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Disclaimer!
This blog was created for Veronica Fisher, 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.
Blog 10- Final Blog Post
My connection to nature has always come from small but meaningful moments. Whether its listening to birds chirping after a rain fall or standing at the top of a mountain, I’ve realized that these moments remind me to slow down and appreciate the little things in life. Over time, they’ve shaped a sense of curiosity and wonder in me, and this is exactly what I want to pass on to others. As I’ve begun to develop my identity as a nature interpreter throughout this course, I’ve learned that my role isn’t about listing facts. Instead, it’s about presenting information that is enticing, engaging, interesting and inspiring (Beck et al., pg. 6).
I believe that interpretation should spark emotional connection as much as intellectual understanding. The moments that have mattered the most to me in nature are the ones that made me feel at peace or in awe. That is what sets the foundation of my personal ethics in nature, to help others experience the same uplifting emotional response (Beck et al., pg. 44). I’ve discovered that for me, interpretation often comes in the form of photography and storytelling. I love capturing small details like the colours in a sunset, shells on the beach or the stars in the night sky. By sharing my experiences, I hope it can inspire someone to ask questions, laugh, or venture out into nature themselves. When I share my photos and stories to social media, I aim to provoke people’s curiosity and joy (Beck et al., pg. 322).
My style as a nature interpreter is built upon storytelling and personal connection. I believe that sharing the facts and history are important, but how those facts are presented is what makes people care. Photography has become one of my favourite ways to interpret nature. I am always amazed at how a single photo of a sunset, a wildflower or a quiet mountain trail can spark curiosity and powerful emotions. I enjoy sharing personal experiences in ways that feel relatable and achievable. I’m just a 22 year old university student, and I want people to see that you don’t need expensive gear or lots of time to connect with nature.
At the core of my beliefs is the idea that knowledge should inspire both action and connection. People are more likely to care about protecting the environment if they can personally relate to it. I believe as interpreters we have a responsibility to make information relevant to individuals, regardless of age, background or prior experience. This also means recognizing and addressing the barriers that can prevent people from engaging in nature. Economical, cultural, communication barriers, lack of knowledge and fear can all discourage minority populations from participating in outdoor experiences (Beck et al., pg. 133-135). I believe that nature is for everyone. Not everyone arrives with the same confidence or familiarity, and it is crucial that people feel welcome, included, and free of judgement.
Financial barriers, especially in today’s economy, can also be significant. Park passes, daily entrance fees, and parking costs can exclude lower-income households from enjoying natural spaces. This is why I was excited to learn about the “nature prescription” or PaRx initiative that is available all across Canada. PaRx allows healthcare providers to prescribe time in nature as part of a wellness plan, helping to reduce different diseases and disorders such as anxiety, depression, obesity and many more. PaRx holders can access certain conservation areas and parks in their area for free, helping to decrease financial barriers and make nature more accessible. I recently received my own PaRx from my healthcare provider, and I am looking forward to putting it to use this summer. I’ve included two links below for anyone that might be interested in learning more.
As I continue to grow and develop as a nature interpreter, I am becoming more aware of the responsibilities that come with this role. Communicating information clearly and accurately is extremely important to me. With my background in biology, I understand how crucial it is to relay information without oversimplifying or misrepresenting it. But I have also learned that simply being accurate isn’t enough, it is just as important to present information in ways that are relevant and enjoyable for others. The textbooks T.O.R.E is a model I plan to follow closely, reminding me to make my interpretations Thematic, Organized, Relevant, and Enjoyable (Beck et al., pg. 87). This simple structure will help me stay focused and intentional when communicating with others.
Another responsibility that is important in this field is inclusivity. As I mentioned earlier, it is important to address barriers that might prevent people from connecting with nature, but I also believe inclusivity means adjusting how I communicate so that everyone, regardless of age, background, or education, can find personal meaning in what I share. My experience working at the Fairmont Hotel in Banff Alberta, taught me how valuable this skill is. Every day, I interacted with people from different countries, education levels, and age groups. Sometimes I found myself explaining to young children which animals lived in the area, using simple and playful language. Other times, I’d be speaking to an adult visitor that wanted to understand the science behind why Lake Louise is so blue, in which case I would go into more depth using descriptions and explanations. People have different learning styles and levels of understanding, and part of being a good interpreter is the ability to read your audience and adapt. As the textbook emphasizes, preparation, organization, enthusiasm, and professionalism can be appreciated by all audiences (Beck et al., pg. 128-129). This kind of interpretation is what I strive to be, one who is adaptable and committed to making interactions meaningful.
This course has helped me realize that nature interpretation in not just about sharing knowledge, its about building trust, sparking curiosity, and helping people form their own relationships with the natural world. Whether through photography, storytelling, or face-to-face conversations, I hope to inspire others to slow down and appreciate the small, meaningful moments that nature offers. I also understand that this role comes with responsibility. It means being accurate and clear, but also approachable and inclusive. It means recognizing barriers and doing my part to remove them, so that everyone feels capable of connecting with nature. We are reminded that this work is about harmonious relationships between the individual and the environment (Beck et al., pg. 475). That is the relationship I hope to encourage people to have with nature, one where people not only learn about nature, but feel a part of it, care for it, and carry that connection forward.
Thanks everyone for a great semester, I really enjoyed reading everyones post and also sharing my stories.
Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. SAGAMORE Publishing, Sagamore Venture.
We’re breaking ground as Canada’s first national, evidence-based nature prescription program. Nature prescriptions were named one of the top
PaRx is scaling at a rapid pace with endorsement from the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and a nomination for an Earthshot Prize. Resear
Hi Cayla!
I really enjoyed reading your post! I relate to your emphasis on the ‘little things’. It is these small personal connections that create our unique experiences with the world around us. I love hearing the rain on my house while I read on my balcony back home, or the rocks that my friends and I like to climb when we swim at the lake. They don’t have to be one of the 7 wonders for us to be amazed by them. I too love collecting shells or rocks at the beach. My best collection I have if form the most southern tip of Canada, from the tip of Point Peele conservation area.
Picture of my rocks collected from Point Peele
Financial barriers are a big problem that the public face with accessibility to nature. I was so intrigued to hear about the PaRx prescription. I think this is an amazing way to remove barriers and officially recognize nature as a form of healing for both the physical and mental body. In our capitalist climate we have put up these barriers to nature. However, park fees allow the area to be properly conserved and maintained. Financial barriers can also come in the form of equipment. A lot of outdoor exploration requires equipment to keep yourself safe and comfortable. It can feel difficult to approach more adventurous exploration if you have limited knowledge and supplies. This is why renting or sharing secondhand materials can be so beneficial. Using out strength as a community instead of gatekeeping tips or equipment opens up the joys of nature to include more populations. You can always check out Facebook marketplace for secondhand gear. Some websites like Patagonia also have programs where you can purchase discounted gear that has been previously used.
I hope you had a great semester!
Final Blog Prompt #10: Cultivating Hope and Connection: Developing My Personal Ethic as a Nature Interpreter
Developing My Personal Ethic as a Nature Interpreter
As I navigate and grow within my role as a nature interpreter, I have premised myself as having a deep respect for the environment, a commitment to furthering education and a dedication to creating rich and meaningful connections between both nature and humans. I hold the belief that interpretation far exceeds the sharing of knowledge as at its core, it is a celebration of storytelling, sparking curiosity and the encouragement of embracing stewardship of our natural world. As evidenced in, Why Environmental Educators Shouldn’t Give Up Hope by Rodenburg, it can be easy to find oneself discouraged by the harsh realities of climate change, environmental degradation and public apathy. However, hope is paramount within environmental education, and my role as an interpreter is to grow a sense of optimism in others.
Beliefs That Shape My Approach
I bring numerous core beliefs within my role as a nature interpreter. Firstly, I feel that nature is an entity that should be both easily accessible and strikingly meaningful to all individuals, regardless of their previous experiences and backgrounds. The environment is a landscape that both surrounds us and impacts us each and every day and should not be considered simply something that exists in the distance as an abstract concept. I believe that individuals protect that which they care about and understand therefore, effective interpretation must Inspire individuals to find a personal connection between themselves and the natural world.
Rodenberg's work illuminates the manner in which educators should balance the realities of environmental issues with messages of empowerment and hope for our world. fear itself is not capable of inspiring action and instead, individuals should be encouraged to understand that change is possible and that their daily efforts truly do matter. this offers reinforcement to my belief that learning is truly a lifelong journey where people are implored to seek answers to their questions, explore Solutions and recognize their own capacity to hold agency as environmental stewards.
Responsibilities I Hold
Upon reflection of these beliefs, I acknowledge numerous key responsibilities. I hold an ethical duty to share information in an accurate and honest manner and I must ensure that each of my messages are founded scientifically with both evidence and best practices practices and Environmental Education as my driving force. Similarly, I hold a responsibility to remain an advocate for nature where I encourage behaviours that are sustainable and where I assist individuals to recognize their role in conservation efforts. I must develop inclusive and engaging spaces where all visitors feel valued heard and welcome.
Rodenberg highlights that environmental educators should focus on success and progress instead of solely on negative outcomes. this will result in my role shaping itself to not simply warn people about issues of concern such as deforestation pollution and species loss but rather focus on showcasing restoration efforts, Community-led conservation projects and ecosystems that show resilience.
Furthermore, I believe that as a nature interpreter, I must also be intentionally self-reflective. It is essential that I continually and routinely assess my own bias that can exist in my thinking and I must acknowledge my limitations in terms of knowledge therefore prompting me to be open to learning from other individuals which includes the visitors in which I interact.
Approaches That Align with My Personality
As an individual, I am connected to an experiential and participatory approach to interpretation. Beyond simply the provision of information I prefer engagement with people through experiences which are interactive and can include hands-on activities, guided discussions and storytelling that evoke both personal reflection and emotion. I have found that humour and related analogies alongside personal anecdotes best help me align the gaps between abstract ecological concepts and my own everyday life.
Rodenberg reveals how emotional connections contribute to Environmental education. Individuals recall stories, experiences, and personal moments that are far more in-depth than warnings and statistics. this reinforcement of my own beliefs highlights that interpretation reaches far beyond the giving of information into a world of Deep engagement. if I can make an individual laugh or reflect or feel a personal connection To an ecosystem habitat or animal, I am far more likely to have left a lasting impression and impact on that individual.
Additionally, I recognize the importance of adaptability. each audience is unique and interpretation should be matched and mirrored to the needs and interests of those present. Whether offering leadership to a group of children alongside their first nature walk or through engagement with an experienced group of outdoor enthusiasts my personal goal is to connect with individuals where they are in that moment and make the nature around them relevant to their own lives.
Looking Ahead
As I continue to grow as a nature interpreter I hope to deepen my comprehension of environmental communication strategies and will work on creating presentations which hold greater inclusivity and which seek out opportunities to connect with diverse communities. Why Environmental Educators Shouldn’t Give Up Hope Offers insight and a reminder that throughout times of uncertainty, my role is to inspire rather than to focus and dwell on despair so that I can best equip individuals with both the knowledge and the motivation to engage and act.
Certainly, interpretation is a bridge which connects people to Nature and I am thrilled to deepen my connection in meaningful ways. through the embracing of responsibility curiosity and adaptability, I will inspire others to view nature as not simply something to observe but as an entity which is alive and which can be actively engaged with and protected. Of pivotal importance is my hope to carry forward the lesson that hope is truly not naive but rather a necessity.
Hi Skylar!
Your post was very well written and organized, and honestly inspiring. In my ethics post I talked a bit about how angry and discouraged we can feel looking the harm we have caused our natural world. But your post made me reflect and understand that “fear itself is not capable of inspiring action” what we need to do is counteract it with hope. The power comes from loving nature not hating humans.
I loved your empowering statement about how nature interpretation is a ‘celebration of storytelling’! As a big talker myself, I love sharing – stories, experiences, feelings- and oral knowledge is what brings communities together and strengthens personable bonds. This is reflected in Indigenous communities who pass down knowledge from generation to generation. With this being said, nature interpretation can be very personal, as Rodenberg notes. This means that as interpreters we have the responsibility to facilitate respectful and supportive spaces. When visitors feel comfortable to share their connections with nature, we must provide support through active listening. Perception is reality, and everyone’s connection to nature is valid.
While researching about Indigenous storytelling, I came across a piece written by Chad Valdez (Diné/Navajo). Here he discusses the importance of storytelling within his culture and connection to his community. I have included the excerpt here of one of the stories his mother told him.
Cultural Survival · Coyote Brings Fire, by Chad Valdez
BLOG 10: My Interpretation Ethics 🐻
As I reflect upon my journey as a nature interpreter, I can see how much growth I have made just within the last few months with the influence of this course. My past experiences working in summer camps and children’s sports, my role as a nature interpreter pertains most to introducing children to the natural world. My personal ethics then surround facilitating safe exploration, emphasizing inclusivity and welcoming environments, as well as keeping stewardship at the forefront of interpretation.
My ethics blossom from both a love for the beauty of the natural environment but also from a place of disappointment in how we are treating it. The anthropogenic effects of humankind are destroying the earth from pollution, to expanding infrastructure, to destroying habitats and ecosystems and plenty more. I believe that the only way to make a change is to help inspire a generation who has a deep personal connection to their role as an environmental steward. As discussed in the text, young children are not to be burdened and overwhelmed with the intricacies of environmental policies but are at the prime stage to foster their natural relationship. As an educated adult who works with children in outdoors programs, I believe it is my responsibility to facilitate an inclusive, welcoming environment which allows children of all ages and abilities to explore the outdoors. As I gain more formal training and learn from texts like Interpreting the Natural World, I improve my interpretation skills, especially in creating and facilitating accessible programs.
Anthropogenic effects: Rainforests being turned into farms (Plumer, 2015).
Anthropogenic effects: Man-made islands in Dubai taking over ocean habitats (Plumer, 2015).
An area in which I hope to improve on in my interpretation journey is educating myself on Indigenous ways of knowing. These communities are one with Mother Earth and their extensive knowledge is “Holistic, cumulative and dynamic” (Government of British Columbia, 2023). The artwork below is that of Cree Indigenous artist Tenessa Gagnon, I thought to include it because it is just so beautiful, and Gagnon describes her relationship with nature as “one of equality, rather than superiority” (Government of British Columbia, 2023). Humans are at the top of the food chain, and we believe we have the rights to use natural resources and land however we please that best profits our economy. This way of thinking perpetuates capitalistic ideals and promotes harmful consumerism which destroys the environment and peoples lives. Sustainable living is a core concept of Indigenous living.
Sustainability has always been one of my core ethics, in nature interpretation and within my own daily life. One of my biggest passions is sustainable fashion. Almost all of the clothes that I own are second hand and I love repurposing old items or fabrics. In my Entrepreneurship course in high school, I designed a company which educated the public on how to mend and repurpose clothing to avoid the tonnes textile waste that ends up in landfills. What I learned in this process is that as a population we are not avoiding sustainable practices but simply have lost the skills to do so. Sewing and mending used to be integral skills for everyone, but we have lost the general sense of community with nuclear families. We now fail to pass along generational knowledge. This connects back to Indigenous practices, as generational teachings is what they do so well. Nature interpretation and teaching is not just a paid position but can be implemented in the ways we speak with those close to us.
The other week I came across a social media influencer that talked about bring back unguided play outdoor and encouraging exploration. She is a mother of two young kids. Although I can no longer find the video I originally cam across, the creator reflects upon her own childhood of playing in the raw outdoors – no playgrounds, or toys, or planned activities. She explains how this lack of overstimulation and guidance allowed her to develop her creativity and inquisitive nature. Implementing this with her children, she observes that there is much less conflict that arises within and between the children as well.
This concept of self-directed play and exploration is key for children in developing their relationship with nature – influencing their worldview. This topic is covered in chapter 6 of the textbook, Beck and Cable (2018) discuss the loss of free-play in our technologically advancing world. They emphasize the importance of natural curiosity,
“From 7 to 14 years, a growing sense of discovery and excitement helps to extend ties beyond the family to parts of the society and the earth’s community of life.” (pg. 115)
Through developing a relationship with nature that is uniquely theirs and created through personal experiences, children can build a strong foundation of respect for the natural world. This gives them a strong personal basis for their future values and ideals. An article titled What Happened to Playing Outside, covers most of the same topics I have previously mentioned, but introduces the analysis of how as a society we have reached this point (Schwartz, 2016). Schwartz (2016) emphasizes an increase in fear within populations since the 1980’s. Intensified after 9/11 and with 24/7 media reports, parents are fearful of the harms of the outdoors – strangers, bugs, rashes, animals, etc. (Schwartz, 2016). This is where nature interpretation and education can allow populations of all ages to become more comfortable and confident in the natural world. Risky play is crucial for child development, and understanding one’s autonomy can aid in safe exploration.
My personal ethics—rooted in inclusivity, sustainability, and stewardship— continue to shape my approach to nature interpretation and are the foundation in any position I assume. The degradation of the beautiful world is the fuel to my fiery passion to make a difference. I hope to instill confidence in the younger generations so they may safely explore the world around them. I can recognize my need to try to control situations but believe in the importance of self-guided play for children. I am committed to expand my understanding and application of Indigenous ways of knowing, through classes listing to community members, and reading books. The western perspective of stewardship is just one singular way of approaching a human-nature relationship. The more I can widen my perspectives the better interpreter I can become. This course in particular has allowed me to explore unique topics of previous interest and open my eyes to new ideas. I truly believe this course content has helped shape me into a more well-rounded interpreter.
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Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage for a better world. Sagamore-Venture.
Government of British Columbia. (2023, September 28). Indigenous ways of knowing. Province of British Columbia. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/research-monitoring-reporting/reporting/indigenous-ways-of-knowing
Plumer, B. (2015, April 7). 15 before-and-after images that show how we're transforming the planet. Vox. https://www.vox.com/2015/4/7/8352381/anthropocene-NASA-images
Schwartz, S. (2016, April 5). What happened to playing outside? Ecohappiness Project. https://ecohappinessproject.com/what-happened-to-playing-outside/
The Remarkable Force of Nature
Environmental conservation is a challenging field to build a career in. This is not surprising, given the disheartening, overwhelming nature of climate change issues, species extinctions, and exploitative practices that are leaving natural spaces completely barren. On top of that, governments may be indifferent, they may be corrupt, or a powerful corporation will prioritize profits at the expense of ecosystems and local communities. With so many seemingly insurmountable environmental challenges today, it's no surprise that conservationists often struggle with feelings of hopelessness and burnout.
For this week’s blog post, I wanted to offer a reminder that while understanding the devastating effects of human-induced climate change is crucial, it’s just as important to recognize that this issue is not beyond repair. Despite centuries of human impacts, ecosystems around the world have demonstrated an astonishing ability to recover, often in ways that defy our expectations. The Earth has an incredible way of healing itself, when given the chance.
One of the most famous examples of resilience is the aftermath of Chernobyl; a 1986 nuclear disaster that rendered the surrounding area uninhabitable for humans (Orizaola et al., 2022). Scientists predicted that the land would be lifeless for centuries, but in fact, today’s reality of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone is just the opposite. Wolves, lynx, bears, and even the endangered Przewalski’s horse roam freely, and some studies even show that the accident led to higher biodiversity and species levels owing to the absence of humans (Orizaola et al., 2022). Nature reclaimed the space, demonstrating that even in the face of extreme radiation with seemingly no hope of recovery, life finds a way.
Przewalski’s horse roaming in an abandoned Chernobyl village, 2017.
Another remarkable story is the resurgence of wolves in Yellowstone National Park. After their eradication in the early 20th century, wolves were reintroduced in 1995, triggering one of the most extraordinary ecological recoveries ever recorded (Smith et al., 2003). Without them, elk populations soared, overgrazing vegetation and eroding riverbanks (Smith et al., 2003). But with the wolves' return, the elk became more cautious, allowing trees and shrubs to recover (Smith et al., 2003). This regrowth provided habitat for beavers, whose dams improved water retention and revitalized the ecosystem (Smith et al., 2003). Yellowstone’s wolves prove that even small interventions can restore balance, showing nature’s incredible capacity for renewal.
Yellowstone National Park’s landscape, revitalized by years of recovery following the reintroduction of wolves.
Unit 9 of our course emphasizes sense-making in nature interpretation. Stories like these challenge the common perception that nature is helpless against human influence. Instead, they showcase the importance of fostering conditions that allow nature to repair itself. By sharing these examples, interpreters can help shift the narrative from despair to hope, inspiring action rather than resignation. Chapter 21 of our textbook also highlights the power of authenticity in interpretation. Authentic stories of nature’s resilience—whether it’s the wildlife in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, or the resurgence of Yellowstone’s wolves after reintroduction—connect deeply with all kinds of audiences (Beck et al., 2018). People are more likely to support conservation efforts when they see proof that change is possible.
Nature’s resilience is a testament to its power. Given the right conditions, forests regrow, oceans replenish, and species return. Thus, our role is not just to minimize harm, but to actively create opportunities for recovery. Through interpretation, education, and action, we can be part of the story of renewal rather than destruction.
References:
Beck, L., Cable, T.T., Knudson, D.M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. Sagamore Publishing LLC. https://sagamore.vitalsource.com/books/9781571678669
Orizaola, G., Wood, M.D., Oughton, D.H., Gashchak, S., Vishnevskiy, D., & Beresford, N.A. (2022). Ukraine: restore Chernobyl’s radioecology collaboration. Nature, 605. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-01265-2
Smith, D.W., Peterson, R.O., & Houston, D.B. (2003). Yellowstone after Wolves. BioScience, 53(4), 330–340. https://doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2003)053[0330:YAW]2.0.CO;2
Hi Natalie!
I thought your post was very inspiring and reflected well on Ch.21's emphasis on authenticity in interpretation. I know from having both geography and biology minors, that we cannot escape the talk of climate change. Learning in depth, the grand toll it has taken on our earth can feel disheartening, and leave us with overwhelming guilt. However, it with examples like these that we can see how resilient and adaptive nature truly is. Now that obviously does not mean that we can carry on out anthropogenic monstrosities as they are, but we do not have to lose hope.
I especially liked your phrase "life finds a way". despite challenges or changes to habitat conditions, species will find a way to adapt. Climate change can cause spatial mismatches and temporal mismatches but species will migrate or find other food sources to keep their populations alive. As humans, I hope we can also find a way to better coexist with our world. This is well exemplified by Indigenous ways of knowing and their connectedness to Mother Earth. We can all learn from they communities how to live in better harmony with all natural things.
I found these interesting photos online from a post titles Nature Will Always Prevail. They really demonstrate the resilience of plant species and their strength to conquer.
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BLOG 9: *Buzz Buzz Buzz* 🐝
Feminist Bees?
One of the coolest things I know about nature is the matriarchal structure of honeybee colonies! The female bees are the hardest workers and make up most of the honeybee population, including the queen of course!
All the worker bees are women! Over the course of their life, they take care of the queen and larvae, produce wax, forage, and keep the hive tidy (ASU, n.d.).. They are the real ‘busy bees’! The small number of male bees in the hive are called drones. Their job is to leave the hive when they are grown and find other queens from other colonies to mate with. When they do so, they pass away. If there are drones left in the hive when the weather gets cold, the worker bees push them out as they consume excess resources that must be saved sparingly for the queen and other worker bees (Manchester & District Beekeepers’ Association, n.d.).
The 3 types of honeybees, worker (female), drone (male), and the queen (female) (ASU, n.d.).
The Battle of the Queens
Queen honeybees are very large and pretty easy to spot, they are protected by worker bees every moment of the day and night. The only job of the queen bee is to lay eggs – on average 1500 a day (ASU, n.d.)! There can only be one queen of the hive, therefore when one queen is getting old, they feed a larvae royal jelly to make a new queen. The new queen then has to kill the old one. To make sure a new queen hatches, the workers usually make about three queen cocoons to ensure one of them survive. If more than one queen bee emerges, they also must fight to the death and the last one becomes the queen of the colony. Here is a video I found online of a new queen bee killing an old one.
What Can We Learn?
While doing research for this post, to make sure I had all my facts straight, I came across this article titled 5 Things Bees Can Teach Us About Feminism. Mlaba lists these 5 things
Trust a woman in leadership
The hive trusts the leadership of their ever-providing queen, and we should trust women to be in powerful positions as they provide important perspectives.
2. Women should be at the forefront
Worker bees are at the forefront of all the hive work and maintenance, our women are capable of doing anything too
3. Why men are no longer necessary
This one sounds a little extreme, but she compares statistics of food scarcity and reports that during these times it is women who eat last and eat the least. Just like bees, the men take advantage of the women’s hard labour and eats all the food.
4. Value the work women do
Women do a lot more than just work their jobs, most of the time they carry the mental load of parenting disproportionately and provide extraneous home labour. A lot of the work women do, just like bees, is behind closed doors and should be appreciated more.
5. Society cannot exist harmoniously without women
This is evidently true because we all had a woman who gave birth to us. Women have skillsets that men do not posses and it is in harmony that people of all genders must live for our society to work.
Conclusion
Growing up I was always afraid of bees, and maybe I still am - but learning the interworkings of their colonies has made me learn to appreciate them, and that's without even mentioning all of the work they do as pollinators.
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Arizona State University. (n.d.). Bee colony life. Ask A Biologist. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/bee-colony-life
Marianne636. (2021, January 25). Queen bees fighting. Gee's Bees. https://www.geesbees.ca/post/queen-bees-fighting
Manchester & District Beekeepers’ Association. (n.d.). Bee information. Retrieved from https://www.mdbka.com/bee-information/
Mlaba, K. (2023, May 19). 5 things bees can teach us about feminism. Global Citizen. https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/lessons-bees-can-teach-us-about-feminism/
Unit 7 Blog - Nature in Music
There is plenty of music within nature! The best example is the chirping and songs of birds. Birds use their sound to communicate with each other, and it creates a beautiful song to us. The natural sounds of wind on trees and water flowing make a calming sound that I consider music. Music can be interpreted in many different ways. To some, the sounds of water and wind are not music to their ears, but when you consider how these sounds are created and work cohesively, it can be considered as music. Many different creatures and even non-living things make music. The sound of a bee buzzing or a wolf howling makes music. Science within nature makes amazing sounds, like thunder! The wildlife DJ shown in unit 7 is a very creative way to show people the cool sounds found within nature and how they can be turned into music. In unit 7, the quote by Gray et al. discusses how animals may use music for communication and proposes that animals may have a form of communicating through sound, but how could this be possible? I believe that animals use music for communication and entertainment as we humans do. Bird songs are used for communication and for mating. Dolphins use clicks of the mouth to communicate with each other, and it can create a song (1). Animals have also been found to be responsive to our music. Dogs and other animals may “dance” or move to the beat of music (1). This is also seen in many parrots (1)!
Composers use nature as inspiration for music, as a way of interpreting nature to a feeling expressed through sound. An example many people may know is Four Seasons by Vivaldi, which uses the moods of summer, winter, fall, and spring throughout the song. Another classical song I enjoy that transports me to nature is Silent Woods by Dvořák. This song uses sounds that represent a thunderstorm to convey an environmental feeling while listening to the song. The thunderstorm is played in a very low octave on the piano in the original piano version. When played in an orchestra, the lower string instruments like cellos make an eerie feeling as the “storm” builds.
When I think of nature within music, I think of many songs from Disney movies I watched when I was young! The first song that comes to mind is Colours of the Wind from Pocahontus. Pocahontas explains the beauty within the forest she lives in and the Indigenous culture’s relationship with the natural land. She discusses how she is connected to the land and that the earth is not “just a dead thing you can claim”. In unit 7, Indigenous culture is discussed, and the spiritual order of the environment, which is connected to the message of the song Colours of the Wind. Another message of the song is that people are trying to take their land without appreciating the balance of nature. Indigenous people of Canada and the US have struggled with land ownership as the countries developed, and it is still an issue to this day, as their land is being taken away from them.
Other fun examples of nature within music from Disney is Under the Sea and Kiss the Girl from The Little Mermaid. In this song, Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, the writers of the song, use many naturally inspired sounds from sea creatures. They use water sounds, bubbles, turtle shells, toad croaks, wind, and crickets! This song transports the listeners to the underwater or lagoon setting.
I think that using nature interpretation through music is a great way to reach kids at a young age. With the examples above, these songs allow kids to think about the natural sounds of nature and how they can be turned into music. As well, a song like colours of the wind will help people think about how nature exists in balance, and is not something that people should be able to own and destroy.
People have also incorporated sounds of nature into calming music. Sometimes while studying I listen to calming music with sounds of rain or birds. This is naturally calming to the brain, as nature is great for mental health and relaxation!
References
https://splice.com/blog/how-animals-use-sound/
Hi Paige!
I really enjoyed the direction that you took this post in. The connection to Disney is one that I never would have thought of but it is a perfect blend of the themes of the unit; music, nature, and entertainment.
When I thought about it, each Disney princess somehow has a connection with a different creature or a connection to a natural place. These pieces are integral to their character development, like Pascal for Rapunzel and Moana and her passion for her land and the ocean. This teaches kids that nature is a great tool for our development and we can grow with it and learn from it. Music is a great way to convey messages to kids and Disney has mastered it! I loved your strong connection between Pocahontas with Indigenous ways of knowing and connecting with the Earth as explained through music within her movie. "Home" or a sense of place (as discussed all the way back in unit 1) is a key theme across Disney movies, and many of them find it within the natural world.
Blog 7: Nature in Music & Music in Nature 🎼
Where is music in nature?
This unit talks about both natural sounds, and human interpretation of the world around us. My favourite focus of music in nature was in the Gray et al. article The Music of Nature and the Nature of Music (2001). I found it so interesting that animals use music as well, and not just for pleasure but it is integral to many species’ communication, mating, and social bonding (Gray et al., 2001). Music created by creatures, such as birds and whales, can be analyzed using human music techniques and similar patterns, timbres, rhymes etc. that are like our music can be seen (Gray et al., 2001). Although it is used for interspecies communication who doesn’t love beautiful birdsong!
Where is nature in music?
Nature is a central theme to many artforms, which I believe branches all areas of creative expression. If feeling uninspired, where is a better place to look than outdoors, a place that is most accessible and vast. Natural sounds are often used in music for example, wind, water, and fire sounds or even sounds of animals themselves, roars or animal song. A practical example is in the beginning of “Wheat Kings” by The Tragically Hip, where the intro includes a loon call (very Canadian). However, music can also have themes of nature with lyrics describing the beauty of the outside world or even the artists interpretation or personal feelings brought to light by exploring nature themselves. Many Noah Khan songs contain themes of places and their natural beauty.
Another more newly emerging sector of nature in music is ambient sounds for studying or sleep. There are thousands of videos on YouTube of ambient music overlayed with the sound of rainstorms, rain on different roof materials, or outside landscapes could include sounds from wind whistles to animal noises. This content can be found on other audio platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify. These sounds can help people to focus on work and get into a flow state or are a source of relaxation for aiding in sleep. I think a great example of this is noise machines that are great for babies (and adults too). I know my baby cousins cannot sleep without their forest sounds which I think is so beautiful and shows how intuitively our bodies are intertwined with the natural world.
Personal connection
The first thing that came to mind when I read the second section of the prompt, a focus on personal music and natura associations, is listening to the Arkells or The Tragically Hip while camping with my dad. Every summer my family and I take out pop-up trailer, not too far, and camp for a weekend or two. My dad is always in charge of the music around the fire and over the years my brain has learned to connect this Canadian sound with camping. Although the lyrics do not always describe natural imagery, it is usually still connected to Canadian culture. When I hear these songs, I can close my eyes and see the glowing fire, smell the smoke of the burning wood, and the feel of sitting in a camping chair, quietly winding down after a day of swimming or hiking outside.
My current favourite Hip song is “Bobcaygeon”
The Tragically Hip album cover for In Violet Light which contains natural imagery
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Gray, P. M., Krause, B., Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C., & Baptista, L. (2001). The music of nature and the nature of music. Science, 291(5501), 52–54. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.291.5501.52
Blog 6: Nature interpretation through history
“There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity, and integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole, and if these parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things. …. To think, feel or act as though the past is done with, is equivalent to believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it.” - (Edward Hyams, Chapter 7, The Gifts of Interpretation)
Edward Hyams quote is extremely impactful and underlines the importance of understanding the patterns of history. This quote is extremely relevant to current times, especially the analogy of the train.
If the train were to derail, we would need to have knowledge of the path it took in order to prevent the next train from meeting the same fate.
The lesson of knowing where you have been to know where you are going is one, we have all heard throughout our lives,
“If you don't know where you've come from, you don't know where you're going.” - Maya Angelou
While often laughed off, I think this is what Kamala Harris was trying to get at with the coconut tree speech.
This lesson is extremely relevant in the context of history.
While it is understandable that society (particularly in the domain of politics) goes through pendulum swings between different ideologies – and this can be healthy to a certain extent- It is important to learn from the lessons of history so as not to allow the pendulum to swing too far out of equilibrium.
In recent years, politics have become increasingly divided. The rise of both far-right and far-left movements with seemingly little middle ground sentiment is extremely concerning, and people feel more divided as ever. As a first-time voter in the upcoming provincial/federal elections, this is top of mind for me as well as many others. It is extremely important to understand the patterns of history which explain how fringe political movements arise in order to nip them in the bud before they are allowed to creep into power.
Similarly, it is very important for us to understand how nature has been interpreted through different time periods so as not to repeat the same mistakes we have made in the past. In the past (particularly in western societies), nature was often seen as a frontier to be conquered – this led to widespread environmental destruction of which impacts are still felt today. (Ex. Widespread eutrophication due to clearcutting and farming practices, nearly hunting bison to extinction)
Inevitably, environmental policies which once had majority backing often fall out of favor within a matter of years and become deeply unpopular. An example of this happening recently is the issue of the carbon tax. Once a popular policy among liberals, both frontrunners for the position of prime minister have ditched it – since it has fallen out of favor with the general public.
As public opinion on climate change and environmental policy changes, it is important to understand how to garner public support for important policies that actually make a difference.
We need to be able to adapt our environmental policy to be both popular and effective, so that it can be implemented to its fullest extent. This is an extremely important issue to consider as we move into elections season.
I thought this post was super insightful and did a great job at combining course content and thoughtful examples. You did a great job explaining the application of the concept to the current political climate. The photos you used were engaging and made the post easy to follow!
I too thought the train analogy Hyams used in the original quote was interesting. I liked getting to think more philosophical in this class compared to the usual prompts. It reminded me of the thought experiment
"If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"
This idea emphasizes the key role of interpretation. If things just happen and we are not there to see, hear, understand, or learn from them, then what can we take away? This quote also brings up the idea of natures action independent from our observations. Just because we cannot see first hand species extinction, or climate change does not mean that these things are not occurring.
BLOG 6: History in Nature 📜
"There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity, and integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole, and if these parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things. …. To think, feel or act as though the past is done with, is equivalent to believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it."
(Edward Hyams, Chapter 7, The Gifts of Interpretation)
Within this quote above, Hyams emphasizes integrity within knowledge, more specifically knowledge of history. He highlights recognizing and knowing all parts of a whole. Taking all parts and perspectives into account is the only way of knowing the truth, and when there are pieces forgotten then miscommunications and misinterpretation are made.
In this unit we are focusing on interpreting nature through history. One of the most important reasons why we reflect upon the past is to learn and do better in the future. If we forget what happened, we are bound to repeat the same mistakes.
An example of nature history that revolutionized conservation and advocacy for the natural world is Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. This book was published in 1962 and exposed the dangers of the skyrocketing use of pesticides, more specifically DDT. This publication began a movement of public awareness surrounding our effects on the environment as humans and had enough weight to make policy changes. This example stands out to me as it is a natural historical moment that changed the trajectory of the way we approach our actions and their adverse effects on nature. Had this book not been written, or swept under the rug, I am sure as mankind we would have continued to harm without thought or reason.
Hyam's comment on integrity within the context of environmental conservation nods to considering whole ecosystems and cycles when we interpret nature, and not just individual organisms or structures. Nothing in nature exists in solitude, nature is an ever so complex system of give and take to create a natural equilibrium. To exist in harmony with the land we must live sustainably, which means not taking too much or destroying to much of the environment to offset the natural balance of things. If we ignore human history we are bound to fail society, and if we disregard nature’s history, we are bound practice unsustainably.
Here is a quote from Carson’s Silent Spring relevant to this unit Hyams' excerpt:
“The history of life on Earth has been a history of interaction between living things and their surroundings. To a large extent, the physical form and the habits of the Earth's vegetation and its animal life have been molded by the environment. Considering the whole span of earthly time, the opposite effect, in which life actually modifies its surroundings, has been relatively slight. Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species—man—acquired significant power to alter the nature of his world.” (Carson, 1962, p.6).
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Carson, R. (1962). Silent spring. Houghton Mifflin.
Nature and it’s effect on Mental Health
For my blog contribution this week, I would like to discuss the positive impacts nature has on mental health-an especially important topic. Being in nature has been shown to have incredibly positive effects on mental health.
Physical Activity
One thing that really supports my mental well-being is physical movement. Exercise releases endorphins, those "feel-good" chemicals that lift your mood. Being active and the relaxing effect of the outdoors, creates a powerful combination for improving mental health.
Some of my favourite outdoor activities include:
Skating
Skiing
Sledding
Swimming
Hiking
Camping
These activities not only provide enjoyment but also provide a sense of accomplishment when we set and achieve goals, further boosting mood and confidence.
I just thought this was funny. Plus there’s so much room outside for activites so it applies!
Disconnect to reconnect
Technology has become a both a blessing and a curse. Technology can often lead to overstimulation and mental health struggles. When I go camping or engage in outdoor activities, I make a conscious effort to disconnect from my phone and social media. This allows me to step away from schoolwork/work, my online social life and random information.
Taking this break helps me reconnect with myself and those around me. Nature offers a chance to slow down and quiet the mind. It provides a break and a reset that enhances both future social interactions and productivity in daily life.
Mental health and nature
Regularly exploring nature in nature has been proven to improve several mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, attention difficulties and many more. Frequently spending time outdoors can also boost mood and improve overall happiness. It leaves individuals feeling more connected to the earth and therefore can drastically improve wellbeing. Being in nature with friends and family can also make you feel more connected with them instead of being on your phone. Here is a blog from the Royal College of Psychiatrists about mental health and nature:
In this blog post, authors Rosa Roberts and Tom Fisher explain the concept of nature-based practice, and discuss the growing body of evidenc
How can nature interpretation help?
As we’ve learned in this course, nature interpretation can be viewed through many lenses and expressed in a variety of ways. This not only allows us to engage with nature creatively ourselves but also helps present it in ways that attract diverse audiences.
Different perspectives, such as art, science, and history, appeal to many different groups. We've also learned the importance of recognizing privilege, of our own and of others. This allows us to make nature interpretation more inclusive. This involves acknowledging barriers such as language, physical limitations, and intellectual challenges, and incorporating methods to overcome these barriers.
These tools allow us to create important content whether it's a podcast, speech, blog, or travel guide that sparks interest and curiosity. When we inspire people to explore nature, we encourage them to try new outdoor activities and develop a deeper connection with nature.
This passion for nature is powerful, especially given its positive impact on mental health. We can motivate people to spend less time on their phones and more time enjoying outdoor activities. We can encourage others to spend quality time with loved ones through camping or hiking. We can create curiosity and appreciation for the beauty of nature, from sunsets and mountains to butterflies and unique species. By doing so, we promote better mental health and overall well-being. Through thoughtful and inclusive nature interpretation, we have the power to inspire others and promote a lasting love for the outdoors.
Questions
What are some outdoor activities do you take part in? How do they improve your mental health and wellbeing?
How do you think you can inspire others to spend more time in nature?
What outdoor activities do you do with others? How do they affect your relationships?
Hi! I think this post brings important awareness to mental health and provides great tools for its regulation. I love that our generation is becoming more open with talking about mental health and wellness than those before us. Of course mental struggles and solutions look different for everyone, but I think you covered many simple options that are accessible for a variety of needs.
I find moving my body and fresh air to be most helpful when I am feeling down. I never wanted to believe that physical exercise was linked to mental health, but last week I did not stretch or go to the gym and I really felt the effects. I am by no means a gym rat but I can truly attest to the fact that moving your body is good for your brain.
Another way I like to take a mental break is by crafting. More recently I have been enjoying collaging. I rarely get to be creative in my work and school life, so it feels like an escape when I get to use this side of my brain.
BLOG 5: Hillside Festival 🎶
Something nature related that has been on my mind recently is the Hillside music festival hosted right here in Guelph! Hillside is a 3-day annual outdoor music festival hosted at Guelph Lake, that focuses on diversity and sustainability. Almost all the day-to-day workings of the festival is done by volunteers! Volunteers get to camp on the site and receive plant-based meals each day. What stands out most about Hillside is the sense of community. Everyone is so kind and welcoming and many visitors have been going there for years. I would say it is one of the culture hubs of Guelph.
Last year was my first Hillside, where I volunteered as a childcare worker. Parents could drop their little ones off and we could watch them for up to 2 consecutive hours while the adults got to go listen to sets, participate in workshops, or enjoy the food vendors. The festival also has an artisan market with booths selling all kinds of handmade goods. With the kids we played with toys, read books, and most importantly did lots of face painting. Over the three days I had to complete a total of 12 hours of volunteering and the rest of the time I explored the festival myself.
My best friend and I experienced this Hillside together, volunteering in the same area and camping together in the volunteer tent area. We made so many connections with the other volunteers and stayed up late into the night dancing around a large fire and listening to drum circles. I basically lived in my bathing suit and swam in the lake multiple times a day. I loved being able to hear the music from the main stage while I was underwater.
One of my favourite parts of the experience had to have been the non-music events scheduled throughout the festival. In particular, I made sure to attend a yoga class. I have been doing yoga for a while but doing yoga out in the sun, by the lake, with live music in the distance was a whole new surreal experience.
As I previously mentioned, Hillside focuses on sustainability initiatives to keep the festival as low waste as possible. One way this is implemented is by only providing reusable dishware. All food is served on or in colourful reuseable dishware and one of the volunteer positions is a dishwasher (it looks way more fun than it sounds). Stationed all around the festival are waste return stations which are separated into garbage, recycling, compost, and dishes. This makes sure all waste is organized, and dishes are returned efficiently.
Reminiscing about Hillside has been on my mind as application for this summer’s festival opened this week! I will include the link to their website, and I really hope some of you get to experience you first ever Hillside in 2025! Let me know if you have been before and what you experience was like whether you were an attendee or a volunteer.
The Hillside Summer Festival and Hillside Inside are three-day, multi-stage events with a broad artistic vision that emphasizes diversity.
Some of my photos from Hillside 2024
Blog 4: Who am I to interpret nature through art?
I have always felt that because I am not an artist, I don’t have the mind to properly interpret art; If I can’t make good art myself, how could I properly put myself in the shoes of the person that made that art? I have always sought out someone that can tell me what the artist meant by a song or a painting, or someone to tell me how I’m supposed to feel when I observe the art however, this is not the job of a good interpreter.
This unit has been very informative about how useful it can be to incorporate artistic elements into nature interpretation. Even though I sometimes feel like I don’t have the “right” to interpret through art since I am not an artist, interpretation itself is an art, one that I actually have some skill in! As stated in Tilden’s principles of interpretation, “information, as such, is not interpretation. Interpretation is revelation based upon information…” Through this thinking, each time you interpret you are putting on a performance of sorts, where information must be conveyed in a compelling way that will allow the audience to go home with a memorable experience. Providing an engaging experience allows people to feel like they have used their leisure time well, since they are likely accessing interpretive services on their free time.
There are several ways that nature could be interpreted through classical art mediums; the textbook mentioned the use of skits or thematic performances, songs and painting as some real-world examples. I have a personal connection to interpretation through song. Some of my fondest memories in the outdoors involve music, whether it be laying on a beach listening to a speaker with my friends, singing camp songs at summer camp or making songs up with my family while camping. My entire childhood, adolescence, and now adulthood is full of musical memories in nature, and they make the memory of enjoying the outdoors so much more special. Even though I’ve never considered myself an artist, I also have memories of making art out of things I find in nature or being theatrical when I share information with the people I hike with, the list goes on and on…
So, who am I to interpret nature through art? I think I am more than qualified, even though I have doubted myself and my artistic qualities for so much of my life. Art is all about expression and feelings, therefore anyone can be an artist and interpret through art, if they are willing to be open, honest and empathetic, then the feelings will be conveyed.
But how do I interpret “the gift of beauty”? There was one quote from the textbook that really stood out to me, “Discovering the beauty in the workmanship of a piece of antique furniture, in a special adaptation of an insect, or in a majestic panoramic view is neither strictly educational nor merely “fun”. It stretches the mind to something more…” (Pg 45). This quote spoke to me, as I often find myself admiring the beauty in the strangest things. I am a huge entomology enthusiast; therefore I can frequently be found obsessing over a cool little bug that most people would squish without a second thought. Some of my favourite animals are some of the least charismatic; snakes, bats, lizards, insects, spiders… the list goes on, but I love them all! I think this quality about me makes it easier to interpret the gift of beauty, since I can see the beauty in some pretty weird stuff! Often as I ‘infodump’ on my friends about some nature fact, I can explain it in a way that engages the person, even if they weren’t previously interested in the topic.
For example, flies are generally disliked because they are an annoying pest, especially when you’re trying to enjoy food outdoors. Many people don’t realize how many types of flies there are, and that they are some of the first pollinators to emerge every year. Flies can begin flying in colder temperatures than bees and wasps, therefore for some of the beauty that you observe in emerging spring flowers, you can thank that annoying fly that you’re swatting away!
Chayse, I thought your blog post was a perfect representation of vulnerable self reflection using information presented by course content. I definitely understand the impostor syndrome moments where areas that you don’t have personal experience in feel off-limits/ you feel underqualified or deserving of being apart of them. We often feel like we need permission or training to be allowed to claim certain titles. We can all be artists. Artists are just people who make art. Art is not defined by size, colour, monetary value, or usefulness. Art has many different uses some crafted by intention and some fashioned by audiences. Our interpretations of art come from our own past experiences, knowledge, and curiosities and no one can say that the feelings it evokes from us are wrong or incorrect. Something about allowing the public to see one’s art, is that it’s meaning is now up for interpretation. You can never control other’s reaction, and something about losing that control is freeing about artistic creation.
Regarding beauty of nature, I really like how you found connection between personal interest and the topic. It is funny that many of us have niche interest, but it is the uniqueness that makes it even more appealing. Having an appreciation that feels personally yours and true to you is special. I connect with this through fashion. There are certain style ideas that I show my friends who are then appalled, but they just don’t have the same vision that I do. Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder (as I analyze in my week 4 blog post). Thank you for sharing your perspective!
BLOG 4: The Artful Interpretation of Nature 🖼️
Who are you to interpret nature through art?
The way people interpret nature and human produced art go hand in hand. Having a keen eye for seeing beauty among the mundane and having your emotions evoked from a scene or piece, can be applied similarly to tangible pieces of man-made art as to the art that mother nature creates around us. Seamlessly, we can blend human creativity with natural beauty and use art to create solid interpretations of what we observe in our environments. Artful interpretation of nature is most thought to be executed through realism, in paintings, drawings, photographs etc. However, nature can also be interpreted through artful literature, abstract pieces such as sculptures of installations, or through the art of stories and words. Chapter three emphasizes the role of an interpreter not as just educational and fact-spewing, but as a position meant to inspire an audience. The creative outlet of art allows the artist to interpret their personal perspective of the nature they see. The final product also then acts as a tool for others to interpret nature. It offers a new perspective, emphasizes details one may not have thought to inspect, or simply displays the view in a uniquely beautiful way. Art can also apply themes to visuals. For example, guiding viewers interpretations to involve perspectives of world issues. Forcing creativity or the creation of art can hinder its full potential. Art and nature are best interpreted during leisure time; a theme explored in chapter three of Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage. In Politics Aristotle explains that “Leisure time is the resource of true citizenship” (Beck, Cable & Knudson, 2018, p.43). Having leisure time, away from the stresses of everyday life is what keeps individuals feeling happy and leaving room in our brains for inspiration and passion fueled learning. These aspects are both key in a successful democratic society. Leisure time is time to be creative and explore, applied to the natural world with physical emersion or by analyzing interpretive art.
This is a beautiful poem included at the end of chapter 3 of Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage. The poem is art about the role of an interpreter and its potential powers of change.
How do you interpret “the gift of beauty”?
There is the classic saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, which I believe to be totally true. There can be a debate as to whether realism, in the form of photographs or paintings which capture visual observations accurately, is objective or subjective. It can be argued that the item itself is objective in what it captures, but you must reflect upon why the artist chose to capture what they did and from what perspective did they approach the creation or curation? The “objective” piece must then be perceived by viewers. In active viewing we are subjectively making assumptions based on our personal knowledge and past experiences. Therefore, I argue that interpretation, although can be guided and inspired, is ultimately in the eye of the beholder, we can only see what we allow ourselves to see. Artful interpretation of nature can help to amplify its beauty, at the same time making it more accessible. This works for those that have financial, geographical, or disability-based barriers to natural beauty.
In summary, artful interpretation of nature makes the world a better place through education, introduction of new perspectives, improving accessibility, and for pure enjoyment! (as long as we are willing to have open minds and open hearts)
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Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage for a better world. Sagamore-Venture.
Unit 3
As a university student who loves nature, I have spent many hours hiking, exploring parks and marvelling at the beauty of our planet. As lucky as I am to be able to experience these things, not everyone experiences nature the same way I do. Privilege: the often unspoken advantages that come with factors like race, socioeconomic status or physical ability. Privilege plays a huge role in shaping how people access and interpret the natural world. For this post, I will define privilege as the systematic advantages that some people have, often at the expense of others, because of their identity or circumstances.
Hiking 'The Chief' in Stawamus Provincial Park, British Columbia.
One of the most prominent ways that privilege shows up in nature is in access. Growing up in a middle-class neighbourhood, I had the luxury of nearby parks, trips and a school science program with many outdoor opportunities. But not everyone has these opportunities. Many marginalized communities face barriers like the lack of green space or inadequate transportation to outdoor areas. Without easy access, it can be hard to build a connection with nature, and this connection is often the first step in caring about environmental issues. There is also the issue of feeling safe in outdoor spaces. As a woman, I have had many moments walking around alone where I have felt uneasy. Although, this may be amplified if one does not live in a very safe neighbourhood or does not have someone available to accompany them outdoors. The outdoors should belong to everyone and everybody should feel safe to explore the world around them, yet these unfortunate circumstances can make that very difficult.
Privilege also plays a huge role in environmental education and how people learn about nature. Schools in wealthier areas tend to have better-funded science programs, field trips and extracurricular activities that can introduce students to the love of nature. Meanwhile, students in underfunded schools might miss out on these experiences entirely. This uneven field means that some kids grow up with the tools and the mindset to engage with nature on a deeper level, while others do not.
Another layer of privilege that I think is very interesting as an immigrant living on Indigenous soil is our western and Eurocentric mindset of nature interpretation. I am glad that more people are shedding light on the Indigenous knowledge systems that have existed for millennia. These Indigenous perspectives offer valuable insights into ecological balance and stewardship, but are often treated as an afterthought rather than a pillar of environmental science.
I think that loving nature means wanting everyone to have the chance to experience and love it too. Privilege affects who gets that chance, but by recognizing and working to omit these disparities, we can create a world where everyone feels welcome in the outdoors!
Hi Olivia! I thought your post connected to this week’s content well, and felt personal. The part that stood out to me was the recognition of privilege that comes with educational institutions. You mentioned in your post that you were lucky enough to attend a school with a well-funded science program that granted you many outdoor opportunities. My high school did not have a focused program on outdoor recreation. I know many other people that gained outdoor skills through overnight trips ran through their high school. These trips helped them to develop confidence in the outdoors and most likely helped them find a sense of place. I wish I had these chances at a younger age. However, my school had a focus of auto and technology with a nice auto garage. There are people who would have liked to have easier access to these programs that I did. This example helps us step back and understand that it is all about perspective and how we all value opportunities differently.
Access to opportunities within the education system is an example of how privilege can be amplified as time goes on. If someone has access to unique learning experiences through the privilege of their upbringing, they are likely to develop skills that may set them apart from those that had a less fortunate education experience. These skills help them to require better jobs and resultingly make more money. This is a super simple way to explain how class hierarchies are perpetuated. I think it’s cool that we can connect these socioeconomic notions to nature access and interpretation. Knowledge is key to get places in life, so let’s make knowledge accessible to everyone!
BLOG 3: Privilege within Nature Interpretation 🤝
Nature seems like the most accessible form of entertainment and space for exploration, right?! It is just right outside or our doors! What we may not immediately think of is the many invisible barriers that result in disconnection for specific groups of people from getting to know the natural world. This is where the role of a nature interpreter shines as a bridge of accessibility. The gap between people and nature, however, cannot be bridged without the acknowledgement of, and reflection upon, privilege.
For many of us, myself included, I have never thought twice about the means by which I have had access to nature interpretation. Growing up I had friends who had reptile show birthdays, I had access to multiple parks on my street, and attended summer camps where I played countless games in the woods. My parents took my brother and I camping every summer where we played on the beach and became strong swimmers. To me this is just a “normal” childhood. Reading this week’s unit content Risk vs. Reward, I have been given the wake-up call to unpack my invisible backpack of privilege. As an able-bodied, white, middle-class woman, I have opportunities and access to said opportunities that many minority communities do not. My privilege is not something I have worked for or earned, but a position that I occupy because of the way systems in societies function based on historical pasts and perpetuating hierarchies.
As a nature interpreter, especially for publicly visited areas, you are sure to connect with people from all walks of life. This includes people that differ regarding gender, race, age, physical and mantal abilities, etc. As we explored last week with different learning styles, shifting the presentation of an interpretive program to best fit the audience, allows for the deepest connections to be formed and the most natural knowledge gained. Chapter 7 of Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage provides helpful tips on how to work with different audiences such as people with physical impairment, children, teenagers, the elderly etc. This chapter is something that I can apply to my real life during my summer job of nature interpretation with children, but also during my year-round retail position.
As humans, we can experience nature through all 5 of our senses, seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting. How beautiful that there are so many ways to take in the natural world. Some people have barriers which don’t allow access to nature through all these senses and therefore require aid in their interpretation journey. As nature interpreters, it is our job to facilitate these connections. We can only know how well to teach relative to how well we know our audience and their wants and needs. Chapter 7 mentions passive ways in which we can better know our audience such as arriving to a hike early to greet people as they arrive and learn a little bit about where they come from an what they expect to get out of the interpretive program. Communication is the best way to manage expectations, which is an important concept in collaborative experiences. Managing expectations and learning the different levels of privilege present can help us present and/or create the best program possible.
An example of a program activity that involves all 5 senses and is geared towards children. Showing that interpretation can be altered to best fit a known audience, their age and abilities. (Activity from teachingideas.ca)
BLOG [EXTRA]: Further Reflection on a Sense of Place ⛸️
Since moving to Guelph three years ago now (wow), I have, as many others before me, been searching for my “sense of place”. Last week I was reflecting on this idea (from chapter 1 of Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage) as I embraced the winter season and went skating with my friends at a local park rink. This volunteer managed rink on my street is a symbol of human connection with nature which brings the community together. The love for the activity of skating bridges different people in the neighbourhood. They work together to build and maintain the ice and come together to skate or play hockey.
I find beauty and safety in a small, free, community managed rink over an indoor arena, or for-profit managed outdoor rink. Sacrificing time to bring yourself and your community joy and unique experiences provides connective memories that help people young and old discover their role in the community or sense of place in nature enjoyment and interpretation.
Photos of my friends and I at the rink last Friday
