mkenvs3000

[mkenvs3000]

Hi Cait,

Great job on your final post! I found it interesting and informative that you created a comprehensive list describing your ethical beliefs. I too share many of the same values as you, including respect, integrity, and equality. As an interpreter, I think establishing equality is crucial to ensure that everyone feels comfortable sharing their diverse thoughts and opinions. You stated that as an interpreter you will include everyone and strive to identify and prevent any unconscious biases. I agree that it is imperative to be aware of any indirect discrimination to create a safe learning environment. My question for you is, how will you implement the strategies and lessons we have learned from this course to establish equality and create a safe space for all to learn?

Retrieved from LINK

The article Helping teachers unpack their “invisible knapsacks,” emphasizes the importance of inclusion and authenticity. The author explicitly reveals that, “all people, especially teachers, need to learn about and respect themselves, one another, and all other people in honor of their many diverse cultural characteristics” (Gallavan, 2005). Specifically, this work highlights the importance of recognizing one’s intersectional privilege and how it may influence the ways in which people think and behave. I believe that speaking openly about diverse privilege and personal differences is an important first step in establishing a solid foundation of mutual understanding. From this foundation, we can begin to open our minds and learn from each other’s perspectives. Each person has their own unique relationship and connection to nature. It is my job as a leader in nature interpretation to construct a safe learning environment and foster respectful conversation where all can feel comfortable to share their own understandings of nature.

Awesome job! Marissa🌿

Gallavan, N. P. (2005). Helping teachers unpack their “invisible knapsacks”. Multicultural Education, 13(1), 36. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A137921591/AONE&u=guel77241&sid=AONE&xid=9fe2f151

Applying My Personal Ethics to Nature Interpretation

I want to start off by saying thank you guys for the great semester!  This course has been one of my favourites I have taken in my undergrad.  I am so grateful to be able to have these discussions with my peers to help make the time through Covid not feel so alone.

I remember being thrilled when I first found out we were making a Tumblr instead of just posts on a discussion board.  Probably because in 2014 I was on Tumblr all the time so it took me back to looking at my old posts I used to make on my personal account.  I was also excited that this course was going to let me be able to take all my passions and put them together. I get the scientific aspect that most of my courses are but I also get to take my passion for writing, poetry, photography, and the arts in general.  This balance let me continue to learn about myself and grow as a student.  It also allowed me to look into future career paths including not only nature interpretation but potentially scientific writing.

For this week’s prompt when it comes to personal ethics and nature interpretation, I wanted to first look at some of my own ethics in general.  That includes the following traits:

Loyalty

Empathy

Respect

Honesty

Equality

Humility

Selflessness

Integrity

These qualities I use in everyday decisions including the actions I make.  These are extremely important to look at because they help shape your leadership role whether that is through school, work, or a simple interaction. Through these qualities, my leadership type would be a mix of the Visionary leadership style as well as the Servant leadership style (Indeed, 2021).  This means when looking at the Visionary leadership style my qualities of optimism, innovativeness, being magnetic, risk-taking, and being strategic can help bring change by inspiring others and earning a deep-rooted trust (Indeed, 2021).  

On the other hand, when looking at the Servant leadership type my qualities of personally caring about others, excellent communication skills, and empathy can help those around me feel personally fulfilled and raise morale (Indeed, 2021).  Being aware of your leadership style is crucial.  It allows me to be self-aware of my strengths when working with others and to be mindful of my weaknesses that come with them. For example, when looking at the Visionary leadership style I know I think “big picture.”  I now know to be careful to not skim over small details that I could potentially miss and balance not only my future-orientated goals but my current ones (Indeed, 2021).  Also, when looking at my Servant leadership style I now know to now burn myself out with others’ emotional needs and am also learning to be more authoritative (Indeed, 2021).

What is your leadership style? Watch this YouTube video to figure it out!

So you might be wondering, what does this have to do with nature interpretation? 

As I mentioned before, figuring out who you are as a person is important when looking at nature interpretation (Hooykaas, 2021).  Your strengths, weakness, and problem-solving skills make you the person you are today.  It essentially helps you figure out the question, “Who Am I As an Interpreter (Hooykaas, 2021)?” It not only helps with that question but also how to lead depending on your audience (Hooykaas, 2021).  Even though I know my “go-to” leadership style when it comes to different situations, I should be able to adjust it depending on what the problem is.  By also being aware, I can understand others’ leadership styles to be able to make a more cohesive team experience.

Have you ever had a time where you needed to change your approach to a situation because of someone else’s problem-solving approach?

So let’s take my personal ethics and apply them to nature interpretation and working in the field.

Cait’s Guide to Ethics and Applying Them to Real Life:

Loyalty: I will take pride in my work.  I will work as hard as I can and work to the overall success of my place of work.  I will always put my best work forward.

Empathy: I will take others’ concerns and thoughts into consideration.  I will actively listen and ask questions about others’ problems.  I will not make presumptions about others.

Respect: I will treat others with kindness.  I will encourage others to express their opinions and viewpoints.  I will listen to what others have to say before expressing my own viewpoint.  

Honesty: I will keep my word and deliver on my promises.  I will keep to my commitments.  I will take responsibility for my actions. 

Equality: I will include everyone.  I will identify and prevent any unconscious biases.  I will be aware of any indirect discrimination.

Humility: I will apologize when I am in the wrong.  I will acknowledge other’s limitations and strengths.  I will appreciate other’s contributions.

Selflessness: I will learn to let go.  I will practice giving things I want for myself to others.  I will get out of my own head.  

Integrity: I will be respectful during conflict.  I will be a positive example.  I will practice accountability.  

This code of personal ethics allows me to bring my own set of guidelines to the nature interpretation field.  By doing this I have a certain amount of responsibility to uphold.  If I did not uphold these guidelines it would ruin my self-esteem, self-worth, and self-image.  Not upholding your personal ethics, in general, makes you question your morals and who you are as a person.  It is important under all circumstances to remind yourself who you really are and do what is best for your own being.

Have you ever had to go against your own morals?  Why did you have to? How did it make you feel?

All the best with the rest of the semester,

Cait :)

Here’s one last picture of me at Lake Laurentian Conservation Area!

References:

Hooykaas, A. (2021). Unit 10: Nature Interpretation’s Role in Environmental Sustainability [Course Website]. University of Guelph Courselink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/666945/viewContent/2597605/View

Indeed. 2021. 10 Common Leadership Styles. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/10-common-leadership-styles

[mkenvs3000]

Hi Abigail,

Great post! I truly appreciated learning about how this course allowed you to grow in your journey of nature interpretation. I also cannot believe that this chapter is ending, however, I know that we will take this unique learning of our natural world with us.

In your post, you specifically stated that you need to effectively communicate to an audience in an engaging manner. You state that it is imperative to captivate an audience while sharing our unique interpretations. My question to you is, in what ways do you plan to do this? Are there particular strategies that you have learned from this course that will help you engage others as you share in your interpretation of the world around you?

For me in particular, I often use the art of storytelling to captivate learners and spark creative discussion. I used this in our podcast assignment and fully intend to employ this skill beyond this course. For me, this strategy is effective because, “linguistic storytelling uses allegory and metaphor to broaden the scope and deepen the message of a theme. Storytelling can powerfully convey information about cultural and natural history” (Beck et al., 2018). As Beck reveals, this narrative-based approach allows interpreters to relate their speech to engaging aspects of both history and culture. Additionally, storytelling appeals to a variety of multiple intelligences including linguistic and interpersonal. As you ponder this question I have posed, I encourage you to reflect on what multiple intelligences you are servicing in your approach.

In all, I thoroughly enjoyed your post and hope you continue to think deeper about how you plan to approach your journey of nature interpretation.

All the best,

Marissa🌿

A Chapter Closing.......

           Writing this final post has actually made me quite sad. I enjoyed drafting these posts as they provided me with an opportunity to express my views and share my thoughts and opinions with my classmates. The response process with everyone also provided a much-needed social interaction that was lost due to the pandemic. Yet I will not dwell upon what is coming to an end. Instead, I will reflect upon what I have learned about my development as a nature interpreter. In particular, how is my personal ethic evolving, what beliefs are influencing me, what do I view as my responsibilities, and what approaches are most suitable for me as a nature interpreter? The highly divergent views expressed by my classmates in their blogs has illustrated how important individual life experiences and circumstances are in forming their opinions, thoughts and views. Sharing our individual experiences has helped us collectively expand our horizons. So how has this influenced me?

          Everyone has an ethic that influences the way in which they approach a task or respond to an issue. Ethics are referred to by the Government of Canada (2015) as “a way of living” that people use to justify their actions based upon what they deem right and wrong and just and unjust. The moral judgments that individuals make are not something that can be taught but is something that they need to cultivate. An individual’s ethics can continue to develop and change as people grow and learn valuable lessons over their lives. The beliefs that I have, the responsibilities that I feel, and how I go about addressing situations are all rooted back to my individual moral ethics.

My parents are two of the most important people in my life. A lot of the moral ethics that I have now are because of them. They have instilled values in me that shape every action I do. Photo taken by Brooke Murphy (my sister)       

       I believe that humans tend to take things for granted and we tend to not understand how truly valuable people, moments or objects are. I think that nature is one of those things humans undervalue. 

Quickly take a second and reflect on how vital nature is for your survival.

 Humans require nature for food, places to exercise, to find inspiration, and improve their mental health. That is why I believe nature interpretation is so vital. It helps enhance one’s appreciation for the natural world. Personally, the pandemic took a toll upon my mental health. One of the ways that I have been able to recover is through interpreting nature. Nature brings me this sense of calm, making all the anxieties, which tend to overtake my life some days, disappear. The significance nature plays in my mental health recovery is why I believe that nature is so vital as the benefits it has tend to go unnoticed by most.

I started really understanding how important walking through nature was for my mental health in 2017 when I started to develop severe anxiety. This photo is around the time my anxiety was becoming extremely bad and I was going on frequent walks just to try to feel calm and I found nature was able to help me find this calm.

         Given how positively impactful nature has been on my life, I feel responsible to serve as an interpreter for nature. I do not necessarily want to be a formal nature interpreter, but I would still like to be a nature interpreter through my day-to-day actions. The natural world has helped me immeasurably and improved my mental health. That is why I feel responsible for helping to improve nature’s physical health by discussing endangered species, climate change, and other pressing environmental issues. When I graduate, I plan to pursue a career in teaching and use the concepts that I learned in this course in my career. I learned that effective communication is essential! To educate an audience about nature, I need to be able to effectively communicate to an audience in both an engaging and inclusive manner in order to appeal to their moral ethic to act as stewards of the earth! 

Freeman Tilden says…..

 “we must not tell one what they can do, but what they should do and not what they must be, but what they can be”. 

I believe that in order to do this I will need to tailor to my audience how I present a topic. In the course and textbook, the notion is discussed that how people interpret and connect with a presentation will be influenced by presentation style. Understanding and customizing each presentation to address each audience’s different learning styles is critical and my responsibility.

           I feel responsible for being an effective nature interpreter, not just for nature, but also for the individuals that I am presenting to. I believe and feel everyone has a right to be included and that no one should be made to feel as if they are not welcome - speaking from experience. As a nature interpreter, it is my responsibility to ensure that everyone can engage comfortably with an issue or concept that I am discussing. As a person who suffers from social anxiety, I can relate to the difficulty of group engagement. I know that as soon as my anxiety begins, I start to zone out and cannot remember anything. To ensure that this does not happen to others, I would give consideration to making people feel physically, mentally and socially safe. Doing this will help to ensure that everyone is given the same opportunity despite what they have and lack in their “invisible knapsack”.

I remember I was super anxious this day and was very quite during this tour/experience. The tour guide picked up on it and in front of the whole group made me come and kiss a stingray for 7 years of good luck. This gesture made me feel so included and special that I stopped feeling as anxious and began engaging more. Highlighting how important it is to make sure everyone feels included and has the same opportunity to learn. 

          I find that humour is one of the best ways to present a concept as it makes people more engaged and relaxed. Adding humour to my presentation, while effectively articulating my point, makes an experience more engaging and memorable while creating a sense of joy and calm. I use humour often in my everyday life. Humour helps to lighten the mood and make experiences more enjoyable, I also find it helps reduce my anxiety, which is an added bonus.

          This course taught me that there are many ways to be a nature interpreter, present a topic or write a blog. The diverse means of completing different tasks allows us to add our own values and beliefs to everything. Therefore, when someone wants to use different approaches, teaching styles, and so on, that is 100% okay! The ways that individuals choose to work in the future will be effective regardless of the style, as long as they stay true to their morals, beliefs and values.

As long as you stay true to you the impacts you can have and the lessons you can teach will be unmeasurable! 

References 

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

Government of Canada. (2015). What is ethics? https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/values-ethics/code/what-is-ethics.html

[mkenvs3000]

My Journey as an Interpreter 🌿

Prior to this course, my view of nature was quite closed-minded. In fact, I perceived nature as simply a space to enjoy and relax during my downtime, for leisure activities, and as a place to take a breather from the stressful world around me. Although nature still provides this escape for me, I have also come to understand that the natural world is much, much more. I am grateful for this course because it has taught me to appreciate nature interpretation as a space for learning and growing as individuals and as a community. Nature is a welcoming place for all.

Throughout my journey as an interpreter, I have had many opportunities to reflect on my relationship with the natural world. Not only have I become more self-aware of my connection to nature, but I have also become more mindful of new perspectives of interpretation. According to Chapter 1 of Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World, Canadian Yorke Edwards defines the essence of interpretive work, stating that “the job of interpretation is to open the minds of people so they can receive the interesting signals that the world is constantly sending” (Beck et al., 2018). I truly believe that nature evokes feelings that support a personal relationship with the cultural landscape. Effective interpretation needs to remain relevant and thought-provoking to the audience in order to nurture one’s personal connection to their natural surroundings.

When I think about my own personal morals and core values, I realize that a lot of them are shared with the ethical beliefs of a good nature interpreter. I value honesty, integrity, and responsibility. I strive to stay creative, patient, and passionate. I cherish exploration, wonder, and ambition. These ethics that I have inherited from my parents, learned from friends and family, and discovered through my life journey are extremely important to me. As an interpreter, I wish to share my experiences and teachings with others while remaining true to my values and beliefs.

My responsibility as an interpreter is to make sure that everyone feels welcomed and included. Inclusion is a core value of mine and has been since I was young. In fact, growing up I played soccer and I recall one particular practice that still resonates with me. The coach selected two team captains to do a classic “school-yard pick” to create the two teams. I was chosen as one of the captains for that practice. We went along, going back and forth, choosing each player to join our team. At the end of the practice, the coach pulled me aside and said “I know what you did. I know that you choose all the girls first who were always chosen last to be a part of your team. And when I tell you how happy each of those girls looked - thank you.” To this day I always remember this moment, as what I thought was just a simple school-yard pick, turned out to make a major difference. I still strive to make each person feel included like those girls did that day. I wish for each person's contribution, big or small, to feel significant. As Maya Angelou once stated, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Thus as an environmental interpreter, I wish to create an experience that will leave participants with a stronger sense of belonging. In particular, I can do this by encouraging others to share their personal thoughts, opinions, and experiences with nature. It is so important that I create safe spaces for other nature interpreters where they can feel comfortable to openly explore new perspectives in a communal environment.

Retrieved from: LINK

Another responsibility I have as an environmental interpreter is to understand the numerous ways that people learn. This deeper understanding will allow me to better organize experiences in a cohesive way that others will remember and find meaningful (Beck et al., 2018). Specifically, it is imperative to comprehend diverse learning styles and multiple intelligences in order to provide a deeper learning experience for each unique individual.

My approach to environmental interpretation is foremost rooted in artistic expression. Specifically, I intend to use my passion for art and creative design to inspire others to establish a deeper emotional connection with their surroundings. As noted by Jay Griffiths, “Art elicits sympathy, conjures empathy, and these emotions are requisites for a kind, kinned sense of society… for the greatest artists do not make their best works of art in clay or paint or sound or words; they make them right inside us, within the heart of the reader or audience” (Beck et al., 2018). Knowing this, I hope to use the power of creative expression to foster greater connections between one’s emotions and the world around them. In particular, I hope to encourage others to engage with a variety of artistic mediums (i.e. painting, sculpting, and drawing) to represent their personal understandings of their emotions in relation to nature. Interestingly, just like art, there is no one specific way to interpret nature. Blending art and nature is an important approach that allows interpreters to open their minds to a variety of diverse perspectives.

A second approach that I use as a nature interpreter is focused on facilitating discussions with an array of individuals of different backgrounds and experiences. After taking this course, I recognize that my personal interpretations of the natural world are limited to my unique schema and specific interactions with nature. To address this, I hope to engage in meaningful conversations with other nature interpreters in my community to grow in my understanding of our beautiful world. This approach is similar to Peggy McIntosh’s paper, “Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.” In this work, McIntosh explains that each of us has, “an invisible knapsack of unearned assets … of special provisions, maps, passports, codebooks, visas, clothes, tools, and blank checks” (McIntosh in Novel, 2000, p. 116). Essentially, we all carry our own knapsacks of privilege and bias that influence the ways in which we view and perceive the world. I understand that my view of nature is limited to the items in my own knapsack and therefore I hope to expand my understanding by sharing my tools with others.

Overall, this course has taught me numerous lessons and strategies to implement as a nature interpreter. I intend to apply these new skills throughout my daily life to continue growing my relationship with others and nature. Thank you all for joining me on this journey!

- Marissa🌿

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For a better world. Urbana, IL: Sagamore Publishing.

McIntosh, P. (2000). White privilege: Unpacking the invisible knapsack. In J. Noel's (Ed.). Notable selections in multicultural education (pp. 115-120). Guilford, CT. Dushkin/ McGraw-Hill.

[mkenvs3000]

Hi Leah!

I was immediately intrigued by your title and knew that I had to continue reading. I definitely found it difficult to choose the single most amazing thing about nature as there are so many wonderful aspects to choose from. However, after reading your post I have come to the realization that maybe we as humans have not even encountered the most amazing thing about nature but rather it is still hidden among the stars and seafloors. 

As interpreters, we strive to learn and interact with the nature to further our knowledge and understanding about the natural world. Interpreters are tasked with the important job of helping to educate and inspire others to interpret the world around them from various lenses (Beck et al., 2018). Whether that be through art, music, storytelling, blogs, podcasts (Beck et al. 2018) or some many other outlet, interpretation of nature can be done in so many unique ways.

Do you think that naturalistic intelligence is the most important intelligence to have as an interpreter?

It is very unfortunate to say that at the rate we are going at, many of the species interpreters studied back then and today will no longer be around for future generations of interpreters. It is not the job of one, or many, but all, to make a difference in the life of our planet and everything that depends on it. After studying more about learning styles and multiple intelligence from the textbook (Beck et al., 2018), I truly believe that learning about our natural surroundings is an obtainable goal for all as we can learn and appreciate nature from so many different perspectives. Whether that be studying the stars or researching to improve or discover new deep-sea equipment to learn more about animals such as the blobfish, there is a spot for all of us.

Mkay🌿

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

From Stars to Seafloors

To me, the most amazing thing about nature is how much we truly don’t know about the universe, and even just our planet alone. There is so much that cannot be explored and/or studied due to human limitations. We continue to discover more and more previously undocumented species every year, and there is still much more to be discovered. As well as species being discovered, there are also hundreds of species going extinct each year due to human activity. The current rate of extinction is over a thousand times faster than the estimated natural rate of extinction (Lees, 2015). This number also doesn’t account for undiscovered species, and it is likely that many species have gone extinct before they can even be discovered by humans.

Of course, the first thing that may come to mind when you think about the unknown is space. There is nothing more mesmerizing to me than looking up at the stars and thinking about all of the planets, stars, and even entire galaxies that exist outside of our reach. I often think about what’s out there, how everything came to be, and of course, the age-old question: is there life out there? In my opinion, the universe is far too large for us to be the only life there is, but that’s a whole other question for another time (and thinking about it too long gives me an existential crisis).

It’s estimated that there are billions of galaxies in the cosmos. Photo retrieved here. 

Deep-sea life is another example of how much that we don’t know about the natural world of our planet. There have been many technological advances made to allow us to explore further into this territory, but there are still many limitations that we face when it comes to the study of deep-sea marine life due to the fact that it is so expensive and difficult. Even though the ocean covers over 70 percent of the planet’s surface, 80 percent of it is still unmapped, unobserved, and unexplored (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2021)! You can’t tell me that that’s not intriguing!

There is a lot that we don’t know about deep-sea fish and animals, and much of it cannot be uncovered without conducting behavioural experiments, such as whether or not they can even see colour (de Busserolles et al. 2020). However, these experiments are nearly impossible to conduct due to the high pressure at the bottom of the ocean – the fish cannot be brought to the surface without causing rapid tissue damage and eventually death (without expensive equipment such as pressure containers), and humans cannot withstand the pressure at the bottom of the ocean without being crushed.  I’m sure you have all seen the pictures of the “world’s ugliest fish” the blobfish pulled out of water, but here’s the thing: the fish doesn’t actually look like that. It’s actually the rapid change in pressure causing them to bloat and essentially fall apart (Hale, 2019). Trust me, you’ll never look at a picture of that poor fish the same again.

These poor fish get a bad rep from the pictures spread of them on the internet. I bet you wouldn’t look too hot if your tissues exploded, either! Photo obtained here. 

Overall, there are so many fascinating things about the natural world, but it never ceases to amaze me just how insignificant we are in the scope of the universe. Do you think we’ll ever have the technology to actually explore the unknown, or are some things never meant to be discovered?

References 

Beard, D. (2019). How Many Species Haven’t We Found Yet? National Geographic. Obtained from www.nationalgeographic.com/newsletters/animals/article/how-many-species-have-not-found-december-26. de Busserolles, F., Fogg, L., Cortesi, F., & Marshall, J. (2020). The exceptional diversity of visual adaptations in deep-sea teleost fishes. Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology, 106, 20–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcdb.2020.05.027 Hale, T. (2019). You Have Been Lied To About The Blobfish This Whole Time. IFLScience. Obtained from www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/you-have-been-lied-to-about-the-blobfish-this-whole-time/. Lees, P. (2015). Species, extinct before we know them? Current Biology, 25(5), R177–R180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2014.12.017 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2021). How Much of the Ocean Have We Explored? NOAA’s National Ocean Service. Obtained from oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/exploration.html.

[mkenvs3000]

The Most Massive Organism on Earth!

Let’s begin our journey by exploring the beautiful Fishlake National Forest in Richfield, Utah. As we walk around the forest, we are accompanied by the tall swaying aspen trees that’s yellow leaves make a quaking sound when the wind brushes through them. As environmental interpreters, we take a moment to pause and reflect on our natural surroundings. We begin to notice a pattern... all the trees seem to appear the exact same. Each branch reaching up at the same angle. Each bud taking on the same shape and blossoming at the same time. Each tree in the forest growing and functioning in unison, as one. This, however, is not a mere coincidence but rather the story of Pando. 

Retrieved from: Smithsonian Magazine 

This majestic organism, known as Pando, the Latin word for “I spread”, is known for being the most massive organism on Earth (“Pando to Pangea,” 2018). Uniquely, the national forest consists of a single male quaking aspen that spans over 106 acres and weighs 13 million pounds - an equivalent to 40 blue whales (“Pando to Pangea,” 2018). Now you may be thinking: ‘there’s no way a single organism can weigh that much!’ However, ecologists were able to take samples of DNA from the ‘trees’ and determine that the forest is actually comprised of a single aspen that grew from a lone seed years and years ago (Schmerker, 2020). Therefore, each tree is not simply a tree but is rather a shoot of the same tree, with identical DNA, all connected by a single root system. It is estimated that these interconnected roots span 20,000 kilometers - a distance equal to half of Earth’s circumference (“The Giving Tree - The Aspen Institute,” 2020). 

Retrieved from: Link

Since all 47,000 “trees” are part of the same single organism, the forest behaves in somewhat of a unique way. For instance, the entire forest transitions simultaneously from winter to spring. A remarkable characteristic of Pando is its ability to use its vast interconnected network of roots to distribute water and nutrients from trees with plenty to trees in need (“Pando to Pangea,” 2018). Pandos distinctive characteristics has resulted in many people recognizing it as symbol of community and resilience even in the face of struggle. 

Retrieved from: Britannica

It remains difficult for scientists to determine precisely how old Pando is as new shoots are constantly replacing older ones. Despite this, researchers estimate the organism to be several thousand years old, ultimately placing Pando as one of the oldest known living organisms  (“Pando to Pangea,” 2018). Unfortunately, a recent study conducted by the Utah State University discovered that Pando has been diminishing for decades in size and ability to replace dying shoots (Nace, 2018). The research team found that a combination of hungry grazing animals, feeding on the new growing shoots and leaves, as well as human activity and expansion, has caused the Pando to deteriorate over the last few decades (Nace, 2018). As a result, fewer infant, teenage, and young adult aspens can be found, leaving the aspen community with unsustainable, elder trees (Nace, 2018). Fortunately, there is a whole movement for people to get involved in protecting Pando through citizen science. This is a great way for citizen scientists to participate in taking measurements and samples to characterize the conditions of the Pando forest. 

As noted in Chapter 3 of the textbook, it is the job of an interpreter to encourage people to see the world as interconnected and diverse (Beck et al., 2018). Pando is an outstanding example of this relationship as we may not see everything as interconnected but behind the scenes, or in this case, in the ground, everything is connected in some way. Interpreters encourage us to take responsibility as stewards of the natural world (Beck et al., 2018) and it is our responsibility to help Pando before it is complete gone. 

Thanks for reading 

- Marissa 🌿

References:  

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

Nace, T. (2018). The World’s Largest Organism, Pando, Is Dying. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2018/10/18/the-worlds-largest-organism-pando-is-dying/?sh=ea02d155554c

Pando to Pangea. (2018). Retrieved March 20, 2021, from Earth Island Journal website:

https://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/articles/entry/pando-to-pangea/

‌Schmerker, J. (2020). Clonal colonies in the forest. Retrieved March 20, 2021, from Integrated DNA Technologies website: https://www.idtdna.com/pages/community/blog/clonal-colonies-in-the-forest

‌The Giving Tree - The Aspen Institute. (2020). Retrieved March 20, 2021, from The Aspen Institute website: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/longform/ideas-the-magazine-of-the-aspen-institute-summer-2020/the-giving-tree/

[mkenvs3000]

Just What The Doctor Order

I believe that it is imperative to recognize the benefits both music and nature provide to society. As you mentioned, music and nature can create a soundscape of serenity that allows us to calm our minds. For example you questioned how the calming sounds of thunderstorms can help us sleep better or how the smell of lavender allows us to relax. These questions can be related to studies revealing the advantages both nature and music have on improving and supporting one’s mental health. Specifically, music is a powerful tool that can trigger a chemical release of beneficial hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin, throughout the body (“How Music Helps with Mental Health”, 2018). In doing so, these hormones work to prevent the mind from focusing on negative thoughts and helps to boost one's overall mood. Furthermore, scientists have found a similar link between positive mental health and nature. Exposure to natural surroundings presents many benefits to mental health as well as physical well being, including reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and the production of stress hormones (“How Does Nature Impact Our Wellbeing?”, 2011). In fact, in a study conducted in 2015, researchers compared brain activity of people who had spent 90 minutes in a natural setting in contrast to those in an urban one (Harvard Health Publishing, 2021). These findings revealed that those who had spent time in nature had lower activity in their prefrontal cortex; a region of the brain that focuses on repetitive negative thoughts and emotions (Harvard Health Publishing, 2021). It is clearly evident that music and nature target similar regions of the brain to promote well being. I truly believe that music and nature are just what the doctor ordered! :) 

I am curious as to whether you think both nature and music are a beneficial influence in improving and supporting one’s mental health?  

- Marissa🌿

Retrieved from Link 

How Music Helps with Mental Health – Mind Boosting Benefits of Music Therapy - Community Partnerships of Idaho, Inc. (2018, August 7). Retrieved March 6, 2021, from Community Partnerships of Idaho, Inc. website: https://www.mycpid.com/how-music-helps-with-mental-health-mind-boosting-benefits-of-music-therapy/#:~:text=The%20music%20works%20by%20triggering,a%20little%20better%20in%20yourself.

Harvard Health Publishing. (2021). Sour mood getting you down? Get back to nature - Harvard Health. Retrieved March 6, 2021, from Harvard Health website: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/sour-mood-getting-you-down-get-back-to-nature

‌How Does Nature Impact Our Wellbeing? | Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing. (2011). Retrieved March 6, 2021, from Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing website: https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-does-nature-impact-our-wellbeing

Week 7: Majestic Markings of Art

     Music and nature are both forms of art. They create heartwarming emotions, which can help build and strengthen relationships within yourself, and with others. Music can be heard and found in nature endlessly. Such as the sound of birds chirping in the morning as the weather starts to warm or the sound of crickets outside late at night. Music can be heard within the leaves rustling through a windy autumn day or even through the echo of a pebble skipping across a pond. Music is whatever heals your soul and makes you feel at peace. There are so many examples and forms of those sounds of harmony within nature; it is almost impossible to write it all out in one post. 

     According to Beck et al. (2018), “Music is a form of art and the arts move our minds from the ordered and sequential logic into the deeper, more cyclical world of imagery, values, metaphor, and symbolism.”  When I think of music and nature, I think of the serenity that I can find when I can feel both. For example, merely watching a sunset while listening to the ocean waves or listening to the sound of a bonfire crackling on a warm summer night - is enough to create peace within my soul. Don’t get me wrong; I love listening to actual music! I am one of those people who have different playlists for different moods. I love music so much; it has helped me overcome many hurdles in my life, mostly when I have felt alone. However, in my opinion, relating (back) to the quote, there is nothing more calming than associating those beautiful sounds of nature with those beautiful images, such as sunsets, sunrises, mountain tops, seasonal changes, ocean views, and so on. On that note, I feel I should mention that is also why I am that person who lives for outside music festivals! I have been to multiple outdoor concerts in Wasaga Beach, Toronto, Guelph, Kitchener and I attend Boots and Hearts music festivals every summer! I love being able to dance, sing, and enjoy myself outside in the sun! 

(PERSONAL PHOTO: LOCATION: Boots & Hearts Music Festival, Oro-Medonte, Ontario. DATED: August 11th, 2017, 2:38 pm). 

(PERSONAL PHOTO: LOCATION: Boots & Hearts Music Festival, Oro-Medonte, Ontario. DATED: August 12th, 2018, 7:47 pm). 

(PERSONAL PHOTO: LOCATION: Bingemans, Kitchener, Ontario. DATED: September 8th, 2017, 7:56 pm). 

     Now moving onto nature in music, where is nature found in music? I believe nature is found in music naturally. It is located within talent, lyrics, music videos, and so on. I do not mean that nature is found in everything related to music; I just mean that there are deeper meanings behind the art of both music and nature. 

     One of my favourite songs to listen to within adventures outside is Sleep On The Floor by The Lumineers! This song reminds me of the saying, “seize the day.” The lyrics express how people move on to bigger and brighter things in life to fulfill their dreams. This song moves me in a certain way because I also feel that once I complete my degree, I will have to pack up my things and start my life outside Canada; an exhilarating but nerve-wracking experience! Also, if you have never heard of this song before, I will place a youtube link below in case you guys wanted to have a listen! :)

SONG LINK →  https://youtu.be/v4pi1LxuDHc (The Lumineers, 2016). 

QUESTION FOR YOU GUYS:

Have you ever thought to yourself why some of us sleep better through a thunderstorm or rainstorm? Or why some of us find calmness in nighttime playlists like rainforest sounds and ocean waves? Or why smells like lavender help some of us feel relaxed? There are just some things that are stronger together, and music and art are one of them. 

QUESTION → Do any of you use any of the examples I provided above to help you with anything? Whether that be for sleep or relaxation purposes. Let me know! I would love to see if I have some relatable followers :) 

References:

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson, D.M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage (First Edition). Sagamore-Venture Publishing LLC. 

The Lumineers. (2016). Sleep On The Floor. [Recorded by The Lumineers]. On Cleopatra [YouTube]. Decca Division, Universal Music Operations LTD. URL: 

[mkenvs3000]

Listening to Nature's Music

Earth is a vessel that holds countless wonders of beauty revealed by the sounds of nature. By taking a moment to open our eyes and ears, we can truly listen to the world that surrounds us. From the crashing sounds of ocean waves to the melodious chirping of song birds, the natural world inherently orchestrates a symphony of music. 

While many believe that music is a human construction, author Patricia Gray and her colleagues reveal that music is a universal entity shared by all. Specifically, Gray highlights the fact that, “whale and human music have so much in common even though our evolutionary paths have not intersected for 60 million years” (Gray et al., 2001). This interesting comparison suggests that music transcends more than human culture, but rather exists through the presence of nature. 

In simple terms, music can be defined as “patterns of sound varying in pitch and time produced for emotional, social, cultural, and cognitive purposes” (Gray et al., 2001). Although this is true, I feel as though this definition may cause us to forget an important component of music; nature. Nature and music are closely connected. Most of the music produced today is created using technology in a recording studio and although music has retained several of its creative elements, many would argue that it has lost a crucial feature; it’s organic origins. I would argue, however, that the artificial sounds present in modern music are originally inspired by the natural sounds of the Earth. Additionally, modern music can be used in many cultures as “a form of communication and fellowship with others, of sharing ideas, thoughts, feelings, and inspirations” (Hooykaas, 2021). In essence, humans can use the power of music to transfer important values of our connection with nature throughout generations.

One song that particularly demonstrates this profound concept of nature in music is  ‘Colors of the Wind’ from Disney’s Pocahontas. The song illustrates the Indigenous people’s relationship with nature rooted in animism; the belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence (Swancutt, 2019). As learned in class content, Indigenous people do not recognize a separation of culture and nature, but rather they are interconnected (Hooykaas, 2021). This deep connection is modelled in many forms - especially in music.  

Everytime I listen to this song I am immediately transported to a natural landscape surrounded by the wondrous sounds of the Earth. These lyrics not only paint a picture of the beauty of nature, but also incorporate the natural sounds of fluttering butterfly wings and rushing waters. For me, this song beautifully demonstrates the diverse ways that nature can be integrated into music in a meaningful way. Some key lines from the song that resonate with me include: 

The rainstorm and the river are my brothers

The heron and the otter are my friends

And we are all connected to each other

In a circle, in a hoop that never ends

In all, our world is filled with countless natural sounds that can be shared in meaningful ways. Knowing this, it is important that we pay attention to nature’s music and share in it’s beauty with those around us. 

- Marissa🌿

Retrieved from Link

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.10.1126/science.1056960

Hooykaas, A. (2021). Unit 07: Nature Interpretation through Music [Course website]. University of Guelph CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca 

Judy Kuhn. “Colors of the Wind.” Pocahontas: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack. Walt Disney. 1995.

Swancutt, K. (2019, June 25). Animism. Retrieved March 6, 2021, from Cambridge Encyclopedia of Anthropology website: https://www.anthroencyclopedia.com/entry/animism

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Hi Victoria!

Your post this week stood out to me as I believe we interpreted the quote by Edward Hyams in a similar manner. From my understanding, the quote reveals the significance behind remembering and learning from all parts of our past, good or bad. The author wants us to look at history as a whole in order to maintain its integrity. If we choose to only look at the past from one perspective, we would be disregarding many of the other scattered pieces. I believe that taking time to fully comprehend and value each piece, motivates us to learn and grow. 

A video by Matt Bekker discussing the history of tree rings. 

To look at it from a new perspective, I believe that some of these parts of history are revealed through nature. As we know interpretation breathes life and meaning into past events, architecture, and artifacts (Hooykaas, 2021). I imagine this is true when studying nature. For example, in the video I have linked above, Matt Bekker, a BYU geography professor, discusses how the width of the tree rings, which date back hundreds of years, provide records of the trees’ life and experiences. To me, each tree’s past is unique, just like each individual person has their own journey filled with challenges and achievements. Everyone has a story to share, even nature, artifacts and architecture reveal narratives of past lives and events.

Each tree is unique as no two have the same rings. Retrieved from Line Upon Line

As mentioned in the textbook, one of the most compelling and beneficial components of interpreting history are the educational benefits (Beck et al., 2018). Through interpreting nature we can learn how the land has evolved over the years. Whether there was a drought during a specific year or whether there was lots of rainfall. Studying history can provide us with new information to understand more about our surroundings and how nature is affected over the years. 

Do you think that interpreting nature reveals the truth about our history? 

- Marissa :)

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

Hooykaas, A. (2021). Unit 06: Nature interpretation through history [Course website]. University of Guelph CourseLink. https://courselink.uoguelph.ca

Blog Post #6: The Beauty of Human Integrity

“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) 

This quote is incredibly profound, and it’s extremely relevant to the times that we are living in today. Nowadays, it seems that people have an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality, which allows for the mistakes that have been made in the past to repeat themselves today. This quote forces us to think about the decisions made in the past and the way in which those results influenced the future. It is important for all parts of the past to be told in order for us to be able to learn, grow, adapt and overcome from that knowledge. Although it is difficult, the sad, gory & heartbreaking details need to be told and passed on through generations because it will motivate us to never make those mistakes again, with the fear of causing the same pain and suffering. It is important to see what the past was truly like, so we can admire how far we have come and how much progress we have made. 

As mentioned in our textbook, integrity is one of the many universals that play a major role in interpretation, which are concepts or ideas that have different significant meanings to every individual. To me, integrity is the ability of an individual to be true to themselves, especially when there is no one watching them or holding them accountable for their words/actions. I believe that integrity truly shows the respect one has for themselves, for others, for the past and for the truth. 

As noted by Beck and Cable (2011), the final gift/tool of the interpreter includes “the beauty of human integrity commemorated in events of the past and the beauty of the intricacies of nature give rise to hope”. 

This quote discussed in chapter 5 of our textbook truly explains how, through human integrity, the stories told from the past have given us hope for a better future. 

Without the integrity of the interpreter/storyteller, the truth behind the stories of the past would be lost. It’s the duty of the historical interpreter to educate themselves on ancient history and bring the “past alive to make the present more enjoyable and the future more meaningful” through the gift of personalizing the past (Beck et al., 2018, p. 84). It’s essential for events in the past to be told in great detail to allow us to have all the information necessary to make a better future for ourselves without repeating past mistakes. Once we truly put in the effort to learn from a mistake, it is no longer considered a mistake but rather a learning lesson. What are some lessons you have learned from past mistakes that have stuck with you until today?

References: 

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

Thanks for reading! 

Victoria

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Is the Past Like a Jigsaw Puzzle?

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)

Ask yourself... What gives something meaning? Who determines it’s worth? Why is it valuable? Is it the lessons that an ancient artifact teaches us or is it the deeper understanding of its historical relevance that deems its significance?

I believe that posing these questions enables us to unpack Edward Hyams’ powerful quote regarding the integrity of the past. The author articulates that “There is no peculiar merit in ancient things.” Rather he exclaims that there is merit in integrity. I interpret this integrity as an honest account of the past - warranting all it’s injustices, hardships and challenges, but also, remembering society’s successful accomplishments, triumphant battles and all the outspoken truths that history entails. This claim is emphasized in the textbook as evident in the statement, “To remember not only that happy stories ever passed, but also the tragic ones” (Beck et al., 2018). This quote can be used as a reminder to us that although it may be difficult to share and uncover heart-wrenching stories of the past, it is important that we recognize these stories' significance in shaping a greater future. Passing on despairing memories from generation to generation, motivates us as a society to grow and learn from past mistakes, in hopes of not making those same mistakes again in the future. I am reminded of the famous quote by George Santayana (1905) stating “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” yet many of us still disregard the actions of the past.   

We most learn from the past, to live in the present and create a promising future. Retrieved from Brian Freeman

Moreover, Edward Hyams’ quote describes how meaningful pieces of history are scattered throughout time and space. I envision thousands of puzzle pieces spread out on a table waiting to be connected together to create the bigger picture. At the beginning, it can be hard to figure out where to start, but eventually patience and dedication allow us to connect the missing pieces. As we continue the pieces start to come together, changing our perspective to no longer seeing the puzzle as separate pieces but rather as a whole story. Yet, history is like a jigsaw puzzle that is never quite complete as new pieces we didn't even know existed begin to be found. 

History is like a jigsaw puzzle. Retrieved from Your Life Is a Puzzle and Only You Can Place All the Pieces Together.

In turn, I believe that it is the job of interpreters to find, decipher and interconnect these pieces in an integral manner in order to reveal the whole truth about the past. To achieve true authenticity, it is necessary that we understand who, where, and how we currently live in this precise moment of time. We must establish our connection to the past to learn invaluable lessons that help us grow as people and as a society. 

I can visualize “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” as a society we are constantly rushing to move forward that we often disregard our connection to the past, preventing us from truly moving forward. We forget that the past is always a part of the present as there are always memories and emotional connections attached to events and objects. As we learned from the textbook, we can preserve history by sharing collective memories, stories and traditions (Beck et al., 2018). I truly believe that Edward Hyams quote remains relevant as it provokes the reader to think critically about the past and to take action to create a brighter future as understanding the past is the most difficult puzzle we’ll ever have to do. 

I leave you with the question: 

Do you think that the past is like a jigsaw puzzle?

Thanks for reading! 

- Marissa

Retrieved from Your Life Is a Puzzle and Only You Can Place All the Pieces Together.

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

George Satayana (1905). Wikipedia Contributors. (2021, February 20). George Santayana. Retrieved February 26, 2021, from Wikipedia website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Santayana

[mkenvs3000]

Hi Victoria!

I really enjoyed reading your post this week! Finding fun and interesting activities to do during these tough times can be a difficult task, however, I too find an escape in nature. My family has spent countless hours walking around our neighbourhood or any new trails we can find. We typically enjoy taking our two dogs for a walk, Bella and Maia. It has gotten more difficult now in the colder months as my little dogs aren’t big fans of being in the snow for more than 5 minutes. 

A photo taken by me of my dogs Bella (on the left) and Maia (on the right)

In addition to our endless walks, my family has also taken on many new board games. We are all very competitive so it usually results in an intense game ending with a lot of “sore losers.” Despite not winning often, I always have a good time. 

Bella always wants to join when we play board games!

Another hobby that I have taken up during the pandemic is painting. I always enjoyed painting before but found myself too busy to ever sit down and paint. Being stuck at home as terrible of a circumstance as it is, has given me the opportunity to take the time to paint. I too find myself drawn to painting anything to do with nature as it is very calming. In a previous post I mentioned how painting nature really helped me let go of my perfectionist side as no two leaves or trees are the exact same. I am curious if maybe that is why you find peace in painting nature as well!

I really like painting with water colour as you can add layers to create so much texture. I’m not sure if you like to use water colour, but if so I added a link to one of the youtube channels I think to follow along with!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzzCo7lZGJ-sTCgpI7BJKEg

Some homemade cards I have painted during the pandemic. 

- Marissa 

Blog Post #5: Nature’s Role in My Life During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Since we were granted a free week to blog about any topic of our choice, I decided to use this opportunity to share how nature has been my escape, especially during a global pandemic. This time has definitely been strange and difficult but living with my two best friends and their puppies has made it easier. 

This is a picture of my two roommates and their two dogs during one September evening when we decided to go and sit outside on a blanket. Photo credits - My phone’s self timer camera.

I wanted to share some of the ways my roommates and I have been incorporating nature into our lives during this pandemic, while remaining safe and socially distanced. An activity we have recently taken up is painting. We wanted to find activities that do not require us to look at our screens during the evening, since this is what we do all day for school. These activities have been really great because it allows us to exercise our creative sides, but it also acts as a stress relieving activity. I have found myself mainly painting pictures that involve nature in them because nature brings me a feeling of peace and comfort, similar to painting. I often paint beautiful flowers I have seen on my daily walks or beautiful views I used to experience on vacations before the pandemic. Painting pictures of nature and things that I love helps me emotionally and physically during these times. 

This is a picture of my friends and I painting during quarantine in April, 2020. I painted a picture of my favourite flower called the “forget me not” flower. Photo credits - me.

Nature has played a major role during this pandemic because it feels like one of my only escapes and ways to find peace. I often go on walks around our neighbourhood, on scenic routes in downtown Guelph and in the forest behind my house. It is a good way for me to get out of the house, get some fresh air and experience a change of scenery. 

This picture was taken on one of our walks in Downtown Guelph. Photo credits - me

This picture was taken on our walk in the trail behind our Guelph home. Photo credits - me. 

Another interest we have taken up since the beginning of the pandemic in March of 2020 is plants. I have accumulated a total of 19 plants in my room and will most likely continue to grow this collection. It is nice to have plants in my room because it is something to care for and it really livens up my room. 

A picture of my roommate and I after we bough plants from a store in Downtown Guelph called “Plant”. Photo credits - My phone’s self timer camera  

Another activity we participate in is going on long drives in the countryside and singing to loud music or having long conversations. When we really need to get out of the house for stress relief purposes and the weather is too cold, this is the perfect activity. It’s a good way for us to release some stress from the hard school day and enjoy some music. Long car rides are one of my favourite activities because it forces me take a break and enjoy life without worry for a few hours. It is a good way to get outside during the stay-at-home order without having to interact with people; however, we try to limit the number of times we go on car rides because of its negative effect on the environment. Combining good friends, good music and a beautiful view of nature is the perfect way to de-stress during these times for me. 

A picture of my roommate, her dog and myself watching the sunset with McFlurries in September of 2020 on a country road. Photo credits - My phone’s self timer camera  

I hope to look back on this post one day when the pandemic is over and remember how life was during this time! 

My question to you is: 

1. How has nature’s impact on your life changed from before the pandemic to now?

Thank you for reading and I can’t wait to read all of your blogs this week!

 Victoria Tam

[mkenvs3000]

The Magnificent Monarch Migration

For this week's blog post, I found myself sitting in my kitchen looking out into my backyard and thinking about what I wanted to write and share with you all this week. As I peered out, I saw the bare trees and bushes dusted in the cold snow that continued to fall down onto them. As much as I love the winter season, I find myself missing all the furry, feathered and unique friends that would come visit my oasis in the warmer months. In particular, I think about the monarch butterflies that would come dance around the Buddleia davidii (Old Farmer's Almanac, 2018) shrub - also known as the butterfly bush! Butterflies have always held a special and symbolic place in my heart, as my grandma was very fond of them. So for today’s blog, I would like to dive into the phenomenon that is the journey of our monarch friends.

A monarch butterfly on a butterfly bush. Retrieved from: LovetoKnow

Unlike many other butterfly species that can brace the cold winter months as larvae, pupae, or sometimes as adults, the monarchs are unable to survive in chilling climates. For this reason, the monarch travels south in the winter in hopes of reaching a warmer climate. Using what appears to be a combination of environmental cues and directional aids including the magnetic pull of the earth and the position of the sun, the Eastern North American monarch butterflies make their way south towards Mexico (“Monarch Butterfly Migration and Overwintering,” 2016). Something that continues to amaze me is that some monarchs will fly as far as 3,000 miles just to reach their winter home! 

A map displacing the monarchs’ migratory patterns. Retrieved from Conserve Wildlife.

These monarchs spend the winter months in the oyamel fir forests, reaching an elevation of 2,400 to 3,600 meters. The mountain hillsides of the oyamel forests create  an ideal microclimate for the butterflies to aggregate and thrive. The tens of thousands of monarchs that migrate to this location cluster together to stay warm in hopes of surviving and returning to North America when the warmer months return. The conservation of overwintering habitat is very important to ensure the survival of the beautiful monarch butterflies. In fact, due to this phenomenon, the Mexican government came to recognize the significance of the oyamel forests to the survival of the monarch butterflies. In turn, in 1986, they created the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve to protect key overwintering sites (“Monarch Butterfly Migration and Overwintering,” 2016). 

Monarch butterflies alight on a tree in their wintering grounds in Mexico. Photo retrieved from (Guglielmi, 2019)

In hopes of saving dwindling populations of Eastern monarch butterflies, researchers in Mexico attempt to move hundreds of oyamel fir trees 400 meters up the surrounding mountains. The researchers’ goal is to help the trees, that serve as a winter home for so many butterflies, keep up with the changing climate (Guglielmi, 2019). Although many of us may see this as a great initiative, this ‘assisted migration’ has been seen as a controversy among ecologists. This migration may aid in rescuing many monarchs, but opponents worry that introducing them to a new region may threaten organisms already native to these regions. I am curious as to what perspective or thoughts you may have on this matter. Let me know!

Guglielmi, G. (2019). Protecting monarch butterflies’ winter home could mean moving hundreds of trees. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-019-00190-1

Monarch Butterfly Migration and Overwintering. (2016). Retrieved February 12, 2021, from Fs.fed.us website: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/Monarch_Butterfly/migration/index.shtml

Monarch Butterfly Migration and Overwintering. (2016). Retrieved February 12, 2021, from Fs.fed.us website: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/Monarch_Butterfly/migration/index.shtml

[mkenvs3000]

The Interpretation of Art and Nature

Art can be created through endless mediums, whether that be through a painting, dance, song, a story, or even nature. Regardless of what materials and methods you use to create a work of art, all art shares the opportunity to evoke various emotions and engage the viewers. Jay Griffiths states that “Art elicits sympathy, conjures empathy, and these emotions are requisites for a kind, kinned sense of society... For the greatest artists do not make their best works of art in clay or paint or sound or words; they make them right inside us, within the heart of the reader or audience” (Beck et al, 2018). This quote resonates with me as art is not simply on a canvas or stage but rather surrounds us every single day and its deeper meanings remain with us. Art is a powerful tool that can transform and move people in remarkable ways. This tool grants artists the ability to shed light on worldly issues as their piece can resonate in the mind of the viewers and in turn inspire and motivate change. 

In 2017, artist Alexander Cershunov and curator Tatiana Sizonenko teamed up to tackle a project that would address the topic of climate change. Together they created an art exhibit: Weather on Steroids: The Art of Climate Change Science.The project required the collaboration of local artists and scientists to convey the seriousness of climate change in a beautiful, visual way that left the viewers with a new understanding and knowledge of this environmental issue (“Art | Weather Extremes and Climate Impacts Analytics,” 2017). 

Some of the art pieces created for the art exhibit (“Art | Weather Extremes and Climate Impacts Analytics,” 2017)

There has always been a natural connection between the interpretation of art and nature. There is no right or wrong way to interpret a piece of artwork or a landscape. Both art and nature can be uniquely deciphered however the viewer chooses to. In turn, artists take a risk when revealing their masterpiece to society as the original message they wish to convey may not be the way that everyone sees and digest the piece.

 I believe that I gravitate to art as it comes in so many different forms and therefore it truly is attainable by everyone. Maybe you are a novice at painting, maybe you are learning to dance, but perhaps you are an amazing story teller. No matter which way you wish to express your connection to nature, art is always a medium that is accessible to everyone. We as artists and interpreters have such a unique tool that allows us to communicate through the universal language of art. 

Artwork created by Andy Goldsworthy 

If you click the link above you’ll find some videos of Andy explaining the inspiration and process of creating some of this art pieces. 

Who am I to interpret nature through art?

If you've read some of my other posts you may already know that one way I share my connection to nature is through art. I am definitely no Picasso, but I do enjoy creating artwork and always find myself drawn to incorporating nature into a piece. I think that creating perfect images of faces or objects can be very intimidating for many people, and painting something in nature can be less daunting because no two leaves or trees or blades of grass are the same. The imperfections in a piece are what make it unique and special.  

 To me the ‘gift of beauty’ is the ability and desire to see the beauty in everything that surrounds us. The ‘gift of beauty’ is different across every country, city, culture and every person. What is beautiful and special to one person may not be to another. As interpreters, each of us see beauty differently which enables us to create and share art so that others may see a new perspective of beauty. 

Art | Weather Extremes and Climate Impacts Analytics. (2017). Retrieved February 7, 2021, from Ucsd.edu website: https://weclima.ucsd.edu/art/ 

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., Knudson, D.M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World. Sagamore-Venture Publishing LLC.

[mkenvs3000]

I read through many classmates' blog posts and yours really resonated with me. From a young age I have always loved art. I loved to sing and dance- I would even set up chairs in my basement so that my family could come to my ‘shows’. I loved to build things and create art from watercolour or acrylics or whatever I could find. However, as I got older, whenever I started working on these projects, every so often I would catch myself holding my breath because I didn’t want to make a mistake. Sometimes I even wouldn’t be able to finish a piece because my body would feel so stiff or my head would hurt from holding my breath for so long. I realized that all of this tension was created simply because I was afraid of making a mistake, I was afraid that what I created would be ‘ugly’ or that people wouldn’t like it. 

I have become self-aware that I do this yet I still find it difficult to take my own advice and relax. Art was always something that calmed me and made me happy but then it transformed into a competition with myself that I was never going to win. By establishing a connection between my artwork and nature, instead I have been able to create things that have imperfections. All the clouds in the sky that are never the same shape, or the snowflakes that fall that are never identical or the leaves on a tree that are never quite symmetrical. I see the imperfections in nature and I embrace them. This is why nature and art hold such a special place in my heart and I can see that they do for you too.

Relationship between art and perfectionism, and how it relates to nature.

Recently I started working on this project with a group of folks in Guelph, called F*ck Perfect. It works with you on a journey of self discovery and finding growth, or achieving whatever you want. They also break pre-existing notions set by society around art and perfectionism. We grow up feeling and learning that to do art, we need to be perfect, or the end goal is something perfect. It works towards breaking these notions and starting on a journey of creative risks.

Art Not Shame, Guelph- Fuck Perfect Workshops.

Ever since I started working on this workshop, I realized how many times when we are expected to do something, we try to be the best or feel like we failed. During lockdown (all the versions of it :D), I started working on a new type of art. I have done water-colour, acrylic, soft pastels, repairing jewellery, journalling, crochet, embroidery, craft, drawing, and what not! And every time I did something new, I would be too focussed on the end product- to make it beautiful and perfect. I never reflected on how the process made me feel, why was I doing it. By journalling for this workshop and later processing things, I realized that it was during the times that I was painting, I was processing my feelings with COVID-19, being isolated, struggling with work, and being burnt out. While I was stressing about making that piece perfect, I forgot about the fact that the process of making that piece of art (moving the brush on the canvas, needle on the cloth) was actually very therapeutic and was actually the best stress buster. 

The painting that I made through the university’s art stress buster series, December 2020- photo taken by me. 

Why am I talking about this when talking about nature interpretation? Something that I noticed while reading through multiple posts was folks fixation on “good art” by “great artists” can create feelings/connection with nature. I don’t think that is true. I think every small piece of art, made by anyone, can play a role in nature interpretation. While my favourite poem is by Oscar Wilde, I do enjoy the random rhymes that slip into conversations, and honestly its these rhymes and not poems by great poets that I remember with a smile on my face. I think every small piece of art- grainy/unfocused pictures, undeveloped music, a kid’s stick figure drawing, journal entry- literally anything that speaks to you, can be a great interpreter. You just have to allow yourself to appreciate it. 

As a way to incorporate this in my life, I took a little advice from my friend, and I no longer throw away art that does not look like what I wanted it to be. I used to call it mistakes, but now I just call them creative opportunities! I will paint over them or try to draw something with a black marker on them and integrate it together. Or, I just leave them as is, just cause they still remind me of the sunset I saw! Others might not see they same sunset as me, but I know what it means to me and what it remind me of. Hopefully, to others, it reminds them of something else they saw! In my small ways, I am fighting the urge to be perfect and embracing my imperfections. 

How do you think you could break the pressure to be perfect and embrace yourself?! 

[mkenvs3000]

Hi Emilia, 

I wanted to start off by sincerely thanking you for being so open about how you have experienced privilege throughout your life. I too believe that this is a sensitive topic for many of us to talk about. It was a great idea to include the video as it was an excellent visual representation of how everyone has a unique experience with privilege. Often, a verbal discussion or a written blog post can be difficult for people to comprehend or digest. Although privilege comes in many forms, I feel that structuring your post into three core concepts kept your ideas clear and well organized. When I think about privilege, finance and accessibility quickly come to mind. Growing up in a household where I was always able to go outside into my backyard whenever I wished to explore, is a privilege. Being able to go to the park that was right behind my house is a privilege. These privileges were granted to me because of finance and accessibility. My parents have the luxury of living and working in Canada, thus being able to afford a wonderful home for my brother and I to grow up in. Without this financial stability, I may not have had such easy access to the natural world. 

Now when it comes to the privilege of time, I will admit, this did not come to mind until I had read your post. Something such as simple as time can be easily taken for granted as I definitely overlook this privilege. I am fortunate enough that I am able to spend time outside in a safe space. My parents both have jobs where they are able to take time off work to travel, go camping, go to the cottage in the summer or even just to sit outside with me in the backyard. Although I may overlook the privilege of time, I am definitely grateful to be able to spend time outdoors with my family. After reflecting on your blog and many others blog posts, I have come to the realization that I have access to countless privileges. I am grateful that you shared your experiences as it has truly opened my eyes to the many privileges that I experience that I may disregard or was simply not even aware of, so thank you.

A photo taken of a friend and I when we went camping at Tobermory. 

Privilege and nature interpretation - are they connected?

It is a privilege that you are able to read this blog. Yes–being able to read is a privilege in itself, and there are many other aspects and abilities involved in your life that you may or may not have identified as a privilege as well. I used to think that “privilege” only referred to a monetary sense, however, I have slowly been coming to learn that it means much more than that. I now define privilege as anything that you are capable of doing, that another may not have the opportune circumstances of also doing. Below I share a video that briefly illustrates the powerful presence of privilege:

Privilege is a bit of an uncomfortable topic to reflect on, but an extremely important one nonetheless. Does privilege play a role in nature interpretation? Yes, and in many ways. Off the top of my head, I can think of multiple variables of privilege when considering the luxury of environmental interpretation. Factors of privilege in environmental interpretation can include, but are not limited to: finances, time, and accessibility.

1. Finances

Financial resources are an enabling factor for some, and a limiting factor for others. When it comes to nature interpretation, many programs offered come with a price tag. From recreational guided tours in a national park, to looking for a place to pitch your tent at a camping site, access to the environment can require a certain level of financial privilege. I acknowledge that, as a child, I carried an immense level of privilege in being able to attend summer camp and spend my days in the outdoors, as a result of my parent’s income. It sits uncomfortably, but is important to reflect upon, regardless.

2. Time

Environmental interpretation requires time spent, and yes, this in itself is also a privilege. When it comes down to it, “free time” is a luxury that indicates an ability to spend time for recreational purposes, over other activities (e.g. working). Environmental interpretation requires a portion of time from individuals. Some people may have the time available for this, others - not as much. From a 20 minute interpretive walk through a park, to a 4-day camping trip - it is still considered time being spent. To some, this may be time unavailable.

3. Accessibility

The ability to access. If you are able to travel by car to a National Park across the country - that is a privilege. If you are able to walk a few steps away to your backyard to enjoy the company of plants birds - that is also a privilege. Environmental interpretation requires that you are able to access the location of interpretation itself. Whether it be across the country, or down the street at your local park, effortless mobility is a privilege.

This blog touched a more sensitive, but very critical topic. Understanding and acknowledging my own level of privilege is a journey that has been unfolding throughout my life. It is an intra- and interpersonal learning experience. 

To finish this blog, I leave you with one question: is there an environmental “luxury” (I.e. privilege) that you can identify in your life?

[mkenvs3000]

Recognizing Privilege

To many of us, the conversation of discussing what privilege looks like can be a daunting challenge, as everyone experiences and views privilege in a unique way. To me, privilege is having the opportunities and access to certain rights and resources that not everyone is afforded in life. Whether this privilege is built through hard work or simply granted at birth, it is important to realize that we are all unique individuals with our own interaction of privilege. I think that many times privilege is viewed as having lots of money or getting to travel or having a big house. Although all these things are a privilege, I believe that a lot of the privileges many of us experience are overlooked in our day to day lives. The privilege of having a family that loves us unconditionally. The privilege of living in a country that allows us the freedom of speech and expression. The privilege that our healthy bodies allow us to live each day. I will be the first to say, there are many things that I am privileged to have that I take for granted, however, I believe that awareness of this is a step in the right direction. 

Something that many of us take for granted is the nature that surrounds us. Having the opportunity to escape to nature from the intrinsic and extrinsic factors we endure. Nature helps me to calm my mind. As someone who suffers with anxiety, connecting with nature has always helped me gain a sense of peace and serenity. I recognize this privilege now more than ever, as many people in the world don’t have a safe or obtainable place in nature they can go to during the pandemic. People are sacrificing their own comfort to protect the lives of others whether that be working on the front lines or doing their part by social distancing. 

A photo I took in the summer while visiting a sunflower field

I am very privileged that I have had the opportunity to see many sides of nature. I am very grateful to live in such an amazing country that allows me to experience nature in all four seasons. From the flowers blooming in the spring, to the birds chirping in the summer, to the leaves turning yellow and orange in the fall, to the snowflakes falling in the winter, I truly am in awe. Additionally, my parents have worked extremely hard for their success and I am very thankful for all that they have done for me and my brother. As a family, we have traveled to different places around the world and have had the most amazing interactions with nature. Connecting with nature has opened my eyes to not only see, but feel all the amazing things nature has to offer.

In grade 11, I had the opportunity to go to the Dominican Republic on an educational retreat and live with a host family for a week. They were extremely inviting and loving to welcome a stranger into their home. Over the week, I learned so much and saw what nature can provide from a completely new perspective.

I believe that we are all privileged to have the opportunity and resources to attend the University of Guelph. We are very lucky to have the Arboretum, the Dairy Bush, and a beautiful campus surrounded by nature at our fingertips. If you have not had the chance to walk through the forests of Guelph, I highly recommend it. I am very grateful that I am able to take a course that teaches us about the values and roles of nature interpretation. In all, viewing nature from these various perspectives has taught me a lot and enabled me to appreciate nature in new ways.

Picture from: Arbnet

Some questions for you:

What is your definition of privilege? 

What impact has privilege had on your relationship with nature? Is this relationship positive or negative?

[mkenvs3000]

Hi Jacob, 

I really enjoyed reading your post this week. I agree that communication is a major component when it comes to an ideal interpreter. When presenting information, it is essential that an interpreter is aware that each individual has a unique learning style. People may favour one or even have a combination of both, therefore I agree that it is necessary for information to be presented in a diverse way. 

Personally, my learning style is a combination of visual, tactical, and even auditory in certain circumstances. When sitting in a lecture, I find it difficult to understand and retain the information at hand when there are no visual explanations or diagrams. I am a very spatial person, so when a professor includes videos or even a 3D model of a process or pathway, it is always helpful. On the other hand, when it comes to studying, you would think that I would prefer a visual aid, so writing or drawing something, however, I find that writing down information isn’t as helpful. Instead I’d rather have a conversation about the material and repeat the information out loud. Being someone who has a combination of learning and studying styles, I think that communication between interpreter and perceiver and diverse presentation of the information is critical. 

Additionally, when you stated “Nature interpretation should be more inspirational than informational”, it really spoke to me. I completely agree! Establishing a meaningful connection to nature can teach us so much, maybe even more than just the hard facts and information. I wish to help people interpret nature through art by inspiring them to look at nature from a different perspective each time they step out into the world.  

Keeping it Real, Relevant, & Relatable

“It is beyond a doubt that all our knowledge begins with experience” - Immanuel Kant

As a nature enthusiast with a passion for curriculum design and knowledge translation and transfer, my ideal role as an environmental interpreter would be to design and develop learning resources for students and people of all ages. Such a role might entail; creating physical textbooks, eBooks, online activities, program plans, environmental curriculum, etc…

Photo by Perfecto Capucine on Unsplash

Environmental interpretation is a complicated task that requires a certain skillset. Generally, people learn best when they care about the subject matter. In terms of knowledge transfer, sometimes the worst place you can be is in your own head. As knowledge brokers, our jobs are to relay information in an understandable and engaging fashion. Audiences highly benefit from a personal connection to the material, whether that’s through engaging them emotionally or connecting the new information with previously acquired knowledge. Thus, as an environmental interpreter specializing in curriculum design and knowledge translation, it is crucial to utilize relevancy and relatability to produce more comprehensible and engaging content.

“Knowledge that is not put into practice is like food that is not digested” - Sathya Sai Baba

Communication is the essence of interpretation. Interpreters should strive to accommodate different learning styles and abilities in order to create an accessible learning environment. When information is only presented in one way it lacks diversity. Furthermore, everybody has a preferred learning style. Whether it be visual, textual, auditory, hands-on, or a combination of multiple. As a content developer and program planner, it is extremely important to keep this in mind. Curriculum and content should cater to all styles of learning in order to provide an equal opportunity for all participants.

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid” – Albert Einstein

As can be seen, many skills are needed to be an effective environmental interpreter. A few other important skills include storytelling, picking a central theme, and adjusting to different audiences. Firstly, good stories do more than create a sense of connection. They build familiarity and trust and allow the listener to enter the story where they are, making them more open to learning. Additionally, stories are more engaging than a dry recitation of data points. Secondly, a central theme must be relevant not just to the interpreter but also to the audience; this provokes thought and elicits enjoyment. Lastly, it is important to know your audience and adjust accordingly. Creating content/programs for a group of adults would look much different than for a group of children.  

Photo from a guided tour of the Guelph Arboretum. Storytelling was used as a knowledge transfer tool to convey information in an engaging fashion. Photo taken by me. 

The overriding principal of interpretation, according to “Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World” is to love the place and to love the visitors. In terms of delivering programs and following through on environmental curriculum, it is important to recognize that some scenes need no words as reporting the beauty of a scene might reduce the opportunity for inspiration. Moreover, it is crucial to utilize a multi-sensory learning approach, total programming (to extend major messages to all citizens), and strategic framing (to address controversial issues).

Banff, Alberta. Scene needed no words. Photo taken by me.

Nature interpretation should be more inspirational than informational. The information is important, but without inspiration, it is meaningless. As an environmental interpreter specializing in curriculum design and knowledge translation, I would have the opportunity to bring information to life in an accessible and relatable way. The beauty of life is that everything is an interpretation. Your thoughts. Your perception. Your reality.

Some questions for you:

How do you take your “Vitamin N”?

Have you ever been in a class where the teaching style did not fit your learning style? How did you cope with this?

What is your preferred learning style? How can relatability and relevancy in knowledge transfer augment your learning experience through your preferred style of learning?

References:

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2019). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For a better world. Urbana: Sagamore Publishing.

Liyanage, C., Elhag, T., Ballal, T., & Li, Q. (2009). Knowledge communication and translation – a knowledge transfer model. Journal of Knowledge Management, 13(3), 118-131. doi:10.1108/13673270910962914

Thank you for taking the time to read my post! I’m looking forward to reading yours. All comments welcome!

Jacob

[mkenvs3000]

My Ideal Role as an Interpreter

When describing an ideal environmental interpreter, I immediately think of an enthusiastic man named Peter who works at Shades Mill Conservation area. Throughout my academic years, starting from a very young age, each year my class would take a field trip to the conservation area, where we would meet up with Peter to do various nature activities and learn more about the local wildlife. Peter is a very passionate man who wishes to help people broaden their perspective of the world around them and deepen their understanding about how everything in nature is harmoniously connected. Whether it was learning about different insects or analyzing various animal tracks, Peter always had the class actively engaged.

My ideal role as an environmental interpreter would be hosting an art class outdoors by a beautiful scenic view. Each participant would have the opportunity to interpret and create a piece of art that truly speaks to them. I believe that establishing a connection to nature through art, allows one to see things they may have overlooked before and see the world from a different point of view. Art has always been an important component of my life as it allows me to just relax and take a minute to breathe. 

As an interpreter, I would help the perceiver to establish a sense of wonder and discover through exploration what that sense of wonder looks like to them as an individual. It is important to remember that everyone interprets and digests their surroundings in a unique way and as an interpreter I wish to encourage that uniqueness through the expression of art. If drawing an extremely detailed picture of a flowing river speaks to them, or messily throwing down paint onto a canvas to see what it will create speaks to them, then do it! 

As discussed within the textbook, an effective interpreter is able to use tangible elements - the growing plants, the running rivers and streams, and the lively wildlife - to create intangible meanings associated with these elements. David Larsen promoted this concept, noting that tangible objects and places are connected to intangible ideas, feelings and meanings (Beck et al., 2018). 

Photo taken from: https://www.liveabout.com/which-acrylic-paints-best-hot-climates-2577394

An essential skill to have as an interpreter is passion. Like Peter, having an interpreter who is passionate about what they are talking or writing about definitely intrigues and engages the audience. Interpreters explain and translate the central values to perceivers, thus enriching their experience by presenting the essence of the place, rather than every fact and detail present. By interpreting the central values, it allows people to take in and comprehend the information any way that they want. I believe that a lot of people are timid when it comes to expressing themselves through artwork. Therefore, as an interpreter I would wish to inspire and provoke the perceiver to step out of their comfort zone and create something that speaks to their experience. I truly believe that the role of the interpreter goes beyond just providing information but rather revealing a deeper meaning and truth behind nature.

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