Unit 10 - My Ethics & Future Goals
When I first sat down to write my first blog post about my relationship with nature, I felt that my own experiences were inadequate compared to my peers who are seemingly all avid campers, hikers, mountain bikers and rock-climbers. I thought that because I grew up in downtown Toronto and my family couldn’t afford these more “granola” hobbies, that I was disconnected from nature as a result. Since this course has continued, I find myself noticing that I actually do have a strong relationship with the environment. Even if it’s just small moments like taking a scenic detour on my way to work or reading (and watching squirrels!) at my favourite picnic table in my local park. I’ve learned that there isn’t just one way to connect with nature, it all depends on making the most of what’s available to you.
My daily walk to and from work, this is the scenic route!
Ever since I was young, I’ve always felt such a strong pull towards defending the environment and speaking up on behalf of all the incredible plants and animals living on Earth. Maybe it was watching “An Inconvenient Truth” when I was much too young, but no matter the reason I’ve always felt very strongly about the urgency of the climate crisis. It breaks my heart to think about the likely future we’re now facing and all the lives that will be lost. I’ve always found it difficult to understand how so many people can prioritize economic growth and personal gain over the long-term survival of our planet and the human race. While I may never fully understand the selfish nature at the heart of these decisions, this course has allowed me to recognize that the field of nature interpretation is at the heart of the solution. By being able to adjust our approaches to best reach differing audiences, it’s very possible to pass on this strong spark of passion and love I feel for the Earth to others.
My development as a nature interpreter has been strongly shaped by my personal ethics and moral code. I strongly believe that no matter how experienced or knowledgeable an interpreter is, they should always be open to different perspectives and new ideas. There is always more to learn about yourself and the world. Being committed to life-long self-improvement is central to narrowing down who you are as a person and what your core values are. By identifying what’s important to you and becoming someone, interpreters are able to go beyond simply educating others and inspire genuine passion and enthusiasm (Beck et al., 2028, p. 391). Drawing on your personal convictions results in a heartfelt sincerity which is impossible to replicate and is incredibly effective in moving an audience to action (Beck et al., 2028, p. 391).
The qualities that define my personal ethics both as an individual and an interpreter are integrity, compassion, and honesty. Integrity refers to my wish to be a good role model for others through a principled dedication to doing the right thing regardless of the circumstances. Compassion involves always considering and being sympathetic to the perspectives of others, even if they differ from my own. This also extends to having compassion for the plants and animals we share the world with, which is central to inspiring lifelong commitments to environmental sustainability. Lastly, honesty promotes trust by refusing to lie or deceive others. These qualities are beneficial in an interpretive setting because they allow me to build trust with my audience and establish a mutually respectful relationship thus increasing the effectiveness of the messaging.
One aspect of being a veterinarian that I’m the most excited for is becoming a leader and teacher to my staff, clients, and community. A huge part of the job involves educating others and acting as a mentor, so I must be mindful of how I use my privilege and education going forward (Hooykaas, 2024). Since pets are often the bridge linking many people and the outside world (going on walks, hikes, and exploring the world together), veterinarians have a unique responsibility to adhere to strict ethical guidelines ensuring the health and safety of animals, people, and the environment. My aim is to instill my own personal ethics in those I educate, with the goal of urging people to think about the larger picture and other factors at play. For example, with wildlife such as coyotes increasingly encroaching closer to urban areas as habitat loss continues, I will try to urge fearful small-dog owners to not succumb to supporting the violent eradication of these animals. By both acknowledging their valid fears of their beloved pet getting attacked (and recommending prevention techniques) and highlighting the perspective of these animals who are terrified and just trying to survive, I hope to strike a balance and inspire compassion and increased understanding.
While different approaches may be necessary for different audiences and being able to adapt to meet people where they are produces the most effective results, it’s only natural that individual interpreters naturally lean towards some over others. Personally, while I love creating art and using visual media to explain complex ideas, I’ve found that my true skills lie in writing and speaking – with the latter being my strong suit! Since I’m a naturally talkative person who enjoys teaching others, I often find myself sharing what I’m learning in school with my friends, family, and coworkers. This open line of communication and mutual learning is something that I see myself continuing throughout my entire life. I enjoy helping people consider other perspectives and inspiring them to think about the bigger picture.
A photo of me at work (as a veterinary assistant in the neurology department) with my co-worker's dog Kygo.
The unique responsibilities I will have to peers, staff, and clients as a veterinarian are not daunting, but instead represent an exciting opportunity to combine by passions for environmental justice with my love for educating others. Equipped with the qualities that define my personal ethics, I hope to bring the lessons I’ve learned about being an effective environmental interpreter with me throughout my life. I have so many years of learning still ahead of me and am excited for what the future holds!
Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. Sagamore Publishing LLC. https://sagamore.vitalsource.com/books/9781571678669.
Hooykaas, A. (2024). Unit 10: Nature Interpretation’s Role in Environmental Sustainability. CourseLink. Retrieved from: https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/898489/viewContent/3863612/View.