Interpreting Nature

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Unit 10

It has felt like this semester has gone by so incredibly fast, and I cannot believe that I am writing my last blog post already. I originally registered for this course for a few reasons. First, because it was offered as an online class, and throughout covid, I realized that I loved the added flexibility you have in online classes. Second, this was one of my restricted elective options and third, I love all things about nature and had been planning on taking this course since my first year. I am incredibly happy that it finally fit into my schedule during my last semester.

Throughout this course, I have learned a lot about interpretation as a whole and have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities I was given. For example, I found Tumblr blog posts to be much more enjoyable than regular discussion posts on courselink. Likewise, although we did generally have prompts, I loved the weeks when we could write about whatever came to our minds. As well, I loved reading other classmates’ blogs and enjoyed seeing the cool pictures that classmates shared. Additionally, the podcast assignment gave me the opportunity to try something completely different than I had before. It was my first time creating a podcast, and it was an enjoyable experience overall. I would love to hear your thoughts about the course in general and the assignments we were given!

Now, I would like to discuss the beliefs, ethics, and responsibilities that I may carry as a nature interpreter. To begin, I believe that every individual on this earth should have the right to see, enjoy, and immerse themselves in nature. Although this may not happen for every individual due to factors such as privilege, it is something that we should strive for. As a reminder, privilege can be defined as “a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favour” (“Privilege definition & meaning, n.d.). Personally, I would define privilege as an individual or group that has an advantage over another individual or group of people. Privilege is frequently associated with factors such as gender, health, race, and economic status; all these factors play a role in the opportunities provided to specific individuals. Like privilege, it is important to consider the barriers that some people face such as, economic, cultural, communication, lack of knowledge, and fear (Beck et al., 2018). Overall, there are many factors at play that affect what opportunities are given to which individuals, and I believe we should strive for a more even playing field or at the least give children the opportunity to see, enjoy, and immerse themselves in nature. For example, incorporating this into the curriculum and having field trips and activities that are based on the idea of allowing children to see and enjoy nature, regardless of family status. In addition, I believe in respect and kindness when it comes to interpretation. Trying new activities can be scary and intimidating; therefore, I believe that all individuals should be treated with kindness and respect and be given help and guidance when trying new activities in nature. For example, canoeing can be tricky for beginners as can backcountry camping. Throughout my summers living in Algonquin, I have seen many individuals go camping for the first time or try canoeing and oftentimes I watch people tip their boats right at the docks, or leave garbage behind in the backcountry, or something silly like not hanging their food and scented items correctly. It is easy for outsiders to laugh or joke about these beginners’ mistakes, or even be annoyed. But we must remember that it may be their first time and maybe they have no idea what they're supposed to do in the backcountry or how to even sit in a canoe. In these situations, kindness, respect, and a willingness to help and inform beginners could go a long way. This leads to my next belief, which is that I believe in sharing knowledge and experiences. Beck et al. (2018) explained that using a storyline approach while interpreting can be beneficial, as is using the resources and facilities accessible such as visitor centres. Having knowledge about a topic and being passionate about it, as well as having personal stories and experiences to share with an audience is essential.

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Thank you so much for your post! I agree that it is so crazy how fast the semester has gone by, and I cannot believe that there are only a couple weeks left. In my post, I talked a lot about how I thought this course was unique due to the assignments that we were given. The weekly posts that were done on Tumblr was such a different way to do posts rather than the regular way through the course link discussion forums. I also really enjoyed the podcasts. I got to meet new people and learn how to work effectively with others as I have not had that opportunity much in university.

You mentioned much about incorporating nature into elementary school curriculum. I think this is amazing. When I was in elementary school, we had scientists in the classroom which was my absolute favourite. We did a ton of experiments. One I specifically remember is when the scientists brought in worms and we were able to observe them up close, and even touch them if we wanted. Scientists in the classroom played a role in enhancing my love for nature and has made me who I am today. I wonder if you ever experienced this in elementary school.

To conclude, I appreciate your post and enjoyed reading them each week. I have learned so much and will take this information with me through life.

Tiana

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Unit 10 Blog Post: Nature Interpretation's Role in Environmental Sustainability

As we conclude ENVS*3000, we are asked to reflect on our time learning about the nature interpretation discipline - and we have learned SO much! Sometimes this has been a little dizzying, particularly learning about the challenges modern interpreters face. Between the increasing presence of technology in our lives, dominating our days with “screen time”, and the decreased prevalence of outdoor education in schools due to liability risks, we are seeing less and less time spent by individuals in the natural world (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 21, p. 466; Rodenburg, 2019).

We are reminded by Rodenburg (2019) however, that even as the state of the world appears to change so profoundly, hope remains for environmental educators to continue building strong connections between the public and nature. Looking towards my future, I like to ask myself: “What role do I play?”.

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PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

As I develop into the role of nature interpreter, it is important to reflect first on what this entails. The definition of interpretation is multifaceted and different to varying groups but, it ultimately revolves around the task of educating and inspiring an audience through programming that exposes them to cultural, historical, and natural elements of a site (Beck et al., 2019, Chapter 1, p. 5-6). No matter how we define interpretation, there are a number of responsibilities which accompany interpretation, including: connecting individuals to the significance of their surroundings, providing value to the recreational time of an audience, meeting mandates or bringing in funds for site initiatives and ultimately ensuring we leave our audience in a better state than when they came to us (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 1, p. 9-12). 

When I think about the role of an interpreter, I most strongly connect with the notion that interpreters serve as agents of change, who inspire and educate in such a way that promotes critical thought, and can lead to strong action to address a particular issues (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 5, p. 99-100). 

What often gets left out of the discussion however, is the responsibility of nature interpretation to connect with diverse audiences, particularly underserved communities which have historically been excluded from such efforts. As we work towards creating a social environment in which the truths of privilege and power dynamics are evident to all, educators must take on the responsibility of understanding their own relationships with privilege, in order to create educational spaces that do not discriminate against individuals on the basis of their race, religion, age, ability, or any other form of differences that have subjected people to unjust bias and prejudice over the course of human history (Gallavan, 2005).

Nature interpretation is a beautiful discipline, which has the ability to teach people so much, give value to leisure and recreation, enhance our ability to find meaning in our surroundings, while also serving societal benefits in health and security (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 3, p. 42-50) but, it only works if it works for everyone. As I move forward in this field, I am reminded that it is my responsibility to ensure it does just that.

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BELIEFS AND APPROACHES

But, where DO I see myself in this field? 

Over the course of the semester, we have discussed numerous approaches one can take to interpret nature. Interpreters may use outdoor dramas, written works of poetry and storytelling, online services such as blogs or websites, music, visual art works such as painting or cinematic animation, and so much more (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 10, p. 221-229) - in Unit 4 I even argued that modern fashion can be used as an interpretive effort.

When I think about my future as an environmental educator, I am reminded of my beliefs for what give interpretation its value: progressive interpretation, which focuses on interpreting to audiences in such a way that they are able to experience personal growth in their skills and their perception of a topic, free-choice learning, wherein individuals voluntarily choose to participate in interpretive efforts, and a focus on re-establishing “Vitamin N”, or increasing the amount of time people spend outside in nature (Beck et al., 2018, Chapter 5, p. 91; Falk, 2002). These beliefs have shaped much of my past choices for working in interpretation. For instance, as a zookeeper at Jungle Cat World, I had the opportunity to teach people valuable lessons on plant and animal identification which they could hone in their personal lives, while also working on voluntary outreach initiatives where people could choose to accompany me on park tours, all the while getting my audience out and moving in the natural environment of the park throughout the day. Below is an example from one of our programs on invasive species, where we introduced wild-caught red-eared sliders, an invasive turtle species to Ontario, into our outdoor enclosure.

While my heart is still certainly centred on a wildlife-based career, I know zookeeping isn’t the way forward for me. If you recall back to my Unit 2 discussion, I’ve even considered a future in museum education but, I’m still not convinced that would be just right either. No, more and more I’ve been interested in a career in environmental/wildlife policy. Now I know what you might be thinking: “Woah, Trennon! That doesn’t sound like nature interpretation to me!”. But, if that is the case for you, I’d ask you to consider why not.

Nature interpretation is a discipline which seeks to educate and inspire for a purpose. Working to influence policies can do just that, by using my background in wildlife and environmental science to help persuade decision-makers and voters to design policies that are in the best interest of the environmental, social, and economic spheres. This sort of profession utilizes all the skills of an interpreter: communication, research, creative presentation of information, and more. 

One of the most exciting opportunities of working in a policy field to me would be the incorporation of interpretation through citizen science, which is a strong exemplifier of progressive interpretation, as it allows for the non-professional members public to develop and utilize skills in environmental studies that actually contribute to the decisions being made (Merenlender et al., 2016).

ENVS*3000 has been an eye-opening course, which has revolutionized what I thought nature interpretation could ever be. More so, it has allowed me to find my own footing that will launch me forward into my environmental career, and I could not be more thankful.

It has been a lot of fun keeping up this blog over the semester, and I am grateful for every minute of it!

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Sources Used:

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., Knudson, D.M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better 

World. Sagamore Venture.

Falk, J.H. (2002). The contribution of free-choice learning to public understanding of science. 

Retrieved March 19th, 2023 from URL: http://ve.scielo.org/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext

&pid=S0378-18442002000200003

Gallavan, N. P. (2005). Helping teachers unpack their “invisible knapsacks.” Multicultural Education 

(San Francisco, Calif.), 13(1), 36–36.

Merenlender, A.M., Crall, A.W., Drill, S., Prysby, M., & Ballard, H. (2016). Evaluating environmental 

education, citizen science, and stewardship through naturalist programs. Conservation Biology, 30(6), 1255–1265. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12737

Rodenburg, J. (2019). Why environmental educators shouldn’t give up hope. Clearing, Journal of 

Environmental Education in the Cascadian Bioregion. Retrieved March 19th, 2023 from URL: https://clearingmagazine.org/archives/14300

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Thank you so much for your post! Your post brought up so many important factors, specifically the importance of inclusion and nature interpretation. Discrimination and power dynamics occur every day even in nature interpretation; however, this should not be the case. Each person, no matter one’s race, religion, age, ability, or other difference, should be allowed to advocate for nature and be interested in their own unique aspects of nature. There should never be biases toward different people’s opinions about nature and everyone’s thoughts should be included and heard in society. As you said, making sure everyone is included is one of your responsibilities. I agree with this and believe that this can follow one of my own responsibilities which is making sure everyone’s learning style is understood. ENVS 3000 has taught me that everyone learns in different ways. If nature interpretation is not delivered to each learning style, then some people may not understand what exactly the message may be (Hooykaas, 2023).

To continue, I had a similar work experience as you. I worked at the Toronto Zoo as a tour guide for young kids and their parents. It was such a cool experience and allowed me to lead groups of people and teach about the importance of animals. I was able to talk about endangered species and share how they can help preserve their lives. It was amazing to see how interested everyone was in saving the animals and it allowed me to feel confident that I was doing something good for the world.

Overall, I appreciate your posts over the semester and believe I learned much about you and your experiences as an interpreter.

Tiana  

References

Hooykaas, A. (2023). Unit 02: teaching learners. University of Guelph; Courselink.

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Final Blog - Week 10

Here we are, week 10 and I am now writing my last blog post of the semester! It is truly crazy to me how far I have come in this course and how much I have learned about nature. I have been able to delve out of my comfort zone and participate in assignments that are very new to me. For example, using Tumblr to post weekly informative posts rather than using the discussion forum on course link. I also enjoyed making the podcasts as it was a very different, yet fun way to learn about factors in nature. I think that the podcast has taught me that it is okay to try new things and that working with new people is not as scary as it seems. I am interested to know, how did you first feel when you heard that we had to create a podcast? Did it scare you or were you up for the challenge?

I want to start by saying that I took this course as it counts towards my minor in biology. Although I love nature and care much about nature, I did not expect to learn and be as engaged in the course as I was. During the first few weeks when we had to describe what it meant to be a nature interpreter, I honestly was very confused as to what was intended by this. I did a lot of research and based my response upon information I found and how I could start to pull my part as an interpreter.

I am happy as I feel that I have developed so much as an interpreter, mainly because of the podcast assignment. The podcast assignment has allowed me to aid as an interpreter as I was able to help my audiences, children and adults, acquire knowledge, skills, and a sense of belonging (Beck et al, 2018). In the podcast, I was able to engage listeners about the endangerment of the monarch butterfly in a fun and informative way.

When considering my personal ethic as a nature interpreter, I must also consider the personal ethics that I carry. I believe in acceptance, compassion, kindness, respect, loyalty, and equality. Each day, I strive to follow these values and aim to keep them in my life as an interpreter. To continue, when I first wrote about the type of interpreter I am, I talked about how I was an advocate for recycling. I still am indeed very interested in recycling and believe that it is a vital contribution to make the world a better place. Yet I have opened my eyes up to new factors I find interesting. I am also an advocate for animals and other species. I have a strong desire to learn as much as possible about animals in hopes of sharing them with rest of the world.

I believe that we as humans are responsible for creating a suitable environment for animals to thrive in. This means that I hope to ensure that we care for and preserve the environment we live in to allow for a safe and comforting place for animals as well. People must understand that nature is their home and everyone on earth including animals should have the opportunity to enjoy it. Ethically, I believe that people should not be allowed to harm nature. For example, deforestation is a negative process that chops down plenty of trees at a time (National Geographic, 2023). There are so many animals that live in these trees that are left with nowhere to go and may perish. People should think about how they would feel if their homes were destroyed without warning, and refrain from conducting deforestation.

Furthermore, as a nature interpreter, I must consider different learning styles to make my interpretation useful to each type of learner. I am a tactile/kinesthetic learner. Therefore, I learn best through hands-on experiences. I have always had a love for science experiments, especially in laboratory-based classes. One of my favourite things was in elementary school when scientists in the classroom would come and I was able to physically manipulate and complete experiments. It has always helped me learn and remember important things much easier.

In light of this, I believe that when spreading awareness about nature, I must consider how others will view it. I should ensure that it is accessible to everyone’s learning styles. For visual learners, I could provide a video or a movie about the message I want to get across and make sure to include some form of diagram or chart. For auditory learners, I could also provide a video but essentially make it more lecture or podcast based to catch their attention. Finally, for tactile learners, I could have them do an activity in nature such as exploring a certain region (Hooykaas, 2023). I think that following these steps will allow me to succeed as an interpreter and allow me to target specific audiences.

Finally, I wanted to conclude this reflection by answering the three questions that have been asked of me every week. Each week I take these questions and write out some notes to answer them in hopes that they will benefit me in the future.

Who am I as an interpreter? As a nature interpreter, I am someone who enjoys helping people understand the natural world. It is my passion to help people recognize how they can better benefit the world through recycling capabilities and how different factors come into play when considering animals rights.

Who is my audience? My audience is everyone. Specifically, those who love animals and want to do more to ensure their safety.

How can I make this experience meaningful? I can do so by ensuring that I make strong connections with others and teach them based on their specific learning styles and abilities. By following this I believe I will be an effective interpreter. 

Overall, I am very appreciative of this course. The values that I have learned will be carried with me throughout life. My journey as a nature interpreter is just beginning and I cannot wait to see where it will take me. A quick question I have for all of you is, how will you continue to be a nature interpreter beyond this course? What ethics will you follow to make that happen?

References

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage for a better world – Chapter 1. (1st ed.). Sagamore Publishing.

Hooykaas, A. (2023). Unit 02: teaching learners. University of Guelph; Courselink.

National Geographic. (2023). Deforestation. Encyclopedia Entry. Retrieved March 12, 2023. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/deforestation/

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Unit 9 Blog Post: Sense-Making of Nature Interpretation

When I started this blog, I opened with a post about my relationship with nature and how it has developed over time. If you remember back to that post, you may recall that I am currently a third-year Wildlife Biology and Conservation major. Though I’ve discussed a lot of content over the course of this semester, I have rarely told you all about this major. So with this week’s prompt asking us to interpret the most amazing thing we know about nature, I thought I would dive into a bit of a discussion on one of the most interesting topics I’ve covered in the course of my degree.

Earlier this month, I delivered a presentation in my Conservation Biology course analyzing an article by Pecl et al. (2018), which discussed climate-driven species redistribution. The premise behind this topic is that as the Earth’s climate changes, so too does the suitability of habitats for various species of flora and fauna around the globe, leading species to either adapt, face extinction, or interestingly engage in redistribution [ie. shift their habitats by migrating to areas within their range of suitability] (2018).

I find this topic fascinating for a number of reasons, mainly as this occurrence of range shifting has such unique impacts, both geographically and demographically, on both ecosystem function and socioeconomic success, that can be both beneficial and problematic (2018).

For instance, as jellyfish begin to migrate deeper into Mediterranean water bodies, countries such as Spain are being subjected to decreases in tourism as more and more humans are coming into contact with these sea creatures; today approximately 150,000 people in the Mediterranean receive medical treatment for jelly-fish related injuries (Liebermann, 2015).

Conversely however, the redistribution of mackerel in the North Atlantic Ocean has allowed for Iceland’s fishery industry to flourish, as more of these fish are entering the country’s fishing territory which allowed them to increase their mackerel haul by 70x between 2006 and 2010 (Pecl et al., 2018). 

These unique impacts of this biological phenomenon are astounding, and are of particular interest to me as it highlights the need for equally unique policy initiatives, which is my main area of interest when it comes to the environmental realm! For example, in Canada the majority of the policies we have in place to deal with species newly introduced to novel habitats treats these organisms as “invaders” but, as the climate continues to change, the odds that we will see more species entering new habitats is increasing exponentially, and authors such as Scheffers & Pecl (2019) argue that there may in fact be instances where allowing these so-called “invasions” to occur, or even helping these migrant species colonize new habitats, is beneficial to both the environment and the economy. Can you think of any other policies and programs which could be beneficial in addressing this phenomenon?

I think however, that the most fascinating part of this whole story is how it challenges some of the narratives of how we see biodiversity in the context of climate change. These redistribution activities show us that life on Earth is far more resilient than we may have expected, and perhaps not always as at-risk to climate change as we may think they are (Pecl et al., 2018). In fact, recent studies have provided evidence supporting the notion that in the history of human civilization, only two species (both Costa Rican frog species) in the world have gone extinct as a direct result of anthropogenically climate change, and that factors such as habitat loss and overexploitation are much more pressing issues driving species extinctions (Román-Palacios & Weins, 2020).

In a conversation about climate-driven species redistribution however, it is important to note that the biggest challenge we face is uncertainty (Pecl et al., 2018). We have numerous models that predict how the planet will change and what habitats may become suitable for species to colonize as a result of these changes but, whether or not redistribution occurs is almost entirely a matter of chance, and that is a very difficult thing to model (2018). As a result, Pecl et al. (2018) argue that one of the most powerful weapons we have in our arsenal is citizen science, a form of science that uses community engagement in research to acquire knowledge about a phenomenon of interest. Beck et al. (2018) similarly advocate for citizen science, indicating that activities such as community bird counts or the use of social media platforms can help to inform scientists and policy-makers on environmental issues. With species range shifts, citizen science can help inform these professionals about where redistribution is actually occurring, with which species, and some of the possible effects being seen in nature (Pecl et al., 2018). Have you ever participated in any citizen science initiatives? Let’s hear about them!

Sources Used

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage : for a better world. Sagamore Venture.

Liebermann, O. (2015). Red Sea jellyfish ‘invading’ Mediterranean through Suez Canal. Cable News Network [CNN]. Retrieved March 12th, 2023 from URL: https://www.cnn.com/2015/08/30/ middleeast/jellyfish-invading-mediterranean-through-suez/index.html

Pecl, G.T., Araújo, M.B., Bell, J.D., Blanchard, J., Bonebrake, T.C., Chen, I.-C., et al. (2018). Biodiversity redistribution under climate change: Impacts on ecosystems and human well-being. Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science), 355(6332), 1389–1389. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aai9214

Román-Palacios, C., & Wiens, J. J. (2020). Recent responses to climate change reveal the drivers of species extinction and survival. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS, 117(8), 4211–4217. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1913007117

Scheffers, B.R., & Pecl, G. (2019). Persecuting, protecting or ignoring biodiversity under climate change. Nature Climate Change, 9(8), 581–586. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-019-0526-5

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Hi there, thank you for your post! I enjoyed hearing about all the factors you find interesting in nature. I wanted to write this post to answer your question which was have you ever participated in any citizen science initiative? I have never and I have never heard of this before. Yet, I have done some research and think it is such a cool concept. I am now able to understand that citizen science initiatives occur when volunteers and scientists work together to answer scientific questions. I also have learned that there are a limited number of people who take part in citizen science initiative and that is probably why I have never heard of it before. However, I understand that citizen science can be a great opportunity to learn, get exercise and meet new people (Cambridge, 2023).

To continue, I am now interested in citizen science programs near me. I found that there is a citizen science initiative at the Toronto Zoo which is about 10 minutes away from my house. The initiative is called Frog Watch Canada. The main role of the citizen is to listen for frog and toad calls to save amphibians in Ontario. Thus, frog watch observation can help scientists track climate change, identity population trends, and learn about the distribution of frogs (Toronto Zoo, 2023).

This initiative is something that would interest me. When I go home for the summer, I am going to look more into this, and maybe into other initiatives at the Toronto Zoo.

-Tiana

Cambridge, H. (2023). Why do people take part in citizen science? Stockholm Environment Institute. Retrieved March 12, 2023. https://www.sei.org/featured/why-do-people-take-part-in-citizen-science/

Toronto Zoo. (2023). Citizen science. Toronto Zoo. Retrieved March 12, 2023. https://www.torontozoo.com/adoptapond/citizenscience

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Amazing things in Nature

Nature is truly amazing and there are so many unique aspects of it. This question was difficult for me to answer as there are so many factors I find interesting, and I have also watched so many documentaries on Nature. However, I have picked two main things I find interesting in nature, and I cannot wait to share them with all of you!

One part of nature that I think is amazing is the northern lights. The northern lights are a colourful and vibrant display of lights in the night sky, and they are primarily visible in the northern hemisphere. I decided to do some research on how the auroras form since I have never learned about them in school. The light occurs when charged particles collide with gases in Earth’s upper atmosphere. The collisions produce tiny flashes that fill the sky with colourful lights. This produces a dancing pattern in the sky (Government of Canada, 2023).

From August to May, the lights are visible almost every night. This is because of the earth’s magnetic field that directs the charged particles toward the poles. Moreover, the magnetic field creates an invisible shield that protects us from the solar wind. Yet sometimes the wind can be so powerful that it can break through the magnetic field, forcing the particles to interact and create light. Something cool that I learned from this is that the more active the sun is the more stunning and beautiful the auroras will appear on earth (Government of Canada, 2023). Unfortunately, I have never had the opportunity to see the lights, but I have seen so many photos of them. I hope that one day in the future I can travel somewhere where I can visibly see the lights. Have any of you had the opportunity to see the Northern lights? If so, do you have any photos of it that you would like to share?

The second thing in nature that I find cool, is the electric eel. The electric eel is a freshwater fish that can stun their prey by generating electricity. The eel can generate up to 800 volts of electricity. The voltage is so high that they activate neurons inside their prey causing their muscles to spasm. The prey then becomes immobile, and the eel will swallow it whole (Yusuf, 2022).

I continue to question, how does the electric eel produce electricity? I have learned that the electric eel has an electric organ that is divided into three different parts. Each part produces a different form of electric current. These three organs are called the Main organ, Hunter’s organ, and the Sachs organ. Within the organs are electrocytes which are stacked in columns. These generate the eel’s electric ability and dictate how much electricity the fish can produce (Yusuf, 2022). This is insane to me, and I cannot wrap my head around the fact that they have this ability.

Overall, this week’s blog post is such a cool concept! I enjoyed the idea of describing something that I think is so amazing in nature, it is unique, and I cannot way to hear about everyone else’s favourite parts of nature.

References

Government of Canada. (2023). What are the northern lights? Government of Canada. Retrieved March 12, 2023. https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronomy/northern-lights/what-are-northern-lights.asp

Yusuf, S. (2022). How do electric fish produce electricity? Science ABC. Retrieved March 12, 2023. https://www.scienceabc.com/nature/animals/how-do-electric-fish-produce-electricity.html

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Music & Nature

The first thing I think about when prompted by the connection between music and nature is whale songs. While I have never heard whale songs in person, listening to recordings of them underwater feel so surreal to me. In "The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music," they discuss whale songs. I learned that whale songs have similar aspects to human music, including rhythm, phrases, themes, and intervals. I didn't know there were so many commonalities between human music and whale songs, as whale songs can sound so distinct. If you're not sure what whale songs sound like, check out the YouTube video below from Oceania Project.

The article mentioned above makes an important point about the relationship of music in nature- it can give us clues to our own evolutionary history. The article states that the similarities between whale songs and our own music may indicate that we adapted whale "music" into our human lifestyles, and were not at all the inventors of it (Gray et al. 2001). This is a grounding reminder that humans are not the centre of the world, and that there is a lot we can learn from the animals we share this planet with.

Thinking about nature in music reminds me of the album cover for Supertramp's "Even in the Quietest Moments." The artwork, featuring a piano front and centre covered in snow, set on a wintery mountainside, intertwines nature in music in a compelling way.

Even In The Quietest Moments- Supertramp

I have already discussed the relationship of art and nature in other blog posts, and while I do want to admire this beautiful artwork, I want to ask you all to listen a song with me from this album.

The title track "Even In The Quietest Moments" starts with 20 seconds of bird songs, before the instruments even begin to play. Even once the birdsong fades away and the instruments become prominent, the mix of guitar, saxophone, oboe, and other instruments leaves the listener with such a peaceful and natural sounding melody. While the birdsong is a more obvious integration of nature into music, I think that skilled musicians can create pieces of music that connect us to nature through their instruments, and "Even In The Quietest Moments" is one of those songs.

My parents are big fans of Van Morrison. Their first dance song at their wedding was "Someone Like You". Growing up, I have clear memories from my childhood of waking up Saturday mornings at our cottage on Lake Muskoka to the sound of Van Morrison's album "Moondance" playing on the CD player downstairs. That album, combined with the birds chirping outside my window and the sound of water from the lake lapping against the shore, became an instrumental part of my childhood. I'm now 23, and we don't have our cottage anymore, but we still have that CD player and that album.

One song in particular has stuck with me throughout my life, and is a continual reminder of how lucky I was to spend my childhood summers with my parents at that cottage. I feel like I grew up on Lake Muskoka, and I will always feel a special connection to the natural landscape of that area. It's where I learned how to fully appreciate nature and it's importance to my life, and I haven't forgotten those lessons. "Into the Mystic" will always transport me back to those summers, and I keep a copy of this CD in my car for those days where I want to feel just a bit nostalgic.

Gray, P. Krause, B. Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C. & Baptista, L. (2001). The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music. Science. 291. 52-54.

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Your post was super intriguing, and it was great to hear about whale songs. I think it is cool that whales use rhythms and patterns in their sounds in order to produce a song. Similarly, in my post, I talked about how Lemurs were one of the first mammals to use a musical rhythm in their callings. It is described as a musical band with the adults doing duets and the offspring performing their own unique callings (Tamisiea, 2021). I think it is pretty cool that animals can sync together to perform music, patterns, and rhythms.

The song you chose is one of my favourites. It shows how nature can be implemented into the music that we as humans create. I think the song is great as it implements bird songs before the instruments even play. Overall, the melody of the song is super calming and allows people to greatly reflect on their love for nature. Furthermore, a song that I love is Beach in Hawaii by Ziggy Marley. The first time I ever heard this song I was young with my family in the car. We were driving to a cottage for the week which had a really nice beach nearby. The song perfectly describes how I felt at the beach. Similar to the song you chose, it is very calming and slower, thus allowing for unique connections and memories to be related to it.

References

Tamisiea, J. (2021). Giant lemurs are the first mammals (besides us) found to use musical rhythm. Scientific American. Retrieved February 27th, 2023,https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/giant-lemurs-are-the-first-mammals-besides-us-found-to-use-musical-rhythm/

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Music in Nature and Nature in Music

In my opinion, I believe that music and nature both have a very deep connection, and together form something strong. Our entire world is filled with beautiful natural sounds that many find intriguing and calming to hear. It is so amazing that music applies to and is shared with all forms of life, no matter how complex they may be.

I believe that music in nature is everywhere. Music can come from different animals, from the wind, or even from the ocean. Yet, each person may depict these sounds in unique ways. Specifically, one of my favourite forms of sound in nature is from the ocean. I could lay by the beach all day and listen to the sound of the waves repeatedly. I think it creates a beautiful pattern that resembles a form of calming music. Furthermore, I also find animal sounds super intriguing such as bird noises or the buzzing of bees. Yet, I recognize that many of these sounds do not follow a specific pattern like music does. I did some research and found that Lemurs are one of the first species to use a musical rhythm in their callings. They perform as a large family band with the adults performing duets and the offspring joining in with their own unique calling. It was explained that the longer you listen to the Lemurs sounds, people will begin to recognize a pattern and will be able to predict the next notes (Tamisiea, 2021). I think this process is cool and I did not realize that some animals do possess the ability to create patterns similar to music. Are there any animals that you have noticed create a pattern in their sounds or that you find super cool to listen to?

With that, the idea of nature in music is also a great concept. We as humans can bring nature into our everyday lives through the music that we can create. We can include different soundscapes that are produced by other species into our songs. This allows for the unique sounds of different ecosystems to be heard by everyone, including those who do not spend much time exploring the outside world.

I feel like there are so many songs that I could pick that take me back to a natural landscape but a major one is Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles. The first time I ever heard this song I was young with my family. We were in the car and driving to a cottage for the week. The song perfectly describes how I felt in the car ride and throughout my week at the cottage. Specifically, I remember listening to this song as I watched the sun rise and I can vividly picture how calming and happy I felt and looked. I think it is so amazing that songs can bring us back to one major moment in our lives, like how pieces of art can do the same!

Have you made any major connections with certain songs that have allowed you to bring yourself back to a certain time of your life?

References

Tamisiea, J. (2021). Giant lemurs are the first mammals (besides us) found to use musical rhythm. Scientific American. Retrieved February 27th, 2023,https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/giant-lemurs-are-the-first-mammals-besides-us-found-to-use-musical-rhythm/

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Nature interpretation through history

This quote by Edward Hyams illustrates the importance of the past with the dynamic nature of the present. He begins by explaining that age alone does not equate virtue or correctness, it simply means you have lasted the test of time, for better or for worse. This reminds me of the idea of tradition. Many traditions are very culturally/religiously/personally meaningful to individuals and groups. However, if we don’t critically examine our traditions, we are literally just doing the same thing over and over just because we always have. In some cases this can be very dangerous, promote ignorance, and disqualify critical analysis and proactivity. For example, black people used to be enslaved, women couldn’t vote or go to school, and only heterosexual couples could get married. These outdated notions need to be constantly questioned so we can create a more inclusive and sustainable world.

Next, Hyams investigates the integrity and longevity that is inherent in ancient things. By definition, to be around for x amount of time, you need to have lasted all the selective pressures that were present from that time until now. For example, in biology, if a plant is dependent on moist conditions, it cannot persist in the face of desertification. However, if the environmental conditions remain relatively stable or the plant is phenotypically plastic it may be able to persist. In society, educational curricula must be updated overtime to match the contemporary needs of students and educators, and if not they may be teaching outdated and harmful information (such as the Doug Ford sex education curriculum reversion). It is not virtuous to present outdated information to young minds; however, it does show the strong will many people have to stay loyal to what is old and familiar instead of challenging ourselves and each other to grow.

Over time, these stories, artifacts, and biotic and abiotic environmental components build a rich foundation of knowledge and history with them. For example, in many Indigenous cultures, elders hold the important job of functioning as knowledge keepers and must spread knowledge to their community before they die (Hele, 2021). Over generations, this knowledge base becomes increasingly rich and these communities have a wealth of knowledge of the medicinal, spiritual, cultural, and topographical features of the land (Cable et al, 2018). Species of the earth have all been evolving for the same amount of time, and there is a wealth of knowledge in their evolutionary lineages through molecular data, morphological changes, selective pressures, and the fossil record. 

As humans, we love to document events (especially when it is convenient to the story we want to be remembered). We have vast archives of scientific data, ancient cave paintings,  libraries full of fictional and nonfictional books, and large online databases of scientific journal articles. This information is a powerful tool to understand the world we live in, one small piece at a time. This can also be dangerous since we don’t know what perspectives are missing, afterall, there are still Holocaust deniers since vast amounts of written and physical evidence was destroyed. And in evolutionary history there are also gaps in knowledge. For example, are similar features a result of homoplasy or homology? And the name of the discipline where we recount events is literally called “His” story, and is only written by the privileged victor. 

The quote then explores the lasting implications of history on the present, then the future, through a metaphor about a train leaving a station. Just because events have ended does not mean they are not still affecting current realities. Families are still experiencing intergenerational trauma from genocide and war their families and ancestors were in. And statistical tests cannot always be run on species since they share evolutionary history and are therefore not fully independent of each other. 

In summary, history and ancient objects offer a wealth of knowledge and contribute to the way we live today. It is important to evaluate these things to see how they are promoting or suppressing safety, peace, and sustainability today.

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. Sagamore Publishing.

Hele, K. S. (2021, January 14). Indigenous elders in Canada. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 10, 2023, from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/indigenous-elders-in-canada#:~:text=Elders%20are%20respected%20individuals%20who,%2C%20healers%2C%20advisors%20and%20cou

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I really appreciate your post! I think relating the quotation to traditions was very intriguing as traditions are so important and significant in everyone’s lives. In my personal life, there are so many traditions my family follows which have been in our family history for years. For example, we always have large parties for holidays, birthdays, and religious events, such as communion and confirmation. Yet, I recognize as the generations come and go, the traditions will change to fit the present. The way that I celebrate a tradition now may be different than those from 100 years ago.

Furthermore, I can also see where the inability to examine our traditions, can create failure. The past allows us to correct the present. We can learn from our mistakes and correct ourselves to ensure inclusion for all in the future. I see this in your examples, especially when you mentioned that women could not vote or go to school in the past. Over time, history has changed, and women are just as successful and can be even more successful than men. With that, I do also recognize that although history has ended, it does not mean they are not still affecting current societies. It is important that people continue to learn and change their ways to create the best lives for everyone in the future.

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The Gifts of Interpretation

This quote by Edward Hyams is inspirational as everyone can interpret it differently. Personally, I believe the author was trying to describe that many people may not see ancient things as important. However, it is essential that stronger connections are formed with ancient things as they can have significant meanings in our lives. For example, each ancient thing can create a different memory for each person and each memory may describe a different history. Next, he describes the importance of integrity and how integrity is needed to keep the parts of a whole together. I think this means that integrity is needed to keep the many bits of information and the historical context of ancient things combined. It can represent the pieces of a puzzle. Without integrity the pieces of a puzzle would not fit together and the history of something would not be complete. Furthermore, the second part of the quote means that just because history has passed, does not mean it is the end. Historically everything that has happened in the past, has a direct relationship with things that may be occurring in present time.

This quote can connect to a quote I read in the textbook. “History forms values to guide living in the present” (Beck, 2018). The quote describes that all the victories and failures in history allow for the future to be better. History is essential as it guides us in present time, and without it, people with continue to make the same mistakes. When reflecting on the past, we are now able to develop a stronger understanding of who we are and why certain things have happened. It acts as a role model so that we can grow and develop as people and change for the future.

To continue, this quote can connect to nature, specifically, climate change. When considering the history of climate change, and how much it has changed, it is important that in the present we are doing whatever we can to help prevent climate change from worsening. We can look back to the past to see what things in history contributed to climate change and have now led to this worsening outcome. This is an example of how we can reflect on the past to change the present. For example, in present times there are electric cars which are better for the environment as they run on renewable energy and are essential in reducing air pollution. We can also look back on the process of deforestation and recognize how cutting down so many trees in the past, although it still occurs today, has been negative for the environment. Luckily, there have been efforts put in contributing to reforestation which will benefit the future of the environment.

Overall, this quote is super influential and it’s amazing how everyone can have a different interpretation of it. Do you have any other ideas of how nature can compare to this quote?

I look forward to hearing your responses - Tiana

References

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. SAGAMORE Publishing.

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Science Communication and Nature Interpretation

While becoming a nature interpreter is accessible to anyone, there are some aspects of it that can advance ones interpreting abilities- science communication is one of these aspects. Science communication can be defined as the practice of informing and educating people about scientific topics, whether this be astrophysics, biochemistry, ecology etc. While there are many scientific topics, the three that I have mentioned all play roles in our natural environment. For example, biochemistry is the study of biological processes that make up living organisms. So, while I know that the human body is comprised of various elements that complete biological processes, understanding these elements and processes can give me such a deeper understanding of what it means to be a human. This is where science communication comes in.

Making science communication accessible and available for everyone is an important task. We're lucky that we have access to such advanced technology where one google search will take me to a ten minute YouTube video where Hank Green teaches me the ins and outs of cellular respiration.

While YouTube videos are a fantastic way to learn about scientific topics, I don't think this is the only way. In previous blog posts, I talked about the privilege a lot of people have of being able to get outside and explore nature around them, regardless of if you live in the city or in the country. I decided to come up with a simple scientific experiment that people could do at home:

Buy some bird seed (or make your own mix) and place it outside your home- somewhere you can watch it.

Once the birds come, start identifying them and keeping track of how many birds come from each species and when. Bird identification can be hard, so taking photos of the birds and identifying them later is a good idea.

Over the span of a few weeks, tally up the totals and see which birds came the most or the least. Were there species of birds that seemed to show up frequently together? Did some birds show up first thing in the morning only? Others only in the evening or after dark?

Think about these questions (and come up with some of your own), and try to do some of your own research on the answers to these questions. Try to come up with your own hypotheses based on the data you collected and see if you were right!

Basic science experiments like this allow people to conduct their own research while encouraging them to look at the scientific aspect of nature. It's so rewarding to understand why certain aspects of nature operate the way they do, and allows us as interpreters to develop a deeper connection and appreciation for the natural world.

Do any of you have an idea for another simple science experiment people could do to try and understand the science-side of nature? Let me know, I'd love to hear it!

Bubo scandiacus, the snowy owl.

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I think that science experiments are so cool, especially when they involve nature and the environment. I remember when I was in elementary school, we did a science experiment that allowed the class to observe the life cycle of a butterfly.

We did “Scientists in the Classroom” which was when scientists would come, and we would conduct our own experiments. One specific time, I remember the scientist brought us a caterpillar in a jar so that we could watch it turn into a butterfly. This was a long-term experiment, so the scientist left the jar in our classroom for a few months. I remember learning that a butterfly laid an egg which then hatched into a caterpillar. As a class we observed the caterpillar eating leaves that the scientists had already put into the jar. We learned that the caterpillar would eat a lot as it prepares for its transformation to a butterfly, and eventually, it will get too big for its skin, and it will shed. This occurred for a few weeks until the caterpillar was ready to turn into a cocoon. To do so, the caterpillar attached itself upside down to a leaf or stem using silk strands. This was a cool process to watch, and I remember waiting weeks to months for the caterpillar to turn into a butterfly. Everyday my classmates and I would look at the jar to see if anything had changed. Eventually, it did turn into a butterfly, and it was a great memory for the whole class.

Overall, I think science experiments are beneficial as seeing something play out in real life is much more interesting. There is definitely a higher chance of a person remembering the process, especially if it occurred over 10 years ago, as did this experiment my class conducted.

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Nature Interpretation through Science (week 5)

In week 5 in ENVS 3000, I was able to freely write about what I have learned. When looking over the lecture notes I decided to watch the video by Kitty and Jenny.  In the video, Kitty and Jenny are walking through the Arboretum and observing animal signs. These animal signs help to recognize different things that are being looked at in nature. Otherwise known as biodiversity sheets. The biodiversity sheets allow researchers to see what species may have made certain marks in a tree and if certain trees are essential habitats for specific species (Hooykaas, 2023).

Furthermore, Jenny and Kitty talk about how they can recognize when signs are left behind by humans. They stress the importance of humans leaving positive marks in nature. Sometimes these marks may be large, but they can also be small. This intrigued me and I did some research on what some of these positive marks could be. One positive human sign in nature could be reforestation. This can be beneficial as it allows for the growth of biodiversity, air filtering, carbon sequestration, and the linkage of habitats (Anderson, 2021). Another smaller form of human signs in nature would be to take a different pathway to avoid intruding wildlife in its natural form.

The video “For the Love of Birds” which is a TED talk was very influential. The talk was about birds’ feathers and how birds are feather-makers. Each and every bird is unique, especially since their feathers come in different sizes, shapes, patterns, and colours. They represent freedom in life due to their ability to fly and conquer gravity. This is truly amazing, and I know many people have considered what it would be like to fly and have that unique freedom (Hooykaas, 2023)

Specifically, I found learning about birds interesting as one of my podcast topics was about birds. Therefore, learning more about how birds are like us and how they are essential in helping our planet was great. The video taught me that birds contribute to cleaning up the environment, getting rid of rodents, and helping plants form fruit. Yet, they face many challenges including habitat loss, being hunted, poisoning, getting stuck in power lines and wind turbines, and mainly climate change (Hooykaas, 2023). As someone who is greatly interested in the environment, I hope to be able to educate others about the challenges that birds face to lengthen their time here on earth. I also have begun to consider the challenges that other species face as well especially due to the earth’s current climate change.

Have any of you considered the ways in which you can help the species on earth in consideration to climate change?

I look forward to hearing your responses! - Tiana

Anderson, C. (2023). What are the benefits of reforestation? Wolf Education and Research Center. Retrieved January 30th, 2023, https://wolfcenter.org/what-are-the-benefits-of-reforestation/#:~:text=Reforestation%20provides%20many%20benefits%20for%20us%20and%20our,%E2%80%93%20reforestation%20supports%20local%20economies%201%20More%20items

Hooykaas, A. (2023). Unit 05: Nature interpretation through science. University of Guelph: Courselink.

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The Many Art Forms of Nature

Being able to interpret nature through art (whether it be music, a painting, a book, or movies/ photographs) is such a special attribute. It can be easy to form connections to nature when your body is physically in it, but forming this connection through an art form can be more difficult.

Growing up, my parents filled the walls of our house with nature-inspired artwork. Whether it was a scene of wolves running through the forest, or a horse-drawn carriage traveling through a town around Christmastime, being surrounded by these images helped me develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between art and nature. A few years ago, I travelled to Victoria B.C. to visit family, and while I was there I went to the Robert Bateman Gallery. I can't quite describe it, but viewing his artistic interpretations of nature always left me with such a deep gratitude for the natural world and for artists like Robert Bateman who capture it so perfectly. Below is an image of one of my favourite paintings. My parents have it hanging in their house, and I love showing it to friends when they visit and seeing how long it takes them to realize this is not just a painting of grass.

Eyes in the Grass- Robert Bateman

I recently watched the movie "The Banshees of Inisherin," and felt quite moved by the cinematography and setting. My grandparents immigrated from Ireland, and I still have a lot of family there that I am lucky to have visited in the past. I have always found the rugged coasts and rolling fields of Ireland to be so beautiful, and this movie did such a special job of capturing the beauty. It left me with feelings of sadness and longing to go back to Ireland, but also with feelings of gratitude. Even though I'm not in Ireland now, seeing its landscapes portrayed in film left me feeling peaceful just knowing that they're there, and that they'll still be there when I get the opportunity to return.

A scene from "The Banshees of Inisherin"

I mentioned before that it can be easy to feel connected to nature when you're physically present in it. Don't get me wrong, this is still such a special feeling and is one I hope everyone can experience in their lifetime. But being able to connect with nature through art can allow you to experience a deeper level of connection with places you may have never physically been. It is inspiring and hopeful to feel connected to a place you are not physically in, and I think it creates a certain sense of longing to travel and experience these things first hand. Just knowing that the Irish landscapes are out there waiting for my return sparks such an excitement in me, and I feel lucky to have this feeling.

The beauty of nature is subjective. One person could look at a landscape and see nothing special, while the next person that comes along could think it was the most beautiful thing they have ever seen. The subjectiveness of nature interpretation is especially relevant when it comes to art, and it is so special that each person can experience the beauty of art differently.

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I was truly inspired by the statement “It is easy to form connections to nature when your body is physically in it but forming this connection through an art form can be more difficult”. This makes me think much deeper about the meaning of art and nature. I can better understand how not everyone considers nature to be art. Especially, those who do not spend much time exploring nature. They may find it more difficult to even just form a connection with the outside world. The photo “Eyes in the Grass” by Robert Bateman is such a cool art piece. It took me a while to notice that the photo is more than just of grass. I think that this photo truly represents the art of nature and how someone can connect with it.

Personally, I find that I develop the strongest connection with nature when I am there physically, and I also tend to take many photos. When I look back on these photos, I consider them an art piece and I truly think about the comfort I felt when in these places. However, I understand that some places in nature that I consider to be art may not provide the same feelings for everyone. I believe this is the crazy and intriguing part about nature, that everyone has their own thoughts and opinions.

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Nature as Art

Nature is truly a beautiful example of art. The landscapes, oceans, sunsets, forests, and flowers are all examples of how nature can be interpreted as a large natural art piece. To start, I want to share my definition of art. Art is an important part of my life and I use it as a way to express my creative skills and imagination. Many times, art can be expressed in a form of painting, drawing, photography, music, literature, dance, and sculpturing. This week in ENVS 3000 we learned about how art captures a moment in time whether it’s a painting or a photo. Art is captured as it allows for the formation of beauty (Hooykaas, 2023). All forms of art allow for emotions to be provoked and sometimes can allow for an even deeper connection for the viewer.

Personally, I have always thought of nature as artwork. I think it is so amazing that there are so many beautiful landscapes in nature allowing people to observe and connect to them. Whenever, I go on hikes or anywhere with beautiful landscapes, I always make it a priority to take photos of the views. It allows me to look back on the photos and feel a sense of comfort within nature.

A photo I took when I went to the beach in Clear-water, Florida in August 2022.

Art can truly tell a story and can contain a history. When I look back at this photo which I took in Florida, it reminds me of my trip with my family. I think of the drive we took to get to the beach and the plenty of hours my family and I shared when we were there. When other people look at this photo, they will probably just see a photo of the beach and it may make them think of wanting to book a vacation. Whereas, for myself, since I took the photo, I can form a much deeper connection with it. This shows how the way everyone interprets art and nature as art differs amongst personal experiences. I believe that is what makes art beautiful.

A photo I took at my friend’s cottage in Muskoka a few summers ago.

Therefore, how do I interpret the gift of beauty? I believe that I answered this question a few times above.  After reading about the gift of beauty in chapter 5 I was able to understand the ways I interpret it. To me, I interpret the gift of beauty in nature from the beautiful colours in the sky and the way being in nature makes me feel. The beauty of nature makes me feel so comfortable, calm, secure, and as if nothing else matters. I find it amazing that I know that I can find this gift of beauty anytime I look outside or go on a nature walk. Therefore, I believe nature is truly beautiful.

I look forward to hearing everyone else’s responses and I wonder what nature and the art of nature truly means to you.

References

Hooykaas, A. (2023). Nature interpretation through art and planning for all scenarios. University of Guelph: Courselink.

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Unit 03: Risk and Reward

My working definition of privilege involves the unearned reception of certain advantages to a group of people, or individual. These privileges are often passed down through generations and typically revolves around identities such as race, ability, socioeconomic status, sexuality, and level of education (Mcintosh in Noel, 2000 p. 115). While many people who live a privileged life are afraid to recognize it, it is an important topic to discuss in order to fully understand the power imbalances that result from it.

Privilege is just as important of a concept within nature interpretation as it is in everyday life. One of the ways I recognize that I am privileged in terms of my relationship with nature, is through having parents that placed values on our natural environment. Not everyone has the same opportunity to grow up in a family that has an appreciation for nature as I did. I am able to recognize this as a privilege as it is not something that everybody grows up with, and not something I ever worked to earn. I was simply born into a family that happened to share the same love of nature as I did, and this ultimately shaped the course of my life. One way this privilege unfolded as I grew up was through travelling. I have been fortunate enough to have parents that understand the value that comes with travelling and can set aside enough money for our family to go on trips. This has benefitted by relationship with nature greatly as it has allowed me to learn firsthand about different environmental topics such as ecology and conservation in other countries. This has bettered my ability as a nature interpreter as I’m able to spread the knowledge I’ve learned on trips with the people around me.

This privilege has benefitted me throughout the course of my time as a student, which even furthered my privilege. A specific example I can remember of travelling benefitting my performance in school was in grade 10. In my biology class we were learning about different interactions within nature, specifically symbiotic relationships. During the Christmas break of that year, my family travelled to the Amazon for an adventure. We were on a hike with a guide who was informing us of the natural history and interactions that occur within the rainforest. One topic he mentioned was the relationship between capybaras and cleaner bird species. He explained how certain birds will land on capybaras and eat ticks and parasites off of them and how this benefits both animals. It was a perfect example of a type of symbiotic relationship, specifically a mutualistic one, and I was able to reinforce what I had previously learned in class with a real-life example. When I returned to school, the information I had learned over the break stuck with me and ended up benefitting me in class. I was able to recognize that this was a unique experience that I was able to participate in and that it was a privilege resulting from my parents.

Privilege is an important topic to discuss, within the field of nature interpretation but also in everyday life. Continuing the conversation is one way to recognize your privileges and understand the power imbalances it creates.

Gallavan, N.P. (2005). Helping teachers unpack their ‘invisible knapsacks.’ Multicultural Education, 13(1), 36.

Noel, J. (2000). Notable selections in multicultural education. Guilford, CT: Dushkin/McGraw-Hill.

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Your post allowed me to reflect on how I have experienced privilege in my life. Along with you, I am also very grateful that my parents value nature as much as I do. It has been amazing to travel to so many places and learn about nature around the world. Some of my favourite places I have visited that have allowed me to deepen my connection with nature was in Hawaii and Costa Rica. I did a lot of hiking and travelling and it was truly a beautiful experience. In both places, I had tour guides that taught me about the importance of nature and how they preserve it. Specifically, in Hawaii, I was taught about the Natural Area Reserves System which was established to aid in the preservation of the land and water areas. This system is important as the natural flora and fauna in Hawaii is extremely unique and a main tourist attraction.

Furthermore, hearing about your trip to the Amazon sounds so amazing. It is cool that you were able to connect something you learned while on your trip with factors that you were learning about in school. That would make learning about ecology much more interesting, especially if you can make a connection to it with something you have experienced first-hand. This intrigues me as lately I have become more interested in ecology and I hope that as I continue to explore nature, I can make more connections to concepts in my courses.

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Privilege in Nature

In my opinion, the word privilege would be defined as any advantage that has been given to a group of people. Specifically, any advantage that a person did not have to work hard to earn. Many people may be lucky enough to experience privileges that other people do not experience. However, it is often out of their control. These privileges could include opportunities or access to specific resources, or items that other people may have to work hard to achieve. Privilege can also take form in regard to the qualities of an individual such as social class, ethnicity, race, and religion. I believe that there are some privileges that I experience that many others have not for example I was fortunate enough to be able to go to an away university and obtain a degree to help me with my future.

Personally, I believe that privilege does play a role in nature interpretation. Specifically, where a person may live can dictate their interest in nature and how much they care about nature. For example, living in Canada I believe nature is everywhere. I am so lucky to always be surrounded by beautiful forests and landscapes. It has truly made me take a stronger interest in what nature is and its importance. Yet, other people living in different countries, may not experience this connection with nature. It is a possibility that where a different person may live it is not as safe to go out and explore the outside world. They may not have the same freedom and privilege that myself and many others have out here in Canada.

This week in ENVS 3000 we talked a lot about risk and how risk plays a role in nature interpretation. Risk in this case can be described as having exposure to a factor that may not be the safest (Hooykaas, 2023). When considering nature, all outdoor activities can carry an element of risk. For example, people who love nature may take the risk and go sky diving. Although sky diving is a very unique, yet risky opportunity, it can allow people to see the world from a different lens. Someone who is more privileged may consider taking these risks as they have a higher socio-economic status, making them feel safer and more confident when performing the act.

Photo of the sunset in Florida.

Furthermore, I believe that I have experienced some privilege in where I have been able travel and interpret nature. Every summer, my family goes on vacation and this year we went to Florida. We stayed just outside of Orlando and actually won the trip, so we felt very lucky. In Florida, there were so many beautiful sunsets, and palm trees. It allowed me to really appreciate the world and how different species, such as lizards, and plants may grow in different parts of the world. Overall, I felt very lucky and privileged to have travelled to Florida, and to many of the other places in the world. I cannot wait to travel to more places, and I wonder where the future will take me.

Have any of you taken a risk that has helped you observe nature in a different way? I look forward to hearing your responses!

References

Hooykaas, A. (2023). Risk versus reward in interpretation. University of Guelph: Courselink

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What does it mean to be an environmental interpreter?

Environmental interpreter's are a crucial part of nature and science communication, aiding in public awareness of conservation needs. There are so many different ways people can act as environmental interpreters, whether it's focusing on the conservation of a specific species, habitat, or location. Interpreting can also take place on various platforms- whether it's on social media, at in-person events, or one-on-one meetings.

My ideal role as an environmental interpreter would be to interpret the importance of species at all parts of ecosystems and food webs. A lot of media tends to focus on the larger parts of conservation, such as large mammals like bears, whales, wolves etc. I feel like there is a knowledge gap (among the general public) about the importance of the little guys! By little guys, I'm talking about critters like krill, insects, and even fungi.

As an environmental interpreter, I would love to raise awareness for the species that aren't as popular. For example, did you know that there is a phenomenon called the Krill Paradox, in which krill and whale populations depend on one another to thrive? Whales poop out a lot of nutrients that are necessary for iron cycling. This creates a phytoplankton bloom, which is a necessary food source for krill, and krill are a food source for whales. In conclusion, more whales = more krill, so you can't have one without the other!

Visual depiction of the Krill Paradox from http://stopkillingwhales.com/the-krill-paradox.html

Alongside the topics of what I would like to interpret, there are also a variety of ways to translate information to people. Personally, I am a visual learner- I learn best when I see things laid out in front of me. I love diagrams and flow charts (like the Krill Paradox image above!) I also find that diagrams are a fantastic way of displaying food webs and ecosystem interactions. Even some of the most complex food webs can become easy to understand once they're displayed in a clear diagram, as seen below.

An example of a food web in a marine ecosystem from https://deepmapscork.wordpress.com/2017/04/12/food-webs/

While these diagrams are easy to use in an online format, it can be hard to have such images on hand when interacting with people in person. However, this might be beneficial because (depending on where you are), you can give people real world examples. For example, you could show a group of students a rotting log, and lift it up to see all the different organisms underneath. This would give students the chance to see fungi, insects, and possibly amphibians all at work in the same environment! Interpreting online and in person both have benefits, and it's important to recognize that one is not better than the other. Personally, I would prefer in-person interpretation because it would give me a chance to develop a deeper connection with the content I am interpreting and with the people listening to me.

There are a lot of skills involved in successful environmental interpretation. I think a key skill that I would need to work on is patience. Even though something might make perfect sense to me, there might be other people out there who just can't wrap their head around it, and that's okay! I would definitely need to focus on explaining things to people in a way that they can understand, even if it seems simple to me, and remain compassionate while doing so. At the end of the day, nature is for everyone, and I want to make knowledge about nature and our environment as accessible as possible!

I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone else thinks about their roles as environmental interpreters. It is such a broad role that I'm sure everyone will offer some great ideas.

An owlet moth spotted at a nursery in Southern Ontario.

[tvenvs3000w23]

Your post has allowed me to consider the deeper meaning of certain species in society. I know that many people may question if we really need certain species in our lives and what they do for us or other species. Your example of the Krill Paradox has shown me why krill are important in nature. I did not know that krill is an important food source for whales, and without whales, there would not be as much krill.

You also mentioned that you are a visual learner. I used to find it so difficult to understand photos of diagrams and flow charts, and sometimes still struggle. Yet, when you explained the paradox of the krill and whale, I was able to easily interpret the diagram and it made a lot of sense. As an interpreter, I believe you would succeed greatly by describing the diagram, showing the diagram, and applying real life examples. This would definitely make learning about nature easier for everyone and can allow others to grasp concepts that are more complicated.

I appreciate your post and have learned so much. I think that the ways in which you plan to be an environmental interpreter will benefit everyone greatly. Therefore, I plan on considering some of your ideas in hopes of figuring out how they could also benefit my environmental interpreter plan.

[tvenvs3000w23]

Describe your idea role of environmental interpreter.

An environmental interpreter can be described as someone who helps other humans understand the natural world (Youngentob & Hostetler, 2003). This can be through positivity and the use of examples in nature. Environmental interpreters must combat the skills and ability of establishing strong connections with the audience and the object of interpretation. Essentially, I would hope that as an environmental interpreter, I can help change the way people think and behave in consideration to the earth.

My ideal role as an environmental interpreter would be to promote the importance of recycling programs in communities. Growing up, I have learned much about the importance of recycling and about the prompt “reduce, reuse, recycle”. I have practiced recycling at my home and at school and believe that community recycling programs are essential. It can allow for sustainability in one’s immediate environment. If a community can invest in a recycling infrastructure, recycling will be more common rather than garbage being put in a landfill. Unfortunately, landfills are a primary contributor to greenhouse gasses in Canada. When garbage decomposes it creates methane which then traps heat in the earth’s atmosphere impacting global warming (Smith, 2022).

A community recycling program would entail individuals taking action to help limit the buildup of trash in landfills. A program should be easy for communities to navigate that way they will be more likely to use it. Another common issue is recycling bin contamination. This occurs when materials are sorted into the wrong recycling bins or when materials are not properly cleaned. Recycling then becomes nearly impossible. It can also cause a devaluation in the products being recycled and can create unsafe work environments for those sorting the products (Rachelson, 2017). This is a large problem and reduces the positive effects of recycling. Furthermore, a recycling program would include the promotion of recyclable products such as reusable water bottles, reusable bags, and reusable containers. I would hope that as an environmental interpreter that people would consider using these reusable products rather than plastic which continues to contribute to waste. Overall, community recycling programs must include envious amounts of information and awareness on the topic. Therefore, community members understand why recycling is so important, rather than just feeling forced to recycle.

As someone who is so interested in protecting the environment, I believe that recycling is an essential step everyone should take. Yet, I struggle to consider how I could inspire everyone. Hopefully one day I will be able to be a part of something or a large organization that greatly considers recycling and promotes it to communities. This would be ideal for me in the future.  

Citations

Rachelson, D. (December 4, 2017). What is recycling contamination and why does it matter? Rubicon. Retrieved January 14, 2023, https://www.rubicon.com/blog/recycling-contamination/

Smith, M. (2022). How can recycling impact a community? How Stuff Works. Retrieved January 12, 2023, https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/recycling-impact-community.htm

Youngentob, K., & Hostetler, M. (2003). Environmental interpretation: how to communicate persuasively. University of Florida. Retrieved January 12, 2023, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/uw182#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20main%20goals%20of%20environmental%20interpretation,Interpretive%20programs%20can%20be%20targeted%20at%20any%20audience.