammal. It is Canada’s largest rodent and the second-largest rodent in the world (after the
Unit 9 Blog #1
If you were anything like me as a kid, I bet you spent some time flipping over rocks and logs to discover tiny animals hidden beneath. Maybe you found salamanders, worms, and beetles, maybe something even more exciting for a young mind investigating nature for the first time. I can almost guarantee that something you found while doing this was a hectic, bustling colony of ants. I know when this used to happen to me, I would jump backwards, startled and somewhat unsettled by the squirming pile of tiny bugs, but as I became accustomed to this sight, I would notice how organized these insects seemed to be, gathering up the larvae and eggs and marching them into the tunnels to remove them from this newly exposed section of their home. After a while, I began to have an appreciation for these tiny workers.
As a group that is often overlooked and found to be more of a nuisance than anything else, ants aren’t usually the target of discussions promoting insects, although I hope some of this perspective can be changed eventually. It is much easier to sell a crowd on what we call the “charismatic megafauna” of insects. Things like praying mantises, monarch butterflies, and the large and colourful beetles of the world are easier to convince people to care about than flies, ants, or biting and stinging insects that people are predisposed to dislike. I believe that this could go into a deeper discussion about how we place more value on things that are more visually appealing or clearly benefit us, but that is another topic.
I’m going to delve into a couple of aspects of ant life that many people wouldn’t know about in hopes of instilling that just because these creatures are tiny and may be seen as a nuisance to us, they have been evolving and living their own complex lifestyles for such a long time, and deserve at the minimum respect (because despite my endearment for these little insects, I know this isn’t realistic to expect from others). I bet you never would’ve guessed that ants engage in agriculture! Some ant species keep other insects as livestock in the same way we keep cows. A group that can often be found in these livestock roles are Hemipterans, common name “true bugs”, funnily enough. Aphids are one example of Hemipterans often kept as livestock, and ants will feed them, take honeydew they produce for their own food (much like us milking cows), and even cull their population for protein when it is large enough. Other ant species are known to keep gardens of fungus or plants, some even going to the extent of producing herbicides to maintain these gardens and co-evolving with the gardened plant species.
Ants are so complex, and I truly encourage anyone interested to look into them more, and for everyone, perhaps consider why it is that we value those “charismatic megafauna” insects more than smaller, less visually appealing ones.
Hi there! What an amazing and informative blog post, I was absolutely fascinated by the information you shared about ants! I knew that ants were complex and intelligent but never knew they had agricultural practices like humans. You really built up the story and I totally understand how it is easier to get people to respect larger insects that are visually pleasing to look at. Ants being a nuisance to many people in their homes, while they are out enjoying a picnic outside, etc., give them a negative reputation, but information like this could help people reconsider their beliefs. Ants are widely misunderstood, as are many invertebrates.
I was interested in reading this blog post because this semester I am running an experiment that includes ants where my group and I are testing to see how they respond to colors in a maze. The species of ants we chose to use for this study were Temnothorax ants, also known as acorn ants. We chose this species because the entire colony lives inside a hollowed-out acorn and can contain up to 200 workers! This makes it easy to collect a colony with a queen to ensure the workers are more controlled and have many individuals to use for our experiment. Searching for the acorns is very tedious, but if you ever come across a hollowed-out acorn with a small hole in it, I recommend checking it out. Excellent job with your blog post!
BLOG 7: Nature and Music
Music and nature are ingrained within one another, albeit the way music is shown in nature is a little different to how we perceive music to be. Personally, when the word ‘music’ is used, I first think songs and artists. Big celebrities like Taylor Swift, Adele, and Hozier come to mind. Different genres like pop and classical are also a first thought. However, when looking at how it intertwines into nature, music becomes so much more.
At the break of every dawn, you can hear the birds begin to sing, signifying the rise of the sun. In different forms of media, we commonly associate birds with music. For instance, Snow White. She is shown singing with the birds, whose tunes slowly merge with the soundtrack. Birds are commonly used as musical accompaniments in films like Snow White and Cinderella, where they create harmonies and interact as if they’re in sync with the characters. However, they are not the only creatures that ‘sing’ in nature. Many animals use sounds and melodies to attract mates, signal their territories, or even to simply communicate with others of their species. Whales, for example, create long, complex songs that can travel vast distances underwater. Music in nature serves as a complex network of sounds, each having their own, important meaning, but serving as a pleasant tune to our ears. For centuries, musicians have been inspired by the sounds of nature.
In today's norm of ‘music’, the thought of nature might not come to mind immediately. Most songs follow a common trend of finding love or heartbreak, as artists write lyrics that their audience can primarily relate to in some way, shape or form. However, Indigenous people commonly incorporate the theme of nature in their musical traditions, both physically and spiritually. The instruments they use are commonly made from materials you can find in the environment; seeds, wood, and animal parts (Hoefnagels 2011). Hoefnagels (2011) states these instruments are treated with the utmost care, as they are seen as sacred within the Indigenous community. Their music also frequently incorporates sounds that mimic nature like the rustling of leaves or rushing of water. In Indigenous culture, music as a whole is deeply ingrained with their culture, as it served as a way to pass on historical narratives, legends, and general expression (McLeod 2024).
Composers like Beethoven also incorporated birdsongs in their music to connect their pieces with nature. In this post, I’ve linked one of his pieces; Symphony No. 6 in F major, which incorporates different bird sounds. I believe this particular piece of music does well to convey how nature can feel; whimsical, peaceful, and calm. But pieces such as Allegro, where the music is more fast-paced, gives a sense of urgency and serves a bit of a warning; to never get too comfortable in nature, as it is still the place where danger can lurk around every corner.
Overall, I believe that music and nature go hand in hand. But in order to dig deeper into how they connect with each other, we have to dive back into our history.
References
Hoefnagels, A. (2011) Music of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The Canadia Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/first-peoples-music
McLeod, D. (2024). Heartbeat of a People. Canadian Museum for Human Rights. https://humanrights.ca/story/heartbeat-people
Hello Angela! You did a fantastic job with this blog post and helped me make connections I never would have thought about before between music and nature. The Snow White reference was great as it directly links human songs to bird songs. However, my favorite part of your post this week was in the section where you talked about Indigenous people and their incorporation of nature into music. It drove home the message of nature being deeply ingrained into their music from the composition of their instruments to the sounds they create. Thanks for a great read!
Blog Post #7
Hello everyone! It's hard to believe we are already 7 weeks into the course. Let's begin with the first prompt given to us this week, “where is music in nature?” The content provided this week included a definition of music which reads “music has been defined as patterns of sound varying in pitch and time produced for emotional, social, cultural, and cognitive purposes.” When thinking about music by this definition in relation to nature, there are endless examples. What first comes to my mind is listening to the sounds of nature during a summer night in the woods. You can hear frogs croaking, crickets stridulating, birds calling, and occasionally a pack of wolves howling. These sounds are produced by vocalizing and using body parts to create sound. Another example of music in nature is the vocalizations of whales called “songs” where they communicate using a variety of sounds, typically for the purpose of breeding. There are many animals that use song for attracting mates, signaling a threat, revealing their location, communicating captured prey, and other purposes that humans may never come to understand.
The next prompt, “where is nature in music?” is a little more difficult to interpret and took me a few minutes to think about. What I have come up with is that music is often a muse for people to write or compose music. Nature references can also be casually integrated into songs which is also quite common. An example of nature in music that first comes to my mind is from The Wakami Wailers, a band created in Northern Ontario. They were employed at Wakami Lake Provincial Park and were commissioned in 1984 by the Ontario Government to develop musical interpretation surrounding the province’s history with logging white pines. Despite the band being created 40 years ago, I was still about to read about their back story on their website (https://www.wakamiwailers.com/) and listen to their music on Spotify. As discussed in chapter 7 in our textbook, websites are a valuable form of digital media that can be particularly useful for connecting both targeted and nontraditional audiences to content.
A song that takes me immediately back to a natural landscape is “Wakami” by the Wakami Wailers, a song about a special place in nature that holds fond memories. This song resonates deeply with me because it brings me back to the provincial park I worked at, and the beautiful views and natural history associated with the landscape. I would love to hear from others about their favorite songs that include nature, and I hope everyone has a wonderful week!
My special place in nature, Grundy Lake Provincial Park.
Unit 6 Blog #1
In unpacking this quote I want to first note that I had some difficulty understanding exactly what it meant and had to read it several times to grasp the concepts fully. For this reason, I believe this quote does not do the best job of delivering information in a simple and accessible way, as discussed in the textbook readings for this unit. Although there is a time and place for eloquence and complexity, this quote—to me—feels unnecessarily complicated to deliver its intended message and may cause readers to skip over it without trying to understand. This type of complexity is a perceived barrier to a lot of interpretation and is thus important to note in unpacking this quote, especially in the context of an interpretation course.
To best unpack the content of this quote, I want to first reword it in my own words to form an understanding of its meaning for further discussion. I believe this quote is saying that even if historical artifacts and stories do not have their own inherent value, their context as part of the broader story of history is crucial to present an honest and complete narrative. This is also much of what this unit has been about, ensuring that interpretation is prioritizing truth and accuracy over entertainment, often with specific reference to being honest about uncomfortable histories that nevertheless need to be discussed. Understanding history is important for any kind of interpretation, for example in discussion of species (in which case the evolutionary history is vital to a complete understanding), regions (in which individuals and groups who have been on the land have shaped it in various ways), or the importance of conservation (in which the processes that led to this point are valuable for knowing what may have gone wrong and what needs to be corrected moving forward). History is a valuable teacher in all areas, and I believe this is the essence of what the author wanted to express when writing this quote.
Other interesting things I wanted to note about this quote relate to word choice. Notably, the word integrity in this instance could be used as either of its definitions. Being honest and maintaining strong principles, and a state of being whole and undivided are accurate as there is a moral obligation to deliver the complete and undivided story. I am unsure whether this was intentional, and I cannot confirm which use the author had in mind, but it does demonstrate how impactful good word choice can be when multiple definitions or understandings of a word lead to the same conclusion. On the other hand, the use of the word peculiar in this quote confused me, as I had only ever heard it used as a synonym for “strange” rather than a synonym for “particular” as it is here. I imagine this is either a generational or regional use difference, but this presents the opposite side of impactful word choice, in which differing understandings of a word can significantly alter the content of a story.
Hello! I would like to start off by saying you did an excellent job with this blog post; I agree with the points you’ve made about the quote not being delivered in a simple or accessible way as I personally had a tough time interpreting it too. The word choice was also questionable, however it may have been intended to be for a small or very specific audience (an audience that definitely does not include me). I do not know when this quote was written, but there is a chance it was a long time ago explaining some of these word choices as I do not usually see them presented like this currently. Despite these factors that make it difficult to understand you did a great job interpreting the meanings behind the quote and made it much easier to understand. When I read this quote, I never made the connection to it possibly alluding to maintaining the truth and honest narrative of ancient things despite some of the background becing uncomfortable topics. This would explain the consistent mention of intergity throughout and makes a lot of sense when I read it now. Thanks for this great read, cheers!
Blog Post 6
Hello everyone! In this week's blog post we will be unpacking a quote by Edward Hyams. The quote begins with “there is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity.” My understanding of this segment is that ancient things themselves do not hold a significant value simply because they are old, but the integrity of the story or meaning behind these ancient things is what holds merit. For example, artifacts in a museum are not just put on display because they simply existed or were created a long time ago, they usually carry a story or have historical significance behind them that have been carried on for many generations and that is the integrity that is associated with those ancient things. This ties into the rest of that segment “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.” The knowledge and memory associated with these ancient things are what keep the story “alive.”
The second half of this quote reads “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.” I had some difficulty with this second section as it requires a lot of inquiry into each part. What I can interpret from this message is that acting like the past is not significant to what we are experiencing or learning today is not useful or true. The part of the quote that mentions “believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it” is trying to emphasize that we cannot ignore past events or experiences that have not directly affected or influenced us because they are still significant. I am still unsure if I have interpreted this quote correctly, but the good thing about interpretation is that you can create your own meanings. If anybody has any other thoughts about this quote, please let me know and have a wonderful week!
Unit 5 Blog
Hey everyone! Since there is no blog prompt for this week, I thought it would be fun to begin a discussion about our experiences with nature in a local setting. How do you prefer to spend time in nature? Do you walk? Hike? Go camping? Are there any specific plants or animals that you come across often?
My family and I released these monarch butterflies in September 2012.
I grew up in a very rural area, with my house backing onto the woods. This completely shaped how I would interact with nature, and I don’t believe I would have the same passions and interests that I do today if I hadn’t spent nearly all of my free time outside in nature. Above all, the one thing I enjoyed doing the most as a young kid was looking for cool bugs. I must have had at least 30 bug cages stacked up in my garage, ready to help me catch and examine any insects I came across. Sounds pretty normal for a young age, right? I’m in my 20s now and I still love looking for cool bugs. My adventures in nature are a lot tamer than they used to be – instead of crashing through underbrush or wading in creeks and looking under rocks, I enjoy a simple hike or walk to get away from the everyday routine. In this time, I’ll sometimes have my phone out, but not for the reason you’d think! I have a species identification app open (I’ve found the most success with Seek by iNaturalist), and any time I come across something I don’t recognize, I will snap photos and try to identify it. You would be right to assume that at this point, I should have an extensive knowledge about local species of insects. However, I still often manage to find things I’ve never identified before on my walks or hikes. This is by far one of my favourite things to do, and every time I step outside to reconnect with nature, I feel like that kid again.
A picture of 6-year-old me while releasing migratory monarch butterflies in September 2010.
A particular species I have taken an interest in is the migratory Monarch Butterfly. Through a program run by the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, I used to care for caterpillars each summer and release them in the fall as butterflies. From there, they have a much better chance at completing their journey down south to mate and spend the winter. As well-known as this species is, there is little conservation action taken in our local community to help this endangered species. The common milkweed, its host plant, is often pulled or mowed when it appears in backyards and gardens. While checking local patches of milkweed, I used to come across caterpillars quite often; however, with each passing year, I have found both fewer plants and fewer caterpillars (this year, I surveyed hundreds of milkweed plants throughout August and September and only found 2 caterpillars). We have the opportunity to help save an important pollinator and benefit our local ecosystems, but this opportunity could be gone within the next decade. We can all play an important role by simply planting milkweed in our local areas. I know that for me, it’s the least I can do to give back to the natural world that has given so much to me over the years.
A picture of the common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), which can be found across Ontario. (Photo credit: https://www.naturewatch.ca/milkweedwatch/identifying-milkweed/)
Hi there! You did a great job with the topic this week and I really enjoyed reading your post. I resonated a lot with how you described your upbringing, as I also spent most of my life in a rural area before coming to university. Ever since I can remember I spent my free time outside playing with my siblings or neighbors catching frogs, minnows, snakes, crayfish, and anything else we were quick enough to grab. This experience awarded me with a deep love of nature and spending time outside brings back many fond childhood memories.
How I prefer to spend time in nature now is very different as I do not have as much time or space as I did when I was a kid to explore. However when I do have some time to spend outside, I enjoy swimming, canoeing, hiking, log flipping, and even “forest bathing” which is a term I was introduced to this summer. It is a Japanese practice that is focused on relaxation while immersed in nature. It is very interesting, and I suggest anybody who is interested in nature looks into it. When I’m outside I find myself using INaturalist to ID things as well, which is mostly fungi and moths I am not familiar with. One of my hobbies is also using INat to record all the cool plants, animals, and fungi I’ve come across. Great job with this blog post!
Blog Post #5
Hello everyone! I’m back again this week to talk about the topic of my choice, and I have chosen to focus on “target species” and how we can use this concept in nature interpretation. If you are not familiar with the term target species, it is a species that you are actively looking to find or see out in nature (ethically, might I add). This can be a wide variety of species like fungi, fish, bird, tree, etc. I came to learn this term through my coworker Harrison, who is an excellent birder and overall nature interpreter. He asked me about my target species soon after we started working together and I was confused by what he meant, and honestly thought he was talking about hunting. When he explained this term I did not have any target species in mind, but it led me to think about the different flora and fauna in the area and what I had not yet seen. It was not long before I started thinking about the different animals and plants I wanted to find, and it encouraged me to get outside and explore.
When I started thinking about all the plants and animals I had not seen, a list started to form in my head. A couple of my target species that I was able to find included a spotted salamander, wood frog, cardinal flower, and spoon leaved sundew. While I was able to find the cardinal flower relatively easily, the rest were quite a challenge to find. I searched all summer flipping logs only to find one on my last day of work. During my search for these spotted salamanders, I actually ended up finding a wood frog by accident and I was so excited to find 2 target species that I had on my mind for months in the span of 10 minutes. The spoon-leaved sundew was much harder to spot, mostly because its main habitat is in a bog on floating mats. However, I was fortunate enough to be spending time in these bogs every day for my job searching for turtles and by looking closely at every tiny pink spot in the sphagnum moss, I finally found one.
Quick pictures I took of my target species (from top left to bottom right): cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum), wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus), and the spoon-leaved sundew (Drosera spatulata).
I was so enthusiastic about searching for these target species and finding them that I would talk to park visitors about them and in turn ask them what theirs was. I would say it was a 50/50 split of people who had and had not heard the term before, but after our conversation 100% of the people were able to come up with a plant or animal they wanted to find during their visit. This was a great conversation starter in our nature center because I could tell people where to find these species throughout the park and they would come back and let me know if they succeeded. I was also able to introduce them to species they may not have heard of before such as the sundew, a small carnivorous plant that is found in bogs. These interactions always felt very special and meaningful with the visitors, and I still cherish them. That wraps up my blog post for the week and it was a fun one. So if you’re reading this, please let me know, do you have a target species?
Blog 4
Who are you to interpret nature through art? How do you interpret “the gift of beauty”?
Who am I to interpret nature through art is a question that caused me to stop and think. I think to properly answer that question I first need to answer the question on how I interpret “ the gift of beauty” that is nature. I think that most often than not, times that I notice that the beauty in nature when I have a connection to it, or I am particularly moved by its beauty. I can think of many times where my friends laugh at me because I make them stop , yet again, so I can take a picture of the sunset every single time I see one. I laugh too, but I take the picture anyways because I think its so beautiful and I want to capture it and save it forever. Somehow though, the picture never does the sunset justice, it can’t quite capture its beauty like the eye can. Furthermore, when I can make connections within nature, particularly with friends or family. One of my favourite memories of friends in nature was myself and my two friends decided to go swimming off the dock and paint tote bags while we dried off. Even though the weather wasn’t particularly nice and it was overcast and rainy by the time we finished, it was one of my favourite memories ever. Every time I drive past that spot I think about how pretty it is and how much fun I had, and I think that is beautiful.
I have included a picture of my friends below!
Anyways, I think that my experiences in nature make me part of who I am. I think that makes me who I am to interpret nature. And while I do think that every deserves the opportunity to experience nature , I think it takes a certain kind of connection to interpret nature as art. I think that everyone interprets nature differently, some through the lens of science, some through comfort, and some through art. Everyone can find beauty and art in nature, but I think it takes a special kind of appreciation to find art and beauty in nature in places where most do not. An expression that I think applies here is “ most people can take a picture, but not everyone can see the picture before its taken.” Whether I am one of those people is yet to be determined, but I believe I have to work for it first. I do appreciate beauty and art in nature, but there is always room for more, for improvement.
To those reading this blog, I implore you to think about if you really stop and appreciate nature in all its beauty. Think about the last time you stopped and appreciated it all around you. I know that this assignment has really opened my eyes to just how much I let pass me by.
Hi there! Your blog post was so wholesome and beautifully written, it was very refreshing to read. I really connect with the part where you talked about capturing every sunset you see even if it never does it justice (because it never truly does) and I believe part of this is to capture the moment and memories associated with it instead of preserving every detail of the sunset, at least for me personally. Still, every time I see a sunset or a pretty skyscape, I find myself in awe of it no matter how many times I have observed this. I also agree that not everyone naturally sees art and beauty in nature, however I think it’s one of the reasons that nature interpretation is so important to share, because often our passion for the beauty of nature can be contagious and encourages others to change their perspective of nature in a positive way.
Although I do not know you personally, if I may weigh in on your statement about whether or not you are the type of person to find art and beauty in nature in places where most do not or to “see the picture before its taken” (a lovely quote might I add), The way you speak about nature and your experiences makes me feel like you are deeply connected to it. Great job on the blog post this week!!
Blog Post #4
Hello everyone! Welcome back to another week of my nature interpretation blog for ENVS3000. This week we will be looking at who I am to interpret nature through art and how I interpret “the gift of beauty." Art in nature interpretation can take on many different forms such as painting, sculpting, playing music, performing/acting, and photography. When I find myself interpreting nature through art, my strengths are in painting and photography since these are both methods I use to personally connect with nature and can convey “the gift of beauty” best in these ways. Painting can be very engaging, and everyone can take different approaches and have fun with what they create even if they are not an “artist.” Nature photography is something I am deeply passionate about and motivates me to get out and explore so I can share my findings with others and influence them to do the same.
The picture on the left includes a watercolor painting I made displaying a round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) which is my favorite bog plant that many people never get to see in person. The picture on the right was taken at Killarney Provincial Park when I noticed a very interesting rock formation along “The Crack” trail.
In chapter 10 of the textbook, the author mentioned that professional interpreters will often use a mix of intellectual and emotional approaches when communicating to audiences. In my personal nature interpretation experience, this approach is highly effective especially when trying to connect with larger audiences. Performing interpretive programs in a theatre-based approach can use both intellectual and emotional aspects to your advantage. I performed many programs this way while working for Ontario Parks and got great feedback from the audience. The programs ranged from very information heavy to story based, and each gathered and entertained several types of audiences.
This picture is from one of my performances interpreting the history of camping at Ontario Parks. There was also a story line incorporated to entertain the audience and create opportunities for engagement from the crowd.
Looking back at last week's blog post that touched on making nature interpretation more accessible, arts can be a fantastic way to do that. Art can be enjoyed using an auditory approach, visually, and hands-on. This makes it accessible to many individuals who may not be able to enjoy nature interpretation through a standard “lecture” based program or a program that is physically demanding. Personally, I share a lot of my nature photography and stories that go along with them to my older family members who are not physically able to get out and explore as they once did. I feel as if sharing these pictures and experiences with them helps us maintain a closer relationship as we bond over our love for nature. Thanks to anyone who read my blog this week, I will be back again next week to discuss nature interpretation through science. Cheers!
Blog 3
Privilege, in my view, is an unearned advantage that some individuals have due to factors like race, class, or family background. It’s not something we choose, but it shapes how we move through the world. Growing up as a white, middle-class female in Canada, I’ve had access to resources and opportunities that I sometimes took for granted. Access to good education, healthcare, and nature. It wasn’t until recently that I started to reflect on how this privilege influences my relationship with the natural world, and how it shapes my approach to nature interpretation.
Before taking this course, I didn’t give much thought to how privilege plays a role in how we interpret nature. I’ve always been able to take walks in parks, go on hikes, or visit conservation areas without considering that not everyone has this same access. When I think about my experiences with nature, it’s easy to trace how much of that was facilitated by my privilege. I grew up in a family that could afford to take me on trips to national parks, and I was always encouraged to spend time outdoors. This created a strong sense of place for me in nature, but it also blinded me to the fact that not everyone gets these same opportunities.
A turning point for me was realizing that, for some people, access to nature is limited by socioeconomic barriers. I’ve seen this firsthand when visiting neighbourhoods with fewer green spaces or traveling to areas where environmental education isn’t readily available. For people from marginalized or lower-income communities, transportation, cost of entry, and a lack of safe, nearby green spaces can be significant barriers to enjoying the outdoors. As a result, their connection to nature may be limited, and their opportunities to engage with environmental education restricted. My privilege allows me the time and resources to engage with nature deeply, something that not everyone can do. As I move forward learning about nature interpretation, I want to be mindful of these differences, creating experiences that are inclusive and accessible to all. Recognizing my privilege is the first step in ensuring that everyone has the chance to connect with and learn from nature, regardless of their background.
Hey Makayla! You really did a great job with this blog post. You highlighted some of the amazing things we have access to growing up in Canada that we may not have paid much mind to when we were younger. I’m still learning about all the privileges that come with being Canadian, especially being born and raised here. I feel like that can get forgotten about sometimes when looking at politics or socioeconomic issues we may face here. If we take a step back and look at other parts of the world where they do not have things like free healthcare, safe access to outdoor spaces, or access to a good education, our privileges are very clear.
I also loved your closing statement about recognizing privilege being the first step in ensuring that everyone has the chance to experience nature, regardless of their background. This is absolutely a true and necessary thing to consider during nature interpretation. We can use this knowledge to extend the experience to all people by trying our best to make it accessible. Especially keeping in mind that people who may share similar socioeconomic privileges may not share all the same privileges, for instance people with physical or developmental disabilities. I would love to see all nature interpreters use their privileges to create a more inclusive experience and bring awareness to areas that need improvement, as this would open opportunities for many more people who are currently underrepresented. Great job this week!
Unit 3 Blog Post
This week’s blog post will discuss the role of privilege in nature interpretation, a difficult yet important topic to bring awareness to. I’ve had a very fortunate experience when it comes to my nature interpretation experiences so far, and this is also because I had the privilege to develop a relationship with nature long before I was introduced to this concept. Growing up I had many acres of land available for me to freely explore where I could spend time playing games with my friends, swimming, catching frogs, fishing, camping, etc. My family was also highly knowledgeable about the land we lived on, and they shared much of their knowledge with me. When I was a child, I never would have even considered the privilege of this experience as I lived in a rural area where it was a shared experience among everyone I knew.
I started to recognize my privilege as I got older, when I learned that there were many people in the area where I lived who had cottages and always loved the slow way of life in Northern Ontario. When I moved to Guelph and started university, I began to really miss all the freedom I had when it came to outdoor spaces and recreation. It was always crowded everywhere I went because it’s not common for people to have access to nature spaces of their own here, or in other densely populated areas. When I started working for Ontario Parks, it really dawned on me how much privilege I had when it came to many other aspects of my life as well. I am a white woman who speaks English, have been able to put myself through university, and came from a loving family who created many opportunities where I could be successful. This privilege gave me a strong background for the nature interpretation I would be carrying out through my job and these experiences also helped me get the job to begin with.
When I think of nature interpretation, I think of exploring outdoors, listening to a guide deliver a program, going on a guided canoe trip, participating in hands on experiences, touring nature centers, and other outdoor activities. While these are all great and useful ways to carry out nature interpretation, there are a lot of people who are not represented or included in these activities. While there are many groups of people who cannot experience nature interpretation in these ways, it can include people with physical disabilities, people who do not speak the language where they are visiting, people who are not financially able to go out to parks or on other trips, and there are also many more factors that may prevent people from being able to enjoy nature interpretation in these ways. Getting out into nature can also be associated with many risks to people who have not been given the chance to fully understand the risks or feel comfortable trying to assess and manage the risks they may be taking. To make the nature interpretation experience inclusive and enjoyable for everyone we must take these factors into consideration, keeping our own privileges in mind.
Unit 02 Blog Post
When I envision my ideal role as an environmental interpreter, I envision myself working with young learners, and I see myself teaching subjects like zoology and entomology. In previous experiences I've had working with children, I have found immense gratification in fostering an interest in science. In the context of environmental interpretation, I believe that nurturing a love for nature and interest in wildlife would provide me with a similar sense of fulfillment.
This past summer, I had the opportunity to work as a community presenter for the charity Scientists in School, where I traveled around the GTA conducting hands-on STEM workshops for school-age kids. The most rewarding part of that experience was witnessing the eyes of the children I was working with light up as they discovered the wonders of science beyond what is taught in a classroom. I believe that environmental interpretation for children could evoke the same excitement, making it an ideal career path for me.
Today’s children are increasingly influenced by technology and as a result are often spending less time outdoors, likely missing out on many opportunities to create personal connections in nature. I believe this generation would greatly benefit from engaging with nature through environmental interpretation. Teaching them to respect and appreciate their natural surroundings also fosters empathy—an essential component of their development.
To thrive in a role teaching children, several key skills are essential. First, being prepared and understanding the subject matter is crucial. Children are so inquisitive; they are always asking (sometimes unexpected) questions, so being able to answer them in an engaging and age-appropriate manner is super important. Next, strong presentation and communication skills are also necessary to keep young audiences with short attention spans engaged and interested. Patience is another important quality; kids often take more time to grasp concepts, and so encouraging their curiosity requires a supportive approach. Lastly and perhaps most importantly, being passionate about the subject matter is essential. Children are perceptive and can sense when someone lacks enthusiasm for what they are teaching. To truly engage them, one must authentically demonstrate spirit and passion for the environmental facet they are interpreting.
I am particularly interested in an environmental interpretation role that would focus on fields like zoology and entomology, which I have studied while here at the University of Guelph. Specifically, courses I have taken at Guelph that focused on insects have fundamentally changed my perspective on these creatures and highlighted their vital role in our ecosystems. I would love to help children understand that not all bugs are scary and gross; many are fascinating and play crucial roles in the environment. With a focus on those fields, an environmental interpretation role about insects or wildlife could happen in a number of places, such as nature centers, botanical gardens, zoos and aquariums, local parks, or even schools and community centers. One that I think would work best for this role would be botanical gardens, which often have butterfly gardens and insect exhibits — the perfect environment for doing guided tours and showcasing insects up-close. I would love to teach about their physiology, their roles in pollination and agriculture, and help remove some common negative perceptions of insects. I personally have visited many butterfly sanctuaries and have really enjoyed my time there — the employees always have really interesting stories and information to share about the creatures they care for. I just recently visited one this summer with my housemates, so I have included some pictures from that below!
Children possess an innate eagerness to learn and explore, and I am excited by the concept of an environmental interpretation role that would nurture that desire. The prospect that I could inspire even a tiny interest in nature and wildlife would be immensely rewarding. This is why I believe that a role as an environmental interpreter focused on young learners, combined with subjects I am passionate about like zoology or entomology, would be the perfect fit for me.
Hi Alyssa! I would like to start by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog post and connected with what you had to say. I agree that children have quite inquisitive minds that make it very entertaining to interpret for them. Everything they learn can have an impact on their perspectives and beliefs throughout their lives, which makes it so important to be passionate about what information you are presenting to them as it is often contagious to their little sponge brains.
With newer generations spending a lot more time using technology rather than exploring outside, environmental interpretation can help change that behavior and encourage them to get out into the world to make hands-on discoveries. Considering how much media children tend to consume these days, a great way to start connecting with younger audiences may be to create videos or podcasts teaching them about subjects such as your interests in zoology and entomology to get that ball rolling in their heads. This way they don’t have to be afraid of any creatures that they may encounter for the first time during your interpretation. After learning about the common misconceptions of these invertebrates they may be more inclined to get out and find some for themselves!
I also agree with the skills you mentioned that are important when interpreting for a younger audience. They can certainly come up with some unexpected questions and ideas, however it can also be very entertaining when interacting with them. Great work on this week's blog post!!
