BLOG 9: UN 10: MY ETHICS
When I consider my personal ethics as a nature interpreter, I can't help but recall David Suzuki's discussion at the AGO. He mentioned an area in nature that he used to go to when he was a kid to escape and how it no longer exists (DavidSuzukiFDN, 2012). As I listened to his storey, I wondered who was responsible for protecting that land from development. Was it possible that it was his responsibility? He cherished the area, and it held emotional significance for him. As a nature interpreter, he could have communicated that worth to anyone who was considering building on that land. But, at the time, I don't believe he was old enough or in a position to do so. As a result, the question remains "who is to bear responsibility?". Maybe itās no one or possibly everyone. I attempted to recall a time in my childhood when a particular aspect of nature was significant to me. An old willow tree on my family's land was one notable spot I could remember. I would spend hours climbing the tree and playing amongst its shade. Unfortunately, the willow leaves would pollute the area in the fall and caused damage to our pool by clogging the filter. As a result, the tree had to be cut down. My first experience as a nature interpreter was probably fighting to save that tree. I expressed how important it was not only to me but also to the land. I didn't have the authority to prevent the tree from being cut down, but I tried anyway. I couldn't help but feel responsible. I've dedicated my entire life to defending people who are unable to defend themselves. I felt the same sense of duty for that tree for some reason. Iām not saying that Iām a super eco-friendly person. However, there have been instances when I felt a line had been crossed without cause. I acknowledge that some environmentally harmful behaviours cannot be completely prevented. However, in this case, I discerned that it could. I believe that my memories associated with the willow tree were a part of my determination to prevent them from cutting it down. Furthermore, there was always a sense of urgency to maintain its history and importance. Thinking back to the unit on nature interpretation via history. Every time I looked at that willow I saw the barks' ability to treat pain and fever. I'm astounded by how this one plant species has saved so many lives. The presence of its age was palpable. How it had been planted in the earth for generations. Who were we to remove this tree and its history? I cited its age and historical relevance when campaigning to save it. I noted how a tree of that size would take years, if not a lifetime, to reach its current status. I considered everything that willow had to endure to survive. Droughts, blizzards, and strong winds are some examples. Yet, the tree's demise would be brought about by a human who was younger than it was. What a depressing outcome, I thought. My efforts to save the tree did not succeed in the end. However, I did end up planting a tree to replace it. Was that, however, enough? Is there anything else I could have done? Was it entirely my responsibility? When I think about these questions and my professional ethics as a nature interpreter, I can't help but wonder about something else. Why did it matter to me? What continues to make me care? I wasn't in a moral dilemma at the time. I knew this because the people around me assured me that nothing was wrong with what was happening. Therefore, I couldn't say it was a conflict between right and wrong. However, for me, it was wrong. Morals are determined by societal consensus. Ethics, on the other hand, is personal. The definition of ethics is the "moral principles that govern a person's behaviour" (ETHICS | Meaning & Definition for UK English, n.d.). So, I must consider what governs my behaviour. Perhaps it was the encouragement I had as a child to explore the outdoors. My father would often take me fishing and hunting. The tranquillity of the water and the forest have always intrigued me. Long periods spent outside taught me to appreciate nature. I quickly learned that I am
only a small component of a vast and diverse ecosystem. These early childhood experiences may have influenced how I perceive nature. It definitely inspired me to learn more about how things work and interact in the environment. The majority of my current studies are focused on environmental sciences. Furthermore, I was constantly encouraged to join nature-focused clubs when I was a kid. Such as girl guides. We'd practise navigating our way through the woods. The majority of my time in girl guides was spent doing adventurous activities outside. While in the group, I helped with fundraising efforts. Which produced funds for many nature/wildlife protection foundations. Being in girl guides showed me that I could make a difference despite my age and lack of authority. Perhaps my actions are guided by this early foundation of kindness and a love for the outdoors. Overall, I believe I was fortunate. I don't think I'd be as passionate about nature if I hadn't been exposed to it as much as I was. As we discussed in unit 8, today's children spend more time in front of a screen than they do outside. I find this disappointing. My ethics were formed as a result of firsthand experiences with nature. Without any connection to the environment, there isn't any drive to protect it. Of course, technology has been beneficial to me in terms of allowing me to communicate and be informed about topics involving nature. However, I believe that getting kids interested in the outdoors is becoming increasingly difficult. As a nature interpreter, I would utilize tactile and visuals when sharing my interpretation. However, thanks to this course, I now have the ability to convey my nature interpretations through writing and technology. Hopefully, the skill sets I acquired will be used in my future endeavours as a nature interpreter.
References:
DavidSuzukiFDN. (2012, July 20). David Suzuki and Richard Louv @AGO [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5DI1Ffdl6Y&feature=youtu.be
ETHICS | Meaning & Definition for UK English. (n.d.). Lexico.com. from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/ethics
I really enjoyed reading your post this week!Ā
Like you, I found I always had a very strong moral compass when I was young. I always found it frustrating because I find kids opinions are automatically dismissed without consideration or thought.Ā Ā Itās really a shame because I think kids actually provide some of the most valuable opinions. They often say as they feel without understanding societal norms that shape and mould peoples opinions as adults. Like your story with the tree. It didnāt matter to you that the tree caused problems for your pool because the most simple and obvious thing to say would be donāt put the pool there in the first place or deal with the leaves as they fall. The tree was there first and just as you said - who were you to cut down the tree? You didnāt yet know that the societal norm or expectation would be to just get rid of the tree - you just knew it felt wrong. I think we need to value the opinions of our youth more and be considerate of what mindsets we are changing. Kids question everything while I find most adults just follow along with societal norms regardless of how questionable the matter is.Ā
Similarly, I think adults teach our kids that the responsibility of being environmentally friendly belongs to someone else. As climate change is so difficult to see short term I think there is a massive diffusion of responsibility among everyone in the world. We teach that helping the planet isĀ important but then show that if something inconveniences you you do whatever it is to get rid of the problem regardless of the consequences. We teach that we donāt need to consider the Earth in our decisions, and that someone else will take care of that. But they won't.Ā
I think that everyone has an equal responsibility to preserve and protect the land that we occupy. Even at such a young age you knew that as you took on that responsibility and tried to make change. Perhaps if everyone accepted that responsibility and stopped leaving it up to someone else we would have a very different relationship between humans and the Earth.
Thank you for sharing your story!
RileyĀ






















