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DISCLAIMER
This blog was created for Simreen Kaur (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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Final Thoughts...
My relationship with nature has always felt very personal to me, but through this class, I feel like I have more appreciation for it. As I develop as a nature interpreter, I’ve recognized that my responsibility expands beyond just appreciating nature around me. I need to play a key role in protecting it, educating others about it, and ensuring that future generations get to see the same beautiful world that I grew up to see. I believe that my personal ethic as an interpreter is rooted in my belief that nature is not just a resource to be used, but a relationship to be protected. The food we eat, the land we walk on, and the landscapes that surround us, are all luxuries that we have to respect and protect.
WHO, states that “Climate change is impacting human lives and health in a variety of ways. It threatens the essential ingredients of good health – clean air, safe drinking water, nutritious food supply, and safe shelter – and has the potential to undermine decades of progress in global health.” (WHO, 2019)
The evidence is clear that climate change is already having a serious impact on human lives and health. It threatens the essential ingredien
Unfortunately, the land and environmental spaces that I love may not be there forever. I have always felt piece in certain parts of nature, like spending summers at my family’s cottage or sitting by a fire on a fall night. But as I’ve grown older and learned more about environmental issues, I’ve realized that this connection comes with responsibility. Climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction are threatening ecosystems across the world, and it’s up to us to take action. (WWL, 2025) The world needs us to advocate for climate change initiatives, reduce our carbon emissions, and help educate people on this pressing issue. (WWL, 2025)
Personally, the top 2 places that I need to see in my life are the city of Venice and the Great Barrier Reef. I don’t just want to see pictures online, I want to see them with my own eyes, and I want others to have that opportunity too. Venice's unique architecture and cultural heritage are increasingly endangered by rising sea levels. (Zanchettin et al., 2021) In the past 150 years, the city has experienced major rising sea levels that have caused vertical land movement, aswell as contributing to global sea levels rising. (Zanchettin et al., 2021) The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system, is severely affected by rising sea temperatures. (Hughes, 2018) This led to unprecedented marine heatwaves which heavily impacted the coral reef’s health due to coral bleaching. (Hughes, 2018) If we don’t act now, these landmarks could become nothing more than stories of what once was. As an interpreter, I see it as my role to raise awareness about these threats and encourage people to take action.
Venice flooding is nothing new, take a look at this video from 1939:
For more information about the Great Barrier Reef and coral bleaching, please check out this video:
One of the biggest responsibilities I feel as a nature interpreter is ensuring that future generations have the same opportunities to connect with and learn from the environment. I often think about my future grandchildren. What kind of world will they inherit? Will they see Venice and the Great Barriers or will they no longer exist? Will they get to see a healthy-looking environment or animals in their natural habitats?
This course has shown me that interpretation isn’t just about relaying information, but it’s about inspiring connection and action. People are more likely to care about protecting the environment when they feel personally connected to it. That’s why my approach to interpretation will always be about storytelling. Whether it’s through writing, speaking, or interactive experiences, I want to help people see the emotional and cultural significance of the natural world.
In Chapter 4 of our textbook, “Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World”, there is a quote referenced that reads, “the pen being mightier than the swords”. (Beck et al., 2018) This quote highlights the importance of writing in nature interpretation. Linking this quote back to our class, I think that interpretive writing has allowed me to learn more about the world from researching and reading my peer's blog posts each week. In all honesty, I am a NANS student and don’t usually fill up my class schedule with environmental science classes. I needed an elective and I thought, meh why not? However, I see that interpretation is about so much more than just science, it’s about people, culture, and the future of our world.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that nature is not just something to admire, it’s something to fight for. Whether it’s through small daily choices, advocacy, or education, I want to use my voice to ensure that the landscapes, landmarks, and ecosystems I cherish will still be here for future generations. I don’t just want to learn about nature, I want to be part of the reason it’s still here.
I wanted to end this off by showing a very cute picture of my puppy being the captain of our boat! He loves nature too and if he could I'm sure he would want to protect his playground.
I really enjoyed reading everyone's posts this semester and getting to know all of you. I can say I definitely see nature in a new light these days!
References:
Beck, L., Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For a Better World.
Hughes, L., Dean, A., Steffen, W., & Rice, M. (2018). Lethal consequences: Climate change impacts on the Great Barrier Reef. Climate Council. https://apo.org.au/sites/default/files/resource-files/2018-07/apo-nid181286.pdf
World Health Organization: WHO. (2019, August 9). Climate change. https://www.who.int/health-topics/climate-change#tab=tab_1
WorldWildLife. (2025). https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/effects-of-climate-change
Zanchettin, D., Bruni, S., Raicich, F., Lionello, P., Adloff, F., Androsov, A., Antonioli, F., Artale, V., Carminati, E., Ferrarin, C., Fofonova, V., Nicholls, R. J., Rubinetti, S., Rubino, A., Sannino, G., Spada, G., Thiéblemont, R., Tsimplis, M., Umgiesser, G., . . . Zerbini, S. (2021). Sea-level rise in Venice: historic and future trends (review article). Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 21(8), 2643–2678. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-21-2643-2021
Hello Ashley! It was very nice and refreshing going through your blog. As we are in this final stretch of sharing our thoughts about our own sense of understanding nature intepretation, your blog very beautifully and engagingly made me realize that a person's responsibility of being a nature interpreter goes beyond appreciating it. While we dont hesitate to appreciate the beauty nature hold, it is our utmost responsibility to protect it and advocate for it when needed.
While this was one understanding that i gained from your blog, i would also like to add the fact that your point about storytelling as a means to inspire action took a deep place for understanding in my mind. I remember mentioning in one of my blogs how in Unit 2 we learned and paid attention to the fact how people engage in different learning styles, some are auditory learners, others are visual, and some are kinesthetic. By recognizing these different learning styles, we can tailor our interpretation to better engage diverse audiences.
As mentioned in one of the researches, involving multiple senses in learning deepens understanding and retention (Fleming, 2001). Ans last but not the least, your mention of Venice and the Great Barrier Reef as places you wish to see one day, personally highlights the urgency of protecting these beautiful places. It’s a reminder that climate change isn’t just a theoretical concern, it is an immediate threat to the landscapes we love and want future generations to experience.
Thanks!
References:
Fleming, N.D. (2001) Teaching and Learning Styles: VARK Strategies. Neil Fleming, Christchurch.
Unit 10 - Final Blog Post
Prompt: Describe your ethics 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?
Introduction
As this is mine and our class's final blog post week, I would like to start by saying I've learned so much through not only the course but all of my peers! Reading the weekly blogs was so fun and presented a different way of learning new things, especially with the freedom of the prompts it was always so fascinating to see what directions people took it in. That being said let’s get into this week's prompt!
My Ethics
When starting this course, I was not sure what kind of interpreter I wanted to be or what that truly meant. However, now I can confidently say I'm starting to find my way in this new skill of environmental interpretation, learning as I go, of course! I find ethics such a complex and interesting topic as comes from a philosophy minor it is something often discussed. What I believe is important and what I bring to interpretation is trying to open our eyes past what we are currently seeing in the media and focus on our planet! The current political state of North America is very messy, and with a potential upcoming spring federal election for Canada approaching it is now time to speak up about our climate goals. The Green Party in Canada only holds two seats, one in BC and one here in Ontario. Smaller parties are often overshadowed and with everything currently happening… who is surprised? That is why I think we as interpreters need to ensure to represent the overshadowed topics and unrepresented parties who stand with the environment because it often feels like these topics are left in the rearview mirror.
*Feel free to read up about what the Green Party supports!
Plans – Green Party Of Canada
In Chapter 5 of the textbook, there is a section called “promoting perception”. In this section, they discuss how in the end interpreters are helping people perceive the world that surrounds them more realistically and truthfully (Beck, Cable and Knudson, 2018). This relates to my ethics well because I believe so strongly we are often taking nature for granted due to the lack of discussion surrounding important environmental topics.
TED Talk
Bjorn Lomborg: Global priorities bigger than climate change | TED Talk
This TED Talk is titled “Global Priorities Bigger than Climate Change”, the video is about 17 minutes but it is just a good way to show, and help understand how complicated decision-making is and just shows how complex ethics is because we all may have different ‘priorities’. The overall point of the talk is to show how much goes into decision-making and outweighs the pros and cons. People do not know this, and it allows for a false understanding of how the world truly runs. If you have time, I suggest watching it because it presents a transparent and honest message of some of the hard realities.
*Also an interesting note on the video is it was made in 2005, but even 20 years later now in 2025 the same ideas still apply and we still see this in our everyday world.
My approaches
Chousing just a certain number of approaches can be so difficult because as we have seen all semester throughout the course the multiple different ways we can interpret nature! However, I find education a great way to share my interpretations of nature with others. Education feels most effective to me as it can be modified to best suit different age levels, understanding levels and so much more. Another important factor of education that must not be forgotten is the accessibility of this education; therefore education should not be limited to school settings, bringing it into public settings such as library programs, summer camps, television segments, and books/ cartoons… the possibilities are endless. My approaches need to be something that can be shared, I want to ensure messages stick and people keep talking about what I must say/show/interpret/promote… which leads us into responsibilities.
My responsibilities
As an interpreter what makes me feel good or makes me feel like I did my part is when I feel I have truly spread a message. I feel as a nature interpreter it is one point to ensure they understand the message you are sharing but it is another thing to see they are promoting/sharing your message! I want to see that the topic stuck around in their minds, I want to see them share with friends and family. Most importantly I want to open as many eyes as I can to a bigger picture. I feel it is the responsibility of nature interpreters to help people take a step back and allow the world to care about nature as we do! We also have a responsibility to guide upcoming generations, to ensure that nature interpretation never ends. Assuring we remember to accommodate towards the different abilities and comforts of the groups we are guiding, it is important to remember you are responsible for how the message comes across, I know I need to make sure things sound as they should!
Conclusion
Overall, there is still a lot for me to learn as an interpreter, but I believe we all bring something different to the table and that is important and necessary. Sharing our ethics and skills we bring can bring like-minded people together and help further connections and friendships. I hope we all continue our interpretation skills in the future! I hope to see real change for our planet!
References:
Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D.M. (2018) Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For a Better World. SAGAMORE Publishing, Sagamore Venture.
Lomborg, B. (2005). Global priorities are bigger than climate change. Bjorn Lomborg: Global priorities bigger than climate change | TED Talk. https://www.ted.com/talks/bjorn_lomborg_global_priorities_bigger_than_climate_change?referrer=playlist-the_big_picture&autoplay=true
Our plan. Green Party Of Canada. (n.d.). https://www.greenparty.ca/en/our-plan
Party standings in the House of Commons - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada. (n.d.). https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/party-standings?view=chart
I really enjoyed reading your post! It made me think so much about my own journey towards being a nature interpreter and throughout this course. Looking back on this course, I realize how much my perspective on nature has changed and evolved. At first, all I did was just look at it when I had to. Like completing assignments, making observations, and analyzing patterns. But as the weeks went by, I found myself paying closer attention often sitting and thinking why certain things in nature exist, what small changes in nature might mean, and how everything is connected in ways I hadn’t considered before. It reminded me of my own journey throughout this course, much like what I reflected on in my final blog.
For me, one of the most engaging lessons was from Unit 7, where we explored music as a form of nature interpretation. The idea of using sound to bridge the gap between people and wildlife fascinated me. Ben Mirin’s work as a “wildlife DJ,” blending bird calls into beatboxing, was a perfect example of how creativity can make nature feel more accessible. It somewhere made me think that nature intepretation is not just about stating facts and sharing stories, it’s about making people feel connected in ways that somehow relate with them.
Whether it’s through storytelling, music, or hands-on experiences, I’ve learned that the best way to inspire others is to help them form their own personal connections.
Ultimately, this course has taught me that nature interpretation isn’t just about knowledge, it’s about making people care. And that, I believe, is what truly makes a difference.
Final Blog: A Journey from Curiosity to Responsibility
When I look back at this course, one thing that I realize is that how much discourse has shaped the way I see the world around me now. I know I have mentioned it multiple times but when I first moved from Delhi to Guelph, I could never imagine that something as simple as watching a rainbow or observing squirrels for the sake of an assignment woods park this deep of a curiosity about nature in me. Yes, it's true that golf felt very different from where I used to live. It was not a mega city, but it was quieter, greener, and full of life in its own way. And somewhere along the way, going on field trips, visiting Arboretum for assignments, sitting near Guelph Lake just to refresh and relax, I found myself growing and connecting more to the natural world.
And now writing this final blog is making me reflect on the past eight semesters of my undergrad journey. Yes, this is my last semester, but I am so grateful for the way this course has changed my perspective towards nature. I no longer just look at it, I try to truly see through it. I try my best to understand the reason behind certain patterns, all behaviors and little changes happening around us. However, one particular lesson that I would really like to talk about here is something that stuck with me when I was going through unit 2 of this course. In that particular unit we explore different learning styles and to be very honest, in the beginning it just felt like a simple concept, something that I had always known about but never really thought about in depth. But when I paused and thought about it, I remember that exact moment of awe I was stuck in. People absorb information in different ways. The unit told me that some learn best by listening and are called auditory learners while others by seeing- visual learners and last but not the least some learn through hands on experience which were called tactile or kinesthetic learners. That realization hit me really hard. And one thing that I understood that day was that if I want to be an effective nature interpreter, I cannot just rely on one method of communication. What I truly need to do is to understand all learning styles and make sure that nature is not just accessible but engaging for everyone.
About my personal ethics I would say that as I find myself growing into the role of nature interpreter, the direction of my beliefs and the values that I have learned is becoming clearer with time. I have always been a curious person, and I realize that curiosity is the foundation of everything. We all know that nature is full of mysteries, and I never want to lose the excitement of asking, “Why?’ I think it is my curiosity that makes me feel excited about learning the different phenomenons that environment goes through from time to time. Two more things that I believe are just as important for a nature interpreter are a sense of respect and responsibility that ties everything together. Nature is not something that we just study, it is something that we are also a part of and respecting the boundaries and limitations of nature while holding the responsibility of maintaining them is very important. Because the truth of the story is that no matter how much we try to ignore or address this fact, nature is not permanent. It is changing and shifting and sometimes in ways vegan barely notice but sometimes in ways that are just very impossible to ignore.
I never had those belief that nature was something constant but I won't shy away from saying that I did not care enough to pay much attention towards the little changes that are coming on the way. And now that I understand the fragility of nature, it makes me care about the environmental changes going around us and makes me unaware citizen at the same time.
There are many facts that have drawn my immediate attention, and I would like to make everyone's aware of them as well. As per Nature Canada, Canada’s wildlife has been declining at an alarming rate and in the past 50 years the populations of woodland Caribou have dropped nearly by 60% whereas mammal populations have already decreased by almost half (Nature Canada, 2022). I would not go very far and talk about the province that homes our university, Ontario, has also lost approximately 38,000 hectares of forest between 2008 and 2018, and if you think about it that area is nearly half the size of New York City (Great Lakes Now, 2022).
I know that these stats are overwhelming but at the same time one thing that they make very clear is the fact that we cannot just be passive observers anymore. Every little choice that we make in the way we use our resources impacts on the environment and has its own benefits and consequences. It might sound very classic, but it is true that if nature is changing, we as humans need to change as well.
Nature interpretation, to me, isn’t just about facts, it’s about stories, feelings, and connections. People might hear statistics about climate change or pollinators disappearing and move on. But when you tell them a single honeybee makes just 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime, suddenly, it hits differently. It feels real.
I’ve also learned that hands-on experiences matter. Describing a tree’s texture is one thing, but asking someone to close their eyes and feel the rough bark of an oak or the smooth birch makes it unforgettable.
This course changed the way I see the world. Nature isn’t just “out there”, it’s in the little things we experience every day. And I want to help others see that, too.
References:
Conservation Ontario. (2025). Climate change. https://conservationontario.ca/policy-priorities/climate-change
Great Lakes Now. (2022, May 20). The report on Ontario's natural resources the government didn't want you to see. https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/report-ontario-natural-resources/
Nature Canada. (2022, November 24). Auditor General: “Biodiversity loss has reached crisis proportions”. https://naturecanada.ca/news/blog/auditor-general-biodiversity-loss-has-reached-crisis-proportions-national-and-international-responses-needed/
Week 9 post
Unit 9: Sense-Making of Nature Interpretation
Prompt: The most amazing thing you know about nature!
Personally, I don’t have any fun facts when it comes to Nature, I always wished I was better at things like that! BUT for me, the most amazing thing about nature is its interconnectedness! Everything is connected in some way, shape, or form, every ecosystem relies upon one another, as well as the species those ecosystems contain. We overlook how cool that really is because the world of nature has balance, and we must remember that it needs to be preserved! We rely on nature’s feedback loops every day, yet we hardly notice them.
Let’s walk through it:
Imagine you are walking through a dense forest. The first thing you might notice is the tall tress or the immediate noises you hear, such as the chirping birds and small forest animals. However, just bellow your feet lies an invisible active network at work, a complex and intricate system of relationships and feedback loops that keep nature in balance. From the even smallest bacteria in the soil that can only be seen under a microscope to the largest animal at the top of the food chain, everything in nature is connected in more ways than we often realize. These connections help shape the world around us, and because they are so constant and reliable, we often don’t think twice about protecting, observing, or focusing our time towards helping keep this balance that nature needs.
Now, looking closer into the connection:
Example of a single tree: A single tree alone can already provide for multiple species and feedback systems. Starting at the base, we have its roots, which then form partnerships with fungi, which from there provide essential nutrients in exchange for sugars. At the other end of the tree, we have the leaves absorbing carbon dioxide and participating in photosynthesis. Regulate the climate. There are species using every aspect and element the tree has to offer: birds nest in its branches, while insects feed on its bark, creating a miniature world of interactions. Even at the end of their life, trees are still providing because they will eventually fall, fungi and microbes break it down, returning nutrients to the soil and fueling the next generation of growth. This cycle repeats endlessly with many different types of trees and species, feeding back into the system and ensuring the continuity and connectivity of life. But because these processes happen silently without being heightened by humans and without our intervention, we rarely stop to think about how fragile they are.
We must remember to not take anything for granted in the world of nature because you never know how that aspect may be tied to something bigger! Just remember there's always a bigger picture :) !
I love the way you described nature’s interconnectedness! It’s something we don’t always stop to think about, but when we do, it’s mind-blowing. The way everything in an ecosystem works together from the tiniest bacteria in the soil to the tallest trees is such a beautiful reminder of how balanced and self-sustaining nature really is. Your example of a single tree being its own little world is so powerful. It’s incredible how, even after it falls, it still continues to give back to the earth.
Reading your post made me think about rainbows in a whole new way. Just like ecosystems depend on invisible connections, rainbows are also the result of a hidden process—millions of raindrops acting as tiny prisms, bending and reflecting light in just the right way. It’s one of those things that happens so naturally, yet it’s so easy to take for granted. And just like the cycles of nature you mentioned, it’s all happening silently, without us even realizing it.
I completely agree that we need to appreciate these things more. Whether it’s a tree quietly supporting life or a rainbow forming under perfect conditions, nature has this way of creating beauty through balance. Your post is such a great reminder that everything is connected, and if we take a moment to notice, we’ll see just how much wonder is hidden in plain sight.
Blog Post Week 9
There’s something about rainbows that always stops me in my tracks. No matter how many times I see one, it feels like a little moment of magic, a reminder that the world still holds surprises. Living in Guelph, I get to witness them quite often, and every time I do, it lifts my mood instantly. The colors are always so crisp, probably because there’s hardly any pollution here to dull their brilliance. It’s like nature’s own little celebration after the rain.
I used to think rainbows were just there, appearing out of nowhere after a storm. But when I started learning about physics, I realized they’re the result of something even cooler—countless raindrops acting as tiny prisms, bending and splitting light into the entire spectrum of colors. Once I understood this, rainbows became even more fascinating to me.
Here’s how it works: sunlight, which we usually see as white, is actually made up of many different colors. When that light hits a raindrop, it slows down as it moves into the water. This change in speed causes it to bend, or refract. Inside the droplet, the light bounces off the inner surface and bends again as it exits. But—and this is the part that really blew my mind—not all colors bend the same way. Red light bends the least, while violet bends the most. That’s how the colors get separated, forming the stunning arc we see in the sky.
Now, imagine millions of raindrops floating in the air, each one refracting and reflecting light in just the right way. But here’s the catch—only the light that bends at a specific angle actually reaches our eyes. That’s why we see a smooth, organized rainbow instead of a random mess of colors. And even crazier? No two people see the exact same rainbow. Oh my God! Since the light paths are slightly different depending on where you’re standing, your rainbow is unique to you.
Realizing all of this made me appreciate rainbows in a whole new way. Now, whenever I see one stretching across the sky, I don’t just think, “Oh, pretty!” I think about all the tiny raindrops working together, the sunlight traveling through space, and the perfect angles needed to create that fleeting moment of beauty. It’s a little reminder that science and nature aren’t separate things—they’re constantly working together to create moments of wonder.
So the next time you see a rainbow, take a second to really look at it. Think about all the pieces that had to come together to make it possible. And most importantly, just enjoy it. Because whether you understand the science behind it or not, a rainbow will always be one of the simplest, purest joys nature has to offer.
Music in the Air (Unit #7)
I remember when I first climbed a mountain. After 12 painstaking hours wondering when I would reach the end, I finally emerged through a cluster of bushes to see a wide open sky all around me. In the distance, other peaks stood stoically. The little details of thousands of trees, millions of leaves, painted the other mountains green. Small dots of clouds hovered in and around the peaks. A hawk flew by, swooping down and around, looking for something to eat.
When I looked out at the view and everything nature had created, I was awestruck. The beauty of nature and everything it had created was more apparent than ever, in that moment, and even as an observer, I felt that I was a part of it, a part of the interactions and connections and collaborations that made such a scene possible.
Years later, I went to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra to listen to Rachmaninoff’s Symphony 2. The rising swell of the melody, the background notes adding accents and emphasis, and the warmth of the chords that underpinned it all swept me off my feet in just the same way. I was in awe at the beautiful collaboration between individuals, coming together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. I felt honoured to be part of the experience as a listener.
It all started when student Serena Causton attended a Toronto Symphony Orchestra performance at Roy Thomson Hall by herself.
I speak more about this phenomenon in the Toronto Star article linked above.
Music and nature come together in that both express harmony, harmony in their togetherness. Their dependency on the other components of the system, interlocking with such complexity that they can never be unravelled, is what creates the beautiful whole.
“You think that because you understand “one” that you must therefore understand “two” because one and one make two. But you forget that you must also understand “and”. - Sufi teaching story (Meadows, 2008)
This principle of togetherness, discovered through music, has helped form human communities, as well (Sahi, 2011). Every human culture has music (Gray, 2001). One could say culture and music are inseparable; one cannot form without the other. Music helps us understand the "and" that connects us to others.
But music is not exclusive to humans; many other species sing, make sounds, and create harmony in nature through music. Whales, for example, use rhythms and phrases similar to those of human-created music (Gray, 2001). Birds, of course, sing to their partners, and even sometimes use tools like sticks to create music (Gray, 2001). Wolves howl to each other, in a tonal, eerie way that is quite musical.
As humans, we sometimes believe ourselves to be the inventors of natural phenomena simply because we don’t recognize its presence in other species. But this isn’t true. So where is music in nature? Music is nature. Music is a part of all of our natures, an intrinsic component of existing, not as an individual, but as species shaped and formed by millennia of natural processes that came before us. When we realize that and accept this, music becomes even more meaningful, even more important, because we know it is essential; it is as much a part of us and our survival as a species as eyes, as opposable thumbs. Music is as much a factor in our evolutionary success as anything else.
How does music impact your life? How does music bring you closer to others? Have you ever met a friend through a shared love of music? Go listen to your favourite song, and buy that concert ticket to see your favourite artist, or go to the symphony with a friend. Celebrate that music is essential! Celebrate that through celebrating and appreciating music, you are celebrating the survival and evolution of humanity!
References:
Gray, Patricia M., et al. "The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music." Science, vol. 291, no. 5501, 5 Jan. 2001, p. 52. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A69270354/AONE?u=guel77241&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=fb9366a8. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025. Meadows, D. H. (2008). Thinking in systems (Illustrated edition). Chelsea Green Publishing. Sahi, V. (2011). Using folk traditional music to communicate the sacredness of nature in Finland. Spiritual Values of Protected Areas of Europe [Workshop Proceedings #322]. , 129–132.
Not directly referenced but used to create an engaging blog post (advice: Don’t be boring). Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. SAGAMORE Publishing, Sagamore Venture.
Your experience of climbing a mountain and witnessing the vastness of nature resonates deeply with me. I could almost picture that moment when you finally broke through the trees and saw the vast landscape stretching out before you. There’s something about reaching a peak after hours of climbing that makes everything feel bigger, almosy making you feel like you’re a small piece of something grand, yet still deeply connected to it.
Beyond just the harmony in nature, I’ve always been fascinated by how sound itself plays a role in survival and connection. Did you know that even trees, in their own way, communicate through vibrations in their root systems. Sound in nature isn’t just about beauty; it’s a means of survival, a way of forming bonds, and a method of navigating the world.
To answer your question about the way music has impacted my life and if it has helped me come close to someone, I'd like to share my personal experience on music’s ability to bring people together. For my birthday, my best friend surprised me with tickets to a Maroon 5 concert, and we went together, completely lost in the energy of the crowd. That night, I never realized Payphone would become one of my favorite songs, not just because of the lyrics, but because of what it now represents. There’s a line in it that says, “But even the sun sets in paradise,” which has always stuck with me. It’s a bittersweet reminder that even the most perfect moments don’t last forever. But instead of feeling sad about it, I see it as a reason to appreciate those moments while they’re happening. Music, like nature, teaches us that nothing is permanent, and that’s exactly why we should cherish the connections and experiences it brings into our lives.
Unit 7: Music in Nature
Music and nature have always been connected to each other. Like I have mentioned before, growing up, my family often took me on trips to conservation areas, national parks, and the mountains and experiencing the rhythm of nature in those moments was a very special feeling. But it's not just about those trips. Even today, when I wake up in the morning and hear birds chirping outside my window or feel the gentle breath of fresh wind blowing past, I recognize nature’s music.
The sound of rustling of leaves when you walk on them, the peaceful movements of water of lake, the crackling of flames sitting round a bonfire, and the sound made my crickets are all the sound of nature itself. This is not something that a human can create, constantly reminding us that nature has its own music. This is something that cannot be created but only be admired by humans.
Nature doesn't just make music; it incorporates it into songs, piling up different elements of sound in a way that appears at once random and deliberate. Nature is full of sounds that are more than just beautiful. Even animals use sound to communicate and sometimes in many complex and exciting ways. For example wolves howl in order to locate their pack members at a distance, whereas birds use songs not just to find a mate but also to warn their fellow mates of predators lurking around. Even insects, like crickets produce rhythmic sounds on a warm summer night. And these are not just random meaningless sounds there is significance in all of these. They are not just noises but a language within themselves. And when you pay attention and take the time to listen to those sounds nature makes around you, you realize that we humans are also just another part of nature's grand composition.
Nature’s impact on sound is not just limited to communication and beauty. It is also based on the purpose of survival. Some animals use the power of these sound to hunt and fulfill their hunger, other use the same to protect themselves from being attacked by the predator. The harmony found in these natural soundscapes reflects a deep connection between life and rhythm, proving that music is not exclusive to humans but a shared experience across species.
The Song That Transports Me to Nature
One song that immediately brings nature to mind is Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles. It’s a song full of warmth, hope, and the feeling of stepping outside after a long winter to feel the first real rays of sunlight on your skin.
This song has a natural feeling of happiness to it, reminding us of the fact that no matter how dark the night is, the sun will always return in the morning and bring a new light of beginnings over the shadows of the night.
Music and nature are inseparable. Whether we find music within the world around us or we sense the resonances of nature in the sounds of living things, both of them remind us of the deep and unseeable connection that we share with the earth.
On the Meaning of Reading (Unit 6)
We read everyday. You’re reading this right now. This morning, you woke up, and read something on your phone, whether it was a text from a friend, a social media post, a news article, or something else. Then you went to school, where you read words on lecture slides or pages from a textbook.
Reading is everywhere, so much so that we don’t think about it. However, what surprised me when reading the textbook chapters was the level of effort and planning that goes into much of what we read. The rules, the indices, the carefully curated suggestions and step-by-step programs for effective writing. The realization that someone carefully considered and chose all those words I just read on a day-to-day basis without a second thought.
This revelation has me reconsidering my own writing. Leftridge (2006) makes the excellent point that ‘it’s good to have goals in your interpretive writing’. Having a clear, defined goal will make your writing impactful and help your story resonate with your audience.
I also found the tips from William Zinsser (2006), who advises writers to keep sentences short and simple, use positive phrases, be specific, use active voice, and generally just try to be as clear and concise as possible. Zinsser said, “The essence of writing is rewrit-ing”, and I believe these tips can be extremely helpful for writers in the editing stage. Initially, just write what you want to write. Then, revise it until you are confident your words say what you want to say. - Serena 2025
Overall, though, I think the most important advice given in Chapter 14 of Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage is Zinsser (2006)’s fundamental rule to be yourself when writing. Have the courage and confidence to be authentic. Expanding on this rule, Tilden states, “Whatever is written without enthusiasm, will be read without interest”. If you are true to yourself, you will write about what interests you, and that is your best bet at keeping your audience engaged. Authors have repeated variations of this sentiment through the years:
"You don't write because you want to say something; you write because you have something to say." - F. Scott Fitzgerald
If we consider writing as a record of human history, then authenticity becomes paramount. What are we recording if not the authentic voices of past people? What would we know about the tenacity of the human spirit, about love, about living, if great writers throughout time had not experienced these things and been brave enough to express themselves? To express oneself authentically is a form of integrity. As Edward Hyams said in Chapter 7 of The Gift of Interpretation, “There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity”.
Hymes goes on to describe integrity as a presentation of all the parts of a whole, to recognize the past as part of the whole, part of the process that shapes what stands today. If we choose to ignore the past or selectively focus on only what we want to see, we lose our integrity. We must acknowledge and understand our history and everything that led us here in order to understand and appreciate ourselves, on an individual and on a societal level.
That is why, in writing, we must write with purpose. We must write with intention. We must write with authenticity. We must preserve our true selves in the written word, our experiences and lessons learned, in order to guide future generations and uphold a clear image of the past. This is important now more than ever, in my opinion, as we go through tumultuous times on a social and political level.
References:
Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2019). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage. Sagamore-Venture Publishing.
Leftridge, A. (2006). Interpretive Writing. Rowman & Littlefield.
Zinsser, W. (2006). On Writing Well. Harper Paperbacks.
12 Quotes on Writing by F. Scott Fitzgerald. (2021). Writinganalytics.co. https://www.writinganalytics.co/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/
Your blog highlights an important truth, reading is so embedded in our daily routines that we don't even notice the effort behind the words we read. From carefully structured and well written textbooks to simple text messages, every piece of writing carries intention and some information. This connects deeply to my thoughts on history, where each event, like each sentence in a story, contributes to a larger narrative.
In my own blog, I explored Edward Hyams' idea that integrity is not about preserving old things for their age alone but about recognizing their role in shaping what exists today. The same applies to writing authenticity gives words their power. When we take away the context, whether in history or literature, we lose valuable meaning behind it. Just as skipping the first few chapters of a book can make the rest feel confused, disjointed; disregarding history makes it harder to understand our present.
Whether we are penning down a piece of writing or reflecting on the past, the goal remains the same, to present information in a way that is both accurate and meaningful, ensuring that valuable insights are preserved and passed down. This brings me back to the point where you mentioned about Zinsser’s point about keeping writing clear and well-structured.
Last but not the least, "writing is more than just words on a page, it is a bridge between knowledge and understanding, and its true power lies in the meaning it carries and the impact it leaves behind."
Unit 6
In today’s blog I will be unpacking a quote by Edward Hyams which beautifully represents the importance of history and how it holds together our present, past and future. It is true that history is not just a collection of old things, it is a thread that holds together the beads of our present. In this quote Edward says, “there is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity.’ If we think about it, history is like the pages of a novel we continue to turn. Just because we have moved on to a new chapter does not mean that the previous one stops to exist or becomes irrelevant. In fact, the meaning of the story deepens and unfolds with each page. Just like our past shapes our understanding of our present. If we think about reading the novel without considering the earlier chapters, the plot would lose it's important and the characters would seem random. In a similar way, to try to understand nature without its historical awareness is nothing but to misunderstand the narrative of our own existence.
Edwards quote suggests that integrity lies in holding together these beads on a string. In reference to history, this means always remembering and acknowledging the past events and recognizing the fact that they will always remain interwoven with our present. Do not acknowledge this history is basically thinking that the chapters of the novel that we are trying to read are vanishing the moment we move forward to the next page. But just like a book builds up upon its audio pages, history also continues the way not only our society and culture but even our nature is shaped.
Even the land that we live on today Is not the same as it looked 1000 years ago. Change is inevitable but what's important is to understand that even though this landscape is not static, what it carries are the stories of human interaction, species evolution, shifts in the environment and changes in our culture. A rock witnesses years of environmental pressures before it turns into sand. If we ignore this process with which a grain of sand is formed, we risk misinterpreting Them for two different things.
Hence, nature interpretation through history is not just about keeping our past alive, it's about making informed choices for the future so that we can trust our knowledge in the present. If we understand the process of how soil is formed, We make an informed decision to better our agricultural practices which can help in making our surroundings sustainable today. I believe that we all have heard about ‘learning from my past mistakes’. This saying is a great way to recognize the importance of history as stories of the mistakes made in pasts guide us towards the strength and knowledge of deciding that we don't repeat those errors again or ignore valuable knowledge that our ancestors once held close to their hearts.
At the end of the day, the responsibility of how we communicate our historical treasure resides on our shoulders. This is where interpretive writing displays it's importance. The more interesting and closer to truth a person's story is the more people try to connect with it. The way you write and represent your knowledge is very important as no one wants to read a dry timeline of events.
Ultimately nature and history are inseparable. Trying to explain one without the other is just like reading the 2nd chapter of a novel without knowing the characters from the first one.
Unit 5: free of writing
I have been stressed and overwhelmed this week with current projects and midterms. In a desperate hope to quiet my mind, I took a trip to the Arboretum to reconnect with Mother Nature and forget about my schoolwork for a little while. I, however, showed up a little down in spirits. Winter had stripped everything bare—no leaves, no wildlife in sight, and a white sheet of cover over everything else. At first, it seemed dead, but I began thinking about everything I have been reading about nature interpretation through science in this class.
I realized that processes hid in plain view, even in a seemingly barren winter environment. Science helps us understand nature in a way that transcends immediate observation. Under frozen ground, root activity happens, trees store energy, and animals adapt behaviour in a desperate try to survive in extreme weather. I was amazed at how much we rely on science to unveil the unobservable—how we track shifts in environments, dissect trends in seasons, and understand adaptations that allow living species to survive under extreme environments. This moment also made me wonder about an interpreter working with an audience in winter, when there isn't any equivalent kind of visual draw in terms of lush foliage and activity in animals. Instead, they could tease out and make a feature of processes that occur out of sight, such as processes of survival and dormancy. Perhaps an interpreter could use narrative or hands-on demonstration to make species' adaptations in winter apparent. It also made me wonder—how can one make an "empty" winter environment at least as welcoming and engrossing as a lush summertime one?
Another thing I kept in mind was how personal perception can contribute to shaping our experiences in nature. I probably would have considered the Arboretum to be dull and dead had I not entered with a consideration for science in mind. With an eye for environmental science, I developed a new appreciation for whatever lay below the surface. I started appreciating the role played by interpretation and its contribution to altering the way humans perceive the environment.
I really liked the way you described finding hidden life in the middle of winter. It’s fascinating how science helps us see beyond the obvious. This is also something that I realized during my own visit to the Arboretum, even though it was in a completely different season. When I went there, everything was full of energy. The squirrels running around, warm sunlight shining through the trees, but, just like you, I only truly appreciated it when I took a moment to observe beyond the surface. What seemed like random activity was actually a pattern of survival, instinct, and preparation.
Your post made me reflect on how much our mindset shapes our experience with nature. You walked in expecting emptiness but discovered quiet resilience. I walked in treating my visit as just another assignment and left with a deeper appreciation for the small details of our city of Guelph I’d usually overlook. It’s incredible how the same place can teach entirely different lessons based on the season, our perspective, or even just what we choose to pay attention to it.
I also loved your point about making winter landscapes just as engaging as their summer counterparts. Maybe the beauty of nature isn’t just in what’s easily visible but in learning to recognize the unseen whether it’s animals quietly adapting to the cold or trees storing energy for the coming spring. It’s a reminder that even when everything seems still, life is always in motion. All we need to do is look.
Unit 5
It was during my second semester at the University of Guelph when I had the opportunity to go to Guelph Arboretum for the very first time in my life. As I have mentioned before multiple times, living in Guelph has helped me to connect with nature, but even today, every experience here still feels fresh and inspiring. My very first visit to the Arboretum was another surprise for me.
While I had no intentions of going for a walk in the Arboretum in the middle of my midterms, I still went there as one of the courses that I picked that semester had an assignment that asked us to observe the behavior of squirrels. What I had thought to be a simple and straightforward task—watching squirrels running around, collecting food, and playing with each other—turned into something much more. As I made my observations, I immediately realized that what I had walked into was a lush space filled with greenery, fresh air, and beautiful sunlight. I realized that this experience would be so much more than just an assignment. The beauty of our university’s Arboretum immediately captured my attention and made me question why I had not been here before. Not only did it help me refresh my mind, but it also made me appreciate this small city even more.
However, as I sat down to make observations on squirrels for my assignment, I started noticing their social interactions. While some of them were chasing each other playfully, others were working hard and burying their acorns in the ground. The movement of their little hands made me go in awe and brought a smile to my face. One of the core memories that I have from that day is when a curious squirrel came close to my feet, paused for a moment, and then immediately ran away at my slightest movement. I wanted to get up and chase that squirrel, but I knew I would fail at that task. At the same time, it also made me think about how the squirrel darting away was a perfect demonstration of how these little animals develop survival strategies. This was something that I already knew, but seeing it happen right in front of my eyes brought me closer to nature than before.
The longer I sat in the Arboretum, the more I felt a deep sense of appreciation for every little detail there—whether it was the small description boards under each tree or learning about the behavior of squirrels. My very first walk to the Arboretum wasn't just an assignment but a much-needed escape from my hectic midterm schedule. That day, I realized that this beautiful asset that our university has is a living classroom, offering lessons beyond what any lecture hall could provide.
As I walked back after completing my observations, I took a moment to take in my surroundings one last time before returning to my studies. The beautiful blend of science and nature that Guelph has given me is something that I will always cherish, no matter where life takes me; and my first walk in the Arboretum will remain one of my most treasured memories from the four years of university life that I have spent in Guelph.
Privilege in Nature Interpretation
I would like to start this blog post off with a reflection question for all of the lovely people who are reading this right now. Name three things that you take for granted. I’ll go first!
I am so privileged to be able to afford and receive a post-secondary education.
I am so privileged to have no extreme health conditions, and am able to live a happy and healthy life thanks to our access to healthcare.
I am so privileged to be able to live in a safe community where there is no threat of violence.
Privilege is one beauty in life where those who have it, do not tend to appreciate it until its absence. We all forget how fortunate we are to be able to walk on two feet until we trip and break an ankle, and have to spend hours in the emergency room. A privilege is an advantage and ability granted to select individuals, frequently due to their social position in society.
In the context of nature interpretation, the role played by privilege is seen in the voices who are prioritized when narrating the stories and knowledge associated with the environment being interpreted. Privilege also determines the extent to which cultural values are understood and integrated into the information being conveyed. Land acknowledgements at the beginning of interpretations act as the “precautionary principle”, and tend to be the most effort put into recognizing minoritized Indigenous voices; making European perspectives the dominant source of information. People would rather simply mention that they are aware they are on the land of Indigenous peoples, rather than actually considering why they are acknowledging these voices. It is a privilege to be able to amplify Indigenous voices, and spread their knowledge to those who are interested in the form of nature interpretation.
It is imperative to also bear in mind the ways and methods in which these conservational parks and areas came to be. The analogy of the invisible backpack is highly prevalent in the conversation of who’s tellings are prioritized in nature interpretation settings. Perspectives regarding how the parks became to be vary based on the individual interviewed. While it may be land untouched by industrialization and construction to the euro-centric eye, it may have once been a home to which Indigenous peoples were banished from. The continents of the euro-centric perspective’s invisible backpack leads to the perception of a beautiful environment, in which they spread the value of nature to those who choose to come and observe. On the contrary, Indigenous peoples and their knowledge and teachings are considered as a secondary source of information; despite this land being theirs to begin with.
All in all, I believe that those who have privilege should amplify the voices of those who don’t. Colonialism and European ideas have played a major role in the destruction and erasure of Indigenous peoples (and to be honest, any minoritized group to begin with). Value to a subject is provided based on a group’s privilege. In this context, the role played by privilege in nature interpretation is what shapes the amount in which information is emphasized or disregarded by interpreters.
NOTE: I use the term “minoritized” over “minority” groups in this blog post. This is because “minority” implies merely less of a group in a numeric sense; whereas “minoritized” recognizes that people who are in power – and who have more supplies in their invisible backpacks – force these individuals into a position where they have less privilege and power.
First of all, I’d like to start by saying that your reflection on privilege and its part in shaping nature interpretation struck deeply with me. Now starting off by the exercise of listing three privileges that we take for granted:
I have the privilege of living in my own home in Guelph, with the support and love of my family, rather than finding shared spaces like I did when I was new international student.
I have the privilege of driving my own car, which gives me the freedom to explore nature and other places without worrying about transportation barriers, transit hours or expensive taxi fares.
I have the privilege of enjoying home cooked meals made by my mom almost every day, a luxury that many students don’t get to experience during their university life.
Even though these may seem small but whenever I compare it with the initial months of trying gto settle in a new space, I realize that how these things take care of my daily comfort.
Next, I also completely agree with your reflections on amplifying Indigenous voices within nature interpretation. I have mentioned in my previous posts that I grew up in one of the busiest cities of the world and most of my exposure to nature before coming to Guelph was through my family trips to natural areas which even through were for a few days but made us feel refreshed for a very long time. Without those trips or my family mentally and financially supporting my decision of coming to Guelph, I might have never developed the appreciation that I have for nature today. Land acknowledgement and sharing perspectives on indigenous people should not just be a ritual performed like a formality but it should be about actually doing something meaningful to give them the voice that they need to connect with, understand and interpret nature like us.
Blog 3
Privilege is a complicated term and honestly, a tricky one to give a proper definition to. In my opinion, it is that complicated but invisible side of life that shapes our experiences and the opportunities we get in ways that sometimes, we might not even notice. My journey in Guelph in the past few years has given me a clearer understanding of what privilege truly means to me. I am an international student from India who moved to Canada 3.5 years ago.
When I first moved here as an international student, life felt very different. Afterall, I had to make my own home away from home and like many international students, I lived in a shared house, worked a part time job, tried to balance part time with schoolwork and constantly missed my family. However, everything changed when coincidentally, my family moved here a year later. Now, I live in my own house here in Guelph, drive my own car and enjoy my mom’s home-cooked meals everyday. I do sometimes forget to appreciate these privileges that I have but there are moments when I realize how blessed I am as compared to other international students around me who are still dealing with daily struggles of their lives while missing their families who are miles away from them. And now when I think about all this, I believe that I have started to understand the true meaning of privilege better. Being ‘privileged’ is not about having everything you want, it is about the support your family gives you, the opportunities you create for yourself and last but not the least, the peace that comes along with all that.
Like I mentioned in my first blog, I grew up in Delhi. A megacity where being surrounded by nature or experiencing fresh air in the middle of the day was a ‘privilege’ I was devoid of. Still, my parents always tried their best to take us on trips where we could experience the stillness of a river, beauty of a sunset, and peace and quiet of the mountains. Even though these moments were short lived, but they were more than what others living in Delhi could experience. Those moments created a special place in my memory without me even realizing it. And this made me understand the fact the sometimes, the way we connect with and interpret nature depends on our circumstances. People who live in small towns or areas with more outdoor activities will always have a different way of interpreting nature as compared to people living in cities like Delhi because they have a consistent access to natural spaces. Also, privilege like the way my parents gave me helped me to somewhere build my connection with nature, but at the same time, I also understand that others from urban, immigrant, or low-income backgrounds may lack that.
This is why I believe that that the focus of nature interpretation should also shift towards inclusion and set a goal of making nature more accessible for everyone no matter what background they come from. And it can all start with taking steps as small as making nature a part of our daily conversations, reducing the costs of transportation or sharing a ride to public parks.
Having privilege doesn’t have to come with feelings of guilt; instead, it should stir the feelings of gratitude and empathy, bringing forward a reminder that it can be used to help others connect with nature in meaningful ways.
Blog Post 2
An environmental interpreter plays a very important role in educating the public about the environment and helps them to connect with nature on a deeper and a meaningful level. An environmental interpreter basically acts as a connection between people and nature. Not only this role helps in educating the common people about the environment, but the best part of this role is that it is carried out in natural settings like nature reserves, green spaces, national parks etc. which in this digital age is very important and exciting at the same time. Environmental interpreters equip visitors with the knowledge and skills to know how the operation of ecological systems takes place, appreciate the biodiversity values, and outline the effects of human activities on the environment.
I believe that as an environmental interpreter, my daily tasks would include executing nature walks, leading interactive educational programs, and creating engaging interpretive materials like signage, brochures, or digital content. My job duties would include the design and presentation of the program focusing on the ecological importance of various species, ecosystems, and conservation efforts. In addition to group presentations, my role could include working with schools and community groups to organize workshops and hands-on activities. The most important aspect of this role would be making sure that my audience is engages at all times and ensure that learning is both fun and impactful.
Environmental interpreters work in a variety of locations, ranging from remote wilderness areas to urban green spaces. Popular spots for this role include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, botanical gardens, and nature trails. These are the places where interpreters create educational experiences for visitors, helping them connect with the environment. I envision myself working in a national park, surrounded by lush forests, peaceful lakes, and diverse wildlife, where I could bring these natural wonders to life for visitors from all walks of life.
To succeed as an environmental interpreter, it's important to have a mix of technical knowledge, communication abilities, and people skills. A solid grasp of ecological concepts and environmental science is essential, along with the ability to present complex ideas in a way that is both easy to understand and engaging for a wide audience. Tailoring your message to suit different age groups, interests, and backgrounds is key to connecting with people.
Excellent public speaking is also crucial to ensure that presentations are both educational and enjoyable. Creativity plays a big role too, particularly when designing hands-on activities like scavenger hunts or storytelling sessions to keep people interested. A deep passion for nature and a genuine desire to inspire others are also vital for building meaningful connections with the audience.
A background in environmental education or fields like biology, ecology, or environmental science will provide the knowledge needed to support educational content. Lastly, being flexible and comfortable working in a variety of environments whether indoors or outdoors will be important in handling the diverse tasks that come with the job.
Interpretative Blog 1
Hi everyone! This is my first blog! My name's Jiahao, and this is my first time using Tumblr to share my experiences exploring nature and environmental interpretation. I was born in Chile, a country of diverse natural beauty and species. Being at home has allowed me to observe the ants and birds that surrounded me during my childhood years. My school was in an urban city full of noise and had few tall trees, but I always remained inquisitive about where the birds made their homes. This curiosity about nature has stayed with me, shaping how I see and appreciate the world. Since I was young, I have been strongly connected to cold, mountainous landscapes. Going into such environments helps clear my mind, helps me forget about stress, and rejuvenates me, which is my "sense of place." One of the most vivid experiences in nature happened during my Grade 11 school trip to the south in Chile, precisely at "Torres del Paine," an awesome place near the South Pole. A hike of about 8 hours was also made on the trip to be conveyed to a port that would position us closer to the ice fields; hence, lots of experience from lessons and genuinely remarkable moments. Most remembered cases were when on the hike: first and foremost, getting out of my water. One of the guides told us that because it was a pure area, free from all human activities, we had the freedom to quench our thirst directly from the streams running down the mountain. This once again came across as a realization of how much humans depend on the ecosystems for basic amenities such as clean water. It reminds me of the immense provision that nature has brought into our lives with little assistance from industrialization. It was fresher, purer water than anything that had come out of the bottle. It was a trek with breathtaking high mountains, glittering white snow, formation of glaciers, and tremendous bio-diversity during this expedition that I first set my eyes upon along with spotting a particular variety of plants and wild animals about which one had merely read over different literature though had not spotted them anywhere-not physically at least. These moments told us strictly how human beings were linked to nature and what gifts from nature brought in store physically and mentally for humanity. This journey also put me in place and drew me so deeply into the landscape that it cleared my head and left me calm. It made me realize just how powerful nature could be in grounding us and reminding us of the bigger picture. I gained a deep respect for the environment and started being more critical of how these ecosystems should be guarded for future generations.
Hi Jiahao,
Thank you for sharing your inspiring first blog post! It's wonderful to hear about your deep connection with nature and the vivid memories from your childhood in Chile. The way you described your experiences with the beauty of the landscapes while you were on your hike almost made me feel like I was in that moment witnessing it with my own eyes.
Moreover, your experiences in Torres del Paine remind me of how, coming from New Delhi where my relationship with nature was not very strong, my outlook on life changed drastically upon moving to Guelph. Much like you on your hike, with surroundings full of greenery and untouched landscapes, one can relate to the environment much more deeply. Drinking fresh mountain water in Torres del Paine echoes my experience of breathing crisp, clean air for the first time in Guelph; both moments highlighting nature's purity and the need to admire and preserve it.
The emotional clarity you found in the mountains is similar to how peaceful moments by Guelph Lake taught me to slow down and appreciate nature more mindfully. It was during quiet moments by the lake, watching the sun set and feeling the gentle breeze, that I truly felt grounded and at peace. Nature has a way of making us admire its beauty, reminding us of the peace in simplicity and the importance of protecting our environment. These connections to nature can be profoundly transformative, shaping our values and priorities in life.
Moments such as your experience in Torres del Paine and mine in Guelph leave a lasting impact, shaping our understanding of nature and our role in its preservation.
May we continue to cherish, respect, and protect these beautiful spaces for generations to come.
Thanks!
Unit 1- My Relationship with Nature
I was born and bought up in New Delhi, the capital of India and one of the busiest cities of the world. Growing up in this metropolitan, gave me very little to no chances to connect with nature. So, for me, just like an average person in Delhi, my relationship with nature was not very strong. For example, for me, connecting with nature meant rare family trips to hill stations like Manali where we would camp for a few days, or vacations to islands like the Maldives or Bali, where I played in the sand and dived into the sea.
These experiences felt more like short-lived escapes rather than genuine bonds with nature, where I never truly understood the significance of clean air or the beauty of untouched landscapes, until I moved to Guelph. The change from the turmoil of a huge city like Delhi to a smaller, quieter one like Guelph changed me very drastically. Nature caught my attention for the first time. Smelling fresh, crisp, and clean air felt refreshing, almost as if my lungs were experiencing the freshness of air for the first time.
It was in the last 3.5 years in Guelph, surrounded by greenery, open fields, and a slow pace of life, that I developed a deeper connection with nature that I never knew was possible in the first place. My ‘sense of place’ as mentioned in the textbook, truly began to take shape in April 2022, after my final exams, when I visited Guelph Lake for the first time. It is the peace and quiet there, coupled with the beauty of the surroundings, that really surprised on me just how much I love it here. I can recall just staring at the grass, picnicking with my friends, and literally feeling so content and in love with this place.
My best friend in Guelph played a significant role in shaping my sense of place. He taught me to appreciate the little things in life, like sitting near a river and reading a book, waking up early to see a sunrise, or watching a sunset in the evening. I've always been a city girl, but I never knew there was a part of me that could get so connected with nature. Now, my ideal way to end every semester involves sitting near a river or lake with my friends, sharing a peaceful moment together.
Living a student life in the digital age, it's hard to develop a deeper connection with nature, but with time, you learn how important this is. For me, it was not those great landscapes or my family trips to hill stations but small, regular visits with nature; the stillness of a trail near my house, smell of rain-soaked soil, sight of squirrels running around the campus area. Guelph gave me an environment where nature was not a ‘luxury holiday’ but part of everyday life. This shift made me more appreciative of the need to preserve our natural spaces and grateful for the stability they bring.
Today, my relationship with nature continues to grow, shaped by this sense of place Guelph has offered me. I've come to appreciate the balance between human life and the environment, a lesson that I carry with me from this chapter of my life.
