ENVS3000 Interpretive Blog

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Disclaimer

This blog was created for ENVS 3000, University of Guelph. 

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of the University of Guelph. 

The University of Guelph is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by this blog.

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Unit 10 Blog Post

I have learned so much from this course and believe that I have gained a proper skill set to be able to effectively provide nature interpretations. I think the most important thing to bring to nature interpretation is ensuring that the information is presented in an interesting manner while incorporating conservation and protective insight. Personally, this is my main drive behind nature interpretation. With the current state of the world and the destruction that humans cause I think the least we can do is bring awareness to the struggles we as a society have caused. Whether or not the impacts of my interpretations are small or big, I think eliciting a positive change in any form can be impactful and better for the future. 

I live based on the beliefs that nature has its own value outside of what it provides for us and I think it is important to respect it as so. I always think nature could survive without us, but we could not survive without it, so why must we treat it with such disrespect? I believe that we need to take into consideration future generations of not only humans, but all species. I believe that we should act as if we owe it to every living thing, both big and small, to allow them to have the chance at survival in the future. I think many people tend to not think of the big picture when going through day to day life. I want to be able to show them how beautiful and important nature is and how their actions can help to preserve it. 

As a nature interpreter you bear a lot of responsibilities regarding the information that you tell, but also specifically audience based responsibilities. To begin with the information portion I have the responsibility to have an accurate understanding of the aspects of nature that I am to interpret. It would be wrong to say I am a nature interpreter and guide an interpretation without having sufficient knowledge of what I'm talking about. I feel responsible to interpret through both science and history. As we talked about in this course science and history are both vital aspects to include to ensure the audience gets the best understanding. The use of history in nature interpretation can help show the audience how we got to the point that shaped the ecosystems we see now (Beck et al., 2018). The use of science in nature interpretation can deepen the understanding of the why, what, when, how questions that may present themselves to the audience during the interpretation. 

The responsibility to the audience is to ensure they receive accurate information and safety precautions are always in check. To make sure that the entire audience gets the most from the interpretation I have the responsibility to first understand the needs of the audience. Being able to first identify and understand that each member of the audience is unique in what knowledge, emotions and experiences they bring to the interpretation. This means focusing on individual needs and wants of the audience to truly make the interpretation of personalized experience (Beck et al., 2018). This makes it more enjoyable and entertaining for the audience rather than if you were to, for example, only think of your own experience and tailor the interpretation based on this alone. Seeking out information about the audience is just as important as the actual information for the interpretation. This includes age, interest/experience in the subject, education level, learning styles etc (Beck et al., 2018). An interpretation that is created with the baseline being about the audience creates the most meaningful and impactful interpretation. This can decipher whether or not the audience not only understands the information, but also DOES something with the information. Which to me is arguably the most important part.

As you are responsible for the information in the interpretation you are also responsible for the overall health and wellbeing of the audience both during and after the interpretation. If hosting an interpretation outdoors it is vital that before the interpretation begins an opening statement is made about potential hazards that you may encounter throughout the guided walk (or whatever it may be). This allows for the audience to be well suited and understand what risks may lie ahead, also giving them the opportunity to continue on with the interpretation. In order to properly ensure a safe interpretation you must do research prior to the interpretation to weigh out the risks and also make sure to be keen and well prepared for any possible danger that you could encounter on the interpretation itself. Being prepared for anything is vital (Hooykas, 2024). Examples of things that need to be taken into consideration include…

Physical abilities of the audience (stamina and physique some people may not have the physical capabilities to withstand walking through certain terrain)

Weather conditions (Is there going to be icy/slippy terrain)

Wildlife (Potential for running into a wild animal that could pose harm such as a black bear)

Listening skills (should you be taking a large group of little kids on a walk through the forest by yourself, no this probably would not end well)

Photo taken at Shade's Mills. An example of a helpful interpretive sign that is accessible to many people.

While some of this may seem like common sense it can quickly be overlooked when you have personal experience with the terrain and environments. Yet, another example of unpacking your invisible backpack and understanding that everyone's needs are different. Overall it is important to really think about the risk and reward of the situation as we talked about in Unit 3 (Hooykaas, 2024). 

This applies to all interpretations, not just physical ones such as outdoors walks. The information that you give to the audience needs to be relayed in a way that is safe. Making sure that you explicitly list the risks associated with certain information is just as important as providing it during an in person outdoor event. For example, when talking about a certain aspect of the forest you may tell the audience how they could check it out themselves in person. Instead of just telling them and essentially “throwing them to the wolves” it is important to list how they can achieve this in the safest way. This includes simple things such as making sure they do not go alone. It's better to be safe than sorry. 

For the question, “What approaches are most suitable for you as an individual?”, I'm going to focus on what approach I would like to get better at in the realm of nature interpretation. So focusing more on what currently is not “suitable” currently that I am working towards changing. Being a science major for my entire educational background I have been taught to write papers and create presentations in a “professional” manner. To be this means creating something that is formal and informational. I feel like this has made it very difficult to write interpretations that are not structured like these papers that I have become accustomed to writing. I think that this affects how entertaining my interpretations will be, essentially making them boring. I am working on opening up my creative side and trying to loosen the hold that formal papers have on me. 

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Chapter 6. In Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. essay, Sagamore Publishing LLC. 

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Chapter 7. In Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. essay, Sagamore Publishing LLC. 

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Chapter 15. In Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. essay, Sagamore Publishing LLC. 

Hooykaas, A. (2024). Unit 03: Risk versus Reward in Interpretation. University of Guelph, CourseLink.

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Hi there! I very much enjoyed reading your blog post this week. First off, I very much agree that it is our inherent responsibility and the “least we can do” as nature interpreters to bring light to conservation issues that are plaguing our current world. It is nearly impossible to measure the possible change caused by nature interpretation – the potential effects are incomprehensible, as hopefully a chain-reaction will take place and inspire more people to create change, and so on. There is no downside to nature interpretation, so to speak, as long as it is done correctly, there can only be positive change. I very strongly agree with your sentiment of needing to treat the environment with future generations of all species in mind. It is up to us to make sure that there are still spaces for them and ourselves to thrive in nature. In my post this week I also touched on our responsibility to keep our “students” safe while practicing nature interpretation. I feel that this is a very important aspect to ensure that everyone has a positive experience in nature. I liked your focus on our responsibility to relay accurate information; I think this is a very important consideration for building trust and accountability with the public when they are learning about nature. I do also believe there are a lot of other moral and ethical responsibilities that we must ascertain as nature interpreters, such as our responsibility to instill positive change in the public. Overall, this is a great post! I have very much enjoyed blogging throughout the semester. 

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Unit 10 Blog

First of all, I want to extend gratitude towards all of the aspiring nature interpreters who have contributed their thoughts and perspectives here to educate and inspire each other, while responding to their peers with kindness and respect. I’m glad to take this time to reflect on some of the things I’ve learned from this course and the ethics and beliefs I will hold myself to going forward.

As interpreters, it is important that we understand why we’re here. In a world that is rapidly becoming more online, and with younger generations growing up without the same level of access to nature, interpretation has become increasingly important for developing connections between people and their environment. Ultimately, this is in an effort to promote sustainability for the natural world and our future generations. Regardless of where interpretation takes place, be it through a screen, on a page, or in the field, establishing a fond relationship between people in the environment is a catalyst for meaningful change. This is well understood among interpreters, and the reason why many of us are here today. I think that the reading from this unit, “Why Environmental Educators Shouldn’t Give Up Hope” by Rodenburg (2019), explains this perspective well, reminding us that the benefits of effective nature interpretation extend further than the information and awareness provided about worrying topics such as climate change. By inspiring hope in visitors, we can empower them to take action.

Raising awareness about important topics and inspiring change is one of the main goals of nature interpretation. However, Rodenburg (2019) states that environmental educators should not rush to teach children about looming issues such as climate change, habitat loss, and biodiversity decline, given that most young children are not ready to handle this burden of knowledge yet. I completely agree with this belief. In order to form a meaningful connection with nature that may lead to preservative action down the line, this connection should not be overshadowed by sadness or worry, but focus solely on the joy of play and discovery. Negativity can be difficult to avoid nowadays, especially in an online space, and these fond memories will stick closest to them throughout life and provide a beacon of hope. I say this from personal experience - I grew up very rurally, surrounded by forest and wetland to explore. I spent every ounce of my free time outside, and developed a lifelong love of nature and the environment as a result. While I was acutely aware of the importance of preserving the natural world and some of the threats that impact it, I was never overwhelmed with pessimistic views to the point where the enjoyment I found in spending time outside was compromised. Now that I understand the magnitude of irreversible damage to the environment caused during the Anthropocene, I can only be thankful that I was able to connect with nature from such an early age. By sharing experiences of joy and discovery with younger visitors, we are inspiring the next generation of nature interpreters; after all, these same experiences are what inspired us! When interpreting nature to older visitors who have a better understanding of environmental issues, I hope to frame the experience in an optimistic light. Interpreters serve as role models for those around them, and while it is our responsibility to raise awareness about some very depressing but important topics, it is also our responsibility to establish hope. The conversation should not end with a discouraging tone; instead, visitors should leave the experience with the understanding of why it was beneficial that they attend in the first place.

Something we often overlook is that by discovering and connecting with nature, we can also learn more about ourselves. Effective nature interpretation doesn’t just benefit nature, but it can also provide important emotional benefits for people. On the same topic of negativity in an online space, a connecting with nature regularly (Vitamin N) is more important than ever for both our physical and mental health. Rodenburg (2019) explains that there are a wide variety of benefits associated with spending time outside that are important for early development. By extension, spending time in nature can benefit all of us in different ways. As an interpreter, ask yourself – why do you go outside? Are you looking for something new or something familiar? What kind of experience do you hope to take away from spending time in nature? I believe that every visitor will get something different out of the same interpretive experience, and it is important that we adjust the experience to account for this. As discussed in our readings, we have all been visitors at some point, and the best way to reach them is to put yourself in their shoes.

A personal ethic that I have always connected with is the importance of learning from others and how we interpret nature in different ways. I mentioned above how every visitor will get something different out of an interpretive experience, and this means that there is no ‘formula’ for effective interpretation. Throughout this course, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about all of the incredible knowledge, beliefs and experiences of other developing nature interpreters. This specific blog prompt will likely have a wide range of responses attached to it, depending on our different personal goals, interests and relationships with nature and people. We can all learn a lot from each other, inspire each other, and use these collaborative experiences to become better versions of ourselves – from which visitors can source informative, fun and meaningful experiences from.

I would like to close by stressing the importance of a universally shared ethic. Respect shapes the connection between people and their environment. In nature interpretation, both the interpreter and the visitor play important roles in respecting both the natural site and the people they share the experience with. As an interpreter, I will always respect the boundaries and opinions of others. When interacting with the environment, I have always held the belief of the observer; that is, I am extremely mindful of not disturbing wild ecosystems and the biotic and abiotic factors within them. Ontario is fortunate to be home to a large diversity of species, many of which are at risk or endangered. Teaching visitors about the vital importance of respecting their surroundings is something that I will hold to a high standard. Nature is a delicate environment that is not defined by the sum of its parts, but by what, and who, we share it with.

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

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Hi there! This is a fantastic post, I really enjoyed reading through it. First off, I very much agree with the sentiment of thanking everyone for their inspiring and encouraging words throughout the semester! Blogging with our peers has been a very positive experience for me, and it is great to connect with new people, and discover other peoples' passions! I very much concur that nature interpretation is about promoting sustainability so that we may continue to thrive in our environment, with nature. Using hope as a motivator is for sure the only way forward, and the best way to inspire change. It is a fine line between balancing painting a clear picture of what is happening in our world, and also instilling hope, especially in children. I have done a fair bit of nature interpretation, sometimes to children, and I believe that they should always be taught in positive experiences with positive reinforcement. Only once they are older should they be introduced to world issues, that they can then process with their own understanding. If you teach children to love something, they will ultimately fight to protect it. But if you never show them what there is to love, they will have no drive to protect what is there. This is the same concept with adults, but different strategies could be employed there. For children especially, it’s definitely positive experience first, and then cry to action later in life. I also liked your final point of interpreter ethic of not disturbing the native ecosystems within Ontario, and I wholeheartedly agree. Limiting disturbance to natural communities, including wildlife, is definitely a huge part of our responsibility as nature interpreters and teachers.

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Week 10

Describe your personal ethic as you develop as a nature interpreter. What beliefs do you bring? What responsibilities do you have? What approaches are most suitable for you as an individual? 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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ENVS 3000- Unit 9 Blog Post

Like me, you might have grown up with a few key ‘poster animals’ for species conservation. Polar bears, monarch butterflies, and one I find particularly interesting- honeybees. These animals are often marketed as species that we need to save. In Canada, Campaigns like General Mill’s Bring Back the Bees, which was launched in 2016, often encourage us to plant wildflowers to support honeybees. (Check out this ad campaign from 2018 if you haven’t heard of this project! Honey Nut Cheerios – Bring Back the Bees)  

Which is great! However, honeybees aren’t the only pollinator species, and they aren’t even native to Canada. Apis mellifera or western honeybee is native to Europe, western Asia, and Africa. 

It can be exciting planting wildflowers in our backyards, and it’s important to plant flowers that will help maintain honeybee populations. But it is also important to cater to the rest of our pollinator species as well. There are over 800 native bee and wasp species in Canada, and pollinators aren’t just exclusive to these insects. Flies, hummingbirds, and moths are all considered pollinators as well. 

To create the best space for these pollinators it’s important to first start by removing any invasive plant species you might have in your yard that have the potential to overtake anything native that you plant. Once you’ve done that you can find out what flowering plants are native to your area and have fun arranging them how you like! Some great native plants to Ontario include milkweed, black-eyed susans, and wild strawberries.  

Another important thing to consider is that not all pollinator species construct their habitat in tree hollows or using wax honeycomb patterns. Several species burrow in the ground, and leafcutters nest in fallen leaves. Carpenter bees tunnel in woody debris and mud wasps often use mud to construct their habitat. Moths can often be found around trees or meadowed areas, and hummingbirds can live in forests, orchards, and backyards. To protect these species, it's important to leave plant debris in your yard and cultivate an environment with diverse plant types. If we clear trees and shrubs out of our backyard just to replace them with wildflowers, we reduce the variety of native pollinators we attract. And remember to keep an eye out for pollinators in areas you might not expect them to be! 

It’s great that honeybees have gotten so much attention in recent years, and conservation efforts that get people excited are always great to see! However, it’s important that we don’t forget about the rest of our pollinator species and turn the enthusiasm we have for saving the bees into enthusiasm for protecting natural ecosystems around our houses. By planting native plant species and encouraging natural areas in our backyard we aren’t only saving honeybees, but tons of other species as well.  

Here’s a link to a great article detailing native pollinators in Canada if you’re interested in learning more. https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2014/aac-aafc/A59-12-2014-eng.pdf  

And this booklet details some great plants that are native to Ontario! 17-uo-nativeplantsforpollinators-booklet-v8-web.pdf

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Hello there, I very much enjoyed reading your blog post, and am so glad others feel passionately about the fallacy of honeybee “conservation”. Planting native plants can have such a massive impact for our native pollinators, and as you allude to, it is so easy to do! I can tell you feel strongly about this subject and you do a fantastic job of steering people away from honeybees and instead to native pollinators, without being overly dismissive of the importance of honeybees. I once heard an analogy for this that stuck with me, “conserving honeybees is of the same principle as conserving cows”, in that neither really need “conservation”. Sure, when livestock becomes sick, we find ways to treat them so they can continue to provide a service to us, but this is not conservation, it is just maintenance. 

Over the past couple years, I have become more invested in native planting, and currently I have a small pollinator prairie patch in my yard at home. In the warmer months I spend time observing all the insects I can find within the patch and have even found locally rare and endangered species such as the white-banded crab spider. I have observed a huge diversity of insects occupying this small patch, which is extremely satisfying for me after growing a lot of these plants from seed! In the summer, my local yard birds enjoy eating the seeds produced by the native wildflowers. Really lovely post overall, it gets me excited about conservation which is fantastic! 

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Week 9

Interpret (through this blog) the most amazing thing you know about nature – get us excited. This is your blog – your audience isn’t out in the field with you so bring the field to your armchair reader.

One of the most amazing things about nature, is surely bird migration. I’d like for you to picture this – it’s a mild early May morning, you’re awake before sunrise and driving to a prime birding location near you – this could be just a local patch of forest, or a strategically picked piece of land to concentrate migrating birds, such as a peninsula or island. Either way, it’s dark but the light is seeping into the sky, slowly leaking into a plethora of beautiful colours. You arrive on location, step onto the trail, and are immersed into a luscious soundscape. Now, you may be asking, what’s a soundscape? Well, a soundscape is an essential sensory experience of bird watching. Each habitat and location inherently has a different soundscape produced by the species that live there, and this could change with the seasons. During spring migration, male songbirds are practicing their songs en-route to their breeding grounds, so you can hear songs of birds that aren’t typically breeding in that location. When the migration conditions are good, huge mixed flocks of warblers, sparrows, flycatchers, swallows and more may concentrate into relatively small areas, in colourful mixed flocks. The physical experience of observing these birds, feeling their essence close to your own, is incomparable by simply writing about this phenomenon, but I will surely try my best to encapsulate the feeling.

I want you to picture a bird that you’ve seen in the wild before. It could be anything from a Canada Goose to a Chickadee, or if you’re having trouble imagining one, you can use this Tree Swallow as your subject. Now that you have a picture of your bird in your mind, I want you to think about branching out from simply the bird’s entity itself; zoom out and imagine the habitat where you saw this bird. For example, now we have an image of this Tree Swallow, I’ll zoom out and imagine it zooming above the sweeping grassland where it was found, chattering to its mate as they collect nesting material for their brood. This swallow lives in the grasslands of Saskatchewan in the summer, but in the spring and fall it joins millions of birds in an immense journey across the continent. You may not have realized it, but a lot of you have probably seen Tree Swallows before! They are quite common in the right habitat across the country in the spring and summer months.

Citizen science tools like eBird can help us track bird migration! Below are a series of screenshots taken from the eBird website showing the abundance of Tree Swallow detections on eBird depending on the time of year. This sequence shows their location in the winter, spring and summer, demonstrating how they migrate up to Canada to breed.

You too can contribute to citizen science using savvy apps like eBird, Merlin Bird ID, and iNaturalist. I sincerely encourage everyone reading this to try to experience the absolute wonder of bird migration at least once. It is a truly unique sensory experience to encounter these tiny little gems as they’re undergoing an impossible journey across the continent. It really puts into perspective the trivial issues we encounter in our everyday lives, while these birds travel thousands of kilometers every year with only their bodies. Unfortunately, lots of human activities greatly impact bird migration in a negative way. However, conservation efforts and the spread of awareness and knowledge is the key to help keep these birds safe as they undertake these incredibly perilous paths to their breeding grounds in Canada and then back to their wintering grounds in the south. So, next time you get the opportunity, head out to your local park and try to see some migrating birds! I’m sure that almost everyone will appreciate this experience.

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Unit 7 Blog

As complex as human beings are, we are not the only animals capable of producing music. Many animals, like modern birds, insects, and frogs, have evolved to produce specific patterns of sound varying in tone in order to communicate. We can hear this anytime we go outside and listen to the sounds of nature. To take it a step further, every sound we can hear, from the rustling of leaves to the cracking of twigs under our feet, can work together to produce a harmony that influences our thoughts and emotions, despite not being recognized as traditional music. Given how connected we are to music and the emotional, cultural and social benefits it provides, hearing the peaceful sounds produced by nature can invoke a sense of belonging. I know it certainly has for me! It’s no wonder why we have incorporated the sounds of nature into our own music. Early musical instruments were crafted using materials found in nature and used to produce similar patterns of sound. It is thought that early forms of flutes were developed to mimic the calls of birds (Davin et al., 2023). In modern music, we see nature everywhere - especially in lyrics. Natural imagery is often described in lyrics to represent emotions. For example, weather is commonly used to describe happiness (sunny/clear skies), sadness (cloudy/rainy skies), or conflict, confusion and anger (dark and stormy skies). While this is seen in many forms of media, it is more often seen in artistic works like music. An example of a song that reminds me of nature is Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles. This feel-good song references winter as cold and “lonely”, and uses the sun to signal a new day as a fresh start or “light at the end of the tunnel”. This is a song we can all relate to in some capacity, and natural imagery is used to enhance this connection. Oftentimes, nature in music is represented through the artist’s own connection with it. This is seen in the music of many Indigenous peoples whose cultural views are deeply connected to the land and environment.

How can this connect to nature interpretation? First of all, given the wide variety of forms and styles of music, it is a great way to represent culture and certain time periods in history. Music can be a powerful tool in nature interpretation because it is often much more easily remembered than regular information presented by an interpreter. As we have learned in this course, interpreters should want their visitors to take away a memorable experience rather than expect them to take away a ton of information. Effective interpretation Is able to find a perfect balance of information and entertainment, and music can help us achieve this. While I am a musician, I could never see myself using instruments or singing to teach or entertain as an interpreter. Instead, an approach that I feel could be effective is taking visitors into a forest or other natural site and having everyone close their eyes and listen to what they hear. How many sounds can they identify? Do they hear music in nature? How does this make them feel? Not only does this provide a more hands-on learning experience, but it will also encourage the “what’s next?” after the program is done by allowing visitors to continue trying this exercise wherever they are.

Davin, L., Tejero, J., Simmons, T., et al. (2023). Bone aerophones from Eynan-Mallaha (Israel) indicate imitation of raptor calls by the last hunter-gatherers in the Levant. Sci. Rep. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35700-9

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Hello, I love this post! It is so true that hearing the symphony of nature sounds invokes a sense of belonging. It makes a lot of sense that early forms of instruments were created to mimic the sounds of nature. Most things in human culture are borrowed ideas, in this case, the idea of instruments and music is borrowed from nature. I like your connection to the weather – it is true that so much of our media uses connections to nature to depict emotions. Using music for nature interpretation is such an amazing tool and strategy to create long-lasting connections. Personally, I remember when music was used in an indigenous history lesson at a band camp I attended, it was much more memorable and stuck with me a lot longer than if there had been no music. Going out into the forest, closing your eyes and consciously listening to identify all the sounds you can hear is an amazing practice for mental health. Some people call this “forest therapy” and there’s classes that do this specifically to improve wellbeing! I think allowing people to sit quietly and identify sounds on their own will open up a doorway for creativity and curiosity. They may hear a sound that is unfamiliar to them, and become curious about it, in which case they could share with the group. Then, someone more experienced may be able to explain what was producing that sound, for example a Black-throated Blue Warbler singing in the spring. Then, you could have everyone else listen for this sound and make that connection, and possibly even go look for the bird singing to create a visual association! The possibilities are quite endless for creativity during nature interpretation!

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Week 7

Where is music in nature? Where is nature in music?

As a follow-up (focus on the above two before you tackle this one), what song takes you immediately back to a natural landscape? What is the context? Share it with us – I would imagine many of these ideas may have similar underpinnings of a campfire, roadtrip, backpacking journey, etc.!

To ask where music is in nature is to ask an indefinite number of questions. If you were to imagine yourself stepping into a northern forest, just yourself, with not another soul around, you would hear an abundance of sound and if you focus on it, it will surround your being. This can be a truly therapeutic experience; one I very much enjoy. Some people call such practices “forest therapy”, which may be applicable in some situations, but I think anyone can enjoy just listening for once, without replying. So – we are in the forest in the fall, the crisp crunch of the fallen leaves crackle as you wearily make your way between the vast maples, oaks, basswoods, pines and hemlocks that dominate the woods here. A soft wind blows, rustling the pine needles and you hear the high-pitched plinking of a few of them hitting the forest floor, perhaps a creaking of an old tree complaining in the breeze, warning of winter. In the distance a chickadee calls, a bright melodic note in the softer noises created by the trees - and then a woodpecker drums on a log, a low beat that can be heard from kilometers away. All of these noises ultimately create a song, their own music, that is characteristic of this place. Although not on purpose, the forest emits a unique song that can be heard by anyone, if they only take the time to listen. 

As the months change, this song also changes. Snow blankets the ground, huge flocks of winter finches’ “cheep” loud and bubbly as they forage in the cones for seeds, the rare huff of a white-tailed deer searching for a morsel to eat. And then spring blossoms, and the overwhelming silence of the winter soundscape melts, revealing rushing bubbling brooks, a flood of migratory songbirds declaring their territories in loud, vibrant song, squirrels and chipmunks trilling with joy at the end of hibernation. All of this music can ultimately create one collective song, indefinite in length, looping in sections but truthfully unique in every passing second. Every single component of the ecosystem contributes to this music, no matter how soft or loud, musical or monotone. In this way, music is omnipresent in nature, and there is no way you can arrive in nature and not hear music, unless you are not listening. I apologize if perhaps I am rambling with this anecdote, but simply listening is something I am very passionate about, as you can learn so much from unexpected places if you simply listen.

Onto the next prompt – where is nature in music? If you think of this from a zoomed-out perspective, nature IS music, and there is no music without nature. Instruments are made out of materials that come from our environment, and music is made by people who are, inherently, part of nature. Many artists incorporate nature sounds into their music, may it be clips of nostalgic birdsong or sound effects like wind rushing through the trees, nature and music are synonymous. 

One song that takes me immediately back to a natural landscape is a song that we listened to during this past field season, working on the prairie in Saskatchewan. The song is called “Truck Got Stuck” by Corb Lund, and it does a fantastic job at painting a picture of what it’s like to live in the prairies. The context for the song is that, on our first field day, our supervisor got our work truck stuck in the mud, and it took us almost two hours to unstuck it! When I hear this song, I’m instantly transported back into the prairie, with Chestnut-collared Longspurs singing all around us, Pronghorn bounding across the hills, and never-ending views of the sky and the beautiful grasslands.  I definitely recommend listening to this song, it’s very funny!

Here's an image I took from my iNaturalist of a fairy shrimp that I discovered while we were trying to get the truck unstuck from the mud! This was the first record in Saskatchewan of this genus on iNaturalist, so it was a pretty neat find!

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Blog Post 6

In a society where new trends and ideas appear daily, it is tempting to reject history as irrelevant. "There is no peculiar merit in ancient things," Edward Hyams claims, and many of us would gladly agree. After all, we experience the present and anticipate the future. However, he discusses integrity — how we hold the elements of a whole together — and emphasizes the importance of the past. Without it, we lose the essence of who we are.

Hyams defines integrity as more than being honest or morally upright; it also refers to completeness. Consider a puzzle: each piece is essential in the assembly schedule, no matter how small or distant. Without one element, the image is incomplete. The past may appear to be a missing piece of a larger jigsaw, yet it is an essential component of the one we are currently experiencing.

Hyams warns against considering the past as disposable. He gives the example of a railway station: simply because our train has left doesn't mean the station has vanished. The station existed before we arrived and will remain once we leave. Similarly, past experiences, histories, and civilizations do not evaporate simply because we stop interacting with them. They continue to shape our path, even if we are unaware.

The essential point here is that memory—or our common consciousness of history—maintains integrity. When we lose that recollection, we become disoriented, separated from the events that shaped the present. Neglecting the past is similar to neglecting a house's foundation. The structure may stand for a time, but ultimately, it will deteriorate and collapse.

This is especially crucial in a world that occasionally celebrates "out with the old, in with the new." Hyams is not encouraging us to cling to the past or resist change. He admits that "there is no peculiar merit in ancient things." Not everything that is old has inherent value. However, it is essential to understand the past, where we came from, and why things are the way they are.

For instance, consider a tree. You can enjoy its leaves and branches today, but its growth, strength, and shape result from years of evolution, storms, and seasons. You cannot wholly appreciate its resiliency unless you understand its history. The same is true for human experience. Without remembering the challenges and triumphs of those who came before us, we miss out on the entire scope of our current reality.

In our fast-paced, future-focused world, Hyams' comment reminds us that integrity, wholeness, and completion necessitate living in the now and embracing and understanding the past. Ancient goods may not be precious, but the wisdom, teachings, and narratives they convey certainly are. They are bits of our puzzle, essential to who we are now.

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Hello, I really enjoyed reading your blog post. I particularly enjoyed your example of a tree and how that can relate to the larger idea being presented in this week’s topic. It is a lot simpler to look at a tree and say “this is an American Elm, Ulmus americana, and it grows in this habitat…” as opposed to digging deeper (excuse the plant pun) and finding what this tree has experienced, how others have experienced this tree, etc. Understanding how the tree came to be there is integral to appreciating it fully. Like you said, this is the same as with human experience and our perception of history. 

I also liked your comparison to today’s modern world, and how we are missing slow reflection as a result of the fast-paced nature of our current society. Taking the time to appreciate something for not everything it is but everything it HAS been, is something that is unfortunately lacking in our current world. I hope that, perhaps with increased nature exposure and continued interpretation, more people can learn to look closely and truly reflect on not only what they are seeing, but what used to be there. Personally, when I look at developments in towns, I can’t help but see towering Carolinian forests with towering chestnut trees, absolutely filled with birdsong, brimming with life and colour and sound. When I reflect in this capacity, I mourn what has been lost but it also empowers me to create change for the future, and protect what natural life is left.

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Week 6

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

(Edward Hyams, Chapter 7, The Gifts of Interpretation)

Unpack this quote.

I believe that for many people, it is easier and simpler to not consider the events of the past. To consider that a station only exists when your train is in it, is perhaps a simpler way of thinking, but it will get you nowhere because it is impossible to learn without looking around you (metaphorically, looking “around” could be looking into the past, future, other’s perspectives). Entertaining different points of view and different aspects of encountering the world is what helps us to build our own character and enhance our holistic understanding of life on earth. 

Although there may not be particular merit in ancient things themselves, integrity is essential to our learning and the bettering of oneself. Although, it is possible for there to be peculiar merit in ancient things themselves. Everything has its own intrinsic value, whether or not it is valuable to a group of people does not define its worth. For example, a single bumblebee may have no value to any one person, but it has its own intrinsic value in that it exists in our world. Additionally, you can think deeper about its value to the ecosystem it lives in, to other bees and insects, and the flowers it benefits. But now let’s consider a bumblebee that resides in a naturalist’s collection, perhaps over 500 years old, that is used as a tool of historical interpretation. This bee, when it was alive, had inherent value, and continues to have value and merit since it can teach many students traditions of natural history, collection, and act as a tool to show the fundamentals of what bees are and do for our ecosystems. That being said, would we think of this bee of having more value than other living bees, simply because it has served humans? Although you may instinctively say yes, it is perhaps impossible to quantity the worth of a being based on its contribution to society. If you were to zoom out of the classroom where the bee in the collection is being stored, and looked at the ecosystem as a whole, the living bees that you may never encounter, in fact probably serve a greater purpose in their role of pollination and contribution to their environment. 

Having a knowledge of ancient things is surely integral to having a sound comprehension of ourselves and the world around us. Keeping stories alive, no matter how traumatic they were, is needed to understand the whole picture of a narrative, and so that we can learn from the mistakes of others and continually better ourselves. For example, in the video with the chief historian of the National Park Service, he mentioned that they started including stories of indigenous culture and their stories and perspectives of past events in their interpretive teachings. This is essential in order to understand the whole story of a specific location. Being able to stand in one place, look out at the scenery and peel back layers of time, and see them from as many perspectives as possible is ultimately the goal of this sort of interpretation. I had the opportunity to visit Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park in Alberta this summer, and through the interpretive signs and pamphlets provided by the visitor centre, my friends and I were able to view the landscapes through a lens that shared the stories of the past, giving us a holistic view of the space. This type of interactive viewing that challenges you to look at a place not just for what it is, but for what it used to be, forces oneself to think deeper about our meaning on this land and how we can do better for it. For me, and hopefully for many others, it is a productive strategy for instilling a sense of action and responsibility to our land, biodiversity, the earth and the people and beings we share it with.

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Blog Post 5

Since there is no blog prompt this week, I’ve decided to talk about one place at home that strengthened my appreciation for nature: Tommy Thompson Park. Growing up in the city, my friends and I would spend hours and hours outside, either playing basketball or biking in the city. My mom would hate whenever we would bike through traffic, so she told my friends and I to try finding a trail to go through. This is how we found Tommy Thompson. The path we’d take was extremely calming as it was such a drastic difference in sound. Going from hearing traffic and sirens to almost nothing but buzzes from different bugs and hearing your bike on the road was something I was not used to as a kid, but as I got older, I grew more appreciation for the peace. 

Seeing wildlife, which I was not used to as a kid, was a shock. I’d love to stop on the trail and watch birds other than pigeons in their natural habitat. Tommy Thompson is where I saw my first snail, owl, and different species of spiders, and trust me, I know these aren't the most exotic animals you could see, but going from pigeons and raccoons to this was insane as a kid. When COVID hit, I’d go biking here with my friends as this was our way of seeing each other while practicing social distancing, and those memories we made are something I cherish dearly. This past summer was the first time I had gone biking with my friends at Tommy Thompson since the lockdown and being hit with all those old memories was such a bittersweet moment. It felt like a full-circle moment, and it just so happened that I had seen one of the cutest little snails that was the same species as one of the first snails I saw at this park. I’m so grateful for living in Toronto since I feel the lack of nature I saw as a kid made me grow a profound appreciation for nature and understand the importance of preserving what we have.

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Hi, I really enjoyed your blog post! I had a very similar experience to your connection with Tommy Thompson Park, except my "quiet" place was my family's cottage. The difference in sound, or more like the lack thereof, is really remarkable and something you don't really notice until you've left the sound. I've noticed that after doing fieldwork in remote areas for long periods of time, coming back to the city is very overwhelming, everything feels very loud and very bright in comparison. I personally have never visited Tommy Thompson Park, but it is a huge birding hotspot in Toronto and I have heard very positive things from there. My aunt and uncle live near there, and I hope one day I will get the chance to visit and appreciate it for myself! Your perspective for appreciating growing up in a city because it now makes you appreciate nature more is very refreshing and I had never considered that before! I’m very glad that despite living in the city, people are able to access green spaces to connect with nature and find some of that “quiet” reprieve from the loud city life. PS that is an adorable snail photo, I love the perspective!

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Week 5

Five-lined Skink and Spotted Salamander!

Well, since this week’s prompt is completely open-ended, I’m going to write about salamanders, simply because I found a couple this evening. In Ontario, we have many different species of salamander, with the most common being the Eastern Red-backed Salamander. These salamanders are relatively easy to find, inhabiting forests and often resting under logs and rocks in damp areas. These salamanders can be a good tool for nature interpretation, because of their ubiquitous nature and the fact that they are easy to find and can be handled safely with some precautions. It is best practice to handle them only with silicone gloves or after you have dampened your hands, since many species of salamanders breathe through their skin and are very sensitive to oils, and any creams, sunscreen, bug spray etc. that may be on your skin! It is best practice to place the salamanders back in the spot where you found them, gently replacing the log or rock that they were under so as to not disturb their habitat. Finding salamanders can be exciting for kids, since it is an easy way for them to engage in wildlife up-close and personal, as long as they are aware of the precautions and ethical considerations regarding handling and manipulation of their habitat.

There are 11 species of salamanders in Ontario, the Allegheny mountain dusky salamander, the Blue-spotted salamander, the Eastern newt, Eastern red-backed salamander, Four-toed salamander, Jefferson salamander, Mudpuppy, Northern dusky salamander, Northern two-lined salamander, Small-mouthed salamander, Spotted salamander, plus a unisexual complex of Ambystoma. There is also one lizard species in Ontario, the Common five-lined skink.

The best time to find salamanders is generally in the spring when they are migrating from their hibernation areas to their vernal pools, which they return to every year to spawn in large groups. Near my hometown, a certain road is closed for a month every spring to allow an endangered species of salamander to spawn. This species is larger than the Red-backed and are called the Jefferson’s Salamander. The unisexual complex of Ambystoma relies on Jefferson’s Salamanders for sperm donation to continue reproducing. In this case the sperm is not incorporated to create a zygote, but instead is used to further develop the eggs. In the spring, salamanders can be found on roads while they are migrating, making them vulnerable to vehicle collisions. This is why protecting habitat of endangered salamander species is especially important. Using resources such as iNaturalist can be helpful in finding salamanders near you. INaturalist allows citizen scientists to submit their observations of any living things, and others can comment if they agree or disagree with the original identification and suggest their own identifications. It is a very useful tool for range data collection, as well as a way for people to share their observations and discoveries with the world. I would probably make a point of introducing and using iNaturalist as a tool during nature interpretation walks, because of its value for submitting data and also its use as a resource for researching species near you. 

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Unit 4 Blog Post

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

Art has always held a special place in my heart, whether it is painting, photography, drawing, or just going to museums to see what others have created. When considering nature interpretation, it is very clear to me that the two go hand-in-hand. Nature and art are the same thing. This is obvious to me when I see my friends' Instagram stories flooded with pictures of a pretty sunset, or when I stop to take pictures of cool mushrooms I see while on a walk. It is very easy to interpret nature through art because they are synonymous. As a nature interpreter I am able to describe the beauty of nature while out in the field, but also by analyzing depictions of nature in art. Being able to convey what an art piece is telling us about nature we are able to interpret nature to its fullest extent. 

In my free time I enjoy going to parks near my house and painting what I see. I believe that this is a very important way of interpreting nature as you are capturing it through your perspective. As we know, art is subjective. Due to this everyone identifies with it differently. By painting, photographing, or drawing nature we are able to share how we see it and share our interpretations when words may fail. 

My interpretations of nature through paintings I have done

Personal interpretations of nature through art have existed for centuries with many of the “most famous” paintings of all time being depictions of nature (like Monet’s Water Lilies). The Group of Seven have also created many paintings that portray the beauty of nature as discussed in this week's unit. Through their art, the members of this group were able to capture the beauty of Canadian landscapes to share with the world. Their paintings convey the stillness of lakes, blowing winds, and colours of fall among other things. Each one is a snippet of the environment Canada has to offer and their work is a very prominent part of Canadian heritage. Growing up I remember taking countless field trips to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection gallery with my school. I remember myself and my classmates being astonished by the feelings that these paintings evoked, and even taking time to draw our versions of some of them. By observing these pieces of art and creating our own based off of them, we were able to experience scenery that some of us had never seen before. We were able to get a sense of what it was like to be there without ever leaving the walls of the gallery. 

Harris, H. S. (1928) Lake and Mountains [Painting]. I remember recreating this painting specifically

In regards to the “gift of beauty”, I believe that it is hidden (or not so hidden) in nature. We can see the visual appeal of a pretty flower or fall leaves in a forest, but we can also feel it. The beauty of nature comes with emotions; when we imagine a still lake it brings calmness, and when we think of a bright summer day it brings joy. The gift of beauty in nature is the escape that it offers, not just the pretty colours and cute fuzzy animals. By interpreting nature through art we are able to capture that gift and save it for future generations to see, just like the Group of Seven did.

A picture I took in Australia that encompasses the gift of beauty for me

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Hi there! I really enjoyed reading your blog post. What really stuck with me is how you mentioned that art and nature are really one entity instead of two separate ones. This is an amazing point that I just glazed over without realizing, and I think a lot of others do as well. But when you take a step back to consider, really every bit of art we create is connected to nature in some way, shape or form, because our whole lives are connected to nature, at the very root of things. Take even a portrait of someone, although seemingly the art isn’t “nature”, humans are actually a part of nature – the canvas is made of wood which came from a tree and an environment, the paints were made from materials from nature, and it goes on. It really brings us back to realize that we are one with nature and our environment, despite how segregated it can get in our modern world. 

I love your paintings, they are incredible! I love how well you really captured each scene, from the details of the shadows and patches of light in the forest, to the sun hitting certain surfaces of rocks in the stream. Just like the Group of Seven, you were able to depict a scene for what it is while also incorporating your own perspective. I felt like I was able to imagine the environment and setting from a first-person view as you sat and painted it. This is also due to your detailed description of why and how you complete these paintings and what they mean to you, which is such a valuable thing to share to really connect with your audience, and ultimately be successful in your nature interpretation.

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Week 4

Who are you to interpret nature through art? How do you interpret “the gift of beauty”?

There are countless ways for one to interpret nature through art, considering that art can take a multitude of forms. Personally, the way I most commonly interpret nature through art is with wildlife photography. I have been fortunate enough to have access to cameras throughout most of my life, and now own and use one for myself. Ever since I was a toddler, I was using my mum’s disposable camera, or a little later, video camera, to photograph and film the things I found in nature. This was a way for me to document and save my findings, and then share them with others later on. Throughout the past four years I have been refining both my photographic (art) and naturalist/birding skills, by talking with those who are more experienced than me and learning on my own by trial and error. I began posting my photographs along with a long caption describing the story of how I got the photo, relating it back to some previous life experience or linking an interesting piece of natural history or even bringing in scientific discussion. Writing these captions started to become one of my favourite parts of the process, and one of the most important too, from an interpretation perspective.

Here, a photo I took in Alberta of a Great-horned Owl hunting from the understory in a campground.

But the question stands, who am I to interpret nature through art, and how does one interpret such a huge aspect of our life here? Personally, I don’t believe there are any strictly “wrong” ways to interpret nature through art, as you are going to be capturing it from the perspective that you view it, which will encompass your energy and feelings towards the natural world, especially if you write about your experience capturing the photograph. Art is inherently subjective, that is what it is supposed to be. In terms of nature art, it is a reflection both on the artist’s vision and the scene/nature encounter itself, so there are many ways to view and reflect on a piece of nature art. I have also created some nature “art” in the traditional sense – bird drawings both on paper and with digital art programs. I have had the opportunity to create designs for multiple nature engagement/interpretation programs, two for the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory, one for their young birders camp and one for their interpretive owl banding events, and a third one for an birder event called Purple Palooza. These logos that depict birds in their environments act as a sort of call sign to attract people to interpretive events where they can continue their nature education journey. I always try to incorporate at least some of the bird’s environment, or an aspect of the scene in these logos, to give it a bigger sense and meaning as opposed to simply one part of the environment existing. 

One thing I would like to get into once I have the time and energy for it, is nature journaling. This seems like a very therapeutic and reflective activity, that you can do with a group or on your own, while enjoying nature and homing in on your art and journaling skills. Sharing the art of nature journaling with others is in turn, practicing nature interpretation. All in all, art is a very important aspect of my life, it is much different to a lot of the more STEM based activities that the rest of my life comprises, and helps me to find balance.

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Unit 3 Blog

I would define ‘privilege’ as a term synonymous with ‘opportunity’. When it comes to nature interpretation, privilege is an important consideration for both interpreters and visitors. There are numerous factors that influence visitor privilege, which in this case is the opportunity to attend interpretive programs or experience the beauty and history of a natural site. Privilege can relate to geographical location; that is, people who live closer to a site have a better opportunity to experience it. Privilege can be affected by physical movement (e.g., unable to walk) or comprehensive ability (impaired senses, mental illness, and age/maturity). It can also relate to economic factors, as many are unable to afford proper transportation, admission fees or internet access to discover and attend interpretive programs. Cultural barriers, timing barriers, and barriers related to comfort are also major considerations that affect opportunity and privilege for visitors. It's very important that interpreters treat all visitors with the same amount of kindness and patience, and tailor experiences to commonalities and shared interests between people rather than differences between them. Privilege is often out of our control, and as interpreters the best thing we can do is ensure that programs and sites are as accessible as possible for visitors. For example, online interpretive programs (such as information sessions via Zoom or recorded sessions via YouTube) have been extremely helpful ways to cross the geographical barrier and allow a larger demographic of visitors the privilege of attending an interpretive workshop or program. This was especially important during lockdown procedures at the beginning of the pandemic, when we were unable to gather for in-person walks or tours.

I think the concept of privilege should also be acknowledged and accepted by the visitors as much as the interpreter. We often take experiences like these for granted, forgetting that they are unique opportunities to form meaningful connections with people and nature. As visitors, there are ways we can forward our appreciation for the privilege we have by sharing our experiences with others who can’t share them with us. Interpretive experiences that allow photography or videography allow visitors to capture memorable moments and share positive experiences online, which may inspire others to attend. Over the last few years, I have attended many online workshops that I would never have known about if not for recommendations or word spread from others.

As aspiring nature interpreters, I think it’s extremely important that we take opportunity and privilege into account when building connections with our audience and guiding them through an interpretive experience. Without the privilege of experiencing nature in the way I did throughout my upbringing, I may never have explored this path or even taken this course! Looking forward into the future, it is clear that barriers to privilege will continue to grow as the natural world is threatened by human impact and the rise of global climate change. We need to do all we can to ensure that future generations of interpreters and visitors are able to develop the same connections and appreciate the same experiences as us.

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Hello! I really enjoyed reading your post, right off the bat I resonated with how you compared the synonymity of privilege and opportunity. Catering to an individual visitor’s needs and recognizing our and their own privileges is definitely essential to becoming a good interpreter. I liked your note about visitors being able to capture memorable photographs and videos from their nature interpretation experiences, so that they may relay these to their friends and family, prompting curiosity in even more people and hopefully getting them inspired to learn more about the natural world. I think our connections are also a result of privilege, but the more we share with one another and create connections with various people, the more “even” the playing board becomes. Your point about climate change accelerating privilege barriers made me pause to reflect on the past and current status of our world, the natural environment, and privilege. Although the privilege gap is perhaps decreasing with time, so is access to nature and wildlife. However, I am hopeful that since the field of conservation is becoming relatively popular, that nature interpretation will continue to expand and grow, allowing more people, regardless of their privilege, to have an opportunity to be curious about and connect with nature. I think the bottom line is that we all have to work together to continue reducing barriers for people to interact in a positive way with their environments!

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Week 3 Blog

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

In my experience, I have found privilege to be mainly attributed to one’s conditions during their upbringing, or in other words, how they experienced their childhood. I have been privileged enough to grow up in a stable household with a large extended family. I had access to a large yard with exposure to nature, parents who would bring me to conservations areas and parks because they knew from their parents that nature was beneficial to one’s growth and development. I was privileged enough to have access to my parent’s cottage, with 10 acres of forest for me to explore my curiosity and foster my passion for the natural world. 

As I got older and started to understand the power of privilege, I felt a need to share these experiences, whether it be by bringing my friends to my family’s cottage and taking them on guided walks through our forested property, or simply pointing out interesting sightings to friends and family who have not had an opportunity to explore that curiosity yet – an Eastern Phoebe nesting on the side of the cottage, a Grey Treefrog tucked into the bark of a tree, Spotted Jewelweed growing in a ditch beside the driveway. Being able to share the things I am curious about is one of my favourite things - it can have a chain reaction of positive events and is so simple to achieve. This mindset of prompting curiosity and growth in ourselves and in our peers I believe is extremely important in order to become not just a good nature interpreter, but the best version of ourselves. 

Without having the privilege I was very fortunate to be born into, I am very confident that I would not be fascinated with the natural world in the same way that I am today. Giving children an opportunity to interact with nature and foster their curiosity is one of the ultimate privileges. I am very grateful to have a very large variety of connections and meaningful mentors that have been created, ultimately, by my upbringing. My parents helped me to learn how to make valuable connections which has aided tremendously in my career and personal life. I am also fortunate that I have had a lot of female mentors in this field, as this definitely wasn’t the case even twenty years ago. This shift in gender composition in the field of wildlife and conservation is fairly recent and ongoing, but because it is happening actively, I feel more comfortable in that space and role. In that sense, we are privileged on a temporal scale, in that we are living in a time when there is more gender and racial equality than in the past. I am forever thankful for the privilege I have been exposed to because it has allowed me to find my “calling” relatively easily, and it awarded me the tools I needed in order to share this with others and succeed in this field.

Here, an Eastern Milkshake I showed to some curious kids at my job last summer working at Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory.

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Week 2 Blog

In my ideal role as an environmental interpreter, I envision working at the intersection of climate change awareness and nature conservation. This role would be rooted in both education and action, where I could engage diverse audiences to help them understand the impact of climate change on natural ecosystems and empower them to take part in solutions. I see myself working in a national park, conservation area, or community-based organization that focuses on environmental stewardship.

One of the main aspects of this role would be to create experiences that connect people with the natural world in a meaningful way. I would aim to communicate the urgency of climate action, but in a way that fosters hope rather than fear. This is where interpretive skills come into play! being able to engage my audience emotionally and intellectually by weaving together facts and stories that resonate with them. For example, while leading a hike, I could discuss how rising temperatures are affecting plant and animal species in the area, highlighting real-life examples of resilience and adaptation. By sharing stories of ecosystems adapting to climate change, I would aim to foster a deeper connection between visitors and the environment, motivating them to protect it.

A key concept from the course that I would apply in this role is the importance of understanding different learning styles. As discussed in the lesson, learners can be auditory, visual, or tactile/kinaesthetic, and it’s crucial to adapt my interpretive methods accordingly. Some visitors may prefer hands-on activities, such as planting trees or participating in citizen science projects, where they can actively contribute to conservation efforts. Others may benefit from visual aids, like charts or infographics, that explain complex climate data in an easy-to-understand format. Meanwhile, auditory learners might be engaged through storytelling or podcasts, a format that allows for deeper reflection on environmental issues. My goal would be to cater to all these learning styles to ensure that my message reaches as many people as possible.

Moreover, the role would require strong communication and storytelling skills. As an interpreter, I would need to be able to clearly explain scientific concepts while making them accessible to a general audience. This involves more than just presenting facts, it’s about creating a narrative that connects people to the environment in a personal way. For instance, I could draw on my own experiences growing up by the Mediterranean Sea and later in Canada, sharing how nature has shaped my life and why its protection matters to me. Personal stories often resonate with audiences, helping them see the human side of environmental issues. I would also need to be adaptable by tailoring my approach to different audiences, whether children on a field trip or adults in a workshop, to keep them engaged and ensure they have a meaningful experience.

Ultimately, my ideal role as an environmental interpreter would combine my passion for nature and climate change action with a deep commitment to educating and inspiring others. By creating experiences that are both informative and emotionally resonant, I hope to help foster a generation of environmental stewards who will take action to protect the planet!

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Hello! I really enjoyed reading your blog post and a lot of my opinions on interpretation seemed to be aligned with yours. I really resonated with the idea of sparking hope for others instead of fear - I think this is especially important to encourage people to make changes and advocate for change in their own lives. I think there is a very fine balance between fostering hope while also being true to some of the harsh realities that our world entails at the moment, but finding that fine line and relaying it to others is so very important. I think being able to cater to all the different learning styles is an amazing skill, it takes practice but it is very rewarding for both yourself and the learners you are teaching once you get it right. I had an opportunity to practice nature interpretation through bird banding demonstrations for my job last summer, and throughout my time doing this I developed new strategies that I would use to help relay information to people depending on their learning styles. Drawing on your own experiences and storytelling is for sure super important for people to make connections to the content, and I found when I did that, members of the public were always more engaged and willing to continue the conversation.